Preference Dance

Here are some pictures from the Preference Dance, just for you Grammy. =) And we didn't completely burst out laughing in the pictures. THAT is impressive.

Me and Paul

Brittany, Bryson, Me, Paul, Robyn, Adam

If you can't see the whole picture, try copying and pasting somewhere else. I don't know why it gets cut off.

Homecoming Dance

Sorry it took me so long. I forgot to post pictures until Grammy Peggy reminded me. Oops. =)

Camille and Tannen

(1st Row) Kim, Ryan, Nate, Tori, AJ, Justine, Junie, Jeremy

(2nd Row) Camille, Tannen, Caroline, Bryson, Tessa, Konnor, Bethany, Austin, Holly, Dallin

Kassi, Camille, and Robyn. These amazing friends did my hair and as always, keep me laughing.

Buttons!

Southern Utah Vacation

We visited Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks this year. It was the first time our children have been there. The grown-ups liked hiking around and seeing the awesome scenery the best. The younger kids definitely preferred swimming in the pool and watching cable TV. (We don't have TV anymore as we never updated to a convertor box.) The kids all really liked to watch the show "Fineas and Ferb". We stayed at the new Best Western at the entrance to Bryce Canyon. The pool was big, warm and clean. The kids spent hours there, literally. There were lots of other families, which was nice because we weren't as embarressed when Carter did cannon balls into the hot tub! Bethany and Ryan liked to practice their new skills from swimming lessons in the hot tub too... They looked unconvinced when I reminded them that the hot tub was for relaxing, not rough-housing.

Hiking the Navaho/Queen's Garden Loop was our most strenuous hike by far. The Navaho side is steep with lots of switch backs. Ryan didn't enjoy hiking down. I forget that he struggles with balance until we try something like this. He wasn't a happy camper so no pictures! (His choice not mine.)

When we reached the bottom and leveled out, Ryan was back to his normal cheerful self.

Tree huggers! We enjoyed smelling the ponderosa pines. They're supposed to smell like vanilla.

Don't we look happy? I think taking pictures is good for moral! Everyone loves to smile for the camera in our family. Except Scott of course, but he's a good sport.

Bristlecone Pine trail

Camille was a great help on our vacation. She has a great attitude, and was our cheerleading squad during the trip. She also drove all the way to Bryce Canyon and back, including the switch backs in Zions. (And we all lived to tell the tale!)

Camille has an affinity for big trees!

Super Carter!

Beautiful Bryce Canyon, Bristlecone trail

Bryce Canyon visitors center

This is a picture of the Zion's National Park nature center. Bethany and Carter thought the ranger costumes were pretty cool... The realistic animal puppets were nice too.

Never too old for stuffed animals. :)

Is it a mole or a beaver?

"I'm coming to get you!"

Ranger Carter

We loved the shuttle buses, so much easier than trying to find parking, not to mention buckling and unbuckling.

One of the few skinny squirrels we saw. They are all over the place and almost tame. The kids didn't feed them after we threatened to take away their allowance for a year... There is a $100 fine imposed for feeding and or touching the wildlife. Turning in violators is encouraged... Ryan had to be satisfied with spraying the squirrels with his water bottle.

Wading in the Virgin River which runs through Zion National Park. If we knew we were allowed to swim in it we would have been more prepared. It was so hot and we were just going to do a few short hikes in the shade, but Scott had great memories of hiking up the Virgin River as a scout so he suggested we try it. It was so much fun, we loved it.

This is the entrance to the Narrows, a popular hike up the Virgin river between narrow slot canyons. We had to turn around after about 15 minutes, because the water was too deep for the kids. We hope to do this one again when everyone is older.

Soaking wet Camille! We found a great swimming hole. There was even a rock to jump off into the river. Zion National Park was the favorite place we visited. Everyone liked it, that's rare in our family, so I'm sure we'll be back!

Easter and Spring Break!

Camille and her friends try on prom dresses just for fun!

This dress is Camille's favorite. It's also $400!

She's hoping it comes on sale on time for next year's prom...

Grammy came to visit us during spring break! We love spending time with her. We went to the skate park so all the kids (Scott too...) could show her their tricks. We also went fishing, had a picnic, did crafts and ate lots of yummy food.

We couldn't believe how warm it was. We are used to snow and rain in April. We picked a great year to relax at home.

Our family visited the Children's Museum. Bethany loved playing pretend in the child size house and delivering mail to the whole "neighborhood".

Ryan and Carter enjoying lunch at the mall. Ryan thought this was "the best"!

Carter the Weather Man.

It almost looks good enough to eat!

My favorite part of the museum were all the signs that said "Clean-up is part of Play".

Carter's favorite egg.

Today it's love...

Ryan loves his stuffed animals even though they make him sneeze.

Below: The girls in their Easter dresses.