Spring Fever....our way (Part Two)

Fourth week....(continued).

Luckily Kevin came on a Sunday and the kids had ONE

more day of Spring Break.

So Monday morning brought us ALL to the 

ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER.

When we first arrived a "Bomb Squad" truck was parked outside...

and our first thought was,

"We wouldn't be able to go in...because of a bomb threat!"

Not to worry though...

it was all part of NAVY week at the Center.

I loved getting this picture...because you can see the uniqueness of this building...most of the center is Underground!

This picture is so you can actually see everyone's faces!
 
I have to admit that my older kids have gotten to do A LOT more things than Jacob has gotten to do.
I didn't even think about how HE would be the one
to enjoy this the way he did.
He would always find someone teaching or showing you something
and then run to find me so he could show it to me!
I loved his excitement.

We had so much FUN on the 

FORCES OF NATURE

ride.  You get to experience heat, wind, rain, cold and an earthquake! 

 

We got to lay on a bed of nails...so cool!

Christopher got "certified" as a H.A.M. radio operator!

We left sooner than I would have liked...

but I ran out of time to make a lunch before we left for the center...

so our stomach's made us leave too soon!

Last year Kevin went fishing a lot with Ron...

but the kids didn't get a chance to go.

So this year it was a MUST!

The weather cooperated and we had the BEST day...

except we have decided...
their are NO fish in Arizona!

Kevin liked to hang out on the front of the boat!

Maybe HE was a little AFRAID of that fact that I was the one teaching Haley how to fish!

 Statistical FACT:  I have not caught a FISH to date.

These are special children...children I'm glad are in my life.

Garrett and Haley...

I sure do love being your Aunt Jana!

 

Spring Fever....our way!

Began with our 

ANNUAL SPRING

visitors!

First week...

Grandma and Grandad

which to my shame...I took not a single picture!

But I found these two off the family blog that my mom took!

It was "hat day" at school and my dad was a good sport to put a funny hat on for the picture.

 

Shocker of all shockers...

we actually remembered to get a picture of my mom and me together....Yippee! 

Second week...

Hailee and Leo

and yes, their cute mother Britni...

which I have already shared a few of those pictures.

Third week...

Spring break...and the kids are home!

So in a desperate attempt to keep my kids entertained,

we bought a Slip-n-Slide.

Yes, you heard me right...it is of course the most beautiful season in Arizona...SPRING...and a jump

in a "cool" swimming pool...

or a water pad or slip-n-slide work out GREAT!

 

Katie takes the plunge first!

 

Rachel still isn't sure it is WARM enough for all of this!

 

This is how Christopher's friends like to play!

I must point out that when these boys' play together...

we've had two broken wrists...twisted ankles...sore muscles...

and nice big BLACK eyes!

Can you see why?!?

We also got to enjoy a FUN night playing Dodge ball with "new" and old friends.

 

Ron and Skye

Christopher and Tanner

 

Katie and Alexa

Rachel and McKenna

And while we were SAD that Ron had to work

all week...we did manage a few FUN activities,

including Peter Piper Pizza, lots and lots of friends, mall/shopping trips, new video games, new books to read...

and our BIG outing for the week,

the PHOENIX ZOO!

We got their in time to eat LUNCH first!

He looks so happy, doesn't he!?!

We were able to enjoy this day with our BESTEST friends...

The Christensen's

Do you see Jacob's FACE in this one?

This kid keeps me on my toes...that's all I can say!

 

Rachel and Ryanna have been friends for years!

 

I LOVE that I got to be in a picture...even if Jacob refused.

We did have cute Alexa with us,

since Christopher was off with a friend for the day!

Jacob idolizes Jared and thought it was FUN to try to JUMP

as high as his idol!

Almost as HIGH!

I caught all the kids "sitting" at the elephant exhibit...

only about 20 minutes of being at the zoo.

They stated they were "tired!"

What's happening...when did my kids grow up to the point that the ZOO isn't cool anymore!?!

 

Maybe a little "SUGAR" can kick them into gear!

 Jacob and Rachel...getting the most out of their snow cones!

 

Katie, Alexa and Olivia...too cute!

Seriously...we could not "PULL" them away from this bar.

(No pun intended!)

I have to say SPRING break went by fast and my kids were given

CHORE CHARTS for the first time in their

LIFE....

and I must say..."What was I thinking not doing this sooner?"

It was great...and they got to EARN $5.00 for a job well done!

We ended this week with a FUN, weekend visit with Nana!
And with Ron off work as well...
that just made the weekend more FUN.

The kids love to WRESTLE Ron...even though to this point...

they still haven't been able to get the better of him! 

The kids spent hours outside playing cards with Ron...

while I helped NANA sew and cook!

Fourth week...

KEVIN, GARRETT and HALEY

come all the way from Missouri!

(This post to be continued!) 

   

Hillbilly Hootinany in the works...

Ron and I have new church callings...

Scout Committee - Advancement Chairs.

But our Bishop informed us...we would keep our Activity calling

for one last shin dig!

It is our 'Hillbilly Hootinany'.

And I haven't done much in the way of "CREATIVE" works...

in fact I realize,

I'm CRAFT handicap.

So... I was pleasantly surprised that my first creative works

in awhile...didn't turn out too bad.

I made 2 posters...and 2 sign up folders!

Now...it's time to work on the decorations!!

 

Grandad's can do...

Granddads are something special.

Ron especially LOVES the idea of walking the kids to the park,

strolling on a beach, 

riding an amusement ride,

or sitting quietly to read a book!

But kids have their own ideas...

and so REALLY special

GRANDDADS 

enjoy whatever moments they can take!

 

 

That GIRLS world....

HAILEE...

is someone you want in your world!

And we LOVED it when she came to visit...she is as SWEET

as they come.

Grandma Jana as I'm called...

got a chance to

make Leo Cupcakes for his 1st Birthday...

and Hailee couldn't wait to HELP!

She even went to the store with me to get all the stuff...

and I couldn't help but sneak her a cookie or two!

It is FUN to spoil grandkids!

So here are a few of the FUN pictures we had to show off the event!

And I "stole" a few EXTRA that I found on her mommies 

camera that were just too cute to pass up!

Incoming...a TEENAGER to our home.

CHRISTOPHER

turned 13 on February 26th.

I now have my FIRST teenager in the home...

Ron...well this will be his fifth!

Based on his stories...I'm scared!!!

So I just pray...

pray that I will LIVE my life in a way,

that I can have the inspiration necessary to raise him right...

to make the right decisions...

to know when to push...

and when to let up...

when to compliment...

and when to redirect.

One thing I do know...that Christopher is a GREAT boy

with a BIG heart...

and I LOVE being his MOM.

Most of all...

Happy 13th Birthday, son.

 

"Actually mom, I can do it!"

JACOB

asked for a scooter for Christmas.

He has told me since he was 

THREE...

that he "hates" his bicycle. 

(Jacob hates a lot of things...so no BIG deal.)

He had absolutely NO desire to ride his bicycle to school with

the rest of the kids...so a scooter for

CHRISTMAS was a good idea.

So imagine my surprise when one day AFTER school,

Jacob gets on his bike...which he has NEVER learned to ride...

and starts to ride like he has been doing it for years!

When I yelled after him that I didn't do he could ride his bike,

he exclaimed...

"Actually mom, I can do it!"

And I BELIEVED him...because we were so excited he could

finally ride his bicycle that Ron, myself and Katie...

took him for a 3 mile bike ride...

THAT night!

"Safety first...MOM!"

My cute little Jakie...still continues to CRACK me up!