Trip To Omaha - Part 2

We found Omaha to be quite pretty, with a lot more rolling hills than I expected and enough trees, green and beauty to keep me happy.

We spent one day at the park. My parents, who had been anxiously waiting to spend time with their grandchildren, came prepared with big bubble wands and kites.


Ashley was the master bubble-blower. Or spinner, rather! These big wands didn't require blowing, just some serious waving. The best technique, of course is to spin in circles!
Tyler loved flying his kite because all that requires is running full-tilt across a field - something he excels at!

This was the first time mom and dad got to meet their new granddaughter, Claire. They couldn't get enough of her!
Who could resist such a cute munchkin?
We took a little hike through the woods and Tyler kept stopping to pick wildflowers and show them to me. Melt my heart!!!
Ashley collected quite a bunch as well.
Grandma didn't come on the hike, so the kids decided to present her with the bouquets of blossoms they found.
Being with family is beautiful.
To be continued...

Trip To Omaha - Part 1

Recently we took a family vacation to Omaha, Nebraska.

Yes. Nebraska.

When Ben and Josephine announced last year that they were moving there, our reaction was as follows:

"Omaha. ......................Seriously?"

So when my mom and dad asked us if we wanted to hop in their van and join them as they drove through Ohio on their way to visit, it wasn't so much the thought of vacationing in Nebraska that tempted us as much as the thought of getting to vacation with family.

Well, we had a wonderful visit, plus a little surprise: Omaha is NICE! We absolutely were impressed.

We roadtripped for 2 days to get there. I love road trips! We talked and laughed (and some of us slept) and found some fantastic little restaurants and fun things to see along the way.

On the second day, we stopped at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. (An LDS church history site.) It was beautiful and we really enjoyed the peaceful, natural setting and the beautiful spirit that was there.

It felt really good to be able to get out of the car and walk around and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
We found some helicopter leaves.
They were too green still to flutter nicely though, they just kind of dropped to the ground instead of spinning and rotating in the breeze. So we had come up with an alternative way to play with them.Scott looks better in a mustache than I do.

To be continued...

It's here!

The first trailer for New Moon!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer


November cannot get here fast enough.

Easter Celebration

We had another wonderful Easter celebration this year!


While Scott was working his magic in the kitchen, I was in charge of setting the table...




Some of the daffodils from the front yard made a lovely bouquet for the table.


Dan and Melinda came over and shared in our feast. It was absolutely delicious, as always! And the best part was spending time together and all the fun conversation we always have. We love them so much and are grateful to have them as our "extended family."


Scott and I had a lot of fun being creative together this year - with decorating our springtime flower cupcakes for dessert...




...and dying eggs - one of my favorite traditions from my childhood.

My family had a little custom where each of us would decorate an egg for each member of the family. We would write the person's name on it with the wax crayon and decorate it in a way we thought they would like. I made one for Scott (can you tell which one?) but I forgot to tell him about the tradition, so he didn't do one with my name on it. :(


But I picked out my favorite egg that he decorated and we decided that one could be "mine." :)


Isn't it gorgeous? My cute husband is so talented!

I think it's so perfect that Easter is in the springtime. What better time of year to remember the gift of the resurrection and the atonement, when we are surrounded by the beauty of spring flowers, newborn animals and budding leaves. Everything feels fresh and new. What beautiful blessings the Savior gives us.

Hope you had a beautiful, colorful Easter!

Signs of Life

I love this time of year!

Signs of life are all around...





Newborn lambs are wobbling about at Carriage Hill...
So pure and sweet...aren't they precious?



Wildflowers are blossoming at the base of a tree...


The magnolia trees are blooming gloriously...


Buds and baby leaves begin to adorn the trees and bushes...


Daffodils are spreading sunshine in my front yard...
And I am happy!

Yummy Lemonade

Nancy nominated me for the Lemonade Award. I feel so special! And thirsty!

Now I get to pick some friends to nominate who's blogs I find refreshing and delicious...



Michele is one of my good friends who first encouraged me to start my own blog. Her humorous take on all the crazy things that happen when you have 5 of the cutest kids ever is refreshing and sweet. It's also awesome that her kids' blog nicknames are inspired by Star Trek!

Sarah C is one of the sweetest, most positive people I know, and her blog reflects that. She is always doing fun things with her adorable family and has the most infectious smile. Her blog is all privatey, but if you're lucky, she might invite you to see it!

Megan is the cutest little prego mommy-to be and she's also saving the world by using cloth diapers, raising chickens in her backyard and planting a square-foot-garden. She and her husband, Brian, are really into "backyard sustainability." And I just love watching her little belly grow!

Kasmira at What I Wore Today has an awesome blog that I check daily. She's a down-to-earth, real girl who loves fashion and inspiring others. She has inspired me to be more creative with my own wardrobe and have fun with clothes. She rocks!

Liz at Mabel's House is a kindred spirit. She loves her little dog Mabel as much as I love Teddy. She has a passion for beautifying her home and worries about those little fine lines that (she thinks) are starting to pop up. She is a great example of creativity, humor and faith. Her recent post on her feelings after losing a dear friend touched my heart. She's just an awesome girl.

Now I'm off to make a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade....YUM!