Easter Morning

I must preface all this by saying that both Chloe and Ryan wrote very nice letters to the Easter Bunny.  Chloe wanted to make sure that he knew that we had two extra friends at the house.  We had the pleasure of watching Elliot and Nolan Evans while their parents went on a cruise and we had a great time.  Chloe wanted to make sure that they did not get left out.

Ryan wanted to tell the Easter Bunny to hide the eggs "high and hard". 

He was ready for the challenge of the hunt. 

Here is what the kids found when they came down the stairs that morning!

The Easter Bunny had assigned each child a color so there would be equal shares of treats to go around.  Nolan was green, Calli was purple,  Elliot was yellow, Ryan was blue, and Chloe was pink. 

The eggs were definitely hidden "high and hard".

Elliot and Nolan looking very handsome in their new Easter Ties.

This was one Happy Easter Family!

To top off the day we had the Bitton's over for Dinner with my homemade rolls, Paul's grilled tri-tip, and Angela's fresh potato casserole.  It was a great day of fun, food, and most importantly....celebrating the resureection of our Saviour.

Easter Eggs

An Easter Tradition of ours is to dye eggs the Saturday before Easter.  Paul especially gets excited about this activity and is always in charge.  We had the honor of getting to watch Nolan and Elliot Evans while their parents were on vacation, so they got to dye eggs with us as well.

Elliot concentrating very hard on his egg.

Nolan had the look of wonder every time he took an egg out.

"Look Shupe...my egg is blue...how it do that?"

Callista though she was big stuff and did not want any help at all.

It was no surprise that Ryan had butterfingers that day....but he had a great time anyways.  Besides that's why we did it outside.

Chloe is an old pro at this.  She got fancy doing half the egg one color, and then the other half a different color.

They are all CRAZY!!!

The Easter Bunny is going to have blast hiding these beautiful eggs.

Happy Birthday Katherine

Am I really 36?   It must be so because I am going through twice as much wrinkle cream as I used to.  I had a great day that started with waking up to a box of fresh donuts my husband had gone to get before he went to work (which means he was at the "Donut Stop" about 4:45 AM).

Then Callista and I enjoyed a fun day at the Beach with the Hardy's and Grandma.

 Then Becky and Grandma made me Dinner while I sat on the couch and held my beautiful baby niece Ashlynne.  Dinner was excellent....mexican...they knew I'd love it.  Then I opened a few gifts and then had my favorite chocolate cake, made from scratch by Paul and Chloe.

 Thank you Paul, Chloe, Ryan, Callista, Valerie, Becky, Marissa, Darren. Camille, Scottie, Russell, and Ashlynne for a great birthday! 

 I love you all!!!!!

Mormon Battalion with the Hardy's

What a pleasure it was to have Becky and her 6 kids come to visit us.  We were even luckier to have Grandma as well.  You would think that having NINE kids in the house, on a Sunday morning, while getting ready for church would be utter chaos....but not with these kids.  I looked down the stairs to see how it could be so quiet and this is what I found.....kids coloring at the table in their church clothes.

It was adorable!

 Outside the Mormon Battalion in the covered wagon. 

How many cousins can fit in one covered wagon.....9!

 Can Marissa live with me?  I asked already, but Becky said "NO".  Every time I turned around Callista was sitting on her lap, or playing with her.  For those of you who know Callista....she does not take kindly to anyone who is not her Mother....so this was GREAT!

 Chloe panning for Gold.

 Russell, Scottie, and Ryan pumping water.

 Me, Becky, Ashlynne, and Marissa



Spring Break!

Spring Break 2011 began with Paul and Chloe STILL trying to put together this 1000 piece photomosaic puzzpe that they had been working on for two weeks.  It was extemely challenging since within each puzzle piece was a separate picture itself.  I didn't attempt to do any of it.

On Monday we went out to Melanie's Aunt Rachel's house in Carlsbad and enjoyed their beautiful, resort style pool.  As you can tell...the kids had a GREAT time.

 Because swimming for 4 hours just wasn't tiring enough....Melanie took Chloe ice skating that Monday Evening.  I stayed home with Callista and Nolan

(and Ryan because after 4 hours of swimming.....he WAS tired)!

On Tuesday we had a quiet day at the house riding bikes. 

Look at Ryan riding without training wheels....Whoo-Hoo!!!

On Wednesday we went with the Evan's to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.  The kids were very enthusiastic about their maps and used them constantly to make sure we were going in the right direction!

 On Thursday we drove around to 5 different craft stores looking for tri-beads so we could make these jeweled eggs.  As you can see.....we finally found them and had a great time making them.

On Friday we decorated Spring Sugar Cookies with the Evan's.....and then we ate them. 

 After we were full from the sugar cookies, we made "Scuba Dye-ver" eggs. 

 To finish the week off......Paul and Chloe FINALLY finished the puzzle.  I was SO glad to get to put that card table away.  Great Job Guys!!!

Thanks kiddos and Evan's for such a FUN Spring Break.  I can't wait for Next Year's from Japan!