Let's Go Camping!!

So we are ready to go anytime you all are. We finally got rid of the Tahoe and the Toy Hauler and traded up a bit for something a little easier to drive park and haul other toys. We are hoping we can meet up with you guys sometime and do some comfortable camping.
The pickup is an '03 Chevy Duramax Diesel 3/4 ton with an 8 ft bed and the camper is an '06 Lance 10.5 ft. with all the bells. We got a great deal on each one and look forward to many happy trails.

We have a Graduate in the Family!

Congratulations Ava! She has graduated from preschool - this is only the beginning! Preschool with Miss Laura this year has been such a blessing for Ava. She has learned so much and has had so much fun. Drew, DeAnna and I were able to attend her graduation ceremony last week. The kids put on a little program filled with songs in spanish and sign language, and finally pomp and circumstance and the diploma! Ava, we are so proud of you! Next - Kindergarten!

Butterflies!

For Easter, Ava received a "Butterfly Garden". Basically, you send in a coupon for 5 small caterpillars that will eventually form cocoons and turn into beautiful butterflies. I have decided that this is the BEST "pet" you can have, because they are VERY low maintenance and you have to let them go after a few weeks!

So we started with 5 caterpillars that came in the mail, in a jar full of food for them. Over the next week or so, they grew 3 times their original size and made their way to the top of the cup to form a cocoon. We watched them everyday, and finally, they broke free of their cocoons and emerged as beautiful 'Painted Lady' butterflies.

The Frog and the Princess

Ava ran to the computer the other day and insisted that I help her spell every word to a story she wanted to type. Well, right away I knew this would turn into a long hunt-and-peck epic tale, so instead, I suggested that she sit on my lap and tell me the story, and I'll type for her. Yes!

So this is the story of a little frog and a princess. Somewhere along the way a mermaid appears, I'm not sure why, and to top it off this story has also been fully illustrated! Enjoy!

FYI...

So I know ya'll know, but I'll say it again....
WE MOVED!

It all went down in less than a week - I happened to see this house listed, we drove by and called, went to see it and filled out an application, got accepted, signed papers and payed moola, and moved! It's only a couple miles from our old place - so still super close to everything. We love the big back yard and big garage and we're slowing getting everything out of the old place and into the new. We're bummed about leaving our awesome ward, but look forward to new adventures in a new, big ward. So we've been pretty busy lately - moving, last week of school, getting ready for a dance showcase we're performing in, regular family stuff, etc... So no pictures yet, but once we're more settled and get the camera out I'll be sure to post some pics of our new digs! =)

25 Weeks... and counting (please count fast!)

I win for BIGGEST BELLY!!!!! Hahaha--take that Kimbre! AND, I still have 3 months to GROW!
ummmm...wait a minute . . . I'm not sure this is the type of contest you're supposed to try to win.
Anyone up for taking over all cleaning responsibilities at my house-- bending over to pick up stuff is sooo over-rated right now! :)
Happy Mother's Day everyone!!! Love you!

A Mother's Day Surprise!

About 10 days ago, Ava came to me with some great news! "Mother's Day is coming! I need to go to the store to get a mother's day gift, BUT, I can't tell you who it is for, okay!"

So she pulled a few dollars from her piggy bank and we headed off to the store together. She was determined to get something special for "someone". She started with earrings, and I tried to steer her one way or another, and give her some hints, but every time I asked who she was shopping for she would roll her eyes and exclaim, "Mo-om, I CAN'T tell you. It's for Mother's Day!" At our second store of the afternoon, her eyes finally fell upon the perfect gift. She was convinced - this was it! So we went to the check out and she handed over her $2 dollars, (and of course I paid the rest), and we headed home.

As soon as we got home she needed a box. So I found one in my craft closet. Then she needed wrapping paper, so she looked through all the rolls and found some beautiful red and white Christmas paper. Finally, she need tape - but we were out so the solution - Dora the Explorer stickers of course!

I helped her wrap the little box and thought we were done, when she grabbed a marker and asked me to help her write the person's name on the top. I asked her once again who it was for, only to receive the same little smirk on her face and the "I can't tell you" reply. "But can you help me spell MOMMY?" I almost laughed out loud. We finished the job, and this morning, you'll never guess what I received for Mother's day... I think she did a pretty good job, don't you?

And... Behind Door #1...

A NEW CAR!

That's right folks - Drew and Mandy have FINALLY come to terms with the fact that the old car will not last much longer - and have traded it in for a brand new (2005), deluxe interior (standard issue), full of extras (not really), Dodge Grand Caravan!

Ok, so I can't really do Bob Barker but...

WE ARE SO EXCITED!

We started talking about needing more space and the idea of a minivan about a week ago. Then we started "looking" on Tuesday and by Thursday afternoon, we had a new Dodge! Drew was AWESOME! He was able to talk them down a few thousand $$ and also increase the amount of our trade-in-value for the Saturn, and TA-DA...welcome home Minivan!

The kids LOVE it! Okay, to be honest, I love it too. It is pretty basic. It is a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. It has a CD player AND and cassette player, (I know what you're thinking - SWEEEET!!) It has bucket seats for the kids in the middle row and A/C with separate controls in the back. It has 64000 miles on it and LOTS of storage with the stow-n-go feature, which I love! We are so blessed to have found a vehicle that will hold our family for many years to come.

P.S. Just in case you were wondering.. NO - I am not pregnant. :)

Baby Bump 33-34ish weeks

Alright, you all pestered me enough, so here ya go! I feel huge and pasty white but I took pictures anyway!

Happy Easter!

Muddy Buddies--ahh the joys of dirt!

What can I say? There's just something about boys and dirt--it's great!