What have we been up to?

Well, most of it has been during rain, but sun did peek through here and there. These are Dani's pics from the last while.

Dad rocks with creativity.  Britt loved it!

We watched the apple tree blossom.

We run pretty quick!

We've had some weird weather!

We watched a lot of soccer!

We read some good books!  This is the 3rd of the Fablehaven series.  Recommended!

Jazz playoff games are loud!

The tulips have come and gone.

Watched more soccer.  (Here come the summer games!)

Dad's a master chef when it comes to Barbeque!

As much bike riding as possible and yes Britti's elbows look double jointed.

Bike safety week at school.  Nica learned the hand signals.  Only 4 days left!

More weird weather!

Now we'll see what memorial day brings.

Saturday with Oma and Opa was a blast! (They spoil us.)

Burning question......

Have you ever had one of those? Well, my kids have a lot lately.

Question 1: Started out with a phone call, "Mom! There's a fire in the microwave!"

Dani's answer: Throw a cup of water on it (apparently the flame was the size of a candle)

Mom and Dad's answer: Unplug the microwave!


Question 2 (A result of question 1): You'll know it when you see the answer.

Mom and Dad's answer: Yes, twist ties have metal in them. You have to take them off BEFORE you use the microwave.


Question 3: How long do you cook bacon?

Dad's answer: (to prevent under cooking when doing small amounts) 1 minute per slice.


Question 4 (result of answer to question 3): Why is the bacon burnt and melted to the napkin? 10 minutes for 10 slices right?

Dad's answer: Start small


Question 5: Is this mug OK in the microwave?

Mom's Answer: It's now sparking so no! (There was decorative metal)

Pretty funny microwave experiences.

Thanks OMI - Zoo was a Blast

We all found the Baby Elephant so Sweet - Dani wants one as a pet in our back yard! "Dani is on waste removal" Really Chickens might not be so bad!





Guess this Animal?



Lindsay and Lyla! Are you Really Moving away???



Omi and the Girls (Wait Gus is there, Hi Gus!!)

SNOW in April....Anyone want to move to AZ or TX with me??

Just should not happen...Where is Summer?

Easter Fun!!

First BOIL your Eggs ! They taste so good on a Sandwich AFTER Easter!

Now Get to work making them "Pretty"





Dani Ran in to who??? ANNA! - Thanks Farmington and Lagoon, Free Lagoon Tickets are allways nice!



Nica you look cold! - Dont worry the hunt will start soon!!

Am I a Fool?

No but sometimes I still get got!

So the morning of April 1st was a busy one. Correcting some homework, preparing food, getting sprayed by the sprayer. Yep, Dani rigged it to spray whoever used the sink, aka MOM! She called Oma to fake a broken arm with which Oma fooled her into actually thinking she believed it. Then Dani and Britti had a great idea. We wrapped their arms with ace bandages and added an arm sling (Britti and Ryan (the anti milk drinkers) have both broken an arm before so we had slings) and it worked marvelously. They had classmates fooled all day long. One boy wouldn't even believe it was an april fools joke, so Dani pulled her arm out and waved it around. Teachers on the other hand were fooled for about a minute (maybe).

Nica tried to get into the action but had no school so we wrapped her arm with an ace bandage anyway. A bit later she says to me "after I trick dad, can we take this off?" Dad had been home for quite awhile, so I don't know how that would work. Then I looked at her arm and said I'd just take it off now. She asked why and I said "because your fingers are blue!" I felt so bad! I had no idea I had wrapped it so tight. She said "It has been hurting for a while."

I tried to get a picture but a dead battery put that idea in the grave.

Thanks Nancy!

Ruby's was so delicious. The crazy part was the fact that we were dealing with a bit of storm surge so we were constantly feeling the pier sway. Every now and then I'd just get that sea sick feeling for a second, then I'd dig into my breakfast food and shake.

The walk to Ruby's

Gage deciding what he wants to eat.

Ryan's girls.

The House

The house we stayed in was totally awesome. A private room with bathroom for each family, 2 hot tubs, 2 roof top decks, 2 full kitchens, 2 family rooms, beach front view and access, mile (walking distance) from Ruby's, and family everywhere! It was loads of fun.

View from the lower rooftop

Patio Hot tub

Some of the awesomest women you could ever meet!

Extravaganza Day 2

Day 2 began with a dip in the pool. Too chilly for me, but the kids were pumped.

The bathing beauties over 12 and Lyla. (Lindz can decide if Ty qualifies)

I think these girls.....

Actually spent more time in the hot tub!

Brigham may just be a great swimmer like his dad! Check out that form!

What is it with Lyla and her tongue? It can only be intense concentration.

Disney part 3

Mickey was a highlight! (I love Henrick's face here)

This is Wonder Grandma, with 4 kids in tow!

(She may tell you, she was in tow)

Nica and Brigham are in Heaven at Opi's side.

Farewell and Thanks for the free day!

And a special Thanks to Trina and Jeff!

Make that, Give a Day, Get a JEDI day!

Britti, Nica, and Caelen are all now Jedi's. (Dani was previously trained a couple years ago). They attended Jedi training. There isn't anything quite as fun as seeing your little girl cream Darth Vader. Or in Cae's case Vader and Maul!

Caelen and Nica, at the ready!

Britti in the process of ducking.

Nica battles the dark side.

Britti was well trained as you can see!

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day!

Extravaganza Day 1:

Nearly 30 members of our VB fam earned the free tickets.  It was so fun to have them all at Disneyland together. We did the first few rides together (yay! no riding with strangers) and met at the castle for pictures (still need to get one from Bob). It was funny because everywhere we went there was family. Someone always ended up nearby, no matter what part of the park we were in! Dani, Britti, and their cousins, sprinted at the opening to be first under the castle (aka, first in Disneyland).

We met Tinkerbell and Terrance

Small World was fun

Jungle Cruise was dangerous....

...But not as dangerous as splash mountain!

We're outta here!

At least we were.  Anyway this is the beginning of a week long extravaganza of fun.

Ry's hair has gotten a bit shaggy since November!