March Madness

Every year we print out our brackets and have a contest in our family for March Madness.  

Every year we take a picture of our family in a circle with our brackets.

This year our brackets sat on the counter until October- just waiting for a picture.

We had a really hard time getting the picture- maybe that is why we waited so long.  

The above picture was my attempt.

This was Brig's.

Brig's again.

Dad's pseudo attempt.

Dad's attempt #2

Dad giving up and just standing up.

I love how Laini wiggled her way up into the middle of everyone.  

Good times!

Spring Break-Zions

Spring Break actually felt like Spring this year!

We spent the first half doing some work around the yard- cutting back plants and placing new mulch.

Then we headed down to Zion's National Park.  We had so much fun there last year that we wanted to head back down and repeat some favorite hikes.

The kids voted Hidden Canyon as their favorite.  It is a really fun hike.  Lots of scrambling and thrilling- moderately dangerous at times to be honest.  But we were careful and it was so beautiful.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  

Last year we had our littlest ones in backpacks.  Laini actually walked a good chunk up the mountain and Kai walked the whole way.

Except for a few exceptions when he was carried up  rock faces.  

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  ~John Muir

Welcome back Sunshine

We had such a beautiful warm sunshiny day!   It was delightful in every way!

We took a walk down to Seth's school to view his Geography Fair.  He did a report on Fiji.

(Seth actually wore a shirt and tie to school today- but his friend spilled his lunch on it.)

At the library they had this poser- board and everyone wanted to pose.

Cute little posers!

Outside again, we played on the playground.

And the posing continued.

Seth's friends even got in on the action,

and me too!

Love the Sunshine!

Champions

Coach Redd coached two teams this session of indoor soccer and walked away with 2 Championships!

Katry and Seth played together on a U14 team and played like Super Stars.  Seth was the leading scorer- and most of them were amazing assists from Katry.  It is so much fun to watch them play together.

Coach Redd also coached Brig's team who also took home the Champion Title!  I can't seem to remember to get a picture of them together- but they rocked it!

I do it!

Little Lady likes to dress herself, including socks on her hands.

I wouldn't change a thing!

Saddness

When Brigham was in medical school learning about babies, how they grow and all the things that can go wrong etc- he made the comment- "With all the things that can go wrong- it is a miracle how many times things turn out just right.  Which is so true- each little child is such a miracle and a blessing.  Things didn't turn out just right for us this time.  I haven't had a miscarriage since before Kai but I am not sure I would have changed my announcement anyway.  I have had five miscarriages now.  Several that Brigham and I endured alone and others that were more public.  It is hard to go through something so traumatic alone.  So I don't regret letting our friends and family know.  Thank you all for your prayers and emails and phone calls.  A network of support is such a blessing.
We are doing fine.  It has been much more painful (physically) than other times.  Which is odd- but it is already getting better.  I understand that all things happen for a reason and I feel very comforted and blessed.  I have a beautiful family and I am grateful beyond words for each of them.  President Monson said, " The future is as bright as your faith."  Life is beautiful!

Easter Countdown

I was so excited to find this Easter Countdown based on the Living Christ.  I found it at Chocolate on my Cranium.  She had already made up these cute little cards you just had to print out.

The kids and I had fun making this sweet Easter display.  I love the pictures of Christ.  Kai kept saying- Mom, it looks like Spring- it's so beautiful.  

Easter is my favorite holiday.  I love focusing on the Savior without all the hustle and bustle.  Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas too- but Easter is my favorite.  

This little countdown is perfect.  It adds an extra special discussion and remembrance every day on the subject of our  beautiful Savior.  Love it!

The kiddos were busy working on puzzles this morning and Kai wanted a picture of his good work.

Love these kiddos!  

yOWza!

Warning BLOOD ahead!!!

Our little monkey Kai met his match when he collided with our granite counter top.  He is frequently on our countertops jumping to his dad.  Sometimes he jumps without warning.  This time he jumped just as his dad bent down to wipe Elaina's hands.  He slid right across his back and whacked his head on the counter.  OUCH!

He was very brave while his dad sewed him up on that very same counter top!

Soooo grateful to have a Dad that can take care of these cuts and and scrapes.

I think he is going to have a  Harry Potter scar of sorts!

All bandaged up and.....

already back to jumping off of things again!

He's crazy and we wouldn't change a thing about him!

Seventh Heaven