Camera Present

Dani didn't give us many ideas for gifts this year.  When her cousin showed her the camera she recently got for her birthday, Dani finally showed interest in something, so that's what she got. (Thanks for the idea Kara!).

Blowing out her candles.  Dani's favorites this year include:

Book: Princess Book

Food: Fried Rice (which was requested for dinner)

Color: Yellow (& pink)

Movie: Barbie a Fairy Secret

Friends: Hallie & Kayla

Thing: Blee

To Do: Play on Webkinz

The rest of these pictures are taken by the children with Dani's new camera.  Taylor sporting Dani's new magic trick attire.

 Mom reading Anne of Green Gables to Taylor.

 The boys, upside down.

 It will be interesting to see what kind of pictures will be put up on the blog in the future.

Dani's 7

Dani wanted to go to Roaring Springs as a family for her Birthday.  While it is warmer than it has been almost all year, it is still only 80 degrees and if we're going to spend the money to go, I'd rather make sure we'll have fun and not be miserably cold when we get wet.  With the promise to go when it is actually warm, our celebrations are small today.  Hopefully pictures will follow another time for Roaring springs.  Following the theme, Dani wanted a waterslide cake.  I had no idea how to do it, but I came up with this idea while I was looking at some of the kids toys and thought they looked like waterslides.  It worked out pretty good.  Happy Birthday Dani!!!!!!!

School's out

Last day of school.  The neighborhood got together and had a "School's Out" parade.  The kids decorated their bikes, rode around the neighborhood and then had a picnic with otter pops in the park.

Now that it's summer we are on a schedule including library reading programs, fieldtrips, playgroups, weddings, swimming lessons, family reunions, and much more.  We can't wait.

Whoop um up

We didn't have any plans for this Memorial Weekend (sick kids and bad weather didn't help), but we didn't want Mark's day off to go to waste so we just started driving.  We ended up in the mountains at a place called Whoop um up.  There were lots of empty campsites and lots of trails, so we decided to take a hike.

 

 It rained a little off and on, but didn't bother us any.

Notice the snow.  There were still patches of it everywhere.  No wonder there weren't any campers.

 We hiked to this cabin that looked like a fun place to rent out for real cheap, so we may end up coming back.

 This was my favorite part of the whole day.  I've been real heartbroken recently with the way my children treat one another and their expressions of hatred for each other.  I took this picture to remind my girls of this moment.  Taylor had found some rocks she really wanted to hike back to the car, but by this time she was hungry, cold, and tired.  Dani offered to carry her rocks, lend her the jacket she was wearing and share her umbrella.  Taylor said to Dani, "Sometimes you can be the meanest sister, but sometimes you can be the bestest sister."  I needed to have proof to show Taylor that they really do love each other for later on when she wants to tell me she hates her again.  It seems that when we go out and do something fun together as a family, the children treat each other a lot better.  We are going to try to do this on more frequent occasions.

Sam's Preschool Graduation

Sam graduated from his preschool co-op today.  He was introduced to letters and numbers and had fun field trips. 

 They got to wear their own Graduation caps and got a diploma.

It wouldn't be complete without treats.

Boise Watershed

Today was Taylor's field trip and I was lucky enough to go again.

 I only had to chaperone two kids which made it a lot nicer.  Taylor's friend, Amber, joined us.

 The kids learned about the water cycle and played a game to learn about it.  They also enjoyed some exhibits that talked about water and how the water treatment facility works.

 Taylor learning about ground water with the well pump.

 Tree structure made completely out of water works.

They also did several activities using their senses.  They smelled various things, used binoculars to see, listened to nature sounds, touched things found in nature (tasted lunch, later), and also took a walk to see a fox hole and nests with osprey. 

Eventful Week

Mom and Dani went on a field trip to the Discovery Center and Julia Davis park.

 Dani loved playing with the mirrors.

 And of course the bubbles.

 And the famous Discovery market.

 Dani's group: Analys, Brynn, Nube, Dani, Nathan

 Mark went to another conference in San Francisco, but this time alone.  He said the whole trip was worth it, just to tour this submarine.

He also had the chance to visit Alcatraz.
Friday evening it was time for the annual Father and Son's camping trip that the boys had been looking forward to for weeks.  I made sure Mark had a camera and I was going to make sure to take lots of pictures of our girl adventures, but we got sidetracked with the events.  Almost to their destination, the truck had problems and after hours of working things out, the boys came back home at 1am.  The girls enjoyed a dinner out and movie in the tent, although Mom was too worried about the boys.  I don't think anyone got much sleep last night.

Julia's Wedding

My cousin, Julia and her husband, Eddie, got married today.  Last night we celebrated at my uncle's house.

 Our family is all about Taco Bell and the kids couldn't resist the fun hats.

 At the Boise temple.

A real treehouse!

Our kids are so lucky to have grandparents who love and care about them.  They all try to make my kids dreams come true.  First, Grandpa Stevens and Sheri gave Sam his treehouse for our backyard and now Papa Jepson has made one in a real tree.  He knew we didn't have a tree big enough in our yard, so he built one at his house for the kids to enjoy.  Thanks for all the love and support, Grandparents!

 

Astronaut Barbara Morgan

Astronaut, Barbara Morgan visited Birch Elementary today and the girls and I were able to attend the school assembly.  Later, she visited Dani's classroom and was able to get a picture with her.

 The fourth graders helped Dani's first grade class build rockets .

 Preparing for launch.

Barbara Morgan watching dani's launch of her rocket.
Barbara was supposed to stay at the school to watch the last launch of the Space Shuttle, Endeavor today, but I just learned that they called off the launch due to heater failure.

Easter Day!

 Thanks Grandma for supplying the kids with Easter outfits. 

 Jo wasn't real interested in looking for Easter eggs at Grandpas.  He didn't like feeling the real eggs.  Eventually he gave up and found the toys instead.

 Some of the eggs were "confetti" eggs.  Whoever found them could break them over the head of someone else.  These were more sought after than the money eggs.  Poor daddy was a victim and it didn't come out of his hair for hours.

 Enjoying the outdoors after the hunt.

 Jo showing me every piece of candy in his basket. 

 Taylor got this new blanket and was apparantly cold as she wrapped herself up to go outside.

 Sam got a new kite and had a blast flying it until it got stuck on the roof.  Thankfully Daddy, risking his life, went up to save the day.

Enjoying climbing in Papa's tree.