Kindy 500

Calvin's school did a really fun activity called the Kindy 500. All of the kindergarteners had to make a box car at home and bring it to school to travel around the United States (the gym) and see some historical sites. It was a really fun activity. There were a lot of really cool cars butI loved Calvin's. Jon wired lights that Calvin could turn on and off, he put big tires and a steering wheel on it. It is a cool car and we all had fun painting pirate ships and castles on the sides.

Our adorable little nephew

This is our new nephew Cole Joseph Nielson. He was born on March 10th. I was lucky enough to get to take some pictures of him and make an announcement. Joe and Jaime didn't find out what they were having and Calvin was the only grandson up until this point, so everyone was really excited for a little boy to join the family.

Calvin's Kindergarten Glory Story

Calvin made this picture poster for his week of recognition in Kindergarten. As part of the week the class made up this glory story about Calvin. I love that Calvin put one of his drawings on his picture poster and that he drew a picture at the bottom of his glory story.

This is White the Dog, ya!

This is Lily's little pet, she named him White the dog. He was 50 cents at IKEA and she loves this little thing. She takes him everywhere. In this picture he is getting a Nerd candy bath. A couple of things we love about Lily these days: She names everything with a descriptive word, the, and then what it is. Examples are White the Dog, pink the dog, yellow the shirt, pink the bike, etc. I don't know where she came up with this but it is really funny. She takes pink the dog on a walk on a leash almost everyday. She loves her stuffed animals and she is so sweet with them. She is such a good helper with Ava too. She is really loving and kind.

The other thing I absolutely love about Lily these days is she end every sentence with a ya or a no. As if she is agreeing or disagreeing with herself. It is hilarious. Examples: I want toast, ya. I don't like yogurt, no. I want a bath, ya. School was fun today with Miss Janae and Mia and White the dog, ya. I don't like when it rains and it's cold, no.

Belt tests

Calvin has loved karate and he is doing so great. He has been a white, orange stripe, green stripe and now a purple stripe belt. It has taught him some great things like: Stranger danger, how to be assertive, respecting adults, listening the first time. We have really loved Omega.

I didn't know it beforehand, but I really needed this vacation!

Jon was asked to attend the water conference in St. George the first week of March for his work this year. I was invited to go so that Jon would have a date for the banquet dinner. It is a week of classes for Jon, so I didn't think it would be much fun for me. And it is really hard for me to find babysitters for the kids and I really don't like to leave them for longer than a day. I kept debating whether or not I would go. Finally I decided it was a free hotel, free gas money, why not go and enjoy the warm weather and try not to worry about the kids. We got down there and I thought what am I going to do for 3 days by myself. And then I had all of these wonderful ideas come to me and I got so excited for the week. I scheduled a massage, I went and did sealings at the temple, I went to the temple visitors center and watched some amazing videos, I went to Jacob Hamblin's house, Brigham Young's winter home, shopping. Jon and I went to two movies, we visited with some of Jon's friends, Jon and Delina Hansen, went swimming, went to the Tabernacle, went hiking and went to the work dinner. Jon had a good time in his classes and had a blast going on a bike ride with Jon Hansen and catching up with him. But I must say, I can not explain how much fun I had spending time by MYSELF!!! Oh my, I really, really needed that. I don't even remember the last time I was alone for a day. When I went shopping I had time to just look, no rush, no one saying "let's go," At the church history sites I got a private tour and I actually got to listen and learn and ask questions. It was amazing and the spirit was so strong. I actually understood polygamy for a minute when they explained it at the Jacob Hamblin house. I longed for a self sufficient, simple life and realized that we really are a lazy generation with everything handed to us. They worked so hard to live, we work hard running around doing not much of anything(no offense to anyone, that is just how I was feeling at the moment). The stories were really amazing to listen to and it was so much fun to learn about our heritage. The visitor center videos I chose to watch were, The Stone Cutter, which was just unreal how much strength that man had. And a Dallin H. Oaks message on Marriage and Divorce. Both were inspiring. The temple was beautiful inside. When I was going to school in St. George I dreamed about doing sealings in there one day and I actually did it. I forgot my temple recommend and clothes but was able to call my bishopric for admittance and borrow a skirt from Delina. Going out on the town with Jon every night was really fun too. And the weather was beautiful and warm. It was a great week. And yes I did worry a little about the kids but thanks to my Grandma, my mom and Jon's mom I knew they were safe and having a blast here at home. And I think that was the best thing I could have done as a mom, take a break for myself and have a relaxing week. I hope we get more opportunities to go to the work conferences!

The Tabernacle

Jacob Hamblin's house

Brigham Young's winter house and the signed Twelve Apostles picture.