Easter Festivities

Easter morning, the kids woke up to some fun new toys.  All got basketballs except for Bradley who got a fishing game.  The basketballs were a hit. 

 The kids all lined up waiting to come out to see what the Easter bunny has left for them.  Some of the kids still look asleep:)

 Parker & Carter with their fun finds.

 Parker finding the plastic eggs as they were hidden around the house.

 Bradley with his game and his loot.

 Some of the kids with their stuff - Parker, Johnathan & Tanner.

 Before church I had to get a picture of my handsome and beautiful kids.  Parker, Camille, Bradley, Tanner, Carter & Johnathan.

  After church we dyed Easter Eggs . 

 Carter, Parker, Johnathan & Bradley

 Some funny faces while playing with the camera- I couldn't resist adding them.

 Carter

 Johnathan

Camille has been watching a lot of Rachel Ray and then gets some ideas on cooking.  She decided to make homemade noodles.  It was a very detailed and long process.  She ended up freezing them until we cooked with them a few days later.

Grandpa & Grandma Beck's house is always a fun place to head.  The kids had fun playing outside with their cousins and also enjoyed Grandma Beck's annual treasure hunt.

 Upside down Carter

  

 

 Parker with his treasure.

I got some fun pictures of Mom Beck trying out the new scooter/bike.  Going down her steep driveway as she almost didn't make the turn. 

We rolled eggs at Centennial Park the next day.  It started raining while we were there, so unfortunately the rolling didn't last as long as the kids would have liked.

Carter, Parker, Camille, Johnathan, Tanner & Bradley with their eggs.

Tossing the eggs backwards to see whose could go the farthest.



Pinewood Derby Time!

Pinewood Derby time always bring around a lot of stress.  Luckily Byron is amazing and is so patient with each of the boys.  This year Byron was able to do a record- 3 cars.  Carter & Parker made their first ones and Johnathan his last one. 

Byron has each of the boys start out by sketching on paper what they want to make.  Then Byron transfers those drawings directly onto the car and cuts them out.  Carter & Parker made some cool looking cars and Johnathan decided upon a carrot.  After they were cut out, there was endless hours of sanding them.  I wish I had thought to take pictures of the cutting and sanding process.  I loved walking into the garage to find 3 boys sanding their cars.  Bradley joined in also with some scaps that Byron found for him.  After the sanding, they were able to finally paint them.  All 3 of the boys practically painted them all by themselves.  They did an amazing job!  After the painting process, the wheels were put on and the weights added.  It is quite the process, but the boys look forward to helping at each phase.  They were able to finally go down to Brother Worthington's house to get them weighed.  Since a couple of them were over weight, some drilling had to take place before they were 5 lbs. 

Parker & Johnathan painting his cars. 

 Parker watching Byron so patiently add the wheels to his car. 

 Cute Bradley had to join in the fun also.

 The finished product.  I think they all turned out awesome!

On April 21 was the much anticipated pinewood derby.  All of the cars did pretty good over all.  Parker took 7th place overall (out of 30 cars) and got the award, "True Blue."  Carter took 11th overall with the award, "Chocolate Brownie."  Johnathan took 14th overall with the award, "Veggie Racer." 

 Johnathan, Carter & Parker before the racing began.

Byron wins the "Father of the Year" award for making 3 cars in my book.  I don't think there were any other dad's that had to make so many. He was so patient with the kids and lets them take such a huge part in making their own car.  I hate seeing the opposite where the car was totally made from the dad through every process.  These cars might not have been the fastest or prettiest, but made 3 boys VERY happy!

Byron's birthday

I love this guy so much.  Byron & I ended up going out to Winger's on his birthday.  I always look forward to those individual moments we have together.  There is nothing like having uninterrupted time where kids aren't around. 

Byron is an amazing guys in so many ways.  He is such a hard worker, funny, can lighten the mood wherever he is, very business minded, great brother/friend, fun dad, trip planner (he takes after his dad in this realm), strong testimony of the Gospel, and the list could go on.  Little did I know 16 years ago when he came over with his roommates to watch General Conference with my roommates that I would end up marrying him.  I feel so privileged and lucky to have him in my life! 

Spring Break Get-A-Way

Byron took two days off of work so we could have a little "Get-A-Way" during Spring Break.  On April 14th we headed up to Salt Lake to visit the Sweets Factory.  We can never get enough of this place.  The free tour can't be beat along with the candy that is given at the end.  My kids have been maybe 4 times and always look forward to going again. 

Bradley, Tanner, Parker, Camille, Carter & Johnathan

After visiting the Sweets Factory, we headed to our hotel that is downtown Salt Lake City.  One of our first stops was the swimming pool.  Poor Johnathan wasn't able to swim due to the buckle fracture he got a couple of days previous.  Luckily he was content playing my I-pod.  I loved hearing Tanner say after swimming that is isn't the same without Johnathan in the pool - that about broke my heart.  How great to hear from your children that they really do love each other.

The kids all had a great time.  It took Bradley a little time to get ready to fully submerse himself, but loved it after he did.  I stayed out of the water with Johnathan and enjoyed watching and taking pictures.

Parker

On Friday, April 15th, we headed to Hogle Zoo.  We hadn't been in quite some time and enjoyed spending time there.  We stayed at the giraffes for longer than we normally do, but had so much fun watching them.  They were much more active than normal and were fascinating to us all.

Bradley & Johnathan

Parker, Carter, Byron, Bradley, Johnathan, Tanner & Camille while in the giraffe area.  Carter wasn't happy to get a picture taken - I guess I am a mean mom:).

After lunch we headed over to the Children's Discovery Museum at Gateway.  Johnathan brought home a coupon to get 5 in free so we didn't have to pay very much at all.  We invited Grandpa & Grandma Beck to join us.  We all had such a great time.  The different areas were really fun and entertaining.  All were equally entertained from area to area. 

Carter, Tanner & Johnathan making sandwiches.

What a cute cow Bradley makes.

Bradley enjoying this area with Dad & Grandma's help.

These blocks were almost taller than Parker.

Carter, Johnathan & Parker being news reporters.

Tanner and Camille enjoying the airplane that was outside for all to enjoy.

There was a stage where the kids could dress up and act.  Here Bradley & Tanner enjoying themselves.  Camille got way into this also.  She was putting on a show for all who passed by:). 

Camille, Bradley, Tanner & Parker

I had to chase around Carter, but finally got a cute picture of this bee.

The fountains at Gateway are always a hit.

On Byron's birthday, we headed to a local Chilean restaurant to let the kids experience Chilean food.  We enjoyed empanadas, completos, and french fries.  The food was DELICIOUS!  I haven't seen my kids eat so much food in a long time.  They all wanted more.

Byron with his yummy completo and empanadas.

We had a great Spring Break Get-A-Way.  I love kidnapping Byron for a few days and getting away.  We had a much needed reprieve.