Surprise package

I've been in the market for a blender for a couple weeks. I have a submersion blender that I have used daily for a year or so and figured it was time to upgrade. The one I really wanted was too much money to justify for a first time blender, so I settled for a kitchen aide. It was nice and did a fairly good job, but still not exactly what I wanted. 

I was getting the hang of it, learning its ins and outs, was pretty happy with the results and tried to push the other blender out of my mind. 

Today, the doorbell rang and I got a little package on my doorstep. It was from my super great husband. He surprised me with my dream blender as an early Mother's Day gift. It's amazing and I love it. But more than that I appreciate Scott. He saw my want and fulfilled it because he could. He wanted to me to be happy and knew I wouldn't treat myself, so he did it for it me. I just love him so much. 

I can't wait to whip up some awesomeness in this baby. It makes smoothies, ice cream, soups, snow, hummus, spreads, batter, dressings, juice and even bread dough. I am ecstatic! Thanks Scott. I appreciate you more than you know. 

Two of a Kind

It's no secret and Tayden and Beckett are best friends. They are similar in so many ways, but different as can be.

 

At speech this week, Brandon and I had a talk about how I need to focus on practicing more consistently with Beckett at home. So as B and I were doing new words over breakfast, Tayden wanted to join. Tayden did everything perfectly and followed my directions to a T. Beckett on the other hand likes to make jokes out of it. For example, he adds the word "poo poo" to just about everything because he thinks its hilarious. So I would say, "I see day". Tayden would repeat. Beckett would say, "I see poo poo day". This is for everything. Beckett is always being a silly goof. And I kind of love it.

 

Another funny story about our speech adventure with B. Brandon was doing a repetition drill with Beckett. Brandon said, " I see you." In which Beckett should copy. Nope. Beckett says, "I see...Mommy. I see monsters. I see light. I see shoes." He knew what he needed to say, but took the creative liberty to march to his own drum and commented on everything he could see. Man, I love that kid.

 

And while I am here typing at the computer, here is a cute story about Tayden. He is sick with the flu today. He came home early from school yesterday with a belly ache. He woke up this morning still not feeling great. He threw up twice and then took a nap in my bed. He slept for two hours. He came down stairs around lunch time and announced, "My body is not shivering anymore and my belly feels better. Good thing I slept 20 hours last night." I tried to explain to him that he only took a nap. He is convinced he laid down at nap time, slept through the night and is now just waking up. He commented how weird it was that we were having spaghetti-os for breakfast, really lunch, and asked me to make him oatmeal. Then as I was laying Cache down he asked why we were having rest and nap so early today, because we just woke up. I tried to explain that its still the same day and he only napped, but he refuses to believe me. Its going to be a long confusing day for him.

 



Easter

Easter was great this year. The older I get, the more importance I see in special holidays like today. The reality of the resurrection is powerful and I am extremely grateful for it. As we focused on the resurrection during FHE last week and I has the chance to help explain what happened so many years ago, my heart was touched seeing the faith of my young sons. Although Tayden does not want to be resurrected himself (it scares him a little), he knows that Jesus Christ rose on the third day. My sons love their Savior. I hope I can help cultivate that love as they grow older.

I got the boys matching shirts for church. They looked so handsome and I wanted to get a quick picture. We actually just talked about scheduling family pictures this morning and the following photos are why we will be waiting. 

I love my family. I am grateful that we have the ability to live again with each other. 

A Huntin' We Will Go

Our ward didn't have an organized Easter egg hunt this year, so Melissa (Turney) organized a neighborhood one. All the moms pitched in some eggs and we hid them at a local park. It was by far the best egg hunt my children have ever attended. No pushing or running or screaming. Everyone was pleasant and there were enough treats for all the kids.

The boys loved it. Tayden did his hunt with Hannah, helping her find all the pink eggs, while still getting a good load himself. Beckett was in the younger group and took charge of the grassy area, picking up as many as he could as fast of he could. Cache grabbed about four and as he threw one in his bucket it broke open. As soon as he saw the candy burst out of it, he sat right down in the middle of the grass and started chowing down. He had no interest in getting anymore.

Cache enjoyed carrying his bucket around most the morning. When he saw me get the camera he was more than happy to say, "NEEE" with a smile. 

I have about 17 attempted pictures of getting all three boys to look at smile, so I settled on taking individuals. 

Which still proved to be a hard task for Cache. They are building a house across the street and he can't get enough of the tractors. 

 He's huge, right? I look at him everyday with sheer amazement. 

Beckett lining up his haul. I love him. 

It was a fun morning with our friends. I am so grateful for the relationships I have built here. For me and for my children. 

Slip slip slippers

I have the best grandma and grandpa in law ever. From the day we first met, Scott's grandparents have welcomed me into the family and treated me as their own. They have no idea how much I love them. They sure love us too. I know because today we got a super special package. 

New slippers! Grandma Packard makes the most wonderful slippers. Tile in Vegas is nice because it's cooler, but that leaves me with cold toes all the time. Plus, it's really hard on my feet and my heels are always cracking. I love these slippers so much I wore a hole in my last pair the size do an orange in the heel. They are awesome and a little birdie must have told her we were in dire need of some more. 

The boys were excited about theirs too. Especially pizza face Cache. He loves things on his feet so he was beyond thrilled. 

Thanks grandma Packard. We sure love you!

Friday surprise

After Korbin left Friday, I willed myself to get through the next hour and a half until Scott got home. It was one of the weeks that the weekend just couldn't come fast enough. Around 5:15 I got a text that said, "you ready?". I wasn't expecting him home for at least an hour, so I was shocked to hear from him. He surprised us by coming home and hour early and kidnapping us for dinner. Such a pleasant surprise and just what I needed. We hit red robin for dinner and it was delicious. My favorite spot. Oh, and one really funny story. Beckett fell asleep in the car on the way there. When we got out of the car he was pretty out of it. Just as he was sleep walking through the parking lot a family started getting in their car. He thought the mom was me and walked over to her and hugged her bum. I tried pulling him away and he hung on to her and screamed. I told him I was his mom about five times and finally I said, "Beckett. Look at me. I'm right here". As soon as he realized what was going in he burst into tears. It was hilarious. For me. I took lots of pictures, but didn't notice the finger print on the lens until I was looking at them, so sorry they are a bit blurry. 

Cache obviously thrilled to be taking a picture. He was begging for a fry. 

Much happier. This is a classic baby C surprised face. 

Nobody was happier to have dad home early and stay up past bedtime. 

Best part about red robin is the balloons at the end. 

And then taking them home and doing magic tricks. 

Thanks for the surprise, Scott. You're one in a million. 

Water Table

it was finally warm enough to get out the water table the other day. It's been warm, but still a little too chilly to be playing in water. Yes, living in LV has made me that mom, no water until it's at least 85*. And that's still pushing it. Haha. it's actually my kids fault. If they get wet when it's under 80* then they get cold and want to come in. We spent more time getting ready for the water than actually playing in it. It's kind of like getting ready to play in the snow, just opposite. Anyway, it was finally warm enough and the kids had a ball. 

Cache doesn't like to be barefoot in the grass...yet... And kept bring me his shoes. I finally tracked down the boys old water shoes and they were a huge hit. He really wanted to stay naked, but I didn't want him to get burned so we put on last years swim suit. 

It was a bit small, but still the cutest thing you have ever seen. 

This picture doesn't do it justice. His belly was hanging out a good three inches and he could barely walk in his too tight trunks. 

I'm not ready for it to get crazy hot yet, but we'll take the mid 80's. I'm so grateful for our own backyard to play in, no matter how small it is. Happy spring, everyone.