Spring Break Part 2 in Utah

We got back from camping on Tuesday evening and after doing 15 loads of laundry, headed to Utah Wednesday morning. By the time we got to Beaver, the cheese factory was calling my name. The kids had never tried squeaky cheese so I had to introduce it to them. Eric insisted we all share a couple ice cream's as well. I would highly recommend this stop when traveling through Utah. Jackson wasn't impressed with squeaky cheese though. It creeped him out.

First stop, The Bell's. Boston snapped this picture and I'm glad he did. I forgot to get my camera out while we were with them. Thursday evening we attended Bronsen's play, "Alice in Wonderland" where he was the King of Hearts. Everyone loved the play except Boston. He said it was boring. Go figure.

Thursday, day, Eric had plans to meet up with a few job connections in Park City so the kids and I shopped, ate, and watched the movie "Hop." The weather was crazy! One minute the sun would peak out, the next, rain then hail then snow and always wind. It was still beautiful!

The twins pointed to this pile and asked, "what's that?"

Friday brought us to the BYU 9th Street Creamery for a little ice cream treat. Along with everyone else in Provo.

Eric decided the twins needed a hair cut so we headed to the barber shop on campus. The only magazine Boston was interested in was Sports Illustrated. He is the real deal.

A couple inches were cut and they were left with a Caesar cut. Their soft, plump cheeks always look so appealing when they get their hair cut.

Our niece, Bethany, graduated from BYU so we met up with her hubby Sean, Mike & Marie, Christian and Eric's parents at Texas Road House to share a meal. Very, very loud place but the food was great and the company even better.

Sean couldn't finish his 3rd drink so the twins jumped right in.

After dinner we headed to a park to take a few pics. It was so cold we didn't last long (maybe 15 minutes).

Christian (pushing Boston) who just finished his first year at BYU, leaves on a mission to Africa in June.

We spent Friday and Saturday with my sister Shannon and family. The boys made friends real quick with their cousins friends. They all convinced Eric to take them to Walgreen's to get Pokeman trading cards.

Boston found a friend who would play baseball with him. He lives and breathes it.

Kennedy never liked playing with Barbie's when she was younger but she loved trying to braid their hair here. Ella and Sara drew her in too. They are just so petite and cute. We all enjoyed carrying Sara around because at our house, no one is petite.

Eric was very mellow and just relaxed.

Saturday afternoon we were able to meet up with our good friends,t he Wallis'. They used to live in Henderson. We miss their friendship but picked up right where we left off.

Shannon is very organized as you can tell from the way she dyes Easter eggs. She measured everything just as the directions said.

Noah and Kennedy were the first to give it a try.

Boston was ticked because he was only going to get to dye 2 eggs.

It takes lots of concentration to dip eggs.

Our final stop, adult dinner at Carraba's with Shannon and Dave. It's a tradition of mine to take pictures everywhere we eat (which is a lot). It was nice to visit and reminisce without the commotion of kids.

We headed home around 8:30 pm and by the time the Easter bunny arrived, we went to bed at 3 am Vegas time. Whirlwind spring break to say the least. So worth it.

Camping on a Budget - Spring Break Part 1

Eric came up with an adventurous plan to go camping for 3 days with the Corvino's and do it on a budget of $300. My first thought was, Dan will never commit to going camping and my second thought was, there is no way we can do it for $300 with the price of gas right now. However a miracle occurred, and Dan said "yes" to camping and we almost stuck to the budget (give or take $100). This was our first experience with camping in our 15 years of marriage.

Before the camping could begin, we met Uncle Helmer (and friends) along with Eric's parents at Grandma's Restaurant. When we walk in this place, everyone remembers us and we feel right at home.

This is our homestead. Camp site #126 at the South Carlsbad Beach. We brought Eric's dad (Tom) along and used his handicap placard otherwise we never would've been able to secure a camping site. It's booked years in advance. The handicap spot meant we were right by the bathrooms and if I must admit, showers.

Grandpa Tom brought along his paints and brushes and helped the kids create beautiful pieces of art. It was their favorite activity.

Kennedy is a piece of art all on her own.

And this food was a work of art! Eric really hyped up the cuisine and he didn't disappoint. We ate very well.

I know I've said it before...like father, like son. Gross!

Sadie was smart and brought along arts and crafts for the kids. It kept them occupied for hours on end. That's about how long it took to prepare a meal and clean up. Camping is so much work!

Buttermilk pancakes, some even included chocolate chips, potatoes, sausage, and scrambled eggs for breakfast was gourmet! Eric pays very good attention to detail.

Boston & Angelo played baseball until they ran out of whiffle balls. Olive enjoyed digging and throwing the dirt. It's amazing how content kids can be with the simplest things.

