Easter Celebrations

We started the day with the annual egg hunt at our clubhouse.  The break it up into 4 age groups.  It was nice that the kids were old enough to be the in the two older age groups, so we didn't get there until an hour in. It's always so crowded in the beginning.  We got a front row parking spot and there was no wait in the balloon animal line.  It's the small things that make this Mama happy.  

Noah was up first and he was ready to get a some eggs.

I told him to look up as to not miss the two on top of his head.

They were filled with all sorts of yummy candy that was partially melted.  

Emily got a turtle bracelet.  It was so cute!

Then, everyone got a turtle bracelet.  It's better than the balloon swords that the boys get and pop within 60 seconds.  

Ben was in with Emily's age group this year.  Em is on the other end with some of her friends.

These three girlies had a great time.

They are growing up much too fast.

Here's all the turtle power.

Then, it was time to color eggs.

The kids love doing this every year.  

And here's their finished products.

Yesterday when we were out, we went by Trader Joe's for a few things and decided to grab pizza dough to make pizza.  David and I used to make calzones from this dough when we first met. But, we haven't made pizzas like this in forever.  The kids all got to roll their own and top it with cheese and pepperoni.  It was some trial and error at first.  

I figured they'd all love it just because they got to help make it.

Emily and Noah loved it. Ben, not so much.  He's picky about pizza.  But, we learned a few tricks, so next time, we'll give it another shot and think he'll love it.

Theirs all looked like the state of Texas. David and I used cast iron pans and ours looked professional.  David had olives, onions, sausage, pepperoni, bell pepper. Ours were delicious!

Noah gave it two thumbs up.  Ben wasn't crazy about the sauce, But, we learned we needed to par cook the dough for 5 minutes and then top it with stuff.  I'll try another sauce for Ben or maybe he can just have spaghetti sauce since he loves that so much.

It was another wonderful day.  Seriously, this three day weekend was one of the best ever so far.  Tomorrow, we are headed to Phoenix to spend the day with family.  Yea!

A Good Friday

The kids had off today from school.  David had worked enough overtime this week that he only needed to take a few hours off of work.  So, he took the day off too.  My job is so flexible that I was able to make sure everything was done yesterday, so I could take the day off too.

So, we decided to spend a lovely day together.  But, before any fun, we had to take care of business.  The kids' passports just expired and they have to appear in person to get a passport.  Both parents also have to be there, which makes it hard to find time in a normal week to get that done. So, we headed to our downtown.  It's always so pretty at the square where the courthouse is.  I feel like we should come hang out here sometimes and get pizza and ice cream.

This is our courthouse.  It's so old and quaint and at a saloon across the street, Wyatt Earp drank some beer, or so the folklore goes.

That took about 30 minutes and then we were off to hike around Goldwater lake.  It's so gorgeous here.  The second I stepped out of the van, the pine trees smelled glorious, the breeze was just so, and I can't wait to go camping.  I couldn't believe that thought ran through my head, but I guess I enjoy camping more than I thought possible.  The kids played at the playground for a bit and David and I sat on a swing and watched them.  I could've sat here all day.

But, we headed off for a little hike.  The kids are up for anything if it involves climbing rocks.

We take a picture on these stumps whenever we come.

And they were off climbing.

It was a gorgeous day.

Ben tried to climb this rock from every possible way and couldn't get up it. He was mad that he was outdone by a rock.  So, David helped him up and while they were doing that, Noah climbed up the other side with no problem.  Ben was like, what the heck???

So Ben had to get down and get back up by himself.  

He defeated the rock and all was right in his world.

This picture is awful, but who cares?

I love the street we take to get to the lake. It has these super cute old Victorian homes.  I'd love to live in one if they weren't a million dollars.

Then, we headed to Texas Roadhouse.  Grampie had sent Ben some money for doing the Wright Flight program, so Ben treated us all to lunch and he still has half for his piggy bank.

Then, they got gumballs on the way out. 

We tried to head to the pool, but it was closed for the holiday weekend.  So, we waited a bit and decided to do a fire in the backyard.  Emily and Noah wanted to put up a tent and sleep outside.  I guess they are just as excited to go camping as I am.  Ben didn't want to sleep out in the tent. When I asked why he said it wasn't really camping. He's not into the tent in the backyard thing.  

It looks so bright, but it was almost 7:00.

We had some delicious smores.  YUM!

It was a perfect day.  

Glassford Hill Hike

We have this mountainy hill in the center of town.  Last year, they built a hike trail all the way too the top. We've been meaning to hike it forever, but first it was too hot. Then, the grasshoppers were out, and I won't go near natural vegetation when the Hoppers are out.  Then, it was a rainier season than normal and always wet.  Well, finally last weekend, we did it.

We asked the kids if they wanted to go.  They love hiking, but usually, it's not a straight up incline.  But, they were all for it in the beginning.

Here's some interesting facts about the hill.  It's an extinct volcano!

We didn't even know how long it was.  Turns out it was 2.1 miles each way, so 4.2 miles with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet.  Noah needed a lift at about 3/4 of a mile.

After a few switch backs, we were losing two of the kiddos.  There's Ben on the right in the green shirt just cruising up the next switch back.  The up didn't bother him one bit.  He never got winded or needed a break.  How is that possible?  He's a self proclaimed "not an outdoors person", and he hiked that mountain like it was flat.

We are about half way up and this guy needed a break.  There are probably a dozen switch backs and they have a picnic table to rest at each one, which is nice.  We sat at almost all of them.

Emily was having a hard time, so David gave her a lift for a couple of the switch backs.  My husband is in great shape!

They look happy, no?  I told the kids that when we were trying to hike the Grand Canyon, Aunt Pam and I would be phone books in our backpacks and go up mountains just like this.  To which Noah said, "what's a phone book?"  Oh, my,,,,kid these days.

David's forearms were hurting from supporting Emily's weight, so he'd lean over and give his arms a rest.  She doesn't seem to mind.

Almost to the top!

Getting closer...

And closer....

And we made it!  I wish it was a cloudless day, but it was still a great view.  If I knew it was so long of a hike, I would've brought a few snacks and more water and tissue, I need supplies for this type of hike.  I'll be more prepared next time.

When we were almost to the top, I was singing the theme to Rocky. Of which my kids had no clue what I was talking about.  So, we watched Rocky when we got home.  One, I couldn't believe Rocky trained in Converse?  Could he not afford a good pair of Nike?  Who runs in Converse?  And he goes to the pet store where Adrian works and Noah's like, "oh my gosh, a store with puppies!" Yep, sweetie, that's a pet store.  They don't really have those anymore. And I didn't remember that Rocky didn't win at the end.  What the heck?  It was an enlightening movie that's for sure.  Anyway, here's my cute kids....

And now to go back down, Ben is in the center of this pic, already flying past us

Emily and Noah preferred down. 

And I took this picture of flowers for Pam because she always takes pictures of flowers.

And sweet Noah picked me some flowers.  He's so cute!

Ben didn't like down. He said it hurt his knees.

I thought it would take an hour total, it was well over 2 hours.  We asked the kids if they want to do it again this weekend, it was a resounding NO!  :)