a learning experience

Another day we went to one of the battle sites in Fredericksburg to show the kids the cannons. Easton was very interested in them and why they were needed. He is such a sponge lately and always asking questions.

bugs, bugs, bugs

One day in Fredericksburg we went to the Bug Box. A little store that houses dozens of bugs and creepy crawlies in many different terrariums. Easton loved it. Keagan liked it, but made me nervous (I was certain she was going to knock over something and bugs would be everywhere). I tolerated it. Oma didn't even want to try it. It creeped me out a bit to see a terrarium full of jumping crickets, another with spiders making webs, another with scorpions. But, it is a good little activity and the kids enjoyed it.

Outside the Bug Box.

Charlie is a girl's best friend....

Charming Charlie's to be exact.

A large store with accessories, all color coded....I spent way too much time in there and probably too much money. But, I am on vacation, right?

My favorite sections were green, turquoise, and blue. So, so cute!

(The girl told me they are trying to open up a shop in each state soon. They would do very well in Utah.)

spring has sprung...

at least in Virginia. It is beautiful here and the kids are loving being outside so much.

We got in on Wednesday and Opa picked us up and we took the metro (to stall so we wouldn't have to sit in traffic) to see if we could see any cherry blossoms. Sadly, they were all gone, but we walked a bit and then went back on the metro to the airport where we got the car and then headed down to Oma and Opa's house.

Opa and Easton

Easton, Opa, Keagan

Yes, I was there

On Friday we met Aunt Carrie and the kids and went to the Children's Museum.

in the craft section

Keagan was not sure why I wanted to take a picture of her in front of this and didn't understand how she was supposed to put her head on the neck part. Oh well.

Easton practicing before he and Daddy and Opa go fishing.

Easton stayed in the fossil digging section for about twenty minutes. He loved it.

Keagan loved this slide. She did it over....and over....and over....and over.

Cousin Briana has been a good helper with the little kids.

Jackson, Austin, Easton, Briana, Keagan

Saturday we went to the zoo.

Keagan, of course, has fallen for Briana which makes Jackson jealous. He asked why Keagan doesn't like him as much and Carrie and I tried to explain to him that she likes him just the same, but she wants to be like Briana because Briana is a big girl. I think that made him feel better.

This was tonight after showers. This was the only thing keeping the kids still long enough so the adults didn't go crazy.

It is crazy with five kids, especially two four year olds, but it gives me comfort to know I am not the only one that looses it when her four year old has a major tantrum.

The kids and I are in Virginia now. It is beautiful out here and so nice to see family. We met up with Parker's sister, Carrie, and her kids at the Children's Museum and the kids had so much fun. Carrie's little boy, Jackson, has taken a liking to me and Keagie. He is a fellow redhead and I think feels a camaraderie with us. It is sweet.

Doing the zoo tomorrow.

Parker comes out in a week. I am homesick without him.

Happy Easter!

Gotta love a grocery store that paints your child's nose and gives bunny ears.

This is her bunny face.

At the family Easter egg hunt.

My cute cousin, Taylor, dressed up as the Easter Bunny and took pictures with all the kids.

Happy Easter!!

up, up, and away

Easton's preschool went to the local airport for a field trip yesterday. It was freezing, but a good trip. We saw Mr. Donny Osmond, himself, rush in and take off in his little private plane. (He is smaller in person that I would have thought.)

The whole group.

For some reason whenever there is a field trip lately Easton won't take a group picture. I had to beg him to be in this one and Mrs. Stephanie had to stand by him. I hope he isn't as shy when I am not around, because when I am there, he won't talk to anyone.

Keagan, of course, has no problem with being shy.

All in all, a good trip. Easton wanted to sit in one of the planes, but because of the rain and wind the plane that they let you tour was parked too far away. He was disappointed, but I kept telling him in one week we get to sit in a BIG plane when we fly to see in-laws. That made it a little better.

Easton's belated birthday

We finally celebrated Easton's birthday at Pirate Island. He has been looking forward to this for months. We are a couple of weeks late due to getting rid of RSV, but I don't think he minded.

His scary pirate face. He insisted on wearing his pirate costume to dinner too. He was so cute.
Keagan playing on the pirate ship.
I asked Easton what his favorite part of the night was and he said when the girl brought him ice cream. You can tell in this picture. He was too excited that he didn't even eat his pizza.

Happy late birthday, Easton. Glad you had fun! We love you.

allergies

allergies + potent onion cut up for dinner =

why did I even put on makeup this morning?

RSV

Our RSV treatments look just like my treatments for pre-pneumonia when I was little. It seemed like every time I got a cold when I was little, I would have to do these breathing treatments so I wouldn't get pneumonia. The kids are doing well with them, but I have to keep reminding them to breath with their mouths and not their noses.

Easton went to preschool today and Keagan and I were able to go grocery shopping (the first time in a week and a half). And then we went for a walk to pick up Easton. I think I was more stir-crazy than the kids.

Easton is 4!

Well, another year has come and gone and Easton is 4. I can't believe he is that old, but yet sometimes he seems so much older and more mature than a four year old.

He has not had the best birthday today (in my opinion--I don't think he really notices it is weird). I took him to the doctor today because he has had a cough for a few days. RSV. Luckily, my mom has a nebulizer and we can do breathing treatments at home and won't have to take him to the doctor everyday. He did think it was cool doing the breathing treatment (he got to breath like a dragon). He had to miss preschool today and I guess he will for the rest of the week, so he didn't get to take cupcakes to share with his class, but his teacher said we could bring them when he is back.

Oh, my sweet Easton. You are a joy in my life and I am so grateful for you. You are a wonderful big brother (most of the time) and we love you so much. You are a sweetheart and I hope you will continue to be kind and caring to everyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EASTON!

Easton's Primary talk

Easton gave his first Primary talk last week and did so well. He was brave and did the whole thing with a little help from Mom. I was worried he would be like me and get too nervous to do it, but I guess he is more like his dad and public speaking is no problem for him.

The first principle of our religion is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father's Son.

He created the heavens and the earth.

Even though he is God's Son, He suffered for all of us. He is our Savior. He suffered for us so we can be saved and live with Heavenly Father again. He suffered for us so we can live with our families forever. Because he died for us and was resurrected, we can be resurrected too.

President Gordon B. Hinckley shared his testimony once with some children: "Jesus is my friend. He is my exemplar. He is my teacher. He is my healer. He is my leader. He is my Savior and my Redeemer. His is my God and my King. Gratefully, and with love, I bear witness of these things."

I know that Jesus is my friend and I know that when I am sad I can think about Jesus and I don't need to be sad anymore.

I am so thankful for Jesus and I love Him and know that He loves me.

before and after

CHEESE!

curly sue

We tried sponge curlers on Keagan a little while ago and she thought she was the prettiest thing in the world. The finished product didn't work quite like I wanted, but I used the smallest ones--the next time I did it I did the next two sizes up and it looked adorable. Of course, I didn't get a finish picture, but will try to remember next time.

sometimes I wish....

that I could be bluntly honest with strangers/acquaintances. For example, at the doctor today, he came in and asked, "Well, how we doing today?" I wanted to say, "Well, I don't know how you are doing--well, I assume, since you are at work. I, however, am not, but I would guess you understand that seeing as how I am in your office today and not at home." Instead I smiled politely and with my swollen, sore throat said, "I have been better."

Prognosis: strep throat.

Easton also has it, but isn't showing symptoms other than a yucky belly-button (weird, I know.).

Hopefully it will pass by Parker and Keagan and leave them alone.

They gave me a shot in the hip and now it hurts.

I think I will go to bed now.

Thank you to Parker, my mom and sister who have been huge helps.