Finally finished!

As you know, for the past 6 weeks our house has been in disarray as we've put in new flooring. While this was something both Jeff and I wanted to do for some time, it drove me nuts to have my house in chaos for that long. Still, I am sooo pleased with the final product. I can truly say this house is "ours". I know I've mentioned this before, but it was difficult to move into a house that my husband purchased with his ex-wife. Even though I know that she barely spent any time here (in fact, she wasn't even in the country when they moved in), it was still hard. However, this house has been totally transformed and is totally mine. Since being married, we have re-rocked the exterior, rocked in the fireplace, put cabinets in the laundry room, created a window seat in the living room, installed ceiling fans in all the rooms, replaced the garage doors, replaced the flooring, and so many other minor little things. I finally feel like this is my home. Here are just a few pics of the new flooring (and a couple crazy boys!).

Tulip Festival

This is my absolute favorite season of the year: Spring! I love the fact that the snow goes away and the flowers come out. Tulips are one of my favorite flowers (maybe even my favorite) so I look forward to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point every year. This year, Jeff and I went during the day, which meant that Jonas tagged along. (I was glad he came so that I could have someone else to take pictures with; Jeff wouldn't get in the pictures). The gardens were just as breathtaking as always. This is one of my happy places. There is just something serene about being surrounded by the beauty of nature. Even though there were quite a few people, we were still able to enjoy a tranquil stroll through the massive gardens. It was a perfect day with two of my favorite boys.

Spring Break

Spring Break! Finally!! (Or at least that's what the boys were saying.) For the past two years, we have traveled during Spring Break (Arizona then Moab), but this year we decided to just have a little fun at home, which I was totally fine with!. Things have been a little topsy turvy because we've been re-doing all our flooring, and I didn't want to have to try to plan and execute a trip on top of all the remodel stuff. So...we created our own fun week here in Utah County. Each day, we planned an activity that the boys could look forward to. Some were simple and some were more involved, but every day there was a little something fun. Monday was "Movie Monday". Jeff took the boys to see the new Batman vs. Superman movie. They loved it!

Tuesday was "Tumbling Tuesday". The boys each invited a friend to go to Hang Time. I think this was one of the favorite activities of the week. They love being able to play tag on a massive floor of trampolines or play dodgeball. I loved that they had a place to get their energy out! Jonas even enjoyed a little jump time with his brothers. He loves being in new places with new people and doing new things. His excitement eventually overcame he and he napped a little before I took the boys to Yogurtland (another favorite place for them to satisfy their sugar addiction).

Danny swinging from the rope.

Dallin dunking the ball....

and again.

Dodgeball

Tanner, Dallin, Daniel and Noah

Wednesday we went to the Provo Rec Center for "Wet and Wild Wednesday". This was Jonas's first time swimming and he LOVED it! I think I gave birth to a fish. At first, he stayed pretty close to my side, but once he got used to his surroundings it was all I could do to keep a hold of him. He loved when his brothers splashed him and vice versa. I think this was Jonas's favorite activity of the week for sure! After we swam, we had a picnic in the park before we went back to the rec center so Dallin and Danny could play ping pong, pool, and shuffle board. It was a really fun afternoon with my boys.

Dallin

Daniel

Daniel

Dallin

Thursday was a little less exciting. The boys needed to visit the dentist (not fun!) so we scheduled that for today. In the morning, the boys played a game they bought and had fun with Jonas and their remote control cars. We then headed to the dentist. Luckily, no one had any cavities!...which made our activity for the day totally ok. It was "Thirsty Thursday" so we went to Sip-N and got drinks and cookies.

The activity for "Freezing Friday" was ice skating at the Seven Peaks Ice Arena. Sorry, there are no pictures. Jeff took the boys so that I could help his sister, Katie, shop for an engagement outfit (she's getting married!). The boys had a blast ice skating...and no broken bones or blood. All in all I think it was a fun, successful week at home. Less than 9 weeks left of school! I can't believe how fast this year has flown, but I am ready. Bring on all the summer fun!

General Conference

This has been one of my favorites weekends of the year - General Conference weekend. Twice annually, we have the opportunity to listen to our prophet, apostles and other church leaders during four 2-hour sessions. We are lucky enough to have the sessions broadcast over cable so that we can enjoy them in the comfort of our home. I love these weekends! I love being able to listen to counsel and receive hope and direction. I love being able to enjoy a lazy weekend with my family too. As in past years, I prepared several small buckets of treats. As a family, we then decide a topic to label each of the buckets. When that topic (e.g., prayer, faith, temples, etc.) is discussed, the kids get to grab a treat out of the buckets. It's a fun incentive to get them to pay attention a little more. This conference weekend has been so spiritually uplifting. I felt chastened as I listened to talks about forgiveness, yet I felt hope and peace as I listened to testimonies about the power of Christ's atonement. I know I am imperfect. I want to be better. I want to forgive more and judge less. I want to be more patient and loving. I want to be more like my Savior. I am grateful that He doesn't expect absolute perfection. He knows we are imperfect, yet He has provided a path to perfection. We just need to keep trying and repenting and trying again. I am excited to listen to the talks again...and then read them over and over. I am grateful that our Father in Heaven loves us enough to provide prophets and apostles to still counsel us today. I thoroughly enjoyed listened to His words with my family this weekend.

The boys "watching" conference. Jonas was quite the distraction at times. Luckily, the treats lured them back to the talks.

Jonas enjoyed the conference treats too. Daddy gave him his first Oreo. I think he liked it.

Track

Dallin decided to participate in track again this year. Initially, he didn't want to, but when his friends signed up, Dallin was on board too. However, he has decided to not do as many running events. Instead he is doing running long jump and high jump (don't let his height fool you - the kid has hops!). The only running event he is doing is the 4x400 relay. Even though it's a lot of sitting around, I do enjoy going to the meets. It's fun watching him (and his friends) compete. Dallin did a great job on both jumping events. In fact, he won the high jump! He is off to a great start. We'll see how the rest of the season goes.