Mother's Day

MELT. MY. HEART.

I felt sooo spoiled this Mother's Day.  Jason told me later that he had read a list of things moms want on Mother's Day and tried to do all of those.  I got to sleep in late, he made a DELICIOUS breakfast, and all the kids and he brought be gifts in bed.  I've been wanting a new knife and bowls for a while and I absolutely love the kids' pictures.  One this in this photo, that really melts my heart is the candy- from Jacob!  He probably got it from school and had hidden it from his siblings--that's a big deal to give to me.  After a nice dinner at the MacKay's that evening, I got a lavendar bath and a massage! Ahhhhh!

MacKay- grams May

It's so great having little neighbors to play with!  Ready set go!

Every Friday, a gal in our ward posts a play date for anyone who wants to come!  With school and stuff, we can't always make it, but we came for just over an hour this time.  

I've been teaching lessons again and I love it!  When I worked at Cimarron one of my theatre co-workers had a baby a few months before I had Jake.  A few months before we moved here, she contacted me about piano lessons-- and then low-and-behold! we moved to her neighborhood area!  I have been loving these piano girls!  I only had three students ready for this recital, so I contacted Jamelle Schelin (long time friend also up here! Yay for living closer!), offered to provide the food, she accompanied by vocalist, and we combined for a lovely evening.:)

Wednesdays are Grandma day, which means Bray, Suzy, and I get our own time between dropping of the twins and Bray going to Kinder.  Lately, one of my favorite things to do with this pocket of time is go grocery shopping at El Super, a local hispanic market.  The produce is a fraction of the price and they have fun things in their deli like corn dogs!  This particular day, we had time to eat our lunch at the park and that strawberry was literally bigger than Braden's mouth-- no photo tricks!

Shannon got some new foam pads, picnic table, and playhouse so offered us these!  AMAZING!  She is THE BEST!  Backyard of rocks magically transformed into a playground-- kiddie pool going on that foam pad area next!

If this outfit still fits in October, I'm gonna make her some mouse ears!  Can't get over the cuteness!

Trip to the Farm & Pony Rides

With our charter school, we have "term breaks" that come a little more regularly :) but don't always line up with everyone else's breaks :/.   For this particular term break we decided to keep it local and try some new things around town!   You would never know this adorable farm/ animal rescue/ pony-ride is tucked away in the middle of Las Vegas!   At $5 a kid and everyone gets a pony ride, it was a go!    Who knew we got free hats too!

We saw and were able to feed tortoises, ducks, chickens, goats, the kids got to hold a bunny, and of course ride a pony.

Turned out Ethan and Braden were a little too nervous to ride, but that's ok.   

The people there were sooo nice and we had a great time!

MacKay-grams April

Covered in happy kids and listening to a very expressive Lincoln = attractive husband

When we moved across the street from Shannon, we knew it would be fun, but this is over the top!  With her preschool, Shannon's classes filled pretty quickly.  But unfortunately, mine didn't have enough interest to make it worth doing.  However, we're still having fun-- I get to have Bella and Lincoln over every week and two of my kids get to participate in Shannon's class.  LOVE IT!!

Doing laundry with Suzy.  Yep, she's two!

Every month Jason's cousin Kenzie puts together a cousin play day.  We can't always come, but when we do, it's always a good time!  This time we were at the Town Square park.  Love these happy faces!

Donuts for A's!!  Brook and Ethan were at grandmas, the boys were on term break, and we decided to take Link for the morning.  Happy kids!

Lately I have really been enjoying crochet.  It's just inventive and methodical and relaxing.  I love it! 

I have WAY too many Pinterest crochet pins!  These are two of my latest creations.

I love my happy bakers!

We've moved!

I plan on posting a lot more about our move and our awesome new house, but we still don't have our computer set up and, well, you know me. ;) 

Anyway, I'll just leave you with this pic of part of our back yard! This is taken from our back deck and that's Jett down with the wheel barrow helping out. We LOVE our new place and look forward to having everyone over sometime! 

Some pictures of the cutest kids ever!

Look how much she's grown!

Riley and her teacher, Miss Sherry, on her last day of preschool. 

