5-18 to 5-21-12 Camping at Hardware Ranch

We enjoyed a long weekend of camping up by Hardware Ranch. The kids loved riding their bikes around. Parker learned how to ride his bike without training wheels just a few days before. This was definitely a test on his balance. By the end of the weekend he was going over rocks and small dirt mounds and managed to only crash a couple of times. It is so nice to be able to enjoy time together and the outdoors. We had a few visitors. Brett Hackwell and his girlfriend's dad came up Saturday evening. They were having such a great time that they decided to run home and get their trailer and come back. They came back with Brett's girlfriend, Laura and her little sister. They left Sunday morning and then Mark, Cheryl and Alaina came to visit on Sunday. Also, Eric's friend Shawn came and visited. We had a great time hanging out with friends. 

4-20-12 "Into the Woods"

Maisie decided to be in the school play this year at Edith Bowen. They had play practice every week for most of the school year. She wasn't so sure about taking a leading role for her first time being in a play, so picked to play the role of a child in "Into the Woods". They worked really hard and had a great time. Here is the plot about "Into the Woods" A childless baker and his wife cannot have a child until they follow the bidding of the witch next door to get a cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold. Good thing, then that they've got neighbors named Jack, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella to help them before (and after) Happily Ever After. Written by Kathy Li Act One: Cinderella wishes to go to the Prince's ball, but her evil stepsisters and stepmother are doing everything they can to prevent her from doing this. Jack wishes for a better life, and his mom wishes for more money. Thus, Jack is made to sell his only friend, his cow, Milky-White. The Baker and his wife are childless, and want a child when the witch from next door tells them she placed a spell on their house preventing them from giving birth. Unless they make a potion by gathering the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, the slipper as pure as gold. All four go into the woods to fulfill their wishes in a funny display of mistakes, bargains, and more. Act Two: All three groups have their wishes, but directly quoting, "Wishes may bring problems, such that you regret them, better that though than to never get them...". Suddenly, a huge crash and boom is heard. The witch's garden is trampled, and the Baker's house almost destroyed. By what? No what! It's a who! A giant! The wife of the giant Jack killed! All go back into the woods. Jack - to slay the giant. Cinderella - to investigate bad news of her mother's grave. The Baker and his Wife - to lead Little Red Riding Hood to her grandma's house. Through the journey they get the repercussions of their earlier actions in a more serious way.

Easter - Camping Trip

We spent our first camping trip of 2012 Easter weekend. It was a bit chilly, but we braved the weather and went anyways. We went up Blacksmith Fork Canyon and camped just below Hardware Ranch. The kids enjoyed a easter egg hunt and somehow the Easter Bunny found us the next morning.

4-1-12 Maisie & her babies

Maisie loves her babies. She begged me to take her "family" pictures with all her babies. She was so serious about it and wanted to make sure that I took family and individuals of each of them. If she is anything like the mom she is to her babies, she will make a great mom one day.

Vegas.... Here we come.

Friday, March 23, Eric and I dropped Parker off at Regina's at 8:00 and Maisie off at school at 8:15 and then we were off to Vegas. It was a long drive, but we made it by 3:00 p.m. We checked into our hotel, Wild Wild West. A smaller hotel just off the strip. We relaxed for a bit and then headed out to Fremont Street. Fremont Street is the life of the party. It was one of our favorite things we did there. We listened to music, watched dancing, and just watched all the people. We were probably there from about 5:00 to 10:00. We did walk down to the famous Pawn Shop. Amazing how small the pawn shop really is. 

Afterwards, we went to the Stratosphere. What a gorgeous view of Vegas. You can see all of Vegas from the top. It's amazing how you can see all the lights and then all of a sudden they stop. Crazy how Vegas really is in the middle of no where. We enjoyed the views and then at the bottom of the Stratosphere we sat down and had some pizza. I kept teasing Eric because he never wanted to eat. By this time I was starving. Nothing like eating dinner at 11:00 at night.

Saturday we got up and headed to Hoover Dam. It's a 40 minute drive from Vegas. What a spectacular view. That bridge is amazing. I can't even imagine how they built that dam in the 1930's. 

Then we checked out the south end of Vegas and walked through several of the casinos. At 3:00, Eric finally let me eat at In-n'-Out burger. First time we haven't eaten there. Don't really get what all the hype is about that place. It was a bit to greasy for me, but at that point I was willing to eat anything. We went back and relaxed at the hotel for a little while and then headed to the Monster Jam.

Monster Jam started at 7:00 and was finished about 10:30. It was amazing. It was a sold out show to 40,000 people. It was getting to the point that we had no idea how one more person could possibly squeeze into those seats. It was a bit frustrating how many people came late and how many had to get in and out of their seats. We were at the very top row at the top of the stairs so we had to deal with everyone coming up the stairs. We had a great time and are all ready ready to go back next year. We hope to take the kids, because we know they would love it. We took a little nap in the car waiting for the traffic to clear out of the parking lot. We didn't want to fight getting out and then sitting in line forever.

Sunday was a little more relaxed. We didn't have a whole lot planned. We visited the Dolphin Habitat. Walked through a lot of the casino's in central Vegas. We ate for the first time that day at 3:00 at Planet Hollywood. We shared a hamburger. Took a cat nap in our car, which was parked in the covered parking garage at Bill's.  Then we went to the Piano Bar at the Paris Casino. The two pianists were very entertaining. Amazing that they could play and sing any song that was requested. Our two favorite things of Vegas, besides the Monster Jam, were Fremont Street and the Piano Bar.

We walked a ton. I calculated in 2 1/2 days we walked close to 20 miles. We had a great time and loved our mini vacation alone without kids, but it was sure nice to drive into the calmness of Cache Valley.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What a crazy but relaxing Saturday it has been. The wind has blown like mad for the last 24 hours. Raining on and off. Parker and I have spent most of the day cooped up indoors. Maisie ran around the neighborhood with a neighbor friend.

I cooked for the first time Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patty's Day. It turned out pretty good. Not something I could eat all the time, but once a year for something different. Parker insisted on green mac & cheese for lunch. It must have been good, cause he went back for more.

We ended the day with a trip to our favorite place, Twizlberry. I could go there everyday. I have gone nearly two weeks without sweets and just couldn't resist tonight. Definitely worth it.

Our own Monster Jam

This little video clip gives you an idea of our nightly entertainment. Parker puts on our own Monster Jam show quite frequently for us. He is so creative and imaginative.