Memorial Day

We had a fun time over Memorial Day in Island Park this year. The weather was the best we have had in several years. The kids enjoyed being outdoors and around the camp fire. Matt and the girls went on a four wheeler ride up in the snow and the boys and I went to Big Springs with Grandma Ricks. We had a lot of yummy food and a lot of fun. I hope the weather keeps staying nice each year it makes the weekend so much more enjoyable.

Playing Catch Up

I have good intentions to blog more often, but for some reason other things prevent this from happening. These other things are KIDS. They have been so busy and the girls have had so many things going on with the end of school, that life has been nuts. Tomorrow is the last day of school, so we are looking forward to a fun summer and a little more mellow life. Kayla had a reader's theater at school and she played Jack's mom in Jack and the Beanstalk. The boys finished preschool and had a performance where they got to sing Miss Mary Mack with all their friends from class. We were able to go to Utah and see Grandma and Grandpa Nielson. This picture cracked me up. Aiden was trying on Grandma's glasses. We were also able to leave the kids overnight and Matt and I celebrated our 13th Anniversary in Park City. He took me shopping. He knows what I love to do. It was a lot of fun. I can't believe we have been married for 13 years. The time has flown by. I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Matt and the kids made me breakfast and then for dinner we went to my mom and dad's. It was a super nice day and I am blessed with the five best gifts that call me mom. They make me love my job being a mom. Last week we walked over the the golf course with the kids and the boys got their first experience of real golf. Up to this point golfing to them has consisted of plastic clubs and balls. They were so excited to get their hands on a real golf club. They got so excited as they got their ball to sink in the hole. It will be fun for Matt to keep practicing with them. Soon we will all be able to go golfing as a family. A little more practice is needed before then. Paige had a learning fair at school. She had chosen Mia Hamm as the person to do her report on. She made a poster, typed up a report and got to dress up like who they had chosen. She did a really good job and made a cute soccer player. Life has been good but crazy, but we are loving every minute of our crazy lives.

Easter

We had a fun Easter this year. The kids woke up Saturday morning and found that the Easter Bunny had already come to our house. The boys were so excited. Collin keeps asking me when it will be Easter again (already), because he loves when the Easter Bunny comes. Then we went to the park for the egg hunt. This was the first year in like 3 or 4 years here that there hasn't been snow for the egg hunt. It was really nice for a change. There were tons of kids at the egg hunt, so the kids only got a few eggs each. This didn't go over to well with the boys. We made up for it though and did an egg hunt at our house. We also colored eggs. It was a fun filled day and we packed a lot of activities into it. Sunday the kids got to wear their new Easter clothes. (Just the girls. The boys got new church clothes a few months ago and I thought it was a waste to buy them another. Besides, they don't know the difference.) Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Ricks' for another egg hunt and dinner. The egg hunt at grandma and grandpa's was by far their favorite, because they got alot of treats. It was a really nice Easter this year.

Hectic Life

Who knew that with five kids life could be hectic. I have felt lately that there has been no down time and a lot of running around and going places all the time. I guess that is what happens as kids get older and get more involved. Paige had a play at school a few weeks ago. It was about the solar system. She had a really small part but she really practiced hard and did a good job. Then she graduated from DARE at school. They take a class and then had to write a paper and then they have a graduation. It is a big deal around here. She also had a choir concert. That is just one kid and I felt like we were going somewhere every night. I can't believe how grown up she is getting and she is turning into such a beautiful young woman. We are so proud of her. (Of course the only picture from the play happens to be a little dark. My pictures never turn out in the school gyms.) A couple of weeks ago I finally convinced Kayla to get her hair cut. Every morning I battle with her on her hair. She has so many snarls and she screams at me when I comb it and all she wants in it is a ponytail. I was tired of it. After a few months of convincing she decided she was ready. So we went and did it right away. The finished result is super cute and less snarly. The only downfall is we have a have a little extra time to straighten it every morning, but to me it is worth it. The girls and I were able to go to Salt Lake a about four weeks ago to see my niece in a tumbling competition. We had a fun time and did a little shopping. Kayla's favorite part was swimming at the hotel. My niece did awesome and it was fun to spend some time with my sister and her family. The three little girlies watching the meet. The boys have all been sick with the flu over the last week and a half. Aiden got it first and after the three days of being sick, Collin woke up in the night sick. Then three days later when I thought we were home free Brock got sick. It has taken Brock almost 5 days to recover, and I think we are finally finished with all the sickness. It was a long week and a half but I survived. Spring is upon us and I am so glad. I don't know who is more stir crazy, me or the kids. I am so ready for some nice weather so the kids can get outside to play.

Cruise

A few weeks ago, Matt and I were able to take a much anticipated vacation. Our first cruise. We went with Matt's parents, his brothers Curt, Darren and Mike and their wives. It was alot of fun and I would definately cruise again. DAY 1 - We flew from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake, Salt Lake to Los Angeles, and Los Angeles to Miami (the red eye flight). It wasn't too bad, but we were definatley tired by the time we got to Miami. DAY 2- Day at Sea The weather wasn't the best, so we just ate a lot of food and hung out with everybody else. It was the first formal night at dinner and it was fun getting all dressed up. We don't ever do that, so it was fun. DAY 3- Cozumel, Mexico We started off by playing some beach volleyball as a group. That was alot of fun. The beach volleyball court was right next to the ocean, so it seemed like every time we hit the ball it ended up in the ocean. It was fun. Then we did a razor tour through the jungle and along the ocean. It was really gorgeous. Matt loved driving the Razor and got a little crazy a few times. We even got to stop and gather sea shells along the ocean. We loved Cozumel. DAY 4 - Belize City We went and saw some Holler Monkeys and then had a tour of Belize City. This wasn't my favorite stop but I did enjoy feeding the monkey. DAY 5 - Roatan We absolutely loved Roatan. We hired a tour guide named Lara and she was awesome. We went to the West End to the beach and Matt did some snorkeling and I enjoyed the beach. The beach was gorgeous and so was the day. This was our number one favorite. DAY 6 - Grand Cayman We started off at 7 mile beach and then we headed to Stingray City. I was a little nervous about swimming with the stingrays, but I got in and it wasn't too bad. There were a ton of stingrays and it was fun to watch Matt wrestle them down. He loved it. DAY 7 - Day at Sea The weather was not good again, so we resorted to eating. We definatley got our fair share of food. It was all so good and it was always available. DAY 8 - Miami We decided to stay over in Miami, so we went to the Everglades to Gator Park and we rode on an air boat. I even got to hold a baby gator. Check that off of my bucket list. It was really cool. Then we headed to South Beach. I liked Miami and the weather was awesome. DAY 9 - Home I was so anxious to get home. We were able to bump our flight and get on a little earlier flight. We didn't tell the kids and we were waiting for them when they got home from church. They hugged us and couldn't get enough of us. I was so overcome with the love and how much I missed them, I was brought to tears. The moment was priceless. I am so glad my parents were so willing to watch them and also the kids' favorite babysitter Linzy and her husband Braxton. This wouldn't have been possible without them. We had an awesome time and I am already looking forward to when we can go again.