Mega Scout Expo

Well THAT was fun! Or maybe not so much. Several scouts from our troop went to the Mega Scout Expo today and we were one of them. I had planned to go to make sure Mason got to each merit badge session and to get to spend some time with him. He's been working hard on the pre-requisents for Traffic Safety, Citizenship in the Community, Fingerprinting, and Space Exploration and earned 3 1/2 merit badges today (we still need to finish one of them). But what made it NOT fun was the super cold wind. We both had jackets but it just wasn't enough. Makes me want to put a blanket back in my car for occasions like this. Anyway, the high was mid 60s with wind gusts up to 30 MPH. That wind was the killer. Each class was 2 hrs long. After the 2nd class I couldn't feel my toes and I was shivering. Luckily I packed a lunch for Mason and I so we went to sit in the car to warm up. After we thawed out it was time for the last 2 classes. The afternoon wasn't as bad but still chilly. Mason was a trooper. I think I complained more than him. What was cool about the park was that there were 3 ponds full of ducks, geese, and there were even peacocks walking around. I found it facinating. After the long ride the home, Mason and Nick destressed with some video games. It was well earned free time.

Time to take the decorations down

I'm really proud of myself because I actually decorated for Easter this year. The last 3 years I haven't had the heart to go through all our boxes and find my decorations. I don't have much but they are festive. I love the 4 bunnies in the front yard with the easter eggs. Now that I've blogged my easter pics, I guess it's time to take down the decor and move on.

Rocket Men

We are working on a space exploration merit badge which includes building and launching a rocket. Daddy is in charge of this one. Mason's friend, Nicholas, came over to help and it looks like Cord was equally excited to be in on the action.

More Easter Festivities

I love Easter. I love dressing up my kids in new outfits for church, I love the egg hunts, and I love a big ham dinner with family. We went to church with our McKelleb cousins and enjoyed a wonderful program to remind us what Easter is all about. It was fun to see Aunt Susie doing stickers with Cord during the program and I loved seeing my son pass the sacrament with his cousin. Afterwards we headed to Grandma's to enjoy dinner with our Alldredge cousins. It was another beautiful day and we were blessed to eat outside. We also enjoyed seeing Great Grandma Alldredge, and Grandma & Grandpa McKelleb as well as our Alldredge Grandparents. Thanks to grandpa for leaving his grass super long which made it perfect for egg hiding. Cord had a dry run before the cousins got there as he looked for the real eggs that the Easter Bunny hid. It was strange that Cameron seemed to know all the bunny's hidding places. hmmmm. All the cousins were excited to find the plastic eggs because some of them "jiggled" with coins. The older kids were smart enough to shake the egg before they claimed it as theirs but it's wierd that the younger kids seemed to end up with the most money. Anyway, a good time was had by all. Just as soon as the dinner was cleaned up and we were heading inside, the storm clouds rolled in followed by the rain. Our timing was perfect, just like our weekend. It was a shame to head home and go back to the reality of work and school.

Easter Morning

There was a lot of excitement from the kids about the Easter bunny. We were hoping he could find us at Grandmas house. Cord was setting up the baskets that we brought but we couldn't find one. There was a discussion about who should be left out this year and Cord decided that Chelsea didn't need a basket. But Chelsea went downstairs to look and came back with this HUGE basket of grandmas. Funny girl. Chelsea had been petitioning the Easter Bunny via facebook for weeks about a snoopy that she really wanted. She posted pics and went to visit it regularly. I guess she was hoping that by setting out the big basket her wish would come true.

This morning Cord was the first one awake. I told him that I thought the Easter bunny had come during the night and he all of a sudden got a very sad face and whined "But I wanted to SEE him". Maybe next year kid. His sadness was quickly forgotten as he dug into his Easter goodies. Chelsea was pleased to see her basket full and the other kids said they were going to try the "big basket" approach next year. Brianna is in love with Paris right now and got an Eifle tower to inspire her to work toward her dream. Mason got a pokemon DS game and some fun pool toys while Cord received an Easter sticker book, a webkin puppy, and a puzzle.








Nothing like chocolate bunnies for breakfast!!! Mason always eats off the ears first and says "What? What?" Every year!

Easter Egg Maddness

We were excited to share an Easter tradition with cousins this year. THE DYING O' THE EASTER EGG! While I was boiling eggs and getting the dye ready, the kids enjoyed more beautiful St. George weather playing together outside. We moved the mess outside so if it spilled on the grass it wouldn't be a big deal. Best idea I've had all weekend! Chelsea helped me get things all set up while grandma fitted the kids with the beautiful garbage bag outfits. We were under orders to put the baby in bed, but grandma's law over-rides moms sometimes and we kept him up to participate in the fun. There was a lot of creative juices flowing. It's fun to watch Cord and Caleb get so excited and to be able to do it on their own. Mason's hands were GREEN by the time he was done (which was interesting the next day as he was passing the sacrament with his cousin, Riker). Luckily we got Isaac back to bed before his parents came home and we had destroyed any evidence that he was there (except these cute pictures, hehe). We had some beautiful eggs that were hid by the Easter Bunny the next day along with some fun family moments.