He's Usually More of a Monkey . . . but . . .

Generally, Andrew can be found climbing something or swinging from branches. Which is why we tell him he came into our family when we went to the zoo, and a monkey followed us home so we removed his tail and named him Andrew.





For his school play "Rumpus in the Rain forest" he was selected to play the part of an ant, even though parts for monkeys were clearly available. (If you look behind him, a whole bunch of children were dressed as monkeys.) But I digress. He made a wonderful ant and sang his songs admirably.


I wish I had brought the video camera to record the production. But I had a bad seat so I would have recorded the backs of people's heads. Plus, I still don't know how to upload video. Even though the still shots don't really do it justice, it's all I have.

If you notice, Andrew only has one feeler attached to his visor. I'm not sure why , but it seems fitting.

The Big Easter Party

This year, we had to travel a bit longer (i.e. 12 hours each way as opposed to 20 min. when we lived in Utah) to attend the annual Easter-party-hot dog-roast-try-not-to-freeze-to-death-pinata-breaking extravaganza at the Hardway Ranch. But it was totally worth it. Just ask the smiling children we brought with us.

Andrew was able to refrain form making torches in the fire pit. I think I had something to do with a threat made by Grandpa Buddy. I wasn't there, but hear that maybe Andrew would end up in the fire it he played with it. Hmm . . . effective. I'll have to remember that for later. I wonder if a similar threat would motivate him to clean his room?

The pinata was a great success. Those children whacked the cute little bunny that Lynda brought until it had not ears, feet or face. Luckily, Jon was able to get it to release the candy. I was feeling bad for the poor thing.

The egg hunt also produced many smiles (and at least as many sugar rushes). Even though the placed was scoured by dozens of egg seekers, I suspect Bud will be finding eggs well into September. Nobody hides eggs quite like Patti.

Even though our trip was short, we had a great time. Bill said that it was nice to get away from all the sun and pleasant temperatures for a while.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for putting up with us for the weekend!

Is It Genetic?

Our little entrepreneur decided to gather some of the free lemons so abundant in the area now, make "fresh squeezed" lemonade and sell it at the farmer's market.

She convinced her friend Marisa to help her. Together, they made $85 in about 3 hours selling lemonade for $2 (full glass) or $1 (half glass). Not bad for a day's work.

Erin Go . . . Roar?!?

It's St. Patrick's Day and also the middle of Spring Break here.

What should we do? We could:

A) Stay home making corned beef and cabbage

B) Build a leprechaun trap

C) Drive for several hours to visit the Phoenix Zoo in 90 degree weather.

Of course, we opted to visit the Phoenix Zoo along with 2 million other people. (I found out while we were waiting for our over-priced fast food that 47 school districts in Arizona are on Spring Break this week. Apparently, they were all required to visit the Phoenix Zoo.)

So I packed up the children and met my friend, Trina and her sister at the zoo for a fun-filled day of sweating and animal gazing. Three adults, 9 children, what could be better?

For some reason, my children had other plans.

The children were most excited about our visit to the Farm Country section of the zoo. I'm not sure why the horses, sheep and goats were suddenly exciting. But that was surely the highlight.


Jaqy and Andrew petting a goat. Notice Andrew's outfit. It was 90 degrees that day, but I couldn't convince him to wear something more appropriate. Luckily, is like Grandpa Buddy and rarely gets to hot. I don't think he broke a sweat all day.

They did agree to eat lunch - an overpriced hot dog and chips.

Dillon and Brianna enjoying refreshment in one of the few shady spots.

And who can pass up a chance to sit in a giant clam?

Most - but not all of - the crew

Mostly, they played on the plethora of playground equipment. Maybe next time we won't bother with the exotic animals. We'll go straight to the big swing or the giant-rope spider web.

I wonder . . . would the same swing be as popular in our backyard? Nah.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy, Happy Birthday Kaiti Dear . . .

On Thursday, February 5, Kaiti turned 12 years old! This was a big deal because she gets to enter the Young Women Program leaving Primary and other childish things behind.
She celebrated by making her own birthday dinner.


Oven Broiled Salmon


Fresh broccoli steamed with cilantro, corn and cheesy mashed potatoes.


Delicious.
She did a great job with the meal. Unfortunately, it was a school night and she had home work, so that was the end of the celebration for the day.

The next night, she had eight friends come over for a giant (24") Mama's Pizza and Chocolate Praline Trifle. Then they all went to see Coraline Only a few girls had nightmares that night.



But Wait! That's Not All . . .

Just like an infomercial that won't end, Kaiti's birthday celebration continued the next week when some of our Phoenix relatives drove down for a visit. Grandma Judy paid to get Kaiti's ears pierced.

Ouch.

She has been great about taking care of her ears three times daily. And now that she is 12. She is old enough to do her own laundry. See? The celebration never ends.

We're Baa-ack . . .

We have arrived in Sunny Arizona.
This is our 11th dwelling in our 13 years of marriage and the first time we have ever live din the same town twice. It has been fantastic to have good friends come over and bring us dinner and take the kids so we can unpack. Even though we are working diligently, things are still in boxes and I have concluded that we have to much stuff.
Photos to come . . .

Movin' Right Along

We've Moved!
Well . . . we are in the middle of moving. Our house in Utah is now empty and we will move to a place in Arizona Monday.
I suppose I will spend the next month unpacking, registering the children in school, unpacking, signing the kids up for lessons, unpacking, getting together with our desert-dwelling friends and unpacking some more.
I will update more when I can.
For those of you who want more details, e-mail me. I will respond when I have an Internet connection.