And now, another epicly long post, in which I try to cram a month's worth of activity! I'm still in a bit of a photography rut. Sometimes I want my camera on me, and sometimes it just feels like a big albatross, especially when my flash is on it. I've not been wanting to take many pictures this month, but I know the memory is important and worthwhile. So, forgive my overly high ISO's (grainy photos), my unmeditated compositions, my uninspired light. On some of these photos, I did take creative license with silhouetting and framing, but overall, just know that I'll get my groove back someday soon.

Star Wars mania has spilled into other avenues. Anthony has Star Wars action figures that he played with as a child, and it's as if he put that chapter of his life simply on hold. These boys are very serious about their action figures.


Alaina prefers to paint.


While we were swimming at the rec center one day, Alaina spotted a poster with a mom and daughter ice skating together. "We should do that!" led to an interesting afternoon with lots of falling. Alaina actually took to it quickly and could walk in her skates immediately, while Connor fumbled around a bit more.




Connor whole-heartedly believes that he is a "powaful Jedi", and uses the Force often in our "lightsaver fights".




I am trying to instill more autonomy in the kids, because they often say they are incapable of simple tasks that I KNOW they can do. They both lay on the drama when I say, "I KNOW you can do it. I wouldn't ask you to do anything that I thought you could not do!" Case in point - getting jammies on:


One of these things is not like the other.


My settings were way off when taking this picture at Dad's 62nd birthday celebration, but I feel like it totally describes the feeling when most of the grandkids are in the house (miss you, Carliles!). A little hectic and a lot cute!


Dad always lets Connor put the candles on the cake, and I think he actually blew them out, too. :)


Over Anthony's spring break last week, we went to Colorado to visit his family. It was sunny the whole week, with temperatures in the late sixties, so we spent most of our time there hanging out on the driveway.

Connor and Anthony's first came of ping pong together. <3


This picture is symbolic for me, like I'm looking forward into the future. Alaina barely fits on her trike now...they are growing so fast.




Papa was away on business until our second day there, and the kids were very excited to see him!




Soon after Papa got home, Daynarae was able to come and spend some time with us! This picture cracks me up...both of the girls' cheese faces! They were happy to discover that they both owned what was essentially the same doll. They are most definitely girly girls and the first thing Daynarae said was, "Cute boots, Laina!"




The most energetic time of the day: ice cream in Papa's bed! He was brave and let them each have little cups of chocolate ice cream this time. That sheet ended up looking like something out of CSI.


Popsicles! My kids are charmers here! :)


Nana won Alaina over by sneaking marshmallows with her. It was so cute to see Alaina thinking that she really had gotten away with something!


Anthony's friend Kevin and his family celebrated his 30th birthday in Colorado. We haven't hung out with them in almost two years, and Connor was quick to notice a little girl that wasn't a sister or a cousin. Consider his stake claimed. :)




While we were eating dinner one night, Connor came up to me and said, "Mommy, my tooth is really loose!"


We tried to finish dinner, but my appetite was killed when he asked me to pull it out for him! Luckily, my weak stomach was able to pass that one on to Daddy. We didn't have any cash on us, so Uncle Ray and Uncle Ryan started throwing in some dollars to help the tooth fairy out. Connor got more for his first tooth than I ever would have imagined as a child! I think I started at a quarter!


Daddy popped the little tooth right out, without any tears.






More driveway fun.


I discovered that I can zoom around in the Barbie Jeep (that thing hauls, even with me in it!), and Anthony and I always make fun of the Facebook duck-face/peace sign pose. I told Alaina to "stick [her] lips out and show me two!", and she caught right on. Must be a girl thing. :)


Daynarae found Alaina's lip gloss and spent the better part of the evening applying even coats. :)


Cousins having popcorn and watching Star Wars in the theater.


I'm not going to lie and say that pulling in to this, after a week's worth of sunbathing and tan lines, wasn't disappointing. Only a few more weeks until spring, right?!


Soon we won't have to wear parkas to go to the park!


Lightsaber fights aren't confined to our four walls!


We've got lots to look forward to in the coming weeks. The Cheesecake Factory at City Creek Center opens on Thursday, and after seeing the restaurant last weekend, I am excited for the change! The building is absolutely gorgeous; probably the most beautiful restaurant I've ever seen. Even though there are scary aspects of working downtown, I've always loved city energy, and I think it's going to be so fun going into the summer there. Easter egg hunts, flowers, blossoming trees, and Mary Ann coming! Hooray for spring!