Spring Break

During spring break, we headed to the coast to do some camping with friends. What a great time we had. My parents took us camping every year growing up, and I have such great memories. It's fun to see our kids have so much fun, I'm working on Jeff to get a pop-up trailer, because we had some serious issues trying to squeeze our family of 7 into the car with all of the camping gear. Luckily, between 3 other friend's vehicles, we were able to get all of our stuff there.

We spent the afternoons down at the beach. There was so much drift wood, the kids loved building forts and bridges with it.









One day, it drizzled/rained most of the day. The kids couldn't have cared less and were still at the beach in their swim suits, while the mommies were wraped up in the beach towels :)





We got lots of chuckles and laughs from other campers walking past, as they admired our junior biker gang.






One morning we headed to Capitola to do some fishing from the wharf. It was absolutely beautiful and so quaint. I never really did figure out what we were fishing for....








We played lots of games. Jessica is passing on her camping tradition of playing bingo, and it has now become a favorite with the kids. Bells was the first to get bingo, and couldn't quite decide which candy to choose. (she left her helmet on for 90% of the time we were camping, that way she was always ready to hop on her bike and race around the campground).










Jeff did some dutch oven cooking, which was super yummy, and lots of fun. We used dutch oven liners in the pans which are a MUST if you use your dutch oven. Liners = no clean-up.





One morning, we found an empty area and did an easter egg hunt. We hid over 80 eggs!

We had such an amazing time. Camping is a LOT of work, but the memories and fun times are totally worth all of the sand, dirt, and smokey-smelling clothes.

Easter

We had a great Easter. In the morning before church, the kids dyed eggs. My children have just discovered a love for hard-boiled eggs. I can't stand them, because they smell so horrible, but they love them. I make them peel and eat them outside so it doesn't stink up the house :)

When we got back from camping, I had a message from my mum that everyone was coming over for Easter dinner on Sunday, but they had taken care of all of the food. I just needed to do a side or two. It was so nice to come home from church, and within 30 minutes have Easter dinner walk through the door. Thanks so much Mum!

The kids all ate and played outside. It's so much fun to have cousins over.

Conversation at the dinner table turned to guns, which left just the men and boys. Uncle Derek has become quite the gun collector, and Jeff would like to follow in his footsteps. He started with a shot gun for his birthday, and I'm anticipating him wanting another one before too long.

Camping

We just got back from a wonderful camping trip to the beach for spring break. More pictures to come. For now, it's lots of laundry.

Day 14: Fun Evening

We had the missionaries over last night for dinner. It's always fun to have them over, and hear their stories and experiences. It's great for the big kids and the little kids.

After dinner, Jeff and the boys were off to mutual to go shooting at the range (which they loved, no surprise there), and I started getting the kids in the shower and bathed. Then there was a knock at the door, and we had gotten "egged". I told the kids to hurry up in the shower and bath, so we could go collect the eggs. Bells came down completely naked and all soapy, anxious to head outside to find eggs. I reassured her we wouldn't start without her, and had her go get dressed. The kids were so excited, that pajamas ended up inside-out on Callie and backwards on Bells.

Then, 10 minutes later, there was another knock at the door, and we had cookies delivered to our doorstep by friends. Wow! Did we sure feel loved last night, I love it!

Day 13: Field Trip

I am lucky to be able to go on class field trips with my children. Yesterday, Hayden's class went to a farm. They had a great time seeing all of the animals, and also learning about science too.

Day 11: Organization

Today, I spent an hour making something I am really thrilled about. I saw the idea here, and immediately knew I needed to make some. I took 4 boxes from Costco (that they pack your groceries in when you check-out), and covered them with extra fabric I had. I didn't make inside liners for them, because I didn't want to go to that much work or pull out my sewing machine :)

Then I filled up the boxes with things I need to store, but don't use everyday. In one box I put paper plates, in the other I put paper cups, utensils, etc.

Then I put them above my kitchen cabinets. Brilliant!! With our large family, I am constantly trying to figure out ways to de-clutter and organize, and I really love this idea! The cost was free, and it really frees up my pantry of bulky items. I will be on the look-out at Costco for more boxes to cover.

While I was getting crafty, Bells was happily entertaining herself with pretend play. This is mama bird Bells sitting on her 'nest' of pillows, with her baby animals. I love listening to pretend play!

Day 10: Sunday Mornings

Now that our ward has split, and we have afternoon church, Sunday mornings for me are H.A.R.D. Before, we would come home from church, and after a snack, the kids would run up to their rooms to play quietly and entertain themselves until dinner time. But Sunday mornings, not so much. Today Eugene broke out the origami, which was a great activity. The one thing that I do love about afternoon church, is that fasting a complete 24 hours has been so much easier! I am so proud of my little Callie. She fasts a complete 24 hour fast, and does so without complaining or fussing. When the first fast Sunday came along, I was wondering if I should give her a little snack before we went to church, or let her have a small breakfast, because she just turned 8, and fasting that long seemed too hard for little people. Then I realized that I shouldn't seek to alter or change what we have been asked to do by inspired leaders. And once I told Callie, that Heavenly Father and I both knew she was capable of completing a full fast, she stepped up and hasn't had any issues with it. I need to remember to not to look for exceptions when things get hard in life.

Day 9

Today was one of those days. Nothing bad happened, but nothing went as planned either.

Tried to make a reservation to do an endowment at the temple, but it was full. Tried to make cookies, but they were not full. Do you ever feel like asking yourself why you even bother some days?

Day 7: Wiped Out

We've been really good at maintaining a level of comfort for Hayden during this allergy season, until today. (maybe because the air quality hasn't been that bad yet). Poor guy started a sneezing fit as soon as he walked in the door from school, probably from all the wind we had. After the 20th consecutive sneeze, I sent him up the the shower to wash off and put new clothes on. A little while later I checked on him, and he was completed zonkered and wraped up in bed. I'm amazed, he has never once complained about his allergies, he just deals with it.

Bells had her friend Daysha over today. These two are a hoot to listen to play. They love imitating their mommies. Such cute girls.

Day 6: Visits

Today we had another visit from the social worker. They come twice a month to speak with the boys, to speak with us, and to do a home inspection. (That's just the social worker, it doesn't include the phone calls/visits with their ILP workers, county workers, etc). Today's visit was much more thorough and in-depth, she was here for a long time. It's odd, I have nothing to hide, but I get nervous and apprehensive, almost like I'm about to get in trouble for something. Sometimes I feel like saying, "we really don't need to do all this, you see, I'm normal, I'm not one of those crazy or weird foster parents".

When we were first getting approved to be licensed, I was amazed at the rules and checklists that applied to us and to our home, that we go over every month. (For example, checking our water heater to make sure it's at the appropriate temperature, all medicines are kept in a locked box, cleaning supplies can't be kept in the kitchen at all or anywhere at eye level or below). Today ended with a big list of "To Dos" for Jeff and myself, including 18 hours of training by August, getting our CPR renewed a.s.a.p., act out and complete a fire drill as well as post an evacuation route. (Luckily, our first aid is good for another year). The list could go on and on.

It's been challenging at times having the boys. I've also learned a lot about myself. Even with all of the struggles, the bad days, frustrations, and endless agency requirements, I would still do it over again. They have immensely blessed our lives and have given me opportunities to grow and slowly become the person Heavenly Father knows I can be. And for that, I am extremely grateful.

Day 5: Freckles

All of the walks, bike-rides, and trips to the park, have brought out the freckles on this little one's face. She normally has a light sprinkling across her nose, but they have been quickly multiplying in the long anticipated warm weather. We had a chance to sit and talk today about friends and school, which was so nice and very needed.