Family Rides Far Away

A family vacation to the mountains. I was so excited to have everyone together and get out of town with Spencer too. It proved to be a little to different from his routine, but we made the most of our time with Emmy and in such a beautiful place. I was impressed with BYUI's campus. Especially the garden. Emmy knew I would love it and I did! I feel like it was a garden of Eden. Romantic and colorful, full of texture and grace.  It helped that is was just a short walk from an orchard and from the temple grounds.  Emmy's apartment was pretty cute too. It smelled nice as you entered the castle. The furnishing and pictures on the wall were beautiful. We were able to have sometime cooking s'mores and playing chess in Emmy's backyard so to speak. We had a great time visiting café riot to see if it was as good as we remember and Freddy's for steak burgers. Spence demanded rides all the time, but we abbreviated our trip and visited fun sites in Utah before heading home.

So Much Celebrating

I tried to keep Easter low key. I even told family we may go out of town, so don't expect the regular celebrating. We did get in a few Easter eggs hunts and even colored some boiled eggs.  Emmy got an Easter dress, from Justice min you, and she was included in the Utah family's Easter traditions. Celia like the Saturday before Easter because of the donut social. We had tabby over to play after. Let's just say celia is loving the room to herself again and some attention.  Celia had her 11th Birthday. The day before I took her and her buddy Olivia to Dave an Buster's. Celia kept saying how it was so cool and how she was so happy. That is a pretty big deal coming from our girl. They had unlimited video games, when the machines cooperated and they actually won something from the highly anticipated claw machine attempt. That machine may have been the reason she wanted to celebrate there.  That night was the Daddy daughter dance and Celia and Brian went. She dance d a little and had fun going out to dessert with Olivia and both he Dads. Bri was a trooper to go on such short notice.  Celia also had some friends over on Saturday. She got her frosting dog cake she wanted and was so happy with She got and new phone and  to have a pinata which she has been wanting for Dogs even came to her party. A visit from Olivia's furry friends was a bit hit. Celia had a beta fish named rainbow Kate so she is content for now with her pet situation. And the party continued on Monday with the tutors. We celebrated Spencer's upcoming birthday too, but Celia was loving the chocolate cake an gift Lindsey got her.  I've tried to tone down the amount of cake this year, but so far we are still doing cupcakes, but the amount is as immense an in other years. Celia might be on a three week sugar high from Easter and birthdays, possibly. I'm feeling very blessed with so much posterity and blessing and days looking up. I am standing on my two week a little more since my best helper Emmy has returned to school. It is tricky running the household with a healing ankle, but we are makin' it. This year has been full of blessings.. A tax return, Spencer's tummy healing, our kids learning more in school an progressing, Brian's work going well, Spencer calming down a bit  and increased love of the gospel and our Savior.

First Date

Joseph went on his first date last night. He went over to Caroline's house at 1pm to hang out before dinner. Emmy drove me over to pick them up. Emmy Played the song First date by Blink 182 while we drove her back home to go to a wedding reception. It was cute and the lyrics talk all about a guy excited for his first date. Joe was embarrassed, but it was o cute! Joe drove us to Costa Vida, My folks met me and we went to Thai while the couple went to their dinner. We were pretty happy about the Thai Kitchen, It was delicious. Next, we went to the movie theatre down the street. My folks and I saw The Zoo Keeper's wife which was really good and the couple saw Power Rangers. Joe drove us home and that was the whole point of my going. He was able to drive legally and to go in his own car and feel like it was a real date. They were smiley and seemed to enjoy each other's company. the grandparents and I got to have a great time too. I wouldn't have went to dinner and a movie as I'm still nursing my ankle back to health, but it turned out to be a nice night.:)

Sweet Son's 16th Birthday

I love my Joseph. He really is a good kid. I can't believe he is 16 today! He was an easy delivery and his temperament is so calm. We had no drama with him even in Junior high. I'm glad he has a car and seems to be making it through crazy teenage life. I'm so glad I was pregnant with him when we got the news of Spencer and his Disability. A baby boy on the way softened the blow and was something wonderful to focus on.  Joe has been helpful this week as my sprained ankle has made it difficult for me to walk and I cannot drive. He loves driving me and the family mostly Spencer around town. Joseph would stand up for me and he would protect me if I needed it. Hooray for this great son. He has had a great weekend Celebrating his big day. We took him to his favorite place, Chando's tacos for lunch. The Grandparents met us there and they liked it. I got a great smiling picture of Joe when he opened his card and it had money in it and kind words also. The next day Joe had Caroline come home from school with him for the friend party. Emmy, Celia, Joe and her went and bought all the food and fun while I tried to straighten things at home. Joseph had his friends over then we headed to Top Golf for some more fun. It was a fun experience seeing them all in the Land cruiser and what a grand time they were having. Joe was invited over to Jake's for a steak dinner and he stayed out late with his friends. Overall, I'd say he had a great 16th Birthday!

 

Goodbye and an egg hunt

After having the same respite worker for 11 years, Merlene moved to Utah. She will be missed. On her last day, she provided an egg hunt for the kids. They loved the eggs, treats, money and socks inside. we hunted the next day for Spence to have an opportunity to find some also. The tutors were involved to and it made for a fun time. Spence has been more calm lately, due to prayers, I think. It was a good repoire day with his staff. Eater is coming quick and with General conference happening, April is flying by. We enjoyed visiting my folks for general conference, It helped m e feed the kids spiritually and physically. Emmy gave Spence tons of car rides and we went shopping in between session son Saturday so that was another way to get out and about for Spencer's sake.