California 2009

This year our family trip was to Palm Springs, CA. We left a few days early to go Los Angeles and take the girls to the American Girl store and the LA Zoo. The American Girl store was so magical. They have a room for each doll, so it was like going thru a museum of history. Madeline chose Josephina because she had a pet goat (for those who don't know, Madeline is passionate about goats. We are getting goats when our house is built.)

Olivia chose Chrissa's friend Gwen. I loved the shopping area that the American Girls store was in. It was very nostalgic with a trolley going around the entire thing that you could hop on. Palm Springs was fun, although we drove into San Diego ( 2 hour drive) to go to Lego Land. We were only planning on one day, but we had so much fun we had to go back!

Easter

I love Easter! The weather is so beautiful here and everything is so green. Saturday was rainy and cooler so it made Easter so fresh and springy! Church was nuts with 3 kids on sugar highs and no husband (Chris got food poisoning at Olive Garden Friday night), but after church we went to Melissa and Justins for a delicious dinner and a fun easter egg hunt with the kids. It was so fun to be with everybody! My friend Huenu and her two cute kids came over and everyone had fun together, we feel to blessed to live close to so many people we love!

Sophia loved her Easter Basket. She got a new book and bubbles!

Sophia loves Jelly Beans!!!! Yum! Yum!

checking out their winnings!

April Fools Day!!!

April fools is such a fun holiday. We played lots of fun tricks on each other all day. For dinner I made my family Cupcakes (meatloaf with colored mashed potatoes on top) and fish sticks with dipping sauce (wafer cookies coated with peanut butter, then covered with smashed cornflakes) - thanks to Family Fun magazine. I told them they could have cupcakes or fish sticks and Olivia quickly grabbed a cupcake and took a big bite much to her suprise. It was really fun!!

Night at the Museum

Last night Madeline and Olivia had "Night at the Museum" at their school. This event started about 2 months ago and Madeline chose to be Florence Nightingale. She studied everything about her life, and had to write two reports on her and make a display board. We were able to rent a really cool costume from Tuachan. Every child in the school dressed up like their historical figure and as you walked around each child would tell their memorized story of their life. It was really cool and we learned a ton. Madeline was really fun to listen to as she always has so much passion and expression. Olivia's class did their presentation together on Thomas Jefferson. It was very entertaining as you can imagine with 8 five year olds!

Kolob Canyon-Zions National Park

Spring Break was so much fun, it was sad to have to send my kids back to school. On Monday we drove up the the North end of Zion called Kolob. I packed a picnic lunch and thought we would have a picnic up there (as it was plenty warm in St. George) when we got up there it was snowing. I got out of the truck with our lunches and put the back of the truck down so we could sit there and eat lunch. About 3 seconds later we were all scrambling to get back inside the truck, it was so cold! We had a wonderful picinic inside the truck. It was so breathtakingly beautiful up there though.

o

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it! I know, I know I think I like it!

Ok, so whoever thought grocery shopping could make you ecstatic? That was me today as I left the store with over $400 worth of groceries for $150! I just had to set it all up and take a picture of my fine work today!

It was so fun to put it all away and have a nice full pantry. This is a great start on my food storage too!

All in a day's work! Thanks to my sweet little Sophia who had to bear it as her mom made 8 trips to the car.

Simplify for more fun!!

My new favorite website is simplifysupper.com. You can plan a month or week menu and print out your weekly shopping list. This has seriously taken so much stress of everyday wondering what to make for dinner. I actually enjoy making dinner now!! Anyway, I found this on their site and it think it is so good:

Simplify your life

*De-clutter your life! Start by cleaning out one section of your home and then move to the next. If you haven’t used something for a while or don’t need it, get rid of it! It is not worth filling up space with things that don’t matter. A clutter free home, car and office will lead to a clutter free mind. Remember to tackle de-cluttering a little at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed.

*Think about your values and goals and write them down. Putting pen to paper will reinforce these ideas in your mind and keep you accountable. Decide what is most important to you whether it be family, work, friends, whatever and put those priorities first. Cut out activities that are not consistent with your values and goals. Life is too short to spend it doing things that are not really important.

*Realize that you have a right to say no. Don’t say yes to every request that comes along just to be a people pleaser or to prove you can do it all because really, no one can. You are not doing yourself or anyone else a favor by trying to do too many things. You will end up doing them in a mediocre way. It is better for you and those you care about if you simplify and focus on doing fewer things in a fabulous way!

*Stop spending time to save money. Instead, spend money to save time. Don't drive across town to save a few cents on a grocery item. It's not worth your time.

*Downsize your purse- or at least what is inside. Start by cleaning out the one you are currently using. Get rid of unnecessary credit cards and other clutter that you don't use regularly. Stock it with essentials so you know you’ve got them and try to keep it clutter free.

*Cut back on debt. Consolidate your different debts into one and pay it off. Put your credit cards in a spot where you won't be able to use them until you're debt-free. Track your expenses for a month, then cut back your spending on items you don't need. Include your automatic savings plan as part of your monthly spending. It will add up faster than you think!

*Take time each day to be grateful!