2011 - HAPPY EASTER

The Easter Bunny likes to hide our baskets when he comes to our house. Sometimes he is really clever and it takes the kids a while to locate them and sometimes they find them right away.

Abby and her basket. - Location: In mom and dad's bedroom hidden behind a chair.

Bailey and her basket - Location: Hidden in the family room behind a plant.

Kelsee and her basket - Location: hidden inside the dryer

Maddy and her basket - Location: Inside the pantry hidden behind some food.

Easter would not be complete without the annual Easter Egg dying. The kids love it! I on the other hand, could pass on all the mess. But knowing how much they enjoy it, I realize Easter, to them, would not be the same without it. So, the kids dyed eggs Sunday evening.

Bailey loves to color Easter eggs but enjoys peeling and eating them just as much.

I love her smile.

A few of the finished products...

Bailey focusing on the task at hand.

Gretchen and Maddy having fun.

2011 Easter Weekend Fun?

We had beautiful weather over the Easter weekend. Jared was working so we asked some friends if they wanted to join us on a hike. Our friends had hiked this area before and it sounded like a lot of fun. We got started a little late on our journey so after hiking for a little while, we found a shady spot to enjoy our lunch. After lunch, the groups "enthusiasm" had dwindled and most of the kids wanted to head back to the car. My friend and I gave in and decided to head back home. I am hoping to take the kids on this hike again and actually complete it. Sometimes it's just not worth the fight. These are the only two pictures I took of our brief hike. In fact, the only way I got the kids to sit and let me take the picture was to bribe them with the opportunity to go back to the car. They all jumped at the chance. :)

Great memories!

Great picture of a the HAPPY hikers.

Art Exhibit 2011 - Maddy

Mrs. Jensen's Art Exhibit - Maddy's Art

I didn't copy any of Maddy's other artwork.

I need to be better at keeping their "treasures."

She picked the dog because she loves animals. Great job Maddy!

2011 - Track and Field Day

Each year, our school holds a track and field meet which is a qualifier for the Hershey Track meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It's an all day event field. Maddy ran the 100 and 200 meter races as well as competed in the softball throw. She had a great time and did her best.

I was there the whole time but didn't see her compete in the softball throw. I don't have a picture but scanned her ribbon. She took fourth place in her age division. Great job Maddy!

2011 - Easter Egg Hunt

Baskets empty and hunters ready for the easter egg hunt to begin. Having friends to enjoy the festivities always makes it more enjoyable.

Bailey is happy with the successful hunt.

My friend took this picture of Bailey. I love it!

Maddy taking a moment to smile for mom.

Maddy on the hunt

ART EXHIBIT 2011 - Bailey

At the kids elementary school, they have a program called "Meet the Masters." Each month, a different artist is showcased and the kids get to learn about them and their different techniques. At the end of school, each child can pick their favorite art piece to showcase in the hall for the show. Bailey chose her windmill using chalk as the medium.

As you can see, this is NOT Bailey. Funny story....I was trying to get Bailey to stand by her artwork on the display wall, she however, did not want to. Her friend, Sara, volunteered her pose and smile for me. I thought it was so funny, I had to take the picture and share it on my blog. Thanks Sara! :)

This is my favorite art piece Bailey did this year.

It truly looks similar to the real picture. She did an amazing job.

PEACE BABY!

There is really not a lot to stay about this post. The other day I was organizing computer files and pictures when I came across these pictures Abby had taken and/or found. She is my peace girl.

Enough said! except to say....ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL!

(if you look in the background over Abby's head, it looks like someone is holding two fingers up as if to say "peace")

Gotta love her!

2011 - JUNIOR PROM

Kelsee got asked to prom....ONE WEEK before the dance. Living in St. George does have its perks, but shopping is not one of them. There are not a lot of choices here especially with only a limited time to shop around. My sister and mom were in town so I dragged them around town trying to help Kelsee find a dress and shoes. WE DID IT! She looks beautiful.

