Recitals for Life

When you have 4 girls who love to dance, it becomes inevitable that recitals will be a crucial part of life. And I have to say that recital nights can be super cray cray round here..what with all the blush, costumes, bobby pins (like a whole container..i swear), dance shoes, hair pieces, and trying to get mascara on eyelashes not eyes..whew it just might do one in. But not me.. I plan and gear for this night..line up the costumes, herd 'em in and through the line like a well oiled factory machine..cuz lets face it..organization is key to sanity in this household.
And the end results are perfection..3 beautiful girlies who are so excited to dance and get their trophy that the chatter and bouncing off walls almost becomes too much. But it doesn't..I love it. I love that they cheer each other on and want to make sure they can watch each other dance..Because the sisterly love comes far and few between theses days and with the teenage years just around the corner..ya..it's gonna get a lot scarier.

 So when you get glimpses like this one..where hands are in hands and they are chatting like the bestest of friends about the looming recital that is upon them..and how exciting it's gonna be and that they get a trophy (insert gasp)..well you can't help but think that life is all worth it..and pretty darn good one at that!

 Miss Sophie was all grins..she knew her dance to perfection! She was super impressed with my "messy bun" skills (I know..is that saying something about my hair doing repertoire or what? ) She can go from happy to crocodile tears in a matter of micro seconds but lit up that stage like a seasoned pro.

 And this Maggie Jane..well..you gotta love her..she is the perfect age when everything is adorbs! But man is she stubborn. Like drive me up the wall..are you serious stubborn..but just look at her..those cheeks..that face..I mean..could you die? We'll keep her. And since it was her first year in dance...she got her first trophy. And let me tell you..that prized possession stayed by her side all night. #notlettingitoutofhersight

The pictures of Ellie actually dancing are super blurry..she's gonna be mad at me when she finds out..but I never do seem to do things right with her as of late..(enter the preteen years/hormones).

So here is to my 3 girls with the 4th one cheering/dancing from the audience..soon to join them! And to many more years of recitals!

Goblin Valley..mini vacay

You know you have been stuck too long at home when you get excited about going to Loa for a family outing. And since Nate's surgery..almost 2 months ago..we have been itching to go somewhere. So when the whole fam decided to head to Goblin Valley then on over to Loa for a nights stay at Clay's new job "The Road Creek Inn" ...well...we were all in.

The infamous trio

Luke is so proud to show us his muscles!

 Chloe has some amazing skillz these days..check out her jump and "splits"..we are talking serious athlete right here.

Of course we have a jumping picture..tradition

Nate didn't want to feel left out..so he found a rock just his size

And we know that these family times where we are all together are getting fewer and farther between. Everyone is growing up and families are getting bigger and schedules more hectic. But for two days we enjoyed each other and spending some time together. And it was perfect! I feel super blessed to have siblings that I completely adore and LOVE to spend time with. We have great relationships and we love each other times a million...there are lots of families that don't have that..okis that enough of the mush for you?..onto some more pics..

The tunnel was a hit..it was 10 degrees cooler inside and was filled with the softest sand ever..Chloe threw handful after handful..

Good-bye Goblin Valley..until next time...

We also went a few miles down from Goblin Valley to Little Wildhorse Canyon. Chloe made it about 20 minutes before she had had it and hit the sack..Sophie and Maggers were exhausted and Nate's knee needed a break so we headed back before we got to the slot canyon..Ellie and Connor went ahead and had a great time.  So no pics of that adventure

Then we headed back to the bustling metropolis of Loa where we were pleasantly surprised with our fun room at the Road Creek Inn..where Clay is working and getting things under way...The Leavitts own this private little pond..where we fished, rode paddle boats and threw rocks.

This paddle boat was a little special..sinking and going around in circles

We ended the day with a picnic and some hiking/walking and checking out the hieroglyphs around Capitol Reef..we didn't get too many pics before the kids were tired and wanting to head home..minus Connor who wanted to keep hiking.

Chloe was pure giddy about this horse

And a milkshake at Slackers ended this perfect little mini vacay for everyone before we headed back to the real world. And it was just what we needed. This kids are still talking about the hotel (because what is it with kids and hotels right? it's just so magical) and we were excited to do something fun with our daddy before he heads back to work next week..So we'll count this one as a success.

All things Easter

 Every year, it's the same old thing...boil a billion eggs and get out the coloring kits. The choice of color combinations are endless and the eggs go quick...

 Chloe only drank the dye once, so we are counting this adventure as a success..

 The kids never lose an ounce of excitement..well except for maybe 12 year old boys...I think deep down he actually liked it.

 And here is the entire gang..mr. crutch man included.

Then came Easter day...Chloe was all about it and clapped after finding every egg...

 And she sported her ears for only this pic..they never went back on

 And someone hated their Easter dress...like a lot

 But the other girls were perfect models

 And here they all are..all my girls..adorable and ready for church..and Chloe went exactly like this..no bow and no shoes..she would rather be naked anyday...so at least she kept the dress on.

Then off to G&G Christensens..for dinner and a hunt with all the other littles...

 Of course we had to get the traditional pic of the 3 cousins..and if you hadn't heard, there are 3 more coming this year...no thanks to me..thank you very much..this ship has sailed :)

 Luke was the egg thief and if you left your stash alone for a second, he was all over it..fast as lightening.

 And Kate..well she just shoved as much candy in her mouth as was humanly possible..there may be some dirt mixed in there somewhere too..

The End. Easter Success!

Can I Get An Amen

Seriously..can I get an Amen to all the working mothers out there..and a double Amen to all those single working mothers out there...Phew..I don't know how you do it..

My husband..my sweet, sweet husband..bless his heart..(yes you do detect a hint of sarcasm) likes to play sports..what guys doesn't? And he is good at it..for an almost 35 year old guy. Problem is, in his mind, he still thinks he's 18. His body on the other hand disagrees. Three weeks ago, he was playing rec basketball and in the blink of an eye, he was out and down. End result....surgery. Torn ACL, torn meniscus and a fractured tibia. (Insert enormous sigh and shaking of head)

So I bucked up and headed back to work so we could salvage some of our hard-earned savings. And ya know..I'm not gonna lie... it was kind of nice to have a little break. Nate has been able to gimp around enough to watch the kiddos and play Mr. Mom..which I am giving him a total A. It would have been an A+ but the kids still had homework to do when I got home and the laundry was piling up..but the house was still intact and pretty clean. He even had lunch made for me one day..OK..OK..he gets an A+..sheesh. And I got to feel like I was a real person who could talk to real adults all day long. It was quite amazing.

But by the time I got home, I was exhausted..and there were still those little things that needed to be done..homework, dinner, dishes, baths, laundry. There was never enough time. And through these trials that remind me of a lot of things like how our course of life never works out like we want it..or how small we are in God's plan of life, is that all we can really live by is faith..cuz you never know whats waiting for you just around the corner.

And  in the end..it will all work out and we both have come to appreciate each other even that much more.Cuz what we both do is super hard work..but we would never trade places with each other. But to all you women who do it ALL...day in and day out. A serious HOLLA and an AMEN. You gals are my heroes!