Easter!

We decided that since we are always frustrated when we do Easter Eggs, because we can't get them to do anything more then turn a very light shade of whatever color we drop them into for a minute or too, we thought we would try something new.  I brought up all my acrylic paints and just do whatever we wanted to.  I found that if I got our green glass goblet and turned them upside down, they were the perfect egg easels.  So we all became egg artists, and quite enjoyed our new Easter Egg decorating tradition.  (And yes, they were all making stupid posses and facial expression on purpose, because they refused to just let me take normal pictures.)

 The Easter Bunny brought alot less candy this year, and a few more useful items, like clothes.  The boys were perfectly happy with it.

 Riley has started to come up with a new recipe once a week, that he makes all by himself.  (Okay I help when needed.)  But this is the one that he picked to do for Easter.  They were jello custard something or others.  (NOT very good, but also not his fault.  Phil liked them, but to me and Riley and Wes they simple tasted like mushy jello.)  The recipe he made the week after that - was soooooooooooo much better.  (Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars, but I don't have a picture of those, and they really don't have anything to do with Easter, anyway.)



New Christmas Tradition!

Yes, I'm going back a couple of months.  And if I would just blog more often I would have been able to post about this just after it happened.  Oh well, I didn't!!!

Anyway, a friend at work told me about this Living Nativity that goes on the first week of December every year up in Alpine.  We decided to try it, and we all LOVED it so much that we are defenitely going back next year.

It started with a ride in the back of a horse trailer up to the farm/land/home that it was set up in.  We were greeted by a shepard who explained where we were to go, and what we might see. 

All the people were dressed up as if from Jersusalem 2011 years ago.  There were animals everywhere, including camels, goats, sheep, geese, horses, cows, donkeys, etc.... 

There were men on horses dressed up as guards looking for the baby Jesus, and there were shepards, lots townspeople (explaining all the ways that they did things back then), and wisemen and of course Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus.  Plus hot chocolate, and an amazing choir.  We spent probably an hour to an hour and a half looking at it all and just having a wonderful time.  The boys begged to go back.

We were also able to stop at the Peppermint Place - and the boys spent a little money on some little treats.  The night was a fabulous success, and will hopefully be repeated many times.

Busy Boys!!

My boys have been very busy lately!! 

Wesley decided that he wanted to do the Story telling Festival at school.  However, he only decided on it a couple of days before his class contest.  But he has one amazing memory, and he loves to act and move, so we picked a book and he memorized it, and added his own actions.  He ended up winning his class contest and moved on to the school contest.  He then ended up taking 2nd place in the K-3rd grade catagory.  He did such a great job, and won a fabulous trophy!!

Riley, for the Blue and Gold Banquet came up with a fabulous Idea for his Cake, and him and his dad spent quite some time baking and decorating - and he came in at first place.

Riley also is in a drama club, and auditioned for the play, and is going to be playing Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!!  He is soooo excited, and I can't wait to see him.  Yea!!!!!!  Good Job Riley!!!!

Fall 2011!

Just a little bit of catch up!

 Wesley only took 2 days to learn how to ride his bike.  We used the same tactic to teach him as we did Riley - and just like Riley, he caught on really really fast.(With minimal amounts of scraps and scratches.) 

 Riley of course did football yet again.  He has one of the best teams (Not just because of how they play, but because of thier coaches and how well then work together and get along.)

 Wesley was on a Utah County Soccer league (he will start playing for the same team again at the end of March.)

 And we also decided to start a new tradition for Halloween!  We found the Big Red Barn in South Utah County.  They give you a "Hayride" out to there pumpkin patch, where you can wander as long as you want to find the perfect pumpkin.  (Which are very nicely priced.)  We did a small maze and posed with some of the things they had out there.  Then we went back and had some of the best ice cream we've possibly ever eaten.

Hopefully I'll get the rest of my fall and Chirstmas pictures put up on here before Summer hits!!!  But don't take that as a promise!!!

August 23rd - First Day of School!!

Riley is now in 5th grade and Wes is in 1st grade!!  Both were so excited for it to start - (I hope that continues on later in life)!!

August 15th - 6 years old!!

Wesley's actual Birthday - couldn't wait to even get dressed before he opened presents!!  Of course!!

August 14th - 2nd Birthday Party!!

Wesley's choice of Cake was a Jungle theme.  Unfortunaley because of the heat, the flamingos ended up being decapitated before all the guests even arrived.  Oh well, hope it still tasted good.