Ode to San Antonio

For whatever reason, today I am totally missing Texas! We lived in San Antonio for 3 years almost 5 years ago. I can hardly believe it was that long ago. We made some really great friends there and did lots of fun things. There was almost always something fun to do, and if you know me I like to be entertained. The people there are also just so warm and friendly. Customer service still exists and you can't walk more than a foot or two in the door of a shop without a warm welcome and a how can I help you? Over the years I have often told Randall that I want to go back there. He thinks that it was probably just the time of our life of both working and no children and then to just one child so we were still pretty free and not tied down too much. Whatever it was I really miss it. I loved the seasons because they existed, much more so than when we lived in Phoenix, but were mild. One of my bestest friends I met while working there together at Dr. Monier's office. Amanda! I got to go back to visit her when I was about 6 months prego with Kate. We ate awesome Mexican food, scrapbooked a lot, something I haven't done since, talked a lot, and even walked outdoors in the hill country. One day while visiting we were heading into town and had to stop on the road because a herd of longhorns heading down the road. It was awesome. Especially on days like today when is cold out and snowy and it's almost May I especially wouldn't mind heading down south. I miss you Amanda and hope to get your way sooner than later! If anyone ever has a chance to head south to San Antonio don't hesitate just say YES! You won't regret it.

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."

So wasn't today one of the most beautiful days? My tulips are actually trying to peek their little heads up to make their debut, I'm hoping anyway. I'm also hoping they turn out to be the color I intended them to be. The last time I planted tulips they turned out pink instead of red and the same thing happened to my sis in law.

To celebrate the beautiful weather I took the girls over to get an ice cream cone to eat outside. I couldn't think of anything better to do on an evening of such a beautiful sunny day. (Ethan was spending one on one time with Dad at a Flash game)

Is Kate not cute in just a diaper and ice cream? Too bad fat thighs aren't considered cute into your 30's.

A beautiful place

"I love to see the temple I'm going there some day, to feel the Holy Spirit to listen and to pray...
for the temple is a house of a God a place of love and beauty I'll prepare myself while I am young..."
That song is one of Anna's favorite's lately and she requests we sing it often. When we went to the temple grounds she was just begging to go inside. We told her that someday she could.
Next to the Salt Lake Temple I think this is one of the most beautiful and I love to go see it.
The St. George temple is beautiful and so majestic against the amazing red rock mountains. Each time that we go South we always visit the temple grounds. Not only is it beautiful and amazing but this time we watched a little video in the visitors center about when the pioneers came and how desolate the area was. It said that the Indians had even said that there was no water to be found in the area. It is so amazing to think of the work and sacrifice that went into not only building the temple but all the surrounding area. Anna told us that this is where she is going to get married. That would be fine with me.

Spring break wahoo!

If you make it to the end of the pictures the explanation of our sweet trip will follow...The wind started to blow hard making the sand not so fun.
There is not much more enjoyable or sweet than some watermelon on the patio.
need I say more? Burger anyone?
He's on top of the world, ok not quite but it looked cool, and that is Kate slumped over sleeping.
Kate enjoying some fries with her Ketchup.

no that's not toilet paper it's fruit by the foot.








This last week we jumped at the chance to go down South to get away from the snow that was falling to seek out the sun. We stayed in St. George on my Grandma's winter place. Thurs. was a cool day so we took advantage and went and did a hike at Snow Canyon. It was a good time except that Ethan and Anna went off the trail and decided to kick apart a cactus. Thankfully they weren't hurt although we had to pull several stickers out of their shoes. We did have a talk though about how we don't destroy the things around us in nature. I guess kids will be kids. Who wouldn't want to kick a cactus, yikes! After our hike we found the sand dunes in the canyon and really enjoyed the massive sand box it provided. Kate loved the sand and slept through most of the hike.

After our hike and the dunes we had worked up an appetite so there was no choice but to go to "In and Out!" it's the best, especially their strawberry shakes, well and of course the burgers.

That night Rand took the kids on a date to see a movie and I stayed home with Kate and had some sweet alone time after Kate went to bed.

Friday we went swimming at an aquatic center that has a big indoor waterslide that the kids love. Ethan went down too many times to count and was worn out. Each night we went for a walk and enjoyed the nice weather and quality time as a family since that doesn't come too often anymore.

We had a great time and enjoyed every minute. Usually we are ready to come home but honestly none of us were ready. When we pulled away to head home Ethan started crying so hard saying he did not want to go home. Yehaw for a sweet spring break! Oh I forgot to mention that we also hit the outlets and Taipan Trading. Rand is still trying to forget :)

Easter!

We had a great easter with several different activites. We started out with an egg hunt with church on Saturday morning. Then Anna and I went with all the gals on my side to the BYU Ballroom dance show. Then we went to my parent's house to celebrate my Mom's Birthday. Sunday we focused on the real meaning of Easter. The kids were reminded of the resserection and the importance of it. It was cute to hear Anna telling Kate the story with paper dolls she was given in primary. She was telling about when Christ was in the tomb and then said "Kate look, he's gone, he is risen" Sunday after church we went over to Rand's family for dinner and another hunt. You can never have too much candy. Walmart had sold our of peeps so I was glad to get my fix over there. It was a busy weekend.Is Kater not cute kissing that bunny!
Sunday morning in Easter Best! They were pretty cute but didn't want to cooperate for the camera.



