Uh Oh, looks like trouble!

Trying to catch him and put him in the BATH!!!

Dog Sitting

This week we've been dog sitting Deacon, Grandma Sue and Papa Mike's dog. The kids LOVE him! He is such a sweet dog. Here are some pictures from the past couple of days . . .

Sierra thought Deacon looked uncomfortable laying on the ground, so she brought him a pillow.

Deacon never begged for food from the table while he was here-- even though the kids' table is at his level and that is where they eat everything except dinner (it would have been really easy for him to sneak a half of their sandwiches or crackers while they weren't looking.) Anything that fell on the floor is fair game, so it didn't take him long to figure out that during meals the best place to sit is under the highchair.

Deacon is a very well behaved dog and NEVER got on any of the furniture without us inviting him up. After a few minutes of quiet around the house, I got concerned and found Deacon and the kids in Dallin's room getting ready to take a nap.

HAPPY EASTER FROM THE RICES

OK, those of you with kids know how hard it is to get them to stay still and look in the same direction for a cute picture. Here is our attempt at getting a cute Easter picture of our kids before church today. Keep your eye on Grant (he's a busy one!!) The next four pictures were taken in a matter of seconds one after the other. . .

GOING. . .

GOING. . .

GONE!!!

Sierra was excited to wear a pretty new dress to church and even more excited when she got to wear PINK ribbons in her hair while Dallin was just playing it cool.

I tried to get some pictures of the kids coloring their Easter eggs Saturday night, but they weren't really into the whole "photo shoot" thing. So I told Dallin to point to his egg and act enthusiastic. This picture speaks for itself. He's definitely looks enthusiastic!

MUD

About a week ago, it rained A LOT here over a short amount of time, so our backyard has pretty much been off limits to the kids. I DID NOT want mud being tracked all through our house! Well, on Friday I tested the grass and it seemed dry enough for the kids to play on, so after much pleading, I finally allowed the kids to play outside under the condition that they stay on the grass. While they were outside, I opened the curtains in my bedroom to keep an eye on them as I folded laundry on my bed. Here is what I found:

You can see the grid marks from the screen of our window on this picture. Notice that all three of them stayed true to their promise to stay on the grass, but they are playing in the patch of MUD right outside my window!! Grant was a DISASTER when they were done and I had to carry all them straight to the tub when it was time to come inside.

Mommy's Helper!

Grant likes to "help" me do the laundry. He follows me to the laundry room when it is time to transfer the clothes in the washer to the dryer. I open the dryer, put the wet clothes on the open door and he pushes them in for me and when all the clothes are in, he pushes the door closed and I start the dryer. Today, like any other day, he was helping me put wet towels into the dryer, after handing him a few, I reached into the washer and got some more towels for Grant to put in the dryer. When I turned around, to give Grant the towels I noticed he was gone. I figured he had gotten distracted and went to play somewhere else, so I threw them in myself. Then, my dryer began to giggle. I peeked inside and there was Grant playing in the dryer with all the wet clothes.

SNOW!!!

So, remember how last month I posted pictures of our kids' "winter" activities (ie: running through the sprinkler and enjoying popsicles?) Well, now that it is March and springtime is upon us, this crazy Texas weather decided to take a turn and dropped a blanket of snow all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area! Don't worry though, it is supposed to get back up to the 60's and 70's by Sunday---Crazy!

Grant and I sat by the window and watched the snow begin to fall, and when he woke up from his nap he was excited to see that the backyard was covered in white. He didn't know what it was, but he did know that he wanted to go outside to play!

Dallin was the first one out the door to play in the snow. Sierra, who has been sick all week, only lasted about 5 minutes before she wanted to go back inside. So I don't have any pictures of her. And because I'm sure you are wondering: yes, I know Dallin is NOT wearing a coat. Actually, our kids don't even own coats (It was 80 degrees in February!!) We haven't bought winter coats for two years now. Grant has one, but only because it's a hand-me-down.

This was Grant's first experience with snow.

Dallin took it upon himself to help Grant "adapt" to the snow. . .

I guess that is what Big Brothers are for.

WE LOVE GRANDMA SUE!!

Kim and Kelly flew in for Mom's 60th Birthday last weekend. Since we all live in different states, it is a rare occasion when we all get together. It was GREAT to see them. I love this picture. Look how gorgeous all three of them look! And the table they decorated looks amazing too!

Valentine's Day!

Ok, I know I'm late posting our Valentine's pictures-- sorry!

Sierra was invited to a girly Valentine party. Sadly, we couldn't make it, but they gave us the materials to make her Butterfly headband and she got valentines from all her little friends-- she wore this when I went Visiting teaching on valentines day--- funny!

Yummmmy! Valentines Breakfast: waffles with strawberries and coolwhip and topped with a carmel kiss.

BUSTED!!

For Valentine's Day, the kids frosted and decorated cupcakes-- some to take to the sisters I visit teach, and some for our Valentine's day dessert. I left the kids at the table with the cupcakes, frosting and sprinkles so I could grab the camera to take some pictures of the day's festivities. When I came back, camera in hand, I caught Grant "testing" the cupcakes. I love the expression on his face when he saw me round the corner with my camera---- ya, BUSTED!