Easter Weekend

Easter was fairly low key this year.  But it was good because it allowed for less bunny and more of the truth of Easter.

 The kids had Thursday and Friday off, which was a well needed break.  We spent Thursday doing a few fun things.  As my kids said, we stunk up the kitchen with vinegar.  Once the windows were open, the fun began.  We also went and had lunch with dad at work.

 

We had Drew's class pet, Charlie, for the weekend.  How lucky are we, we got to have the Easter bunny on the perfect weekend.  

The bunny always visits on Saturday morning (we made a deal with the bunny when Mason was a year or two old).

Finding the goods.

Taking inventory.

We are so grateful to have had a weekend to be at home and think on the amazing things our Savior, Jesus Christ has done and continues to do for each of us.  We had some deep discussions about the events of the Atonement, death, and resurrection of Christ.  I am amazed by my children and their knowledge and understanding of the gospel.

Cub Scout Campout March 15 and 16

The three younger boys and I headed 75 kilometers south to spend Friday afternoon and all day Saturday (we got back really late...to say goodbye to Mark who left at 5am Sunday for Brasil).  We were exhausted, but it was a very good weekend spent out doors and with friends.  And the night sky was spectacular...I have never seen so much and so clearly of the night sky, even space clouds, like the Magellan clouds.  It was so beautiful and even among the 25 cub scouts running and screaming I was hit with a deep appreciation to God for the beauty of this world.

My boys were able to hike, zip line, swim, participate in skits, run, bike, and enjoy their friends.  You never know how those things are going to go, but it was so well done.  It was hard on Easton as he ended up not feeling well, but he did fairly well.

One good thing about camping with less people is that I only had to put up the small tent.

Learning about taking care of our environment

So this campout was a bit of a cheat as we ate all meals in the cafeteria prepared by the employees of the campsite.  Really roughing it you know!

Because

Everyone needs a little Calvin and Hobbes in their life!  I remember my dad and younger brother reading Calvin and Hobbes all the time when I was a kid.  And now my kids love them.  In fact a couple of weeks ago was spirit week at the middle school and each day had a different theme.  One day was fictional character day and Mason went as Calvin, carrying a stuffed tiger owned by Drew.  Calvin will always remind me of my boys.  The curiosity, adventure, imagination, and that little bit of crazy and mischief of Calvin's makes me smile and think just how great it is to be the mom of 4 boys.  Sure keeps me on my toes!

Teenager!?!

A few weeks ago my baby turned 13!  There is now a teenager in our home.  We celebrated a bit differently this year because he was gone on a week long camp for Week Without Walls at school.  The seventh grade made there way 8 hours south to a beautiful place in the mountains to learn teamwork, confidence, and ecology.  So we went to lunch, opened presents, and then had cake the weekend before.  Then on the 23rd we made our way with five 13 year old boys to the local amusement park.  It was a good time.  Mason had his cell phone and off he and his friends (and brother Dallin) went to ride all the rides that make my stomach spin and neck ache.  We crossed paths to check in with them every once in a while or to get them food.  Mason and friends said it was a big success.

 

The weekend before his birthday.  

 At Fantasilandia with friends!

Mason has a good sense of humor and can make me laugh loudly.  Mason is protective of his brothers (even though they don't always appreciate it now, they will) and family.  Mason is extremely intelligent and can draw conclusions from things he studies that surprise me and leave me in awe often times.  Mason is adventurous and willing to try new things.  He can be stubborn, which can drive a mom crazy and yet make me so proud that he will not back down on his standards.  I love this little guy!  Mason, thank you for making me a mom!

Adventure is out there

The last Saturday my parents were here, Mark, Mason, Drew, Easton, and Grandpa headed up into the Andes mountains to find some adventure.  Dallin went to a birthday party and my mom and I headed to Pomaire.  A great little town about 30 km out of Santiago that is famous for it's blocks and blocks and more blocks of earth ware pottery (it is a fun place to shop for there are deals like you can't believe).  My mom and I were successful in our shopping and the boys were successful in adventure.

A few little things

What have we been doing in between all of our trips and excursions this summer?

Easton had swim lessons.  And I have been trying for 2 days to get a video of it uploaded with no success, so I just have to share that he went from floaties and Never putting his face in to swimming under water for 5-6 feet.  Wow.  Now we just have to keep it up so he keeps improving.

Lots of this. 

And this too.

My parents and I went to the LDS temple in Santiago.

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

We took my parents to our favorite Thai restaurant.  This is the outside, it is not marked and looks a little sketchy, but as they say, never judge a book by its cover.  You just have to walk through the gate to see it's an amazing place with fantastic food.  And the look on my parents face when we said this is the place - priceless.

Have you ever done perlers?  They are these tiny little plastic things that end up all over you house that occupy your kid for hours and once they finish, you iron it and make little projects that your kids think are great.  And I am amazed...Easton sat still for hours working on these.  He has been making them the last 3 weeks or so, but sadly we ran out earlier this week.

Look what happens when your entertainment goes back to school and your mom gets in the shower.  You take over 50 pictures of yourself and the ceiling using photo booth and all it's options.

Just a reminder of the magnificent place we live in.

My baby turns 4!

Easton turned four last week!  My baby has BIG personality.  He is clever, intelligent, and knows how to get what he wants.  He is definitely the baby.  He makes me laugh a lot of the day (and want to go crazy at other times).  He loves puzzles, books, cars, digging in the dirt, making others laugh, Disney's Cars, and doing what the big kids do.  He is full of hugs and kisses and thinks it is so funny to swat your buns as he says (luckily only to family members).  He loves his friends.  He has a hard time opening up to new kids, but once he does, he is devoted.  And if he doesn't know a Spanish word he just says it in English with a Spanish accent.  It cracks me up when he talks to the gal that works for us like she understands the English with a Spanish accent.  I love you my baby!

The big day was on a Thursday so we had part of the celebration on Thursday and finished on Friday.  We started with a little get together with Easton's good friends.  Easton believes all birthdays involve doughnuts so we met at Dunkin Doughnuts to celebrate.

That night we had his favorite thing for dinner crepes with nutella and lots of fresh fruit, followed by presents, and cupcakes.  Because really who doesn't need sugar rush after sugar rush on your birthday!

Friday we went bowling as a family at the adventura centre in one of the malls.  Followed by dinner in the food court, since Easton's choice was McDonald's and the court provided that (and other things for those whose favorite isn't McDonald's).  Then we finished up with milkshakes at Johnny Rockets!  It was a fun celebration.  And it Grandma and Grandpa were here for it!

This is Easton's new favorite faces to make for pictures.