Happy Days Are Here Again!

Our kids are such outdoors lovers. The weather was so beautiful this weekend. We took advantage of the sunny days and warm temperatures and played outside nearly all weekend. I just love that it is finally nice enough that they can run and jump and play!

Surprise, Surprise!

Ummm...you can imagine my amazement (more like horror) when I went to get the bunny out of her cage Sunday morning and discovered she had given birth to baby bunnies sometime the night before. No joke, we bought a pregnant bunny and had absolutely no idea she was with child (children :). Four of them didn't make it so we are down to one baby bunny. This is so gross, thank goodness Justin grew up on a farm and could handle it. The boys are sad the others didn't make it but hopeful this little runt will pull through. Poor mommy bunny, she's only 8 months old and had no idea what to do with all of this. I just kept thinking that we must be feeding her really well in all her pudginess....Silly Me!

Bye, Bye Binky Girl....

Maggie Simpson does not live here (anymore, we hope)....Last night was a night of nights. There was one remaining Binky in the Hill household and it went missing. I was not a happy camper up at 12:30 and again at 2:00 searching in every couch cushion, nook and cranny for that stupid thing. Anyone that knows me really well knows that once asleep I should NEVER be awakened under any circumstances! Thanks to Mr. Hill who shared in my late night grief and who calmed our little drama queen. We are now 24 hours post no Binky and so far so good. We'll have to see what tonight brings. I just hope Super Nanny doesn't arrive in the morning and shrug her shoulders at us. Once this is off the list, I'm checking off getting rid of the diapers and getting her to sleep in her own bed ALL NIGHT LONG! It's going to be a busy Summer!

Free Waterford Reading Software for Kids:

My brother in law sent me this email. He use to work for Waterford. He has started a new company called Imagine Learning....Waterford is great, what we are using to teach our kids to read and it's the software the entire Alpine School District uses...here's how to get it for free!

Subject: Want To Check Out Waterford?

Many of you know that the Utah State Legislature is paying for families to get Waterford to use in their homes with four and five year old children. While it is not as good as Imagine Learning English, it is still a good program. Whether your interest is in learning more how that program works or using it to help your four or five year old with Math or Science, or sharing that information with your relatives or friends here in Utah, here is your chance to get that program for free. The child has to live in Utah (and not already be in school), there is no income criteria, the only requirement is to promise to use the program
15 minutes a day and to return it when the program is done.

If you are interested call the Upstart number.
Here is the phone number to call 800.669.4533

Current employees of the Waterford Institute and School are not eligible, so don't call if that is you.

I thought you'd be interested to know about this and I cannot think of a group of people more deserving of the chance.

Best,
D

Ten Years Ago Today.....

I stepped on an airplane and took a trip that would change my life forever. I was chasing the man of my dreams...and I found him! It had been nearly 5 years since I had seen or spoken to Justin. We had a lot of catching up to do. There was a certain charm to the entire trip. I think it was one that many people spend their lives not knowing about. Four months later we were engaged during a meteor shower under the Golden Gate Bridge and married in Maui three months after that. Talk about ROMANCE!!! Who would ever believe that 10 years later we would be married, with three beautiful children and still crazy in love? I am so grateful for that one little decision to come to Utah and visit him. My friend has this quote posted on her blog:

"Sometimes when I consider the tremendous consequences that come from little things.... I am tempted to think there are no little things."

-Bruce Barton

Every time I think of this quote, I remember this day and thankful for the BIG things that have come in my life from this LITTLE decision.

Bring IT ON!!!!

It's Spring Break and these boys are getting pretty creative with their time, