Reward!

Bless you if you scrolled through all 23 pictures on my last post. As a reward for your interest and diligence, here are

yes

two more pictures from the arboretum!

I couldn't help it! David strutting around with his hands in his pockets...Mary dashing down the sidewalk with map and hat in hands...I want to remember these pictures. And heaven knows I'll never look at them again if I don't put them on my blog.

Thanks for your patience.

If only I had remembered these two pictures on my last post, then it could have been a nice, round 25.

By the way, my mom and I are driving to Lubbock tomorrow with the kids. David is very sick again, someone has been selling Mary speed, and Texas is a really big state. Wish us luck.

Happy Easter weekend!

23 pictures from the arboretum

Monday was our much anticipated spring outing to the Dallas Arboretum. With the tulips and fruits trees in bloom, it's the most breath-taking time of year. As a bonus, it was a gorgeous day!

Here are way too many pictures. It was really bright, and my kids weren't especially cooperative. So like I said, here are way too many pictures.

David calling out, "Grammy! Grammy!" while we were waiting for Grammy. She met us there, so we could all enjoy the beauty together. (And, as Grammy pointed out, keeping track of my kids at the arboretum is a two-person job.)

I am happy to report that Mary did not fall into the fountain while waiting for Grammy.

The pioneer village was a favorite again.

Oh my goodness! Look at those blossoms!

This next picture is of Mary jumping off the step in front of the school house. Click on the picture and investigate for yourself. She's mid-air...as usual.

Home sweet home.

My son loves old farm equipment.

Tulips, tulips, tulips! And, yes, more tulips!

Cherry blossoms!

If you're four, there are only so many flowers you can enjoy looking at. So thank heavens for the petting zoo!

Coolest chicken ever! (Except for Tito and Pena Suaso. But they are a story for another day.)

Lastly we saw Ferdinand the Bull who didn't like to fight but sat on a bee.

In case you haven't had your fill of pictures of my offspring and tulips, click here for one more. This was taken two years ago at the Dallas Arboretum.

Happy spring! I do believe it's finally here.

Fun things to do in your new clothes after church

Palm Sunday Easter pics

I remembered to buy my kids new Sunday clothes for Easter this year.

They wore them last Sunday, which I know was Palm Sunday. We will not be making a public appearance at church on Easter Sunday this year. (Please don't ask me to explain why this year, while the entire worldwide Christian community will be attending church this Sunday, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will being staying home to watch T.V. in their pajamas. And we're surprised when people wonder if we're Christian...)

I forced my kids to pose for two minutes' worth of pictures before we left for church. Mary was happy to oblige. David, on the other hand, was in no mood, having just told me I'm the meanest mom ever for making him go to church EVERY Sunday. (Won't he be pleased as punch next Sunday?)

As you will see: Ties and sweater vests are out; shirt tails and apples cores are in.

As you will see: Mary was wonderfully, surprisingly cooperative.

As you will see: I've got some beautiful kids, if I do say so.

Happy Easter!

(By the way, my soul will be hungrily enjoying this next Sunday. Not a bad way to remember the Savior: Listening to testimony of Him.)

Spring break thanks

We had a great spring break! Much of that we owe to other people.

The first weekend we had a great time with Greg's parents. They entertained Greg and the kids while I got lots of alone time. They also made sure Greg and I got a date night. And they treated us all to a yummy and fun Italian feast at a local restaurant. (I should have a super cute picture of Mary at the restaurant to post here. But there is no such picture sitting in my inbox. Hint, hint, hint, Grandpa. Maybe your iPhone isn't as slick as you think. Oops, is it blasphemy in your household to suggest such a thing?)

On Sunday March 14, my mom provided 2 wonderful pies so that we could continue our tradition of celebrating Pi Day. Dave and Ale joined us for the fun.

We weren't able to see the people we had hoped to visit in San Antonio. Too many germs and exhausted parents in our family. (David was really disappointed about not playing with these friends again.) But we did manage to stop in Austin on the way home and see my friend Mandy. Love her, love her, love her! We met as fellow missionaries in the Dominican Republic and have been friends ever since. Is it possible for someone to be super awesome extraordinary as well as totally normal and real? Added bonus: David and her daughter Andie totally hit it off!

After our trip to San Antonio, my mom helped us out so Greg and I could attend the temple together. Also, Dave and Ale came over to play. We all visited a park on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Then they made our kids' dream come true: They took David and Mary to Yucky Cheese, aka Chuckie Cheese. (David guilelessly calls it Yucky Cheese, and it's so innocent and cute and TRUE that I can't bring myself to correct him.) Meanwhile, Greg and I slipped away to see Avatar. (I liked it. The writing was about as complex as a Disney movie, but it was entertaining. But how could I not think of Aliens, seeing Sigourney Weaver in a sci-fi James Cameron movie? Much, much better to be reminded of Aliens--cool movie--than Titanic--not so cool movie.)

Wow. It was a very, very good ten days. Thanks to everyone who helped make it so.

And I believe this concludes my spring break posts.

Back to "real life"...