E- Speaks

Yesterday, Jason took the boys to the YMCA pool for the first time this season.  We're counting down the days till summer!  Anyhow, Jason took his shirt off and noticed Ethan pipes up, "Daddy, you have a furry belly!"

Then later in the car, Bray and Ethan were arguing (like always).  Finally Braden says, "Dad, do you have hair in your belly-button?"

Jason: "No."

Ethan: "Yes you do!  I saw it!"



Got this in a group text from Grandma Dawn:

Best Grandma Day quote so far today...  (while Harper is changing into her bathing suit) Ethan says, "Grandma, did you know that girls' pee-pees are called a fu-China?  I'm not even kidding.  For reeeeeeal.  Braden even told me!"



*head shaking, eyes rolling, dying laughing*  What am I gonna do with this kid!  Hahaha!

Suzy Speaks

So this morning Suzy, in he regular routine, hops into our room to say hi and "wake up" Daddy.  Currently Daddy is her favorite person-she asks for him all day-it's adorable! 

Suzy: Hi Dad!  I poo-poo! 

Jason: You need to change a diaper? 

Suzy hops up in bed: Ya!

Then I roll over to smile and the conversation begins. :)

Jason: There's mommy!  Hi mommy!  Hey Susan, (pointing at me) is that a mo-mo?  (Her word for monkey) Is that a mo-mo in my bed? 

Suzy:  No! 

Jason:  Is that a doggy? 

Suzy: No!

Jason: (pointing at her now and tickling her neck) Are you a doggy? 

Suzy:  No!  I a butt!  I a poo-poo in my butt! 

We both cracked up!   

Jason and Suzy then discussed whether that meant there was poo-poo in the bed.  And finally he changed her diaper. 

April 2016 - Oakes

This month Ava started the Miss Idaho Little Sister program.  She is so excited to participate in this program again.  She is looking forward to meeting her new big sister, and also finding new community service projects to do.  Love this girl! 

The girls had orientation at Wahooz and were released afterwards to play games and run around with friends.  While Ava spent time with her friend Brighton, the boys and I played some mini-golf.  Today was probably the hottest day of the year - but we had a blast.  Carter liked to hit the ball once, and then pick it up and drop it in the hole.  I think we'll have to work on that one.

On April 13th, Brycen turned 7!  He was totally spoiled with presents from us, Grandma, Paka, Nana & Papa.  It was a great birthday celebration together!

Brycen also tested for the next belt level in TKD.  He was a yellow belt and now he is an Advanced Yellow belt.  To pass, Brycen had to break a pine board with a side kick.  Despite all the practice in class and at home, he was still nervous.  But, it only took 2 tries and he did it!  I am SO proud of him.  This program has really helped his confidence, balance and focus. 

Carter continues to be an awesome kid too.  He loves to be outside, and this weather is perfect.  It has been so warm already.  We love to go to the park with friends and jump on the trampoline outside.  This sweet boy is a bundle of energy.

Atlanta Idaho Back Country Bike Trip

This weekend a few of us left Boise on our Dual Sport bikes and headed for Atlanta, ID.  It is nestled just to the west of  the Sawtooth wilderness mountains.  Few people go there as it's about as far from anywhere there is in Idaho.  Established as a mining town in 1864 it still has much of the same charm and old buildings as any very old town.  Surprisingly there are still quite a few people who live up there full time.  There is a nice B&B there called Beavercreek Lodge... and a very nice hot springs that is just big enough for one party...not very big and just out of town far enough to be private.

 This is on a mountain top over looking Atlanta with the Sawtooth wilderness in the background

On the way there I was overcome with all the beauty and wonderful smells of spring.  The many colors of flowers blooming on the hillsides all around and the overpowering sweet smells of blooming locust trees.  And it hit me... a short and poignant epiphany...  I came upon the thought that one bright and beautiful day in the future, I will have the opportunity to meet our Heavenly Father and feel of His welcoming embrace.  He will have a fragrance of sage or pine, or of a summer breeze just before the rain.  And then he will introduce me to his beautiful wife - and she will have one of the many beautiful smells of locust blossom, or lavender, or of roses.  I realized then that this mother earth has been graced by all of her favorite fragrances.

