Swimming...farm-style

This Spring Break EVERYONE left town.

My good friend Jen and I were the only ones left in town.

We got together almost everyday and did something fun with our 12 kids.

One day we let the kids play in the yard and enjoyed lunch together.

The next day we took a picnic up the river and let the kids play in the sand.

This day we went to a neighboring orchard and swam in their pond.

They had a great rope swing that the big kids were so nice to help the little kids on. We only had 1 injury while playing on the rope.

The water is green but clean. It doesn't bother these farm kids in the least.

They couldn't be more happy.

The view was great. 

We were surrounded by hills and had a nice view of the orchard below.

The kids had a blast pushing each other in...racing...diving...and splashing.

We set up camping chairs...lemonade...and strawberries so we could sit...relax...and visit while the kids swam.

No trip to a water hole is complete without a 4 wheeler. 

The kids all took turns driving and riding the moto.

It was a great day of relaxing...laughing...playing...and visiting.

Thank you Jen for the wonderful "stay"-cation. 

We had a blast with your family this week.

My thoughts

During a nice visit with one of my close friends I discovered that I am not the only one who's mind wanders...wildly...while folding laundry.

I find that my thoughts will travel the spectrum of my brain.

I will think of people that offended me and what I could have said back to them that may be witty or sharp.

I think of how my family was broken while I was a vulnerable teenager

and

how I could have turned to drinking or promiscuity to settle frayed nerves.
Somehow I stayed strong.

I think of the strong examples I've had in my life and how I would never want to disappoint them.

I think of my many "first" loves...and my one "true" love.

I think of feelings I have experienced...

twitterpated

the tingle of a first kiss

jealously

heart-broken

utterly embarrassed

ashamed

exstatic

loved

comforted

blood boiling anger

simply content

Yes, all this goes through my head as I fold laundry, or wash dishes.

Sometimes my mind goes to places that I have to fight.

I cannot let my mind go to those things that might make me fall.

I cannot hold onto those thoughts that make me resentful. 

Thou you cannot erase the memories. They are part of who I am.

They are how I got to this place today...

the good along with the bad.

So, I fold laundry and evaluate my life.

married 9 years

i cannot believe its been 9 years! 

9 years...4 kids later...

i am more in love now.

our anniversary falls on the planting season.

i wasn't expecting much because garrett is typically gone from sun up to sun down.

he has several projects in the works.

some how he managed to surprise me.

i was greeted by one dozen long stemmed roses...a couples massage, which was absolute heaven...and fine dinning for dinner.

living in mexico...on the farm... can be far from luxury but garrett managed the most perfect, luxurious evening.

it was the perfect escape considering we couldn't' leave town.

my in-laws were kind enough to babysit so we could relax.

we remembered the details of our wedding day. the wonderful food we ate. the nice hotel we stayed in. 

our trip to hawaii.

then we had to pick up the kiddos.

there is something about 4 kids demanding your attention that is just not romantic and brings you back to reality real quick!

however, i wouldn't trade them for anything.

happy 9th anniversary!

Easter Sunday

My kids woke up super early this morning to see what the Easter Bunny had left them.

Their cousins came over for a little Easter Egg Hunt.

Still searching for eggs...and blowing bubbles.

Hopefully today will go a lot more smoothly for Alex.

Beautiful Tori. She is getting too old for hats and almost didn't want to wear her gloves to church!

My gorgeous Alex. She loved her hat and gloves but didn't want to wear her RED shoes!!

My sleeping beauty. Adalyn got all ready for church just in time to fall asleep.

My three Musketeers. Benton is having posing issues so there is no portrait of him. They all came out with him holding his crotch...mouth open...tongue out...eyes rolled...

We will work on that!

My traditional Easter hat. I finally got the courage to wear one to our new ward. 

This one goes out to all my friends in the Dublan Ward! I couldn't have kept this tradition going without your interest in what each year would bring on Easter Sundays. HA.

Happy Easter!

Easter Picnic

We had our Easter Picnic today. 

Alex got attacked by dogs.

Stung by a bee.

Bee got caught in her hair.

Her new WHITE pants were BLACK within 3 minutes of arriving at the picnic.

Tori fell doing the 3-legged-race and sprained her wrist.

And we missed the Easter Egg Hunt!

Looks like the Easter Bunny will have to do some making-up for the disaster of a Easter Picnic.

Spring

It's Spring Break for us...all 2 1/2 weeks of it. We opted to stay home this year. I am so thankful the weather is warm and it has been beautiful.

We have been sleeping in until 9:00am and staying in our jamies until noon.

Then we get our swimsuits on and swim all afternoon.

We come home for a late nap and then enjoy the evenings.

I love being lazy and having the laid back culture to support that 100%!

We've been picking flowers. These came from my yard. I love the scent that my rose bushes, in bloom, brings.

Notice Tori's sunburn. She burns through every sunscreen imaginable. Her fair skin doesn't love the sun but she does.

My living room has been transformed into a Lego City...and I don't care. The bliss of vacations or "stay-cations".

Eater is this weekend so, of course, we had to dye eggs.

The Easter Bunny still comes to Mexico.

 I love babies in diapers. The weather has been warm enough that baby cakes hasn't needed to be dressed...and we have no places to be. Oh the life.

I am getting used to this pace.

I don't think I will be too excited when we have to get back on schedule in a week and 1/2.

Ballet

I LOVE that I have three girls. I can't wait until they grow up and we can shop together and go out for lunch...without tantrums or the need for naps. These three are going to be my best friends (once they are all grown up, of course). For now, I am Mom.

I love my 3 little ballerinas.

Here is my girls' ballet class for 2011. We started out with 12 little girls but by the end of the year it dwindles down.

Remy, Alex, Monet, Tori and Bella.

My little Spring Flowers.

This year they have mastered their splits, balancing, ballet terminology, and performing.

I am so proud. I love watching them get better year after year.

My Baby Ballerina