This is what Kate's hair looked like that morning. She looks so adult like with such big hair. she is too cute.
We colored eggs of course.
We came across the cutes bunny ever. We sure love her!

True wuv

What is true love to you? Tonight it comes in the form of "Mack's pillow soft snore proof, water proof ear plugs." Yes, ya heard right earplugs(get it? heard right? hehehe) Tonight we were down to about 3 drops of milk so Rand very kindly offered to go to the store to pick up a few things. The list contained some very important items in addition to the milk, like bread, light bologna, enchilada sauce... It was only when he walked in the door from his trip that I immediately shrieked "dang it!" to which he replied "what did I forget?" my reply? "Nothing." his reply? "what!?" it went on like this for awhile because Rand is one of those few great guys who I know without a doubt would turn right back around and go back to the store and get what I need. I told him I knew he would go and so that's why I wouldn't tell him because I didn't want him too. That's when he pulled out the trump card and said "but that's one way I can show you I love you." What's a girl to do. I need earplugs! You may be wondering why earplugs? Going swimming? No, as weird as it may seem I almost always sleep with earplugs, and no Randall does not snore. I have always been a very light sleeper, and now even worse with that lovely mother instinct that comes with the arrival of a child, It's like I can literally feel that my kids are going to wake up mere seconds before they actually do, and then I still hear them even with the promise of noise reduction up to 22 decibels. So, when last night I realized that Kate had attempted to eat my last pair and Rand offered to go to the store for me I said " No, it's all good, I'll be fine. I was wrong. I heard everything and awakened several times. One of those times was to little miss Kate who for whatever reason awakened in the middle of the night to kick her feet and "talk" for oh say an hour or so? I couldn't be mad, she was happy for Pete's sake but I couldn't go to sleep with her crib just one floor above me exactly over my head. Boy are those heat vents good at carrying her cute little voice and the kicking of her cute doggy slippered feet! Some women like flowers, some chocolate but tonight for me true love comes in the form of Mack's pillow soft earplugs!

You go boy!

The girls wanting in on the action
Part of the cheering section. Rand and his parents and ms. Kate of course
The proud boy

Last week Ethan brought home an invitation stating that he would be receiving an award at school and that we were invited to attend. I asked him what it was for and he said "I don't know." So we made a big deal out of it anyway. He received a great report from his teacher at parent conferences and was given the check of mastery on absolutely everything on his report card this time so we are really proud of him for working so hard in school. Sunday before he received the award we were visiting family and he said to his uncle "So... I'm getting an award at school...I'm pretty proud of myself". His uncle asked what it was for and he again replied "I don't know." He cracks us up. Well I think that we had the largest cheering section ever because in attendance was Randall and his parents, my parents, and me of course. Ethan prayed the night before that Rand would be able to get away from work to come see him receive the award. Well his prayers were answered. We were were really proud of him because he received the "Scholar of the Month" award for his whole class. It was given in front of the whole school in an assembly they do once a month. They also give a citizenship award but who cares about that? we are going for the big time here right? Just kidding. Good citizenship is also very important. Ethan was quite proud of himself. The funniest part was that my Dad saw that some other little boy was given some money for his award so my Dad quickly pulled out his wallet and gave Ethan a little cash. It cracked me up. Way to go Dad!

While I'm at it I might as well brag just a bit more about what a great boy Ethan is. He is very sweet and thoughtful. Last Sunday I sang in a group in church and when I returned to the bench he looked up at me and with all seriousness said "That was beautiful!" It was so sweet. About a month ago we were eating lunch and the garbage truck was outside getting the garbage of course and he said "Mom, I just said a prayer that the garbage man would be able to get all the garbage." He was very sad when Rand had to leave on his trip and cried and cried. When Rand had been gone for about 2 weeks I told Ethan I had talked to Dad on the phone and he said to tell him that he loved and missed him. I thought that would make Ethan happy but he burst into tears because he missed Rand so much. It broke my heart. At night I often tell him before closing his door that he is my favorite boy. I guess I hadn't said it for a little while because one night he asked "Mom, am I still your favorite boy?" I felt bad that he had missed me telling him and it showed me how important it is for me to express my love and admiration for him more often.

Way to go Ethan we are proud of you and all you do!

Australia /Asia in a nutshell

The hotel where he stayed in Singapore.
"The Browns"
Driving the sailboat, doesn't he look handsome? Do you see the opera house?

Rand has been home now for 10 days and we are so glad. He had such a busy trip and now has been crazy busy trying to get caught up with the work he couldn't do while he worked all day and all night while he was away. He loved Austrlia. The climate, the greenery, the people, the food-other than a bad rare cooked Kangaroo. He even got so see some of our greatest friends and fellow T-birds who now live in Melbourne Australia. He also got to do some sailing around the Sydney opera house. Wow! I would be jealous except I don't think I could handle a flight that long unless I were heavily sedated. He didn't however enjoy Singapore or China all that much because he somehow became violently ill and needless to say had to visit every bathroom that ever was. I said to him at least they weren't squatty potties, but I guess some of them were. Not fun. Being the animal enthusiast that he is though, he loved seeing exotic animals just out in the open just a few feet away from him. There was a park that he walked through in Sydney that had thousands of fruits bats up in the trees eating and the "droppings" from the fruit they ate would fall making it feel like it was sprinkling rain. He said the wing span on them was about 3 feet. Crazy. Apparently this is very normal. We hope he doesn't have to go back too soon, and for not as long next time.