Obviously, I'm not much of a housekeeper when camping.

This is what Eric went into the restroom with. The men were divas when it came to using the facilities. Us women, we're pioneer stock.

The beach wasn't so warm but that didn't stop the kids or Eric or Dan. They all submerged themselves into the freezing cold water and boogie boarded. Dan said if he was being honest, "it was miserable." Sadie and I sat in our chairs, all bundled up. It was overcast with a high of 60 degrees.

Dan and Angelo contemplating. Dan told Eric he would only be getting in up to his knees because of things that lived below. However, he surpassed that and surprised us all by boogie boarding.

Olive eventually had purple lips but that didn't stop her from enjoying the beach.

Boston is forever my surfer boy.

Sadie trying to warm Olive up or maybe warm herself up.

We couldn't pass up the Fish Hut even though it pretty much busted the budget.

This little guy kept the kids laughing. He was eating everything in sight.

I snuck away right at sunset and snapped this picture. Although camping on the beach is sandy and dirty and lots of work, you can't argue with the beauty and serenity of waking up in the tent with the crisp air and your family sleeping peacefully together.

The Corvino's were the ultimate camping buddies just going with the flow and keeping things lively. We would definitely go on vacation again with them. Just next time, I think a hotel will do just fine. I'm good with the camping for a while.

Day Camp

We had plans to go camping, but couldn't leave until Jackson and Leighton finished with day camp. They read their scout books as reading minutes. They know their stuff. There was no way they were going to miss this. The theme was "Wild, Wild West" and organized/orchestrated very well. Each boy received a cowboy hat and made a stick horse that they used used in a rodeo to compete. Above, they are shooting guns. They are boys through and through and ate it all up.

The cowboy hats were a little snug so Leighton just wore his like this most of the time.

Jackson taking a breather. It was kind of hot.

This was their favorite - bow and arrow. Wesley Tingey showed them the ropes and also got out his Australian whip and whipped the pavement a few times. It sounded like a gun shot. Very Indiana Jones.

As the stories were being told and questions asked around the "campfire" (on the stage), I was impressed with the knowledge the twins had soaked up with reading their Bear books. They really are smart, creative boys! (We're working on the grades reflecting that.) I'm glad I was able to go with them for part of the day and observe the great things scouting offers. It is building future leaders!

New & Improved

My experience at the DMV this last time was a stark contrast to the past ones. I walked in and found no line! I was given a number and within 15 minutes that number was called. My smog, insurance and green slip were all in order. I was out of there in half an hour. It was very pleasant.

This is our new car (at least new to us). It's an '07 Honda Odyssey with 100,000+ miles but fit the bill for what insurance gave us for our '05 Toyota Sienna with 120,000+ miles. It's got all the bells and whistles and is complete luxury compared to the old one. I'd say our experience with the DMV and this new car is a big improvement. Too bad our insurance won't be improved. Our agent assured us the premium would be going up. This time around I'll take the good with the bad. I absolutely love my new van - dents, scratches, hand prints and all!

The Wetlands

Does this look like "The Wetlands?" I struggled with the name too. Jackson and Leighton's classes went on a field trip here last Thursday. It was "hot and humiliating" (humid) as Leighton put it. But that doesn't mean anything negative. They said it "rocked" and were so happy I could share the excursion with them. My perspective was a bit different but I kept it to myself, until now.

The above picture is of a mesquite tree with mistletoe growing on it which in turn is sucking the life out of it. It's beautiful, isn't it?! The kids were ooing and awing over it.

This was a stream with dragonfly's flying over, little, microscopic fish and plants that need water. The guide was trying to find anything to get the kids attention. She did an amazing job making a mole hill out of a tad pole. Occasionally she would ask for silence, as she was trying to figure out what type of bird was chirping. The kids had little booklets to check off plants or animals they came across or "evidence." Evidence consisted of foot prints, noises, and skat (animal poop). You should've seen the kids gather around a pile of skat trying to figure out what animal is might have come from! Mostly we came across rabbit and coyote but were lucky to find owl pellets too. The boys took a picture of it and really want me to post here but I will spare you.

These two spiced things up along the way, thank goodness.

A sad, burnt tree but majestic in its setting.

The "island" as it was referred to. A few ducks called it home and possibly a raccoon.

There was a grove of cotton trees that asphixiated everyone. Cotton was in the air. As it settled, it looked like snow as seen here.

The way these trees were growing was the coolest picture I found.

Evidence that a raccoon was nearby.

Leighton started taking pictures and insisted I be in one. I need proof that I was there. I even rode the bus. It was almost 90 degrees and I was a hot mess.

Our lovely guide that Jackson took a picture of. She earned her keep.

You can make your own assumptions from my review but all that really matters is that the boys had a good time and a good time they had.