Steve Spangler Idea

The past Activity Day we had the girls make "Tie Dyed" Shirts but the Steve Spangler Way with sharpies and rubbing alcohol.  The girls had a great time making their shirts.

Aunt and Uncle

Nathan (Jeremy's Brother) came for Grandpa's funeral and spent the night with us.  Devin really took to him and wanted to sit on his lap.

Jennifer (My sister)and Olivia on Trax on the way to see Disney on Ice.

Grandma Mae

Grandma Mae on her 89th Birthday.

Grandma Mae and Mom.

Grandma Mae, my mom's mom,  passed away this past week on April 10th.  I didn't know her well but I do remember her loving to quilt.  She made a quilt for my daughter and gave it to her this past summer.  Olivia has the quilt on her bed. 

My mom, for the past couple of years has taken care of her and helped her. I love my Mom and what a great example she is to me.

Spring Break

Tuesday: I took the kids to the Legacy Center to go swimming.  It was super busy and we only stayed about an hour.

Wednesday:  We met up with Marianne and her kids and went to see a movie.  We saw the Croods.  It  was a pretty cute movie.

Thursday:  We went to the Clark Planetarium.  We were going to go to the zoo but when we got to the zoo the closest parking spot was a mile away.  We had fun at the planetarium.

Jeremy now really wants a plasma ball.

On the MARS

On the Moon.

Friday: Jeremy wasn't feeling well so I took the kids to Planet Play.  They had Go-Carts, glow in the dark miniature golf, and they had arcade games.  The kids also liked the all you can eat pizza buffet. 

Saturday: We took the kids to Home Depot and made a bird feeder at the free kid's workshop. 

We had plenty of time at home and the kids enjoyed the warmer weather and went to the park and played with friends. It is too bad that spring breaks ends and we start back to school on Monday.

My Grandpa

Last Wednesday, I got a call from my uncle Kurt saying that my grandfather had had a heart attack at the doctor's office and that the EMTs weren't able to revive him. I left work immediately to go and be with my grandma. Ten minutes later Kurt called to let me know that he had passed away. Instead of sitting with my grandma, I drove her to the doctor's office to be with Kurt and to see Grandpa. My Grandpa was covered by a sheet laying on the floor in the hallway.
His funeral was on Monday, April 1st. He had a nice ceremony with three navymen in uniform. They played taps and gave my grandma a nice folded flag.
It was kind of surreal seeing my grandfather in his casket. My grandfather was the very definition of a patriarch. He left behind a legacy of faith and family. A few months ago I was asked to help take care of David because Kurt had heart surgery. I realized then just how much my grandparents did for him. Every day, my grandparents would spend at least an hour getting David ready for bed. Then, each morning at 2am they would get up again and spend another 45 minutes adjusting David's position. I realized that for 37 years, this was their thankless routine. I look at all the temple marriages of his children and grandchildren and can't help but think that he is resting in heaven now.

Uncle David,  Great Grandma Brunner, Garrett, Great Grandpa Brunner,  Uncle Kurt, Earl, and Jeremy. This picture was taken at Garrett's Baptism about a year ago.  

On the Roof

Each year, the PTA at my school has a math contest called March Math Madness. We encourage the kids to do extra math and to turn in the number of minutes each day. The top two kids from each class go with me for lunch at Pizza Pie Cafe and since they did over 300,000 minutes, I spent a day on the roof wearing a variety of costumes. I was a clown, mad scientist, Woody, banana, Captain America, and a chef. It was pretty fun throwing down candy all day long.

Easter

 We did all of our Easter Celebrations on Saturday. 

The city did a community Easter egg hunt that we decided at the last minute would be fun to go to.  They had over 10,000 eggs filled with candy.  They had different sections for the different age groups.  The kids got plenty of eggs and candy.

Then we went home and had an Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard with just our kids.

Devin decided that for his Easter Basket this year he was going to use his little wagon he got for Christmas.

Each kid got tons of eggs with candy and they each got two eggs filled with money.  They each got $4.40.  Devin thought he would have enough to buy an ipad after the Easter Egg hunt.  Not even close.

Garrett was so excited about all of the candy he got in his eggs.

There as also a clue in each of their eggs their was clue for them to go the car for an extra surprise.  They each got a stuffed bunny.  Devin couldn't decide which one he really wanted.  He finally decided on the blue one and named it "Hoppy"  Garrett named his dribbler.

We also colored eggs.  The kids got to color 5 eggs each.  They turned out pretty cute.  And that night we had egg salad and devil eggs for dinner.   The boys weren't excited about that, but Olivia sure was.  She loves egg salad.

After dinner we decorated and Easter Bunny Cookie.  Which I think turned out pretty cute.

We love fun holiday traditions but we also know the real reason for the season. We did a FHE lesson last week and showed this video. 

Pinewood Derby

Garrett wanted to have Bowser Car this year.  He got the Bowser figure for Christmas.  Last year he had a Mario car.   Jeremy bought a Scroll Saw to shape the car.  Jennifer helped paint the fire.  He had a great time. 

March Sayings

Devin: While helping make cookies for the FHE treat, I was asking him what each ingredient was. We get to the brown sugar I ask, " Do you know what this is?" He says "Sugar" I ask him what kind. He says, "Yummy sugar."

Devin: Mom, I want to snuggle forever and never let go.

Devin: After Garrett's basketball game. I ask him if he would like to play basketball or soccer next year. He pauses and then says, "Both, but I don't know how I will kick the ball and shoot it at the same time."

Devin: He is shaking his body and says, " I am getting out my woggles"

Devin: To Jeremy at the dinner table, "Dad, at what age will you start shrinking?"

Devin: We told Devin he needs to change his clothes. He replies, "Why I have only been wearing them 3 days."

Devin: Coming out of the bath with a soap beard: "Ho, Ho, Ho, I am Santa."

Devin: As we are driving home "Mom, for my next present I want magic so I can fly!"