{Day 3: Rexburg}

Day three  was beautiful! We took the rain with us, and hail, but this day the sun came out! We headed to Mesa Falls.

 On the way to the falls we stopped at the coolest fish feeding area. All the shadows which look like rocks, are a school of fish. There were about 15 of them waiting for bread. It was so neat, I wanted to reach in and grab them.

Afterwards we went and walked around the falls. We also visited inside this old cabin where there were tons of animals skins and skulls.

 This ledge was right over the falls. I didn't use zoom, and it was a lot closer than it looks. The rainbow at the bottom was also hard to catch on camera.

 This lady looks dang good for getting ready to deliver baby number 4 in 5 weeks!

 We all shared this MONSTER burger for lunch!

 Followed by dessert at the cupcake shop (we visited their 2 times)!

{The Shabby House}

This is one cool shop. Actually, there were about 8 shops open out behind the place, and several that weren't. It is a shop full or all things shabby, just how I like it! 

{End of the year}

Like most families, we've been doing the end of the year programs.

Ryley just finished year 1 of pre-school. We will be doing the "Smart Cookies" co-op next year. That was the plan for this year, but he was a bit timid in the Fall and didn't seem ready in the Spring when I needed to commit. I am very excited for the opportunity, since I have always wanted to teach.

It was hard to take good pics, but dad video taped the whole thing so we are covered.

{Ryley}

 We have had several water days lately, surprisingly.

 Singing at the assisted living home with preschool. He had such a good time and said, "Mom, I liked singing to the Grandpa's, and I want to go back." He wore his "Happy Hearts Preschool" shirt

 for his last field trip. He only has 2 days left of school for the year. He is going to miss it tons, even if it was only 5 hours a week.  

 Some of the kiddo's

At the park after the field trip.

The same day Chad went on a 7 hour field trip with Maisey's class around Portland with a tour guide. They really enjoyed it and talked about it all night.

I am so thankful for flexible schedules. Chad is always volunteering since he's on the home front but I certainly get my time too. We always go with Ry and the kids are so fun. I am really looking forward to the preschool co-op next year!!!

{Beach}

Like hundreds of other people, we headed to the beach to celebrate Mother's Day. It was so nice and warm! Half of my body ended up with a sun burn, but it was well worth it!

 HayStack Rock at Cannon Beach

 Grabbed a treat at the best little candy shop in Cannon Beach.

We loved all the creatures during low tide! It was even cooler to see all the tourist who commented that they had never seen anything like it. My grandparents lived on the beach most my life and I never appreciated it until I realized so many people (many from Utah even), had never been to the coast!

We went with the Williams and it was perfect because we enjoy the company of good friends as much as we can get it! 

{Girl Time}

Summer is in sight! The kids have had a couple days off of school lately, in fact two this week. Which, called for a sleepover of course!

These girls were so silly. After hot tubing they wanted a spa night. Once they applied the cucumbers, Maisey's door shut and the music was all I heard. I opened the door to see the girls laying in the dark, "relaxing" to the song "Battlefield" blaring! Okay, and there positions did not look too relaxing! To each their own!

 Ice Skating- one of Maisey's favorite things to do. Everyone did so great and it was so fun to see the excitement on their faces!

We LOVE Maggie Moos at Washington Square! Red Velvet (red color) Cotton Candy (blue) Watermelon (pink) and my FAVORITE- Marshmallow (yellow)

 Nails

 I took them to hot tub, BUT, they ended up swimming for some time! The water hasn't been cold (Maise has used the pool this past week with friends 2x), but it was also around 8pm at night and the air wasn't as warm out. Luckily, they warmed up in the locker room showers afterwards.  

Lexie, Taylor, Maisey, and Ellie

Gotta love underwater cameras!

Go get your pedis and bust out your sandals!

Bring on summer!

{Fun Run}

Maisey's school had their annual fun run. Each year Chad volunteers for the day and this year I was able to help out too. Maisey ran 12 laps, and she wore my favorite number "16!" It was an ugly day out but the kids were troopers, despite the mud up and down their backs!

Maisey and Lexie- inseparable!

Thanks to those who pledged and supported the girl! 

{Learning}

Well, a girls shooting outing didn't happen this past weekend but that didn't stop me from trying my new gun! Thanks to a knowledgeable friend, I learned how to operate 'her.' The kids watched DVD's and dirtied every inch of the suburban with bright orange crackers. Chad and I felt terrible! Herb brought 5 other guns and after shooting all of them, I am glad I went with my 22!  

{Miss Worker Bee}

Maisey wanted to visit my work on "Take Your Child to Work Day" last week. I don't work in the office on Thursday's but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show her the valuable work my office does. I picked her up a couple hours before school got out and we headed into the office/

Because my work is confidential, I didn't think I would have much for her to do. I try to make most things a learning opportunity, and so I did just that. After she cut about 50 box tops off of reams of paper, she researched and wrote a paper on the benefits of open adoption.

I am thankful Maisey could come and learn more about social services. I am proud to be a role model to her as I share the realities of the world we live in. It's important to teach our children to be loving and accepting and I can't think of a better way.

She loved dressing up to go to the office. She said people at school gave her crazy looks when she told them of the dress code. Maisey wears dresses at least 2x a week, but I let he wear an all lace one she's been begging to wear to school. Her smile was the most beautiful part of her appearance!