So Much Snow

We got dumped on! It started snowing on Tuesday and didn't stop until this morning, (that's Thursday.) I have never seen it snow this much at once since we have lived up here. We sent the boys out to build a snowman just before dinner. They were so proud of it. Jackson kept saying that he wished it would come alive, which prompted Asher's version of Frosty the Snowman. He really doesn't know the song very well. but he wouldn't let anyone else sing with him.

Here's a look at all the snow.

We just had a week and a half whirl-wind vacation. We drove down to Moab for a fun camping trip with friends. Back up to the Logan area to run errands and drop off our kids. Then Mitch and I were off the Pennsylvania to look for a house. From there we made a quick run up to New York City. It was a great time. We did find a great little house (more on that later.) It was fun to catch up with family and friends. The following three posts hit the highlights of our trip.

Hershey, PA/NYC

Breakfast at the famous Hershey Pantry.

Mitch and I left the kids in Utah with my wonderful Mother-in-law so we could go to PA to look for a place to live for the next three years. While we were there we decided to take advantage of the freedom and take a trip to New York. It was a crazy 24 hour trip. We had no plan and no idea what we were going to do, all we had was a hotel reservation. Despite the lack of any preparation or any planning it was a great trip. Our hotel was great. Just a few blocks from Central Park and Time Square, with amazing veiws. We check into our hotel, I am ashamed to admit, took a nap (we were tired!) then walked to Time Square where we hoped to form some sort of a plan for the evening. What we found was the half price ticket booth, where we got tickets to "Shrek; The Musical." Which was really funny. We really liked it, Mitch even liked it and he's not a theatre person. In the elevator on the way back to our room we over heard a conversation about how much better it is to go to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) than the Empire State Building. So the next morning that is what we did. It was really cool. The fun thing is you have great views of the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building and Central Park. And there is no line. We hit up a few stores. I even went in to Tiffany's & Co. but there was nothing there in my budget. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon in Central Park. It was beautiful. We had a gorgeous sunny day. The trees were blossoming, and we listened to some great music. 24 hours from when we check in our car we picked it up and were headed back to PA. It was a great little mini trip.

FAO Schwartz, the hotel, and the M&Ms store.

Times Square; Outside the Shrek Theater

View of the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock.

Beautiful Central Park.

If you look close you can see a baby bump. It came on a little sooner for baby #3.

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid

The boys have been begging us to take them to Chuck E Cheeses for ever. But we don't have one in Montana, so when we were in Utah we decided to take them. It was funny because I didn't know where it was and I kept telling Jackson that there wasn't one where we were, until we pull off in Layton to go to Red Robin and there it was. Jack was so happy, and he kept saying "I told you mommy, I told you there was one here." Then he told Mitch, "when we get to Chuck e Cheese you have to relax Daddy, because it is where parents relax and kids have fun." I guess he has seen a commercial with that sentiment. Such a cute, good little boy.

Here is my take on the Chuck E Cheeses. It was really fun. The kids loved it, I even got to play ski ball which was my favorite when I was a kid. And the biggest surprise was the pizza was really good. In all I think it is a good once a year or so experience.

This blue screen was so fun. As you may know, my boys love to dance so this was right up their alley. Check out the TVs to get the full effect. I loved to watch this video when we were away from them this week.

Moab

Since we are moving back east in a month we felt like now was as good a time as any to take the kids to southern Utah. We went with great friends, had a fun camp-site and had a wonderful time. It was a crazy three days. On day one we were in coats and hats. Day two; jackets on and off depending on the wind and the shade. Day 3; was hot! we were roasting in the Fiery Furnace. Thanks to Steph for organizing a great tip.

Delicate Arch. Our boys were great for this hike. It was so beautiful and the boys loved seeing the arch that has been hanging on Jackson's wall for the past year. Jackson was a little poser on this hike. He kept finding new places for us to take his picture. I couldn't resist such a cute subject. One of the best decisions we made was to take the backpack. Asher is still a little too young for a 4 mile hike. He loved being in the backpack and kept Mitch entertained. Near the end Jackson had had enough and wanted to be carried, but in my currant condition I just couldn'tcarry him. So Mitch put Jackson in the backpack and carried Asher, it was only for about 10 minutes, but it made all the difference for Jackson. He really loved the hike and kept telling us he loves hiking now. Which is good because he is in the wrong family if he doesn't.Scott, wanted to take a crazy 4-wheel road out of the park, and it was quite and adventure. There were many times I thought we wouldn't make it, and If I had been farther alone in my pregnancy, I would have gone into labor it was such a busy road. The boys, however (that's the grown up boys Mitch, Scott & Carl) loved it. Mitch got to ride Slick Rock. So hauling the bikes down was worth it.Asher hiking to delicate arch. One of the few times he wanted out of the backpack. He really loved that thing.
Asher had a pinwheel, and he loved sticking it out of the sunroof to watch is go. We loved watching him do it. BTW: this is only when the car is stopped.

My favorite picture of Jackson and me in the Fiery Furnace. Jackson was really good at staying off of the "biotic crust." He even told his pre-school teacher about it when we got home.

More, Fiery Furnace. Such a cool place!Jackson found this little hole in the Fiery Furnace and called it "Jackson Arch." I liked that name.
Jackson, the dads and some of the older kids did a little climbing where we stopped for lunch. He was so proud of himself. When he got down he went to Stephani and asked, "Are you so proud of me for climbing that? I am so proud of me? Is Rivers proud of me? My mommy is proud of me." Yeah he thought it was pretty cool.

This is what they found at the top. If I had know this is what was up there I would have gone up, but someone has to stay with Asher. The thing with him is, he thinks he can do anything, but he is a klutz and a little reckless. He could have walked right off a cliff. I took this picture at the end of the last hike. Right after I took it Asher started singing "We Are a Happy Family." I have to say I agree.


A picture of me and Steph, just for fun.

A new nephew

Meet Charlie

Charlie was born more than a month early, after more than two months of bed rest for his mom. We are so happy that he is here and healthy.

Congratulations Anderson family! I hope it's all sunshine and rainbows from here on out.

Easter

Happy Easter!

We had a great day that began with a jelly bean grab in the living room. This is one of Mitch's family traditions that I think is genius. You just spread jelly beans everywhere in a room and then let the kids go nuts. The boys loved it!

After church we had an official egg hunt in the backyard. The boys got some pretty cool swag in their easter baskets this year. We found a used Leapster for Asher since he is always stealing Jackson's, and we got Jack some nature movies in a effort to get him interested in a few more things other than fighter jets. They were both super excited. But I must say, they get excited about almost anything. My boys definitely aren't duds!

Check out Jackson's face. This is his excitement over Asher's gift.

Did you notice that we were outside this year? There was not snow and we even have a few flowers. Go Montana!
We had actual carrots as well. It was not a completely unhealthy eating day. But there was way too much candy.

Easter egg hunt

Find anything!

...here's another hint.

Coloring easter eggs

Tonight we dyed Easter eggs for the first time as a family. Jackson has had the opportunity but I haven't yet dare do it as a family. It was really fun, and Asher was just the right age. He loved it. He kept looking at the camera and saying "I love Easter eggs!" like the camera could hear him. I think they did a great job.

We Have Flowers!

These are the only ones so far, but they give me hope. Too bad we won't be here when our yard really peaks. It is a beautiful yard.