In Our Lovely Deseret

This afternoon while getting the kids an after school snack, I glanced out the window into the backyard. "What is going on?" I thought to myself as I walked closer to the window. HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS (I later learned that it was actually about 4,000) of BEES were swarming all over our backyard and porch!!! I quickly ran and opened the blinds to every window that lined the back of our house-- we were surrounded!! But, none were in our neighbors yards. After about 15 minutes from the time I first noticed them (who knows how long they had been there!!!) I no longer saw them swarming around our house. Sigh! Thank goodness! Then, I looked a little closer out the window. A football-size mass was now attached to the side of our swingset. . . yep, they have all settled down for the night in our backyard. . . YIKES! Apparently (according to the "bee man"), these bees have split from their original hive and are in search of a new home. 90% of the time in 4 days or less the swarm will be on their way. So, the best thing to do until then is let them be and not bother them. If we try to have them removed now we risk the chance of making them mad (apparently now they're "friendly"?) and provoking them enough that they may take up permanent residency just out of spite. So, for the next few days (HOPEFULLY) we will be hosting several thousand bees at Our lovely deseret, as they search for theirs.

Happy Easter!

Here are some pictures of the kids on Easter morning:

The Easter bunny brought new hats and sunglasses for the kids-- which they LOVE!

Digging through their Easter baskets. . .

Grant opening an egg with chocolate inside! I wish I had a picture of his face when he first picked up the egg, shook it, realized there was something inside, opened it, and out came CHOCOLATE--- it was pure surprise/elation!

Look, mom! I found one!

Sierra, jumping for an egg.

While most had chocolate and candies inside, some eggs were filled with coupons for a trip to the dollar store to pick out a surprise, or a date with Mom or Dad!

Cool kids in their Easter outfits, ready for church.

Without the sunglasses this time.

Kids say the darndest things!

The following are conversations I've had with the kids this week. The pictures have nothing to do with the conversations, other than to show who the conversation was with. I just figured you'd be more likely to read if I included pics of the kids. . . I'm right, aren't I?

The Setting: Walking past the baby section at Walmart.

Sierra: "Oooooh! Mom, isn't that just SOOO cute!! (pointing to a baby girl item)

Me: "That is cute." (not really paying attention)

Sierra: "But that is for a baby girl, and we're going to have a baby boy. That's ok. Mom, how about next time you have a baby girl."

Me: (finally paying attention) "How about we take it one baby at a time?"

The Setting: At the Zoo (sorry, no pics!) walking past displays with NO animals present

Grant: "Mom, the animals all gone?"

Me: "Yes, there is nothing in there right now.

Grant: (thinking for a moment) "Oh, they need a new one? They need to go to Wal-Mart."

Me: thinking. . . hmmmm. . . do I go there too often?

The Setting: In the car after baseball practice

Dallin: "Mom, where are we going?"

Me: "I thought we'd go to the store to get you some new pants." (he has worn out ALL of his pants over the past month, and it's still a little to cool for shorts all the time)

Dallin: "What kind of pants?"

Me: "Jeans."

Dallin: "SWEET! I LOVE jeans!! They get the BEST grass stains!!!"

Me: "WHAT?!?"

Dallin: "At recess we see who can get the best grass stains. And jeans ALWAYS work the best."

Me: (thinking---Yeah, that explains A LOT.)

Take me out to the Ball Game!

Today was Dallin's first baseball game of the season. Thankfully it was MUCH warmer (80 degrees) than last weekend's opening day parade (wind chill of 27 degrees. . . he FROZE!). The Pirates took on the Sidewinders and Dallin did a great job! He was first to bat and hit a solid line-drive on the first pitch-- way to start things off!! He was pumped after that. He batted twice during the game and ended up scoring both times. The last time he even slid home. . . just because. He's playing third base this year and is excited about the rest of the season (so are we!).

Rice -- number 10.

Up to bat.

On first, getting ready to run.

Dallin playing third base--- look at that concentration!

Oh, Baby!

Today we found out that this summer we will be welcoming a BABY BOY into our family!! We are VERY excited!

Mommy. . .?

Last night after putting the kids to bed, a head peeked around the corner of the couch where I was sitting. "Mommy. . .?" The small voice asked. "Mommy, I hold you?" Now as mom I get asked a TON of questions everyday from my kids, but this question (phrased JUST like that -- "I hold you?") wins my heart over every time. So, rather than sending him back to bed, I snuggled in with my not-so-little two year old and fell asleep during the first fifteen minutes of American Idol, content as can be.

PS. I posted this picture of Grant so you can visualize the sweet eyes and face that accompanied his question (minus the sticky yellow lollipop residue smeared on his face-- although maybe it's just me, but I find that equally as charming).

FINALLY!!!!

After 6 1/2 years of "mommyhood" I am VERY EXCITED to announce that I am now OFFICIALLY a SOCCER MOM!!! As crazy as it may sound, I have dreamed of this day for a long time. Sierra had her first soccer game today and she did great. She was a little timid at first, but she got in there, did great and had a ton of FUN! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard watching a sporting event. I had a smile the whole time. 3 and 4 year olds playing soccer--- does it get any better than that? Sierra's coach was adorable with them. He literally would just pick them up and move them into position. I'm glad her first soccer experience has been a good one so far. She has sat at many sports classes and baseball games for Dallin over the years. . . waiting her turn to play, and she's been asking to play soccer for a while now. Ooooohh! I can't wait until it's my turn to bring the treats! My only problem now will be keeping Grant on the sidelines-- it's torture for a sports-obsessed 2 year old to be dragged around to baseball AND soccer practices and games and NOT get to be out there playing.

Sizing up the competition. Look how tall Sierra is! There are a few other taller players on her team, but she is DEFINITELY one of the tallest.

The coach reviewing the "game plan" during half time.

GO SIERRA!!!!

Watching the game, waiting her turn.

Trying to get the group of 3 and 4 year olds to line up after the game and give eachother hi-fives in an orderly fashion was quite amusing.

Happy Spring!

To welcome in one of my favorite seasons I thought I'd post some "Springy" pictures from the Botanical Gardens taken this week on a Spring Break outing.

Side note: I realize that I have not been a very faithful blogger over the past couple months, but the next few months should be full of blog-worthy photos and experiences and I am determined to be better.

Spring Time!

Kids and new BYU shirts from my visit to Utah. The suckers were a treat from aunt Kim and Kelly. (while I was gone Melissa painted the walls as seen in this picture as well)

My Sisters Kelly and Kim. We were together for the Baptism of Kelly's daughter Eliza