Easter 2010

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday which we were able to spend with all the family. The Easter Bunny came to our house, very early in the morning mind you, Brin couldn't wait to hunt for the eggs. Then off to Grandma and Grandpa Sage's for Bagels, juice (from dads new juicer), and fruit. Easter Bunny #2 had visited them and the kids enjoyed another egg hunt + perks.

Then off to Grandma and Grandpa Otis's house where they received more fun goodies from their grandparent. Finally we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Kings for a yummy ham dinner with all the Easter fixings. It was so nice to see Grandpa there doing so well after his surgery what a miracle for us to have him with us so fully. Things just wouldn't be the same without his quick comments and "fun" ways (there is just no one like him;) Aunt Krissy made more fun for the kids with 3 more Easter games. Brin was teamed up with my cousin, beautiful little TT whom Brin couldn't stop talking about for days to come:) They made a great team coming in second on the first two games. Owen was teamed up with my sister Morgan, so really it was just her doing all the work but he seemed to have a good time.

Holidays for us may not be as relaxing as some as we travel from house to house but, we find joy with our families as we further our understanding of the importance of them in our lives. Especially on days like Easter when our thoughts our turned to our Eldest Brother who made the greatest sacrifice and then conquered death for us to all one day live together forever.

NaNa, Owen, TT, and Brin after the games!


TT and Brin

Ready, set, go...

Grandma Shirley, cousin Alex, Owen, and Brinley

Pretty Girl

The best picture I could get of my active little guy

Happy Easter!!

Lets go Fly a Kite

I was talking to a friend this windy afternoon telling her how I would love to fly a kite some day & that to my knowledge I had never done so when she then lovingly said "how sad." And she was right, it was sad that I don't have a memory of flying a kite. Now don't get me wrong this little girl was not in need or want of ANYTHING (except for maybe the memory of kite flying:) So that same day I asked Justin if we could take the kids to fly a kite, but where do you buy one? I don't know never bought one before, I guess you can get them just about anywhere and they aren't very expensive (for all those that are kite dummies like me). We headed to Walmart and picked up the kites a Barbie one for Brin and a Batman one for Owen and off we were. To be completely honest I was a little nervous, would this life long desire turn out to be a bust & is it much harder than it looks? As we got to the park I could barely wait like an impatient child. Daddy put Brins together first and I resisted taking it from her, she did great. As soon as the kite fell I was right there to try myself, please dont look at me differently when I say it was AMAZING I absolutely loved it. Who knew that a piece of plastic , attached to a string. soaring in the sky could bring so much joy. We stayed there for a little more than an hour before heading home to get cleaned up for dinner. WHEN CAN WE DO IT AGAIN!!!!

What does Owen do...

Left to his own devices he is liable to...

Let his puppy use the potty-

Dye his hand (not the EGGS)-

Leave the family during dinner to just calmly and quietly find an empty booth to sit at all by himself until we realize hes not sitting with grandma or grandpa-

Wonder what next month will bring us:)

But can you really get mad at this?

What a Catch...

I thought about that analogy the other day relating to fishing. When you got out for a day on the lake, river, or even the deep blue sea you never know what you’re going to catch. Even with the finest most expensive fishing poll or the tastiest bait around you are not guaranteed to catch the BEST fish or even one at all. So how is it that you catch the most excellent fish? All I know is that when I went fishing in the Great Big Ocean of husbands what I caught is insurmountable. I caught the BEST (& I hope all wives feel the same way!)




Justin and I took our very first trip away by ourselves to Prescott. Prescott is where we met almost 9 years ago and started down the long road leading to eternity. We had a great time eating, watching movies, sleeping, and shopping. However, the day we were to drive home I was up at 4 O’clock ready to come home to kiss my babies. I sure missed them! They had so much fun with their grandma's and grandpa's (Thanks)!

Hiking Thumbutte

Hotel

I don’t often enough give thanks for having a man of such caliber by my side, as I should. I do sometimes take for granted our companionship that in its early years has blossomed. I know we have a lot more growing to do before we have fully matured but I’m glad I get to do it with Justin. We are bombarded all to much with how horrible men can be (and I agree at times, Tiger, Jesse James, Clinton) but I am surrounded by amazing men, my husband, my father, my grandfather, my uncles, my friends husbands…
they are all incredible men and I am grateful to have them around my kids and I .

Things have been “COLORFUL” over here…

Hello my name is DaNell and I am a party planning addict. Oh, I got that off my chest that feels good :) I know its just a 4 year old party and that most of the hours of work put into it wont even be recognized however, what is a person supposed to do when the internet can bring to you worlds of creative ideas, right at your fingertips, mind you Hobby Lobby is mere miles from home. I really don’t think you can blame me, RIGHT???