Tim and Kelsee posing for one of many pictures for me :)

Kelsee's group for prom

Loving the BLING!

While my mom and sister were down visiting, we did some shopping. Bailey is not a big fan unless she gets to buy things. She is a pretty typical kid. While we were waiting for Grandma to buy something, Bailey found a bowl full of rings. She started trying them on and couldn't stop herself. They were all so "beautfiul." She does love her BLING!.....and to top it off, she didn't even ask to buy anything. Great day :)

2011 - First Triatholon

Kids Sprint Triathlon

SWIM: 100 yards; BIKE: 2 miles; RUN: .75 miles

Our friends called us and asked if the kids wanted to participate in a triathlon. Without much hesitation, the kids agreed and waited with much anticipation for the event to arrive. Not having done a triathlon myself, I was unaware of a few details which ended up attributing to Madison's frustration with the whole thing. I forgot to tell her to untie her shoe laces when she took them off to swim. Trying to get double knots out of both shoes when feeling hurried added to the stress of the events. I also forgot Bailey had used Maddy's helmet days before so when Maddy put the helmet on her head, it didn't fit right and Maddy's felt like the helmet was choking her during the bike ride. After she finished the race, she broke down and was upset, not wanting to EVER do a triathlon again. She finally came around, and I am hoping she remembers the good parts about the day. They were all amazing, and I am so proud of them for being adventurous enough to give it a try.

Sara and Abby coming into the finish line!

Maddy finishing the race...

ABBY

MADDY

2011 - Hawaii

Bailey and Abby...excited for the trip

Kelsee and Maddy....Hawaii here we come!

Naomi and Bailey playing in the sand

Kelsee trying her hand at paddle boarding

more paddle boarding

Cousins hanging out...waiting for Joey and I to get packed for the day.

Kelsee, Abby, and Marissa catching the waves...

catching more waves....

Teague and Maddy's SANDMAN

Maddy and Teague...lovin' the ocean

Bailey and Naomi having a tea party AND making a big mess they later did NOT want to clean up.

A couple in Joey and Mori's ward, offered to take us out on their sailboat to a sandbar. When we arrived, the tide was higher than expected so the sandbar was covered with water. It was a little windy and overcast. The kids had fun jumping off the boat and swimming around. We then were invited back to their pool to eat lunch and swim. We had a great day.

Teague jumping off the boat...

Maddy jumping off the boat after Teague showed her how it was done. Bailey and Naomi watching her bravery and cheering her on!

Hawaii 2011...BEACH TIME!

Going to the swap meet which is held around the outside of the Aloha Stadium has become a tradition when we visit. The kids have fun trying to find a "treasure" while Jared counts down the minutes until we leave. Shopping is not his favorite past time.

I wanted to take a few pictures while we were there but forgot until we were driving away.

Abby did a poor job of applying sunscreen. She pretty much drew a "T" on her forehead and nose. Everywhere else was sunburned and/or blistered. OUCH!

Another war wound....

Kelsee and Marissa were in the water boogie boarding when Kelsee started to scream. Once she got to the shore, she realized a portugese man-of-war jellyfish had stung her. Not only did she have them on her arm, but one on her stomach and foot. The welts lasted for a few days.

The Speakman's friends took the younger kids on a swamp walk after dark. They showed them a video about the Lady of the Lake. After the kids got home, we had a hard time trying to get them to fall asleep. Bailey and Naomi were pretty terrified. The next day, Bailey made a picture of her experience.

"The lade ove the lace"

(THE LADY OF THE LAKE)

I'm glad to say she hasn't talked about it or had nightmares since we arrived back in Utah.

All of us hanging out at one of the baseball games we went to see. No matter what activity we did, the kids really got along well. They were sad to leave as always. Mori and Joey were great hosts. We appreciated them letting us stay with them and for feeding us. We had a FANTASTIC time.

Going home.....ALOHA