Easter Festivities

Saturday before Easter we started off the morning with the "literally 30 second" egg hunt at Evergreen Park. The kids each got some eggs and it was a great time. The Easter Bunny showed up so they were able to give it a HUG :)

Awe the excitement of seeing all those plastic eggs...nothing better than seeing your kids so HAPPY :)We ran into our friends the Fuhriman's at Evergreen Park and they told us about the egg hunt at the Murray Rec Center pool. It was really fun for the kids to go in and gather plastic eggs which they traded in for candy. It was only $1 per child and we were able to stay and swim after. It was a fun change for an egg hunt. Thanks Mandy for the heads up.There were lots of kids...but the kids still had a blast.There were "5" golden eggs in each age group. Sadie and her friend Kate Fuhriman found one in their group. Sadie got a soccer ball and a T-shirt. Kate got a football and a T-shirt. Jake also found a golden egg in his group...he got a basketball and a T-shirt. Not bad for our group of "5" kids that were with us to get "3" of the "15" golden eggs. What a good time and a great way for the kids to burn off some Easter/sugar energy :)Later that day we colored eggs. The Easter bunny found its way to the Dean home. The kids baskets were filled with lots of candy, a swimsuit and flip flops. He hid the baskets pretty good this year. It took a little while for each one of the kids to find their basket.
Easter dinner at the Deans
The annual "coordinating clothes" Easter picture :)HAPPY EASTER!

May we always "REMEMBER" the Resurrection of our Savior and the "REAL REASON" we celebrate this FUN Holiday!

PINEWOOD DERBY :)

Another PINEWOOD DERBY has come and gone...we can thankfully cross that off our list of this years events. The boys sure think it is fun...but it sure is a pain getting two pinewood derby cars ready...if we were smart we would keep them from year to year...but "NO" we make a new one "EVERY" year. Their cars didn't do too well...at least they never came in LAST.

The CARS!!!Watching in anticipation...HOPING...their cars do WELL.

Will's CAR on the LEFT...Jake's CAR on the RIGHT :)

Gotta get a SCOUT picture with the boys holding their cars...sure LOVE Will's fruit punch lip :)

Bye, Bye DERBY...we can only wait for you next spring to come around again :)

Ward Talent Show/Young Women's Conference...

Spring Ward Talent Show - Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Jake and his two friends Brayden and Ezra helped represent the primary in our Ward Spring Talent Show by riding their unicycles. I would have to say that it was GREAT entertainment. They did such a good job. They rode holding hands in a circle, jumping up and down on them, riding backwards and riding with one foot. They have really mastered those unicycles. I love that they have fun on them and it keeps them out of trouble :)

They started off on their smaller unicycles.
(Ezra, Brayden and Jake)Ezra and Jake holding hands going in circles.In the middle of their routine they went and got their "giraffe"
5 foot unicycles. They were definately a "HIT" in the Talent show...way to go boys!!
General Young Women's Conference - Saturday, March 28th, 2009

Rachel had the opportunity to sing in the General Young Women's Conference Choir with several girls in our stake. I remember when I was in young womens having the same opportunity to sing with the prophet just a few feet away...nothing is more AWESOME than that. Rachel said it was such a spiritual experience and one she is so glad she was able to participate in. They had to practice quite a bit...(5) 2 hour Sunday practices and (2) 3-5 hour Saturday practices. I was so happy she committed and was able to participate in such a great event. The Saturday before they let parents come and watch the practice and take pictures. Mike and I went and these are a few pictures we took...it was kind of hard to zoom in and get a great shot.
The "sunburst" colors they had to wear looked awesome.These are a few pictures I took off of the TV. Rachel's head is at the very bottom of this picture.This was Rachel's close up shot. She said it was quite funny because the camera man was right in her face and it was quite hard not to laugh...she held it together quite well.I am so proud of you Rachel...what a great Young Woman you are becoming :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME :)

Monday, March 23rd I turned 1 year older but I am still waiting for the WISER part to kick in. I had a great birthday and lots of friends and family wished me Happy Birthday and brought me treats and gifts. I went shopping with my Mom and to lunch with my Mom and sister Amy. We had dinner at my parents house and the rest of the family came over for dessert. There was one guest however that came that morning and just wouldn't leave...THE SNOW...I say GOODBYE already...I am seriously ready for some continuous SUNSHINE :)

Mike and the kids gave me a new bed set...LOVE IT!!!

Mike surprised me with FLOWERS after work. They are so pretty and smell YUMMY :)

Gotta love a fresh flower arrangment on the kitchen table :)

I was so spoiled and am so blessed to have such a great husband and good kids.Birthday cake at my parents house..."37" candles is ALOT!Me with my two babies after a long day!!!

I am creeping up on "40" I can't believe in 3 years I will turn the BIG "4"0"...when I was a kid that seemed SOOOOO old!

TAXI Mom :)

A day in the life of a TAXI mom...
Don't some days seem like you are in the car ALOT as a mom? Yesterday was one of those days and as I was laying in bed I was going through my head just how much driving around I did. I just wanted to share so that later on in life when I am not needed as much by my children, I will have days like yesterday to remember just how much I love being there for them...at least as their TAXI driver :)

6:00 AM...walking with neighborhood friends.
7:25 AM...drive Junior High carpool.
8:30 AM...drive Elementary carpool.
10:25 AM...pick Kristine and Brooklyn up for storytime at library.
12:45 PM...volunteer at Elementary school.
2:00 PM...diet coke run (a must have)
2:40 PM...pick up Junior High carpool.
3:20 PM...take Jake, Ezra and Brayden their 5 foot unicycles to ride home from school.
5:00 PM...pick up Junior High Volleyball carpool.
6:50 PM...take Rachel's soccer carpool.
8:00 PM...pick up Rachel's soccer carpool.
9:30 PM...lay in bed and watch MINDLESS tv :)

Sheeesh... I need another diet coke just thinking about it. The crazy thing is Soccer games, Baseball games and Track meets haven't even started yet. Thank heaven for carpools and the help of awesome friends and neighbors to get our kids around. I am not sure I could handle everyday like yesterday. I really don't know what I would do without my "8" seater minivan....my new BFF :)

PS....I am lovin this awesome spring weather....HOORAY for the SUNSHINE. I think since I am done with carpools for today, I will go out and get some sun on my face :)

HAPPY "69th" BIRTHDAY GRANDPA ROBERT!

My Dad turned "69" on Saturday, March 14th. My mom planned a surprise dinner for him with all the adults at Fermosa Grill. He was surprised and quite the comedian when he saw us all waiting there for him.What a yummy restaurant. Mike and I had never eaten there before. It is a fun place where your group can sit in a room all by themselves with your shoes off.
(Mike, Me, Mom, Dad, Brett, Jed, Amy, Steve and Mandy)
Missing: Troy, Mel and Brad :(Amy brought him a cake. The restaurant gave him this fortune cookie. Have you ever seen one so BIG?

Grandpa with 12 of his 15 grandkids + (1 more due in May)

(Adam, Jake, Will, Lindsey, Ellsie, Sadie, Sage, Jaxon, Alex, James, Annie and Rachel)
Missing: Cylia, Morgan and Chloe :(
The kids all hung out at our house while we were at dinner.
Happy Birthday Grandpa!!! WE LOVE YOU :)

SPRING PIANO RECITAL

Rachel and Jake had their spring piano recital at my parents house on Monday, March 9th. They are so lucky to have grandma Ruthie as their piano teacher. She had never taught anyone how to play until her and my dad served their mission in Jamaica. She taught a few members there how to play the keyboard. I asked her if she would be willing to teach our kids after she got home. It has been really fun for the kids to spend time with her on Wednesdays for an hour or so. Rachel and Jake both really love to play. Rachel has taken for almost 5 years and Jake has taken just over 2 years. Will is excited to start taking in the fall. We sure love Grandma Ruthie and are so grateful for her talent of playing the piano.

JAKE'S PIECES:

You raise me up
Indiana Jones: Raiders March
Star Wars
Mount Vernon Bells

RACHEL'S PIECES:

Love One Another
The Waltz King
Sonatina in C Major
Beethoven's Symphony #5

There weren't many people at the recital. Just our little family, Grandpa Roger, Grandma Judy, Grandpa Robert and Grandma Ruthie. ( I think that was about all Jake could have handled :) )