Early Easter

Since it was Palm Sunday, we don't have church next week due to conference, and my parents will be in Utah, we decided to celebrate Easter early this year. The kids got to wear their new Easter outfits to church-they looked so cute! Then we went to grandma and grandpa's to find the eggs that Uncle B personally filled and hid for the kids. Grandma got them buckets with new spring play outfits and a toy. We had a delicious dinner too. It was a nice weekend. We will still do our own little Easter celebration next week-just us. Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Bye-by Spa!

When we purchased our home, we were somewhat surprised at what the previous owner chose to take and what to leave. He took all the appliances, faucetts, light fixtures, even the vanity in the master bath. He did not, however, take the custom-built hot tub in the backyard. We did not want it and debated on how to get rid of it. We just wanted it gone! So Julio posted an ad on craigs list for a free spa-you haul. The first party to come see it spent two hours trying to move it and found out it would not fit through the side of the house. The only way then to get it out would be by crane. So they hired a crane operater and rented a flat bed truck and voila! the huge hot tub is gone! What a relief! Now we just have to clean up the big mess it left behind.

View of the past

My mom emailed me this picture that an old friend in Utah emailed to her. It's of us at Lagoon. I had just ridden the big, old rickety rollercoaster TWICE in the front. Afterwards that they found out I was too small to ride it. I actually remember that. I think I was about 8 years old. As Lucia would say, "Was that in the olden days Mom?"

Snapshots

Here are few snapshots from last week's activities. We were invited to an Easter Egg Hunt at our neighbors' house on Saturday. (A little early, I know)

Lucia racing to get some eggs.

Marco showing us his loot.

Sylvie wasn't quite sure what to do.

The kids made their own "train".

We went to Davis to go to the Science museum, but it was closed. So, Camille took us to a nice park. It was windy and cold. but the kids still had fun. Here are Derek and Sylvie stomping on a grate.

This week is going to be busy. I have Book Club Thursday night; we're reading Phantom of the Opera and I'm the book reviewer. Friday night I've been invited to a Spa night at a new friend's house. Saturday we have a ward dinner and then ANOTHER girls' night watching New Moon with some ladies from our new ward. WOW! Then Sunday, Julio and I have to give talks in Sacrament meeting. Wish me luck! Have a great week!

Some of our favorite books

We love to read stories. Some of our favorites are the Fancy Nancy books, Max and Ruby or any Rosemary Wells books, Angelina Ballerina books, Pinkalicious, Purplicious and Goldalicious, Laura Numeroff books (the new Jellybeans stories are a lot of fun) The Ladybug Girl books, Arthur books, Clifford books, and Little Miss Spider books. What are some of your favorite children's books? We're always looking for good books to read!

Pictures from my trip to Arizona

I made it! The kids and Julio survived! It was a nice r&r time at Callie and Brian's house. It was fun to just talk and hang out, play with cute little Eden and sleep. It was a very long trip getting there. I will never fly United again-it's ridiculous that I have to fly to SFO and then have a nearly 4 hour layover before flying to Phoenix. There were delays on the way back too. Annoying! So, I felt like I missed out on some time I could have spent there. Anyway, Friday I was so tired from getting up at 4 am, I just wanted a nap and to eat. We did go play games at Callie and Brian's friends house that night. Saturday we headed to the famous Ranch Market-very authentic Mexican mercado with cow head in the meat case and yummy ceviche and fish tacos. We headed down/up (?) to Mesa to see the temple and meet my cousin Suzanne and her family. I hadn't seen her since our grandma's funeral 8 years ago. It was nice to catch up. They were so nice to treat us to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen-it was delicious. Sunday was just church and relaxing. Monday we planned on doing more, but by the time we were ready to go, it was close to my departure time, so we just drove through downtown and got Jamba Juice. By the time I got back-after about 6 hours of travel, I was so happy to see my family. I missed them so much. I am so grateful to such a wonderful husband and my Dad and Brandon for taking good care of the kids while I was gone. Thanks to Callie and Brian for letting me come stay and for being such great hosts!

My trip to Arizona

Go to Callie's blog at brianandcalliehill.blogspot.com to see the pictures! I'll post some later.