Visitors

Kerry's sister Sherri and her family came to stay with us last week. They were the best guests and we really enjoyed spending time with them. If we weren't eating to our heart's content, we were in and around the pool. The weather was about 10 degrees cooler than it it this week, so I'm glad they came when they did because they were already experiencing a 30 degree increase from the weather they left in Utah. Sherri and I shared the cooking. It was great not having to do all the cooking. Sherri even brought her famous Belgium waffle maker down! I think I gained 5lbs eating her yummy food! The adults got away one night for dinner. We also took all the kids out to visit M&M world on the strip. If you haven't been there, you're not missing much. It was an adventure taking out eight kids in the Las Vegas heat, but we survived. The kids can say they did something away from the house. As I observed it, swimming in the pool and playing the Wii were the big hits. We managed to avoid any injuries until poor little Jacob fell on the stairs and landed right on his eye. He was just a smidgen away from cutting it right open. Instead it swelled out like a golf ball and became black and blue. We called him "Rocky" the rest of the time. You know you have great guests when the sheets and towels are all laundered folded and put away before they leave. Thanks guys. We loved having you. Come again!!

Swim lessons

Claire went back to the swim school that I took her too last year. It's amazing to me what is accomplished in eight twenty minute lessons. I think the secret is in the one on one training. Claire reluctantly went to each lesson. By about the last lesson, she started to act like she liked her teacher. In spite of that, she is swimming great. we are amazed at how she swims all over the pool. The other night, something was left at the bottom of the pool. Claire was determined to dive down and get it. She tried over and over and almost got it. I began to worry that the poor girl was going to do herself in trying so I asked Shelby to get it, but Claire was really close!

Finished!!

We've finally finished our side yard project. It ended up taking more time, money and energy than Kerry and I had expected. It wouldn't make the cover of Better Homes and Garden, but it is so much better than what we had and so much more useful. Here's a few pictures of the final product.

Memorial weekend at the cabin

We went back to the cabin again this year. It is located just outside Zion Nation Park. It was built last year and we were the first family to stay in it. It is done in a cowboy theme and because it's new, it's really nice. It has plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for all of us. This year, the owners added a ping pong table and a playhouse that we enjoyed. It is fun for us to get all of our families together for a few days. The best part for me is watching the pure joy the kids have playing together. They spent most of the time playing outside the cabin in the dirt. The adults and my older kids kept busy playing ping pong, and games like "are you smarter than a fifth grader" (the only game we can get Dad to play). The guys went golfing and we took the kids to an animal sanctuary where they saw lots of parrots, some horses, sheep and goats. There is also a dog, cat, bunny and pig house that that we did not see. Something left for next year. The kids also loved going on ATV rides, making s'mores, and being creative with paint. I took lots of pictures to capture some of the fun.








I saw this idea in a magazine. The kids decorated an egg carton. Different colors are painted inside. After they dried, the kids went on a nature walk and looked for things that matched the colors in their carton.

May

May for me in a nutshell:
1. Women's conference. Went with Tonya and Brenda. Had a great time. I was motivated to be a better Mom and got to hear the prophet speak.
2. Mother's day. I've been blessed with a great Mom and blessed to be a Mom.
3 Two ultrasounds and two doctor appointments due to belonging in the 35 and older club. They want to do more tests on me than I will consent to, so in compromising, I am agreeing to the extra appointments and ultrasounds.
4. School and Primary carnivals. One day apart. (whew)
5. Activity day recognition night
6. Kyra's baptism
7. Piano recital. Brayden was nominated for a scholarship and got to play in one of the music halls at UNLV. He did a great job! Even though he did not win, he was a winner just for being chosen.
8. Memorial Day weekend (that will be a separate post)
9. Swim lessons. I'm taking Claire back to the swim school she went to last year. She had her first lesson today.
10. Still working on a backyard project that is getting closer. Hope to post pictures soon.
In addition to this list, life as I know it continues (cooking, cleaning, driving kids around ect.).
I'm happy though, to be feeling good enough to be doing all of this.

Easter late

Easter was a month ago. I'm finally getting around to posting some picture so that we have some memory of it. I felt lousy that morning so Kerry played photographer. I've sure relied on him a lot lately.


At our house the kids each have an easter basket that they use every year and just like a Christmas stocking, they set it out for the Easter Bunny to fill. Every year the Easter bunny hides the baskets for the kids to find. Not sure how much alike it is in other homes, but this is how the Easter bunny does it at ours.

backyard project

Our backyard has a unique shape to it. We've not known how to best use our side yard. We had a pathetic patch of grass there and a planter in the corner that we've never really liked. The area's not big enough for a swing set. We toyed with the idea of a trampoline but I wouldn't be able to see it from the sliding glass door. (too afraid that kids would be doing crazy things that I wouldn't know about). After going back and forth with various ideas, we finally decided to expand the pool area. We think this will be a better use of the area. My brother is helping us with the planters and the pavers. We are going to have tear down part of the pool gate and build a new one. Cross our fingers, we hope it will turn out nice and be space better used. I decided to take some before pictures. this is what its looking like now. The pictures aren't very great, but neither is this side of my yard. Hope to be able to post some after pictures soon.