memorial weekend 2015

I really love memorial weekend. Like a lot! Last year it was the same thing. The older the boys get, the more I realize how great it feels to almost be done with school and have the whole summer to look forward to. But it's not just that, there is a feeling that is very real, it feels a lot like patriotism. I just love that feeling. 

{Having a flag to wave in our front yard is my favorite thing about our home}

This year Justin took off a few extra days before the weekend. We went kayaking while the older boys were at school {it was so tempting to just pull them out, but testing week is the wrong time to do that}

Justin did a little fishing while I finished planting some flowers, planted the rest of the garden, and mowed the lawn. We have had so much rain this spring that it was hard to find a time when the soil was not just mud. Before you think that seems totally unfair that he went fishing...first, he helped me a ton before he left, and I find it very enjoyable to work in the yard. So no worries.

 The boys watched a couple of shows, and while they slept Justin and I watched some interesting shows on Netflix. 'The Red Baron' and 'America: Imagine the World Without Her'

Monday most of Justin's family, plus Great Grandma and Grandpa, came over for an All-American barbecue. It was a most enjoyable afternoon with a lot of red, white, and blue.

:: my favorite was watching the boys make fruit kababs. Rudger's is on the far left, just a stick full of marshmallows ::

:: the alfalfa field in our backyard is the best right now, the boys LOVE going back and exploring ::

It was a happy Memorial Weekend!

easter 2015

:: these boys! ::

Easter was pretty awesome. My favorite is that it coincided with General Conference. So good food, plenty of treats, great messages, and just being home together made it a fabulous weekend. We decorated eggs, had fun getting together with the girls in the family during Priesthood Conference, had a fancy dinner, and the boys enjoyed two Easter egg hunts. (One being an extra special one that I'll write about later) :)

 :: shall we just take a closer look at our little elf ::

spring break 2015

 :: breakfast #1 ::

 :: lunch #2 ::

:: breakfast #3 :: 

:: lunch on temple square, followed by Meet the Mormons movie :: 

:: It was seriously the most beautiful day :: 

:: we could have stayed there much longer, but our two hour parking was quickly ending :: 

:: We wanted to check out The Lion House Bakery. They gave us free rolls, so I felt obligated to buy cake and chocolate milk. Unfortunately the cake to frosting ratio was not my favorite, but the rolls were amazing :: 

:: Corbin just looks too old in this picture :: 

 :: Memory Grove ::

:: We checked out Salt Lake Shoreland Preserves. It was a long walk on the path and we were exhausted when we got home, but memorable nonetheless ::

:: I love that face ::

 :: And these faces. They were drawing pictures of their adventure :: 

:: Rudger and I were totally there :: 

 :: Like I said, it was a long walk ::

:: Staying up late and just hanging out together was just the best ::

Spring break always makes me long for summer break. And they always remind me that we need the perfect balance of lazy days, adventures, and late nights.