Mason's Birthday Bash

Weekend at Grandma's

This past weekend all who could congregated at Grandma Marie's home to do yardwork. I had heard how much fun it was last year and so we were happy to be able to attend this year. I have many fond memories of spending time at Grandma and Grandpa Wood's house. Being that they only lived a few miles away we got to spend a lot of time together. I especially loved it when the cousins would come for a visit. Inevitably, Steph and I would would ask if I could sleepover and they always said yes. We would stay up late, make up dances, eat lots of yummy treats, play Sticker and Bank Stop (Sticker and Bank Stop is a one stop shop for purchasing stickers and making bank deposits. We are still trying to pitch the idea but haven't found the perfect invester). We would wind down the evening talking about our futures in the orange and yellow striped bedroom. Times have changed as the orange and yellow bedroom has been updated and now we are the ones with kids hanging out together. But one thing remains the same our love for family and spending time together and helping each other out. Thanks Aunt Peggy for the pictures both past and present. They are priceless.

My Greatest Feat by Alex Henry Richardson

I found this writing assignment in Alex's backpack last night. It is so Alex!

My greatest feat is when I was playing flag football. It was my second to last game. My friend threw the ball and it wasn't where it should be but that's where it was going so I went fast has I could and two 3rd graders were guarding me but I dove and caught it. My teammates yelled touchdown!

No April Fools Here

This is what we woke up to this morning. Snow! I say to myself it is April and Spring isn't it? They say we are supposed to be in the 70's on Sat. Thankfully, as I am typing the snow is melting away.

Well, my better half won the bracket tournament. I screamed when it went into overtime. Like I always say... fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. You have to make your free throws. Okay so I don't always say that... Cris does. It just sounded good. Oh well there is always next year.

Alex first game was entertaining. About half of the kids know and understand what is going on. The other half... not sure why they are there. But it makes for a good laugh. Thank goodness the coaches are very patient. We did loose and Alex wasn't even upset, which is huge for him. Very competitive. We have another game on Friday.

Here are some pics of our Master Bedroom. It is mostly done. We need to hang stuff and accessorize. We were going for a coastal chic look. We put 3 inch wide bead board on the ceiling. I told Cris since he did such a good job his next assignment is crown molding in Syd's room.

Go Memphis!

Okay so not really a big Memphis fan but they are my pick to win the NCAA championship game tonight. Yes, I am in the lead in our family bracket contest. I picked the Kansas and Memphis with Memphis winning. If they do win Alex comes in second and Cris - well a distant third. However if they lose, then Cris comes from behind, me in second and Alex third. Zach's picks of Notre Dame and Texas in the final game well it just didn't happen. But he is loyal to the Irish. No idea why he picked Texas. We will be watching the game a little later after Alex's first Little League Baseball game. Should be good fun. He is so excited. Go Blue Jays!

Sunday Sunday

Another weekend come and gone and a great one at that. It was General Conference weekend -- one of my favorites of the year. We have to start making our own GC memories in Idaho. For the past 9 years we have gone to or had our dear friends the Hales over for dinner on Sat eve. The men go to Priesthood and we catch up on life. It is amazing at one time their was only one kid and at last count their were 7 running around at our last gathering.

So on Sat we went to dinner before Priesthood with Darin and Natalia at Carrabbas and then sent the boys on thier way to the Priesthood session. One of my favorite talks of the weekend was by Dallin H. Oaks about testimonies. I realized we need to help Alex develop his own testimony as it is only a couple of months before he gets baptized.

My friend Jenny sent this link to me and it was a great way to end my Sunday. It is a slide show entitled Reflections of Christ made by a photographer in Mesa. This gentleman, Mark Mabry, recreated the story of Christ’s life with photography, and he took all of the photos in Arizona, in places that best resembled the areas of the Holy Land where Christ’s ministry took place. This video/slideshow (link below) has most of the photos, though not all of them. It is It is on display at the Mesa AZ Visitor's Center. It is simply beautiful. Enjoy

http://www.eastvalleyproductions.com/blog.cfm?postID=31

Life's good

Well the big move took place and we are in our new home. It is good to finally be here and not go back and forth everyday painting and moving stuff. Well we still have lots of stuff in the garage that needs to come in and be put away but hopefully it will get done this weekend. We spent last weekend at Grandpa and Grandma Wood's for Easter. It was a much needed break from "house stuff" and the kids needed some TLC. We colored Easter eggs, played UNO and basketball and ate lots of good food. Thanks for the great time!

This week is Spring Break althought the only thing that appears springy is my tree in front yard with its yellow blossoms. It has rained everyday and even a little sleet yesterday. Needless to say, Alex's baseball practices have been chilly. We have been trying to do something somewhat fun each day. Monday we made cookies - which doesn't happen often. I eat way to many so I avoid it altogether. Tues we had some friends over and went to the YMCA. Wednesday to kids went to a friend's house and I finally painted the red stripes in the boys room and today we are headed to see the Dr. Suess movie. Who knows what tomorrow holds. Any ideas?

No pictures with this post. My computer is down so I am on a temporary one till the part comes in. Hence the delay in my blogging. Can't wait to get back on track.