weekend in El Paso

We head out to the states once a month to get all our errands/shopping done.

This weekend there was a TON going on.

We went shopping with the girls...Tori, Alexa and Brooke...

Can you find our girls among the mannequins at Old Navy?

I couldn't spot them until I glanced over at this grouping of plastic mannequin, then I saw them talking to them, hugging them and holding hands with their new (doll) friends.

Once our million and 2 errands were done we dressed up and went out to a dance recital of some more cousins. Alex was happy to spend time with Malia and Remy.

From there we rushed over to a double birthday party for Malia and Jayden.

These two little munchkins had a blast in the pool. 
No visit is complete without ice cream and late night visits.

We had a busy weekend but spent a lot of time with family and had so much fun. 

Chill'n

This afternoon it got warm enough to put on our swimsuits and get a little wet.

Before I could get Ada into her suit I found her fully clad, shoes and all, soaking in this galvanized tub.

She had her hands behind her head and she was relaxing.

Once I got her out of her clothes and into her swimwear I was hoping she would pose once again for the camera...no such luck.

Glad to be able to get a little color to my whiteness...but what is it about the first time of the season...seeing yourself in a bathing suit...and the SHOCK!

Children's Day

Children's Day is upon us once again. 

Our kids have been practicing for the races.

Every class got matching shirts.

The school provided lunch, awards, and water games today.

Tori in her first race.

Benton participating in his first Children's Day events.

Many ribbons were won in our family this year.

Adalyn was a good sport the whole time.

She cheered on her siblings.

Alex is our speed demon. 

She earned several FIRST place ribbons.

We learned that Benton's main event was the sack-race.

He won by leaps and bounds.

This kid has some hops.

Benton was placed with the Kinder kids because there was only 2 pre-schoolers.

They did very well.

My competitive boy was brought to tears when the 3-legged-race didn't go as planned.

Better practice for next year.

Children's Day continued in Casas.

The Fair came to town along with the Circus. 

All the kids got in for 1/2 price.

This was Adalyn's first time on roller-coasters (only in Mexico)...and she LOVED it.

The faster...the better.

Benton, on the other hand, liked the slower, calmer rides.

Our kids brought some friends with them and we spent two solid hours on straight rides. 

They had a blast.

 HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!

10 years

Today we celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Garrett surprised me with a large, wrapped box. Inside it was a card that said he was good for an I.O.U. I put the card aside and went on with my morning. He kept asking me if I was disappointed. I told him I wasn't and continued to get the kids ready for school. A few minutes later I noticed another gift on my bed. I brought it out for family scripture study and decided to open it in front of the kids. In this box was another wrapped box...and in it was another, smaller wrapped box...and in that smaller box was a tiny box...a RING box to be exact. I opened it and beheld my missing wedding ring!! Not only was it sparkling like new but I had a band of diamonds on either side of my original engagement ring! I was so surprised. He had worked months in advance with our jeweler in Utah to get this done for our anniversary. I jumped on his lap and showered him with kisses...to which all my kids chanted GROSS!
I couldn't have asked for a more symbolic gift to celebrate spending one whole decade with this incredible man.
Happy Anniversary!!

It's not about the Bunny...it's about the Savior

Baby in a Basket.

This year we did our annual decorating of the eggs for the ward Easter Hike.

Most of the ward was out of town so we had a very small party.

Easter morning the Bunny delivered new clothes and treats to everyone.

It was fast-Sunday so we had to wait until after church to have our Easter Egg Hunt.

I prepared a ham dinner for our family and the missionaries.

Benton spoke in Primary and talked about the true meaning of Easter.

Adalyn attended Nursery for the first time and loved bossing everyone around. She must be from the right family!

After an absolute sugar high we all crashed.

My girls were lucky enough to get 2 outfits from the Easter Bunny.

The ultimate test is the "twirl-factor".

Everyone was happy.

Happy Easter!

the cold front

We were hit with a cold front. We went from 80 degree weather to below freezing...overnight.

 

The first day of Spring and we were shoveling our sidewalks.

Since the schools don't have sufficient heating...school was cancelled.

The kids had a great time playing in the snow...before it melted.

We had a fun afternoon of hot chocolate and friends.

All the farmers in town were up all night long trying to protect their crops. Everything was lost. It was beyond their control. 

The last of the peaches for March 2012

Photograph by Shauna Neilsen