Some welcome Spring Break Visitors

Since Tom was gone for Spring Break this year, my younger sister Kathy decided to save my sanity by coming out from California to visit. She brought along her oldest, Samantha, who is now 11. The girls had so much fun playing and getting to know their cousin and we were able to go on a few outings together. Unfortunately, the weather during spring break was more like winter. We were going to take the kids to Silver Dollar City, but it was rainy and cold...so we ended up taking them to the swimming pool at The Centre. They had fun, but were sad to miss all the rides and made me promise to take them there or to Six Flags before we move. We also were able to visit the Arch and the Science Center in St. Louis on one of the days they were here. Other than that, we just let the kids play, made some delicious food....and ate it, watched some movies, ate more food, and played some games. We sure are glad they came to visit and are hopefully going to see more of them when we are in Texas and they are in Mississippi. Sadly, I didn't get many pictures....here are some that I do have:

Samantha and "El Belle" (as she is affectionately called by Tom and the Kids...but now the kids have switched to "El Bow").

Smiley Amberly...always giggling.

She loves the froggy slide!

Wes on the slide...he is such a big boy now! Cool "gobbles"!

Budding Talent

Just before our Spring Break, Reili's school held a Variety (Talent) Show where the students were able to perform a talent. Reili was able to play the flute in front of a big audience for the first time. Her teacher came to play a duet with her and said that her legs were really shaking up there on stage.

She just started taking lessons in December and is doing really well. Her teacher is impressed with her natural vibrato and her progression. We are excited that she is doing so well and that she wanted to perform already. It is fun to see her enjoy doing something that much. I wasn't able to download the poor quality video that I made of the performance, but I did manage to snap this picture of her and her teacher after the show. Way to go Reili!

10 & just over 3/4

Last week Tom and I finally took a week long get away to Florida for our tenth anniversary! We couldn't get away during our actual anniversary last May because Elizabeth was so young and still nursing. We hired a young single adult from our ward to take care of the kids and flew the coop. It's the first time we have done anything "fun" on our own like that since we started having children. We realized that we should probably do it more often than once every ten years. It was so relaxing to be together and just do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. We got a great deal for Disney World Tickets through the military and had fun doing a lot of the things we missed out on while we were there with our kids. Tom found out just how much I love the rides that make your stomach drop. He wore a patch for motion sickness this time and was able to go on many of the rides with me that he hadn't ever been on. My ultimate favorites there are Tower of Terror and Expedition to Everest. We also took a nap almost everyday and I lounged at the pool at our hotel one afternoon. Just the relaxing break I needed before a 2 month stint as a single parent with 4 children trying to sell a house! I will try to think back on those lazy days of vacation and suck all the life out of them that I can in my mind. Thank you Tom for 10 (almost 11) great years and a wonderful vacation! I love you!

First day at Epcot!

Memories.....

The magic kingdom....always magic with Tom!

Nine is Fine!

Reili turned 9 on February 12th! Hard to believe she is already that old. Harder to believe that I am already that old! Even though she was sick with a fever we were able to celebrate with some friends (the Thomas family). Here are some of the highlights:

A strawberry cake shaped like a strawberry (possibly the most tedious cake I've made so far).

Presents of course....the biggest is not pictured. She got a new bike.

Among the must haves....a candle in the shape of a 9. (Annika and Micah smile as backups).

Amberly, Annika and Reili. Let's Eat!

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice....

...that's what little girls are made of. I just love the age when you can finally start putting little pigtails in their hair. Ellie has finally reached this stage and I had to share some of the cute pictures of her. (I know she is rapidly taking over this blog....but she is growing and changing so fast I have to capture some of the moments).

Not one....but two little ones!

Twin piggy tails....oldest and youngest.

A view from above.

Cheese....one on the side!

She is so cute...I just have to squeeeeeeeeeeze her!