What we've been up to...

When Granny & Pepaw were here a few weeks ago we drove out to Hardware Ranch to see the elk. In the picture below you can hardly tell but they are back in the field eating hay.

Isn't she getting so big, I just can't believe it!! The girls spend lots of time at the table coloring, painting, and making crafts. I think it's their favorite thing to do. Here they are doing what they do while enjoying their afternoon snack.

Last week Michael's dad and brother Kyle came to visit for a few days during Kyle's spring break. They were able to get up to Beaver Mountain for some skiing/boarding! I'm bad and didn't get any pictures, so I stole this one from Facebook. Here's Michael and Kyle at Beaver!

Oh, yeah....and one more thing....We're buying a house!!! We closed yesterday afternoon. Today we'll get the keys and move! Here we are in front of the house before the final walk-through.

So our current place has been looking like this...

lots of boxes everywhere! Elizabeth has had a bit of a hard time with it. She doesn't know what to think about the boxes everywhere and mommy just keeps getting another one to fill. Thankfully, today they will get to spend time with friends and play (with toys - since ours are all packed up!)

Yesterday I caught this scene out the window...ducks in the river, and deer over in the field.

So, here's a little tour of the new house, all empty...

the living room

kitchen

another angle of the kitchen

dining area

Madilynn & Elizabeth's room - it's purple!

the new baby's room

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Downstairs den

laundry room

another angle of laundry room

kids play nook off the downstairs den

guest room

guest bath

I guess, the two rooms not pictured are the upstairs hall bath, and the 2nd guest room downstairs.

We are so excited, and TODAY is the BIG moving day!!! I've been awake since before 5am and couldn't go back to sleep! We'll be without internet for a few days (till it gets all set up at the new place), so I may not get to update again till then. Can't believe tomorrow is April 1st! March just flew by for us...

Elizabeth's Dedication

We had Elizabeth's baby/child dedication at church yesterday.

Here's a picture of her write-up in the church bulletin along with her picture at 9mo. old...

Just before the service started
The girls didn't know what to think about being up on the stage, but they found people they knew out in the audience who waved to them and that made them smile and feel better!

Granny & Pepaw are in town this week - group picture. They also got it all on video, but the video is too big to post on here or email. So, we'll have to show you when you come visit!

Afterwards we all went to lunch at Olive Garden. Then to the park. It was such a beautiful day!

California Beach!!!

Wednesday morning we ate at IHOP for breakfast in Huntington Beach and walked down to the beach. It was Elizabeth's first time to go to a beach! So fun!!

Elizabeth started pointing and talking to the seagulls and birds immediately!
Huntington Beach pier

we found lots of shells to bring home

Madilynn showing me a shell she found!

going to get the birds

it was sooo bright - but I still think it's just beautiful!

this turned out so good

After the beach we were headed out of town and back to Utah. Elizabeth was enjoying some raisins. The girls wearing their new shirts from Disneyland!

Madilynn watching a movie. She did well with the movies and coloring in the car. Elizabeth on the other hand wasn't interested in the movies too much and didn't really like being in the car so much, but we made it!

the shells we collected!

We got home Thursday afternoon at about 3:30pm. We had a great time, but have enjoyed being home to rest the last couple of days.

Our First Family Vacation!!!

We left out Sunday about 11:30am headed to south Utah (Zion National Park). We had planned to do some hiking and check out the sights for a couple of days, oh and go swimming in the indoor pool. We woke up Monday morning and it was rainy and cloudy so Michael just said lets go to California to Disneyland, and the next thing I know he's on the phone making hotel reservations. Driving through Arizona (for the first time)...

A couple hours later we were in Las Vegas - we got off the interstate and drove down the strip, since we'd never been there before. I loved all the palm trees! It was beautiful there!
Elizabeth loved this fountain and horse

this is as close as I've been to New York City, NY...

Welcome to California!!!

Monday evening we walked around and checked out Downtown Disney!

Tuesday morning coloring in the hotel - so entertained! At least for about 15 minutes!

Walking into Disneyland...Madilynn got a little tired of walking

We made it!!

at the entrance

Mickey Mouse and the marching band came out just as we were walking by the square - good timing! (the tulips were beautiful by the way - reminded me of Iowa's tulip festival!)

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

We walked through the castle first thing...

The girls came out looking like this...they were crying and we just had to get out fast! It was dark and a little scary for little kids.

Madilynn and I stood in line at Princess Fantasy Faire for about an hour to meet the princesses. We got to meet and take pictures with Jasmine...

Belle...

and Tiana...

just after meeting the princesses - she thought it was so fun!

Then on to the tea cups

such a fun ride, wish we would've rode it again!

Me and Madilynn wore buttons that said, "1st visit!"

Riding one of the many boat rides...

The flying elephants - so fun!

Madilynn enjoyed working the button making us go up and down

Madilynn and I went all through Mickey Mouse's toontown

Madilynn in front of Minnie's house. I got her picture in front of the "M" rug!

Minnie's kitchen - she even had to see what was in the refrigerator!

In Mickey's house

all while Elizabeth took a nap

by then it was getting dark and we were headed back to the entrance with one more stop at the Carousel!

Elizabeth woke up just before the ride started

Disneyland Main Street at night

One last stop at the gift shop to get t-shirts for the girls. Madilynn had seen everyone's ears all day long and wanted to try some on too!

more ears

Then we made it to eat at Tortilla Jo's mexican. We were so glad to have a sit down meal, it was sooo good!!

Then we walked back to the hotel and gave the girls baths!! Such a fun and exciting day!!!