Brinley my little baby is now 4 years old (wow) and she decided that a candy birthday party would be “GWATE” or great how every you choose to say it. Brinley had been looking forward to this since the day after Christmas, when I started to compile ideas. That is one of the longest processes for me just choosing a theme and then sticking with it. There are just so many creative people in this world, and like I previously wrote, with the Internet launching them threw to me I just cant keep up (plus the cost of thing does need to be accounted for.)

The night before Brinley dressed into her “on theme” pajamas (thanks Aunt Jennie), while mommy and daddy did some last minute setting up. Birthday morning was full of anticipation as Brinley waited for the clock to hit 11 O’clock (party time.) Mom and Morgan came about an hour early to finish the cupcakes with me. Can I just brag for a minute?? Well, I guess its my blog so I am going to- my mom is so wonderfully talented and made each of the girls an apron and a necklace that looked like wrapped candies along with decorating the BIG cupcake cake. Thanks thanks thanks, and it is a bonus that my kids are the first and only (so far) for her otherwise who know if she could do some much for each one. My handy dad MADE yes MADE from a few pieces of wood MADE the adorable ice cream cart. The kids absolutely LOVED the cart, huge hit. Thanks dad!!! Now where to store it :)

I had so much fun buying all the colorful candies, finding great deals on all the ice cream and cupcake décor and trinkets. I also made each girl a hair bow and the little men tee shirts with their names on them. It allowed me so much time to get into the creative zone.
Thanks Brinley’s amazing friends for enjoying the day with us you all make it so much fun!!!!

Community Cake

Justin had been waiting for weeks to dig into the candy stored in our pantry;)

Princess and the Frog Toys she loves!

Owen

Gracie & Brin

Nina & Reese

The Boys, arent they all so adorable:)

Pretty Girls!

Birthday Girl

Candy Buffet
Ice Cream Table
Aprons Mom Made
Play Ice Cream In the Ice Cream Cart
Invitations

“Practically Perfect in Every Way”

Brinley and I were privileged to get tickets to the Broadway Musical “Marry Poppins” from my grandparents. I was hoping that Justin wouldn’t have a game that night but as luck would have it he didn’t just have one game… he had a double header. So there goes the chance of him going with Brin and I. That was a little discouraging just for a second when I decided to make it a girl’s night out on the town.

A month or so before the show Brinley and I went shopping for some “Fancy Nancy” outfits to wear to the play, we found her a cute little dress, and me a sweater to match her bright colors. Aunt Rachel was nice enough to let us borrow her “Mary Poppins” movie and we watched it several time to understand the story and memorize music.

We talked and talked about or upcoming date getting us both so siked out. So when the big day came we could hardly wait. We watched “Mary Poppins” one last time, took a nap, and then dolled ourselves up. Off we went to drop Owen of to Grandpa Otis’s house, we were dancing in the car so excited for the night to begin, and then to California Pizza Kitchen where Brinley ordered the “most wonderful curly Mac and cheese EVER” or so she claimed. It was so relaxing to be able to focus solely on Brin, I enjoyed talking to her about the most random things, you know stuff a nearly 4 year old would come up with. After a yummy dinner we headed to Sugar Bowl for “ A Spoon Full of Sugar” and games. Brinley ordered a whole banana spilt. She didn’t eat half of it and me, Mrs. Don’t Waste Anything, I didn’t care a bit, it was all about Brinley for the night.

So excited for our date

Dinner

She wants to go back everyday to eat icecream, so do I glad its not too close!!!

Waiting for the show to begin!!

I tried to soak up every conversation with her to pay attention to every detail of the night. As we drove to Gammage we talked about how mommy gets lost all the time and how I have to always ask for directions. I then proceed to call my dad for the 2nd time that night to get directions, (and that wouldn’t be the last time either.) I enjoyed the extra time we spent in the car trying to get to the Play, however I don’t think she did trying to hurry me along not wanting to miss a moment of “Mary”. And I am glad we didn’t miss a second the play was unbelievable, Burt dancing on the ceiling, statues coming to life, colors beyond description, and to top it off Mary flying with her purple umbrella right over our heads it was definitely supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!! Brinley sat at the edge of her seat enthralled the whole time, clapping whenever it was permitted. On a few occasions I just sat and stared at her wondering where all the time went, how did she grow up so fast and how come I was blessed to get such a magnificent little worm. The most wonderful sentence was spoken to me as we hurried out of the Theater to rush our car. She grabbed my hand and said “ Mom, I don’t ever want this night to end, and when I grow up I always want to be your daughter, I love you!” No joke that came from my 3-year-old daughter. And I want Brinley to know “ I never wanted that night to end, I am always and going to be your mother, and I love you more than I can be understood!!!!” We got into the car and before we could drive out of the parking Garage she was asleep.