My Growing Garden

I'm so excited about my garden. I got almost all the grass dug up before our terrific neighbor came and tilled it all up. Then, I put some "activator" that Ace Hardware recommended. It's supposed to break down any leftover grass and get the soil excited about growing plants.
Garrett taught me to use the saw and I made these fence posts and markers. The boards were so cheap and we already had the chicken wire, so now it's kid proof, right????

I planted peas and radishes, with the kids help. In a little garden along the house, we also planted some onions and garlic.

Finally, here's our ever-growing indoor garden. It's so exciting to see stuff growing. I did some transplanting into bigger pots that I bought at the DI. I can't wait until the middle of May when I can start putting things in the ground!

As I watered the garden yesterday, I was reminded of my father's mother, out every morning watering her flowers and tomato plants. Great stuff!

Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa

We spent the 17-19 with my mother's parents. The kids loved it. Here's Jacob playing with new toys that I remember playing with.
Here's the boys listening to Grandma tell "Granny" stories. They loved it.

I didn't get a picture, but Jonathan was facinated with the contraption that puts Grandpa's socks on. Jonathan also came home with a bunch of scrap peices of wood that he likes to make into a castle. Grandma let the boys help plant peas (reminding me how it's done!).

We were at my parents for a short time and Gabe was so tired - I think he took one bite of the cracker under his left hand and fell asleep without even chewing it.

It was a wonderful weekend - I love being with Grandma and Grandpa! I'm so glad my children could enjoy such a great experience!

Happy Easter!

This Easter, I have been filled with gratitude again for the life, Atonement, and resurrection of the Savior. I don't know how to express all that I feel. Recently, I have felt that I have never really grasped how to utilize the power of the Atonement in bringing joy into my life, despite the ups and downs and heartaches of life. I'm just so grateful to understand this - and so grateful to the Savior for the miracle of the Atonement.

This video was created from the talk by Elder Jeffry R. Holland from Conference last weekend. Happy Easter to all my friends and family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

The New Beds for the Boys

We have considered putting the boys in bunk beds, but we were worried about him being up so high - he really doesn't like hights......so, what to do....

Well, Garrett had an idea. And this is it.

These are bunk bed cots. And it fits great and the boys love it. Jonathan can jump down on his own, and he can climb up the sides. It fits great. So, we've put all the boys together in the same room - It should be interesting. This leaves us the sunniest room in the house to start our garden starts.....WAHOO! I'm going to have a garden!

Aunt Carla's Tea Party

Wonderful Aunt Carla threw a tea party for the kids.

The fantastic high quality swords made by Garrett. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the darling magic wands that Garrett also made for the girls.

My sweet Gabe giving sad little Jacob a kiss.

All the cousins who camed....

Top Row: Katie, Ryan, Rachel, Brooke Jonathan (I shouldn't have asked him to smile)

Bottom Row: Owen, Sarah, Jacob, Gabe, Emmy, Mathew, Aunt Melanie

A New Fence

The big storm that went through took two 8-foot sections of our fence down. We got some supplies a couple of days ago and yesterday, Garrett repaired the fence.

He amazes me - He had it done in a couple of hours and did it in the rain!

I should have taken before and after pictures.....but you'll have to take my word for it!

Super Power???? Shots

Jonathan has been so excited since I used an idea from Keribeth's blog and told him that today we'd be going to the doctor to get his super power shots so he'd be ready for kindergarten. He kept running to the door and peeking over to see if it was his turn. They finally called his name and he didn't even wait for me.

In the office, the doctor checked him all out and it was great. He smiled from ear to ear. Then, the nurse came in with 5 shots. The first one went in his arm. That's when he told me that he didn't want any more super power shots. After the second, he began fighting. I held him tight and bit back those tears that I always struggle holding back when my kids get hurt. He did pretty good for the last one.

I asked him if he'd like a treat for being so brave. He said he wasn't brave, but he was ok with having a treat anyway, and chose Cheetos. He shared them with his brothers (who should have been upset because I've never offered them treats after shots, but who didn't mind as they downed a lot of cheetos).

And tonight, he's very proud of his band-aids. Sadly, some new rules came into play and he'll have to get one more in 6 months....