Our Trip to Hawaii - Maui

(Scroll down and read about Oahu first!)

Apr 23 - Maui

 Since we were so busy in Oahu we decided to take the weekend off and just relax!  Our condo was awesome!  It was on the ground floor so we could walk right out to the pool or hot tub and it was about 100 yards from the beach!
On our first day we got up early and went to the Maui Swap Meet! It's more like a farmers market and it's located at the local community college. It's the best place to get all your souvenirs and fresh produce. The rest of the day we just did a lot of beach bummin'.  The beach closest to the condo was kinda rocky so we found lots of bits of coral and this cool rock that had been hollowed out from the surf.
Apr 24th - Sunday

 We planned on going to Kihei 1st Ward but on our arrival we found a locked gate and a hand written sign saying it was stake conference.  So we turned around and drove 20 minutes to the stake center in Kahului.  We learned that the stake includes several islands so some leaders had to fly in to attend. This included the Temple President and his wife from the big island, Kona. There was also the stake president, his counselors and the missionary president and his wife.  They were all distinguished by wearing leis. The higher up you were, the more ornate your lei. Of course every speaker that got up addressed everyone with a big Alooooha! and we responded.  And at the end we sent them off with the Aloha song (Aloha Oe)

 In the pool area there were several bbqs so we had steaks and grilled pineapple!
Apr 25th - The Road to Hana

 The Road to Hana is a long (50+ miles), winding road that, at best, is 1 1/2 lanes wide.  Its very scenic and has several waterfalls and views along the way. This was one place we stopped at called Ke'anae Peninsula.  It had cool lava rock formations and big waves.

 This is the second time we have taken a picture in front of this particular waterfall and both times quite by accident.  I guess its just a pretty one that has caught our eye both times!

 Even though the drive to Hana was beautiful, our actual objective was 10 miles past Hana at Oheo Gulch.  The Pipiwai trail is about a 5 mile hike round trip and below that is the Kuloa Point Trail, aka the Seven Sacred Pools.

 The hike was absolutely beautiful! very cool trees and waterfalls!

 A huge banyan tree!

 The last half of the trail was a very dense bamboo forest.

  Waimoku Falls!  Much better end result than Manoa Falls!

 Overlooking the ocean at the Seven Sacred Pools.

 The Seven Sacred Pools.  A series of waterfalls flowing from pool to pool out to the ocean.  Usually you can walk down to swim in them but it was gated because the water was too high making it too dangerous.

 One mile even further was the grave site of Charles Lindbergh.  Matt had watched "The Spirit of St Louis" on whim 2 days before we left and on a google search saw that Charles Lindbergh was buried in Maui.  If you didn't know where it was you would never find it.  The only sign we saw was for the church next to it.
Apr 26th - The Old Lahaina Luau

 On my birthday I wanted to go to a luau! I read that this one was the best and we weren't disappointed! Upon arrival we were greeted with leis and fruity drinks.

 The unveiling of the roasted pig, Hawaiian style.

 The Food.  It was delicious and very filling.  Our eyes were too big for our stomachs.  We had terrific seats and it was a great show!
Apr 27th - Molokini Crater

 Early Wednesday morning we had booked a charter boat to take us snorkeling at Molokini Crater.  A small crater off the coast of Maui that has clear water and lots of sea life to see!  The inside of the crater was only about 20 ft deep.  The cool part was they took us around to the back of the crater that was a straight drop down 200ft.  It was a bit eerie being so exposed in deep water but it was so clear and beautiful! Later they took us back to the Maui shore to place they called the "turtle cleaning station".  Here the turtles come from all around to get their shells cleaned by the fish.  We would see as many as 6 -7 turtles at a time!

 I saw something shiny in the water, dove down and grabbed it! A little sea treasure! We even took it to a pawn shop to see if it was real but we found it was nothing but a bit of costume jewelry. A little token for me to take home.
Apr 28th - Last Day

On Thursday we checked out and spend the last few hours driving around, killing time and putting off returning our rental car.  It was a fabulous trip! A much needed, well-planned vacation that we will have in our memories forever!