Because this is what our Easter looked like... (nevermind world's creepiest Easter Bunny E.V.E.R...I mean the snow and the runny noses)

We take advantage of every opportunity we have to do this...

At places like these...

We picnic every opportunity we get at this time of year. I never thought I would be so excited to see green buds on trees, but alas, I find myself taking pictures of them I'm so ecstatic!

As for that creepy Easter Bunny...he's not very smart, either. We took the kids down to the Draper City egg hunt, and that was fantastic! It was really well put together, and the age groups were broken down in very small increments so as to avoid bruises and bloody noses in pursuit of all that glorious wax-based candy. Our neighborhood hunt, however, did not run as smoothly. That creepy bunny thought it would be a good idea to simply explain that when he blows the whistle the first time, ages 0-5 would go, and every 2 minutes following he would again blow his whistle for the next group until everybody had gone. You can only imagine what happened as soon as he blew it the first time! Snow. Crying. Falling. Swimming. (Not my kids. The unsupervised teenagers that fell into the stream that runs through the park) And if that weren't enough, I had told Trin when she asked about the golden egg that she spotted on the walk over that she needed to leave it there until the hunt started. Well, where we ended up when the whistle blew was on the opposite side of said stream, and she couldn't get to it. It didn't even phase me that it would hold any special significance. She just wanted it because it was shiny! Next year we'll know to find those shiny eggs at the expense of life and limb because you should have seen the gigantic gift baskest that those shiny-egg-finding-kids left with! I felt like Charlie when he hadn't yet found the golden ticket. Oh well.

Left to their own demise

I have, on many more than one occasion, mentioned how truly blessed I am to have such fantastic kids. I'm sure that I've also mentioned that I would like to think it has at least a little something to do with my stellar parenting skills. Whatever the case may be, it is such a luxury to be able to work outside and have them entertain themselves, or to need to spend the better part of a day cleaning my house and the most damage they do is to simply set up a fort or have a beach party. I just thought I would take the opportunity to post a few of these creations.Triniti dressed herself and insisted on doing her own hair this particular day.

I love that Trin will take any chance she can to point out to her father that if we lived in California she could have real beach parties.

Miss Addi loves to get in on the action!

Trin elected herself snack captain, and this is what she assembled...hamburger buns, yogurt raisins, marshmallows and applesauce. I promise there was fruit in the basket on the table!

Girl time!

Spencer and I try to make time to have one on one time with the kids. It's not always Trin with me and Mac with his dad, but this particular date was just for the girls! She planned the whole evening. First, we were off to see the Tale of Desperaux. We have a dollar theatre near us, so it's nice option, and the funny 30 year old theatre smell doesn't even seem to fase them! Maybe it was just the distraction provided by the king size box of Crunch Bites (before dinner, of course).There was a dollar store (huh, I'm sensing a theme) nearby, so we walked over and she got to pick out whatever item captured her heart. It was, of course, another stuffed animal. I just might be world's worst mom, but to keep the infestation under control, I have to weed out animals from the bottom of the box and sneak them out to the garage while she's occupied. Miss Trin picked IHOP for dinner and ordered one of the most fun kids' meals I think I've ever seen...buttermilk pancake, happy face out of various toppings, and a Gogurt on the side to make your own hair with!My favorite, however, was the placard for what I can only assume was a national campaign for the all you can eat shrimps. I have been guilty of pointing out the "fishes" in the pond before, but it's only because I was in mommy mode. I also enjoyed the creative use of both upper and lower cases. Thanks for the great evening, little girl!

The best $15 I've ever spent

We love, love, love the aquarium! It's $7 for a single day pass, but for $15 you can purchase an annual pass. Being the mathematical genius that I am, I opted for passes all around! There have been so many times that we've shown up there and there's been a massive field trip or special event going on, causing the general admission line to wrap all the way outside. I simply have to make my way through the people blocking the door and throwing their worst stink eyes at me and walk myself right on up to the member desk. We get scanned in immediately and get on our way!

I also totally dig the fact that they don't care if you bring your own food in to the on-site cafe. We enjoy packing up snacks or lunch and spending several hours.And they have foliage to pose with!
My sweet little niece, Maci (and of course my cute sister in law) occasionally go with us. I think Maci was a fan of the foliage as well.

The jellies are always a favorite.

Addi was thrilled.

There are times I miss Phoenix... a lot

There are a lot of things I miss about Phoenix...my friends, playgroups, splash parks, Arizona Mills, the Children's and Science Museums, etc. Don't get me wrong. There is much to love about Utah as well, but when it's the middle of April and I have to cut our trip to the zoo short not because it's too hot (like I once was used to) but because I'm worried that gangrene is about to start in, I have to complain a little bit. We made the best of it, though...which is yet another reason why I'm such an advocate for passes to anywhere. I never have to feel guilty if we just simply want to go check out some monkeys and head home. The playground was a little chilly, and we opted to eat indoors instead of out, we still had a great time. The rain forest exhibit was a big hit this time. I think the big winner for the day, however, was the heavy machinery at work in the construction zones.

I'm not too proud to beg!

Calling, well...everyone!!! You may have noticed the nifty new little button to your upper right. I am on the committee for the Suncrest Mountain Race this year, happening at the top of Suncrest in September. We're doing a fun run, 5k, and a kick your trash half marathon! Please, please, please check out our website and register, put my button on your blog, or all of the above. We're in the early stages of planning, but I'm on a mission to amp up our numbers from last year. I would LOVE it if you could help spread the word, so if you know anyone in Utah, send them our way!!!