Happy Easter 2014

 

Grandma Jill, Shelley and Ashley came to visit over Easter weekend. They were kind enough to watch the kids while we were marathoning (and then napping and then massaging). It was great to have company for the holiday.

Hunting for Easter treats is always great fun!

Brooklyn is always up for a good pose!

Thank goodness for Grandma Carol who thought to pick out new Easter dresses for my girls.

Mackenzie, Mateo, Kalli, TJ, Brooklyn, Char, Alanna, Juno

Spring is Coming

Spring Break 2014 Disneyworld

We love having a 2 week early spring break. We've been planning this vacation for 2 years. We joined the Disney Vacation Club (DVC if you will) and we can take a really great vacation every other year with our points. Our first trip was to Aulani Disney resort on Oahu.

We visited Epcot, Animal Kingdom (twice), Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. The Animal Kingdom gave kids these little booklets that they could get badges (stickers) in throughout the park. Mackenzie loved that so we had to go back to get more!

I'm making a list of don'ts for next time...don't bring a 1 year old (that should be easy), don't plan anything the day you get in, and bring a change of clothes for the Kali river raft ride (Animal Kingdom). Make sure all kids who can't swim are wearing life jackets.

We stayed in the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs. It was a perfect fit for us because our girls love watching the show Treehouse Masters. I would stay there again (next time try villas closer to main pool).

Pretty in White

January 28

Birthday boy

Great to be 8

Mackenzie had her 8th birthday February 7. It's hard for me to believe I have a child that old but Robert and I are coming up on our 11th anniversary so it all adds up.

On her birthday day, Grandma Jill surprised Mackenzie by picking her up from school, taking her to get her ears pierced, and of course Olive Garden.

Mackenzie chose to have a friend party at Color Me Mine, painting pottery, eating Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes and opening fun presents. Friends attending were Anja, Aryanna, Grayson, Nela, Ryan, Auden, sister Brooklyn and cousins Olivia, Kate, and Kylie (who were in town for the baptism).

The first party we had planned, we had to cancel because all the kids got the flu the night before. It was a sad day for the birthday girl, but it all worked out.

The big baptism day was Saturday March 1 and Mackenzie had a swell of support there which was awesome. Grandma, and Grandpa, and Great Grandma Jean and Shelley and baby Ashley all flew in. Donny's family drove out. We also had the Holzers, Longs, Cyle Adairs, Shayla, Shalese and Kevin from down south. And Robert's siblings, Grandma Carol, and Bruce and Jan all joined us. Bishop Larson did a Mackenzie spotlight which was cute, and she made sure to inform him that her name was spelled wrong in his notes.

Aaaww (flashback)

Mackenzie: Heavenly Father had a really good idea.
Me: What was it?
Mackenzie: Brooklyn.

I don't know where she came up with that or if she even knew what she was saying but it was pretty cute!


Mackenzie also gave her first talk in primary last Sunday. She was thrilled to get up in front of all the kids with a microphone! I know she did not get that from her mother... or her father...mysterious.