April

April is always a busy month but it seemed even more full this year. 

I was able to go with Tanner to a med conference in Florida at the very end of March/beginning of April. It was so nice to get away for a while just the two of us. We spent the first day in Tampa at the beach. I was so worried about Tanner getting sunburnt and kept nagging him until he put some on. And then pointed out all the burnt people and talked about how miserable they must be...smug in my preparedness. Then I forgot to put sunscreen on my back and chest...so I ended up burnt. A little bit of a humbling experience.   

And this was the only photo we got together the whole trip...

We then drove to Orlando during rush hour, not the smartest move on our part but we survived. Tanner had his conference for the next few days. I would work on church stuff, go shopping, and relax in the mornings and then when Tanner was done with his classes we would do something in the afternoon. We tried out lots of restaurants, went to the Orlando temple and swam in the hotel pool. Our favorite restaurant was probably this little hole in the wall Indian restaurant. I wanted to order everything off the menu and what we did get was delicious. Tanner had had a really busy last couple months at work so we were perfectly ok with taking it easy this trip.  

The last day we had to check out of our room before Tanner's classes were done so I went and got my nails and toes done. I initially went in planning on just getting my nails done but when I got a notification that our flight had been delayed I decided to get my toes done as well. The girl who worked on me was so sweet and we had a great time talking. I was wearing tennis shoes so I got to leave in these super cool sandals. The kids were disappointed that I didn't save them. 

The last day of the trip was our anniversary so we held hands for a little while in the airport...we're romantic like that. Twelve years married and we still like each other; we're calling that a win. We then watched General Conference as we waited at the airport for our flight. I actually got a lot more out of conference without the wonderful distractions that are my children. Although crying in front of a lot of strangers wasn't the most ideal. 

During our layover we went to California Pizza Kitchen. When I found out they were all sold out of sandwiches, I said to Tanner, "Well that was the only thing I wanted here". Meaning that he could order pizza and I would eat somewhere else. But then the manager heard me and went to the back and found more sandwiches and insisted on paying for both of our meals. It was really sweet of her. 

We were so grateful to Brittany and Natalie helping out watching the kids. They braved a tornado watch and did all kinds of fun things. I didn't feel like our kids missed me much when I was away in Colorado but they seemed to miss us a lot more with Tanner and I both being gone. We were Facetiming with them one night and Vivi said, "hold you mom" which I think was her way of saying she missed me. 

We got home late Saturday night and started off Sunday morning with all of our kids and all of the cousins in our bed. I couldn't have planned a more perfect welcome home. For breakfast I made biscuits and gravy and strawberry shortcake for Tanner's birthday. We are all so grateful that we have a Tanner in our life and though the lackluster celebrations may not show it, he really is our favorite. 

That night we had our Palm Sunday celebration and I thought the girls were so cute. It's a favorite of mine to hear the kids get excited for Jesus' triumphal entry; their "hosannas" are the most pure and precious thing. It is such a great way to begin the Easter week. 

We then ended the night with brownies and ice cream to celebrate Mariah's birthday a little early so her cousins could be there. 

Mariah is realizing she doesn't love cake, and I wasn't going to complain about brownies; they were a much easier choice. 

Vivienne Kay sure loves her Aunt Natalie Kay, I think we named her well. 

We started off Mariah's birthday with a tea party and german pancakes. 

Then we surprised her that night by taking her to the Lion King Broadway production. 

I started crying within minutes of the show starting. The costumes were amazing and it was nostalgic hearing that intro music. I'm pretty sure the movie is the first I ever cried in...so it was only fitting that I would cry throughout the whole production as well. There is so much beautiful symbolism throughout the play, and I felt so many emotions while watching it. It's definitely a new favorite. We then drove home that night through a tornado watch and enjoyed the lightening show. Poor Natalie wasn't so at ease at home. She ended up moving the kids down stairs so she could have some peace of mind. Which is exactly what I would have done. 

Natalie had to leave the next day and we are all counting down the days until we see her again. 

We dyed eggs and I have to help less and less with each year. And I'm not going to complain about that. 

We had our Passover meal and I think the kids consumed their weight in grape juice and flat bread. But it's all part of the experience. I'm always so proud of them for trying the unique flavors like horseradish and plain parsley. And they are able to focus and participate in the program more and more each year. 

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday program. There were many beautiful musical numbers and we had the opportunity to sing Risen as a family. We gave Vivienne a bag of marshmallows right before our song and she was a peach the whole time, much better than our practice the day before. I also spoke during the program and was grateful for the inspiration I was given from God in what to say. I always feel like my talks impact me more than they do anyone else, which is probably the whole point. 

The boys had been begging to have a campfire for several weeks and we finally were able to do that. 

I told them they had to gather up a bunch of the sticks around the yard to burn and that, my friends, is how you get enthusiastic helpers to clean up your yard. I'm going to have to remember that for the next campfire. 

Chet bathed Vivi that night while I was doing the dishes and this is how her hair looked when I finally sat down for a minute...

I was able to go to Nauvoo with a group of sisters from church for a temple trip. We went on a wagon ride after and I had to get a picture of Hyrum the Percheron for my favorite nephew with the same name. We had so much fun talking on the ride to and from Nauvoo. I am so grateful for my wonderful church friends. 

Vivi is a real firecracker, someone described her as a "pistol" today and I felt that was accurate. I found her cutting her own strawberries and she was so pleased with herself. 

We had to go and buy some soccer gear for some of the kids and Vivienne wore one of Eliza's cleats throughout the whole store. She would not let me take it off until we were ready to check out. 

Eliza taught her how to make a "scary face" and she loves doing it to everyone. It makes us giggle. 

Spring Soccer is in full swing and I feel all kinds of regret, but we're committed. Yeehaw...

We ended the month cleaning up our flowerbeds and putting in mulch. What I optimistically thought would only take a few hours took most of the day and we laid the mulch down in the rain, but the oldest three helped and we had that part done in about ten minutes. We are all ready for good weather and more time outside!