More DC pics

We had the most beautiful weather while in DC. We had picnics everyday and walked and enjoyed our time. I had planned really well and bought ponchos and umbrellas and the day it actually rained I had left them in the hotel. I guess that is murphys law for you. I kept telling Shay that it was making memories. I don't think he bought that. Lucky for us Skyler got some free paper to read and we used it as an umbrella to keep most of the rain off us.

This was our picnic in the mall. You can see the Washington monument behind Skyler, in the trees.

This is on of our picnics, the twins acting silly like usual.

We all loved the carousel ride.

We found a wishing fountain. It was in a beautiful garden area. Elly is making her wish. I hope it came true. It looks like she thought pretty hard about it.

We stopped and bought a slushy and shared it, except Skyler had to get an ice cream. Thanks to Grandpa Clark they all had a little spending money. He gave them the change we found at his place to use. They loved being able to pick what they bought without my say so. Even though I couldn't let go 100%.

Spring Break

Spring Break In DC.

I told Kaely that this baby elephant looked just like her when she was a baby. That is why she is making that face.
A butterfly landed on my hand and I was giving it to Skyler. This is at the Smithsonian Zoo.
My cute Elly pie.
This is in front of the old post office. Statue of Benjamin Franklin.

We had an awesome spring break. I hadn't planned on doing anything but Shay had a business trip to DC and I had never been there. The room and gas was paid for and it was spring break so we did it. There was an amazing breakfast every morning in the hotel and we would wait until the museums opened and head out. I had all 4 kids and Shay was worried I would lose them in the crowds, so we put lanyards on each side of the stroller and tethered the big kids to it. I would let them out every now and then when I could but Skyler would get distracted and almost left behind. He said don't let me out I know I am gonna get lost. They were all such good sports. By the fourth day of pushing a double stroller over 5 miles a day my back was killing me. I would have lost some weight if I didn't eat so much at breakfast. We took a picnic everyday and would sit and eat when we were hungry. I loved walking everywhere and asked Skyler if he would want to move there so we could walk everywhere and he said no way. I think that is something that really apeals to me. We visited lots of museums but I think riding the Carousel and eating ice cream was my favorite part. I would have more pics but my battery died on the 2nd day.

Easter Egg Hunt

The neighborhood hosts an egg hunt every year. They have about 900 eggs and not too many kids so it makes for lots of eggs for everyone. Well I volunteered to do a golden egg. I put 5 bucks in a golden egg and hide it somewhere on the playground. So I was a little upset this year when one of the dads cheated and told his 7 yr old where it was right as the race started. Who thinks that is a little shady. He could have waited and then told her if noone could find it, but it was the second egg she picked up. Lame. Other than that it was a blast and a beautiful day. But I did call him out on it. It made me feel a little better.

First soccer games

The Panthers...Yes Skyler and Kaelys team are both the Panthers. How does that happen?

So we finally had our first soccer games. After the first two games were canceled because of snow and rain, we wondered if they would ever get to play. Skylers game was first and he played really great for his first game ever. He worked really hard and the score was 0-0. We figure if you can't win tie.

So on to Kaelys game. They played the best they could but it was beyond bad. They played girls that Shay was sure would have beaten Skylers team and I was sure would have beaten me, if I had a team. They are six year old girls. Kaely loves to be near the ball but we need to convince her to kick it, and kick it hard. She got a couple of kicks but they didn't go very far, inches maybe. I guess this is her first sport ever, so I should be a little less competitive, but it is just so hard. She looks super cute in her purple uniform and ribbons in her hair. We are really enjoying our first encounter with soccer, and hope that the fun continues....oh yeah Kaelys game score 0-9. Now you get it!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! I have to admit I was a bit surprised when I realized last sunday that Easter was a week away. I needed Easter dresses and Easter baskets and all that madness. So I set to work. I decided it would be easier to make ties to match the girls rather than spending hours looking for coordinating colors for the boys to match the girls. So I did it, I made the boys ties and the girls headbands. I think they turned out great, 4 headbands 2 ties for 11$. I call that a bargain. Shay even said his looks so professional that he would even wear it to work. Now thats saying something. A friend saw us at church and took this picture. Thinking of this beautiful day, I just want to say that I know that my Savior lives. I know that he died on the cross for me and you. I know that on the third day he rose from the dead. I know that he is my friend and I know he pleads my cause. I hope I can please him and offer all that I am in return for what he has offered me, which is everything. I hope on this beautiful Easter day that we will each look to know and understand his role in our lives at a personal level. In the name of the only begotten of the Father, even my Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Twins

Last night I stayed with a Sister in our ward who has two older kids and just had new twins. They are two months old, so tiny and cute. They were two months premie just like Jane and Elly. I remember, but barely, the sleep deprevation and overall exhaustion of newborn twins and could tell she was living it. So I volunteered myself to stay the night and let her get some sleep. Shay is so great to let me do that, he is WONDERFUL. So I finally got them both asleep at 12:30, then an alarm went off at 1. One of the babies woke up at 3:30 and the other at 6. They went right back to sleep after I fed and changed them and so did I. This of course is a picture of our twins at about the same age. It was great to hold those little baby girls and at the same time know that mine are potty trained. It was so nice to rock babies that don't talk back and tell you NO, I dont want to go to bed. Even though they sort of did that just without words. (they stayed up until past midnight) I have told her that it gets harder, but I think it is always hard it just keeps changing what type of difficulties. Because no sleep, thats hard. Cleaning up tons of poop and pee when potty training, thats hard. Throwing fits at every meal because you didn't cook what they love, thats hard. But at the same time, holding a baby is so rewarding. And when they actually poop or pee in the potty, it is so rewarding. When they hug you and smile, tell you they love you, that is super rewarding. So although the road is REALLY tough, it is the best thing ever. I love being a mom, it is better than any comedy(I am always laughing) drama (three girls, tons of drama) Sci-fi (some very interesting things are found under the couch) or any other movie or TV show around. I guess you could say my life is better than the movies!

Kaelys First Grade Play

Well you have to love elementary school plays. Kaely had her first grade play called "This Old House." It was really cute and she had a special part where she signed with eight kids a song about everybody needs a home. She wouldn't tell me the words before the play because she didn't want to ruin the suprise....She said it would make me cry. And it did.