Easter Visit.

We had a very fun, family filled Easter.  Roy, Sherry and AshLee made the trip to Boise for the weekend.  It was really great to see them.  Terrell got me this beautiful Easter lily.  We enjoyed watching it open up.

I am not sure that this was Easter weekend, but a super cute picture nonetheless.

Thank goodness Sidney remembered to take some pictures, because I was asleep at the wheel.

As Kendall put it, you are never too old for an Easter egg hunt.  This year Bailey decided to get in on the fun.  He found a few eggs for himself.

The girls scored big time in the chocolate department.

AshLee and the girls had a fun filled weekend from plays, to bike rides, walks and horses.  The girls kept her busy.

She even decided to take the scooter out for a spin.  She was a natural!

Spring has Sprung.

The bikes are out, the flowers are getting planted.  Spring is here.  Kendall has decided to start dance class.  She is absolutely loving it, though I do not have any pictures yet.  The class she joined has been meeting since September.  I think her gymnastics experience has helped her to jump right in and get up to speed.  They are rehearsing for a summer performance.  There are about 10 girls in the class.  They all seem to really have a great time and not take themselves too seriously, which has been super fun!

We have two birds nests in our gutters.  One in the front and one in the back.  Each year birds come to lay their eggs.  Sadly, we sometimes find carcasses just below the nests, as the birds learn to take flight.  Mostly it is just fun to hear them and watch them.  Here is one of the birds checking things out.

My pots are planted.  We are getting some rain today, which should help all of the flowers grow.  I tore out my 'ugly' bushes (5 of them) and put in some fun new ones.  I am excited to see them grow.

Sidney tried a lava cake recipe that my mom gave her.  I think the results are a bit mixed.

The girls and I took cousin AshLee to watch Shrek the Musical.  It was a very cute play.  We all agreed Grandma Terrell would not have enjoyed it.  Too many bodily noises.

Sidney seemed just a wee bit too curious about April Fool's this year.  I should have caught on when they both lingered in my office that moring (very unusual).  I sat at my desk to begin the day, and the mouse would not work.  I was just about ready to restart the computer when I decided to flip the mouse over.

Yep, I was fooled!  The girls were pretty proud of this one.

My dad and I have been getting in some sunset rounds of golf.  I caught this beautiful evening sky during one of our Boise Ranch rounds.  I never get tired of the gorgeous Boise sunrises and sunsets.

Secondary Scholar of the Week.

Kendall and I were running an errand the other day, when her friend Grace sent her a text.  Grace sent a screenshot and a congratulations to Kendall for earning Secondary Scholar of the Week.  Grace also sent a friendly little jab about Kendall being the new kid and getting it.  This honor was well deserved, as Kendall has been working very hard.  She is really enjoying this new platform!

Spring Break 2021

I am not sure how we got to spring break so quickly, but it was here this week.  It is shocking how incredibly fast this past year went by.  Last year, at this time, the girls 'thought' they would be getting an extra week after spring break, which basically turned into the rest of the school year.  The first case of COVID-19 was detected on Friday, March 13th of last year.  It has been quite a ride.  I can finally say that I have received the first vaccine shot.  Yes!  There is light at the end of the tunnel.  

I worked the first part of the week, while the girls messed around at home.  One day it was so quiet, I left my office to check on them.  I opened Kendall's bedroom door to find a spotless room.  Strange. 

Then I opened Sidney's bedroom door to find a spotless room.  Even stranger!

Finally I opened the door to the den to find them both in the middle of a workout.  Funny girls!

Thankfully, they have been getting along very well.  It is usually all or nothing for these two.  They were playing barefoot basketball the other day, when Sid ran through a pile of goat heads to retrieve the ball.  A dozen goat heads later, Kendall managed to tweeze them all out of her foot.  EGADS! 

Toward the end of the week., we took a staycation.  We went to a local hotel and spent a lot of time in the pool.  They were limiting it to 20 people, but there was no time limit.  To our delight, we never reached the 20 person capacity.  

I think they are not quite ready for the Olympics with their synchronized swimming.

Kendall smiled big and said how good it felt to be fully submerged!

Who doesn't go to a hotel to play Minecraft on the computer with the person sitting right next to you?  Kids these days!

Uncle Jason was in town with his baseball team for the Buck's Bags Tournament.  The first day the morning games were completely rained out and resumed at 7:30 that night.  Thankfully, the Saturday morning game was glorious, at least weather wise.  The team did not have their best showing, but reality is they have not played in a LONG time, since the season was canceled last year.

It just felt so good to be out!

First Night Jitters.

Sidney started Eh Capa a couple of weekends ago.  The first night, we got there a bit early, so she decided to take Marley for a ride in the outdoor arena.  This picture was taken moments before I heard a dad behind me say "Horse bucking...rider rolling...Is she okay?"  I looked up to see Sid picking herself up off the ground and dusting herself off.  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and cheered.  I heard one parent say, "Well, it was good to get the first one out of the way."  

Unfortunately, that was exactly how the first night went.  Sid was a mess.  Marley was a mess.  I was pretty sure that would be the end of Eh Capa.  Nope, Sid has really come a long way.  She walked into the second week with a ton of trepidation.  However, she lathered on the lavender oil after Alyssa gave her a pep talk.  She told Sid, "There is only room for one of you to be a stressed out and it cannot be you."  Thankfully, both rider and horse did amazing the second night.  I think it gave them both the confidence they needed.

I am quickly growing to love the Eh Capa community, with its walking tacos, bowls of chili, late night practices and great people.  Next step, I will be learning to pull the horse trailer.  Oh boy!

Card Games and Craziness.

I will start by saying that Bailey has got to be the most spoiled dog ever.  He got a new bed, and he is loving it.  He is also the most patient dog ever.  The girls share such a special bond with him.

While my Aunt and Uncle were in town, they taught my parents a new card game.  They had a good time teaching Terrell and I to play.  We only had to call Steve once to get some clarification on the rules, as I am pretty sure Terrell was trying to cheat:).  

The girls had their friends Grace and Liza over for a sleepover.  These four girls have really hit it off.  No worries, those are just really crazy face masks they have on.

The girls stayed the following weekend at Grace and Liza's.  Their mom, Katy, sent me this hilarious picture of Kendall and Grace.  I seriously had to do a double take.  These goofy girls!

Sweet Baby Cohen.

My cousin was in a car accident a number of years ago that severed her spine.  It has been a long road for her, but she is a fighter.  She is constantly defying the odds and doing things they told her she would never do again.  She and her husband Tilston love and adore children and have been wanting to start a family of their own.  They did just that, via a surrogate.  It was our luck that the surrogate lives in Boise, so we were able to meet little baby Cohen.  

Tilston and Makenna with their beautiful baby boy and sweet doggo.

My Aunt Debbie with Tilston.

My Uncle Steve with Cohen.

It was awesome to see everyone.  I am excited for the future that lies ahead for this beautiful family!  Makenna and Tilston are amazing parents.  It is as if they were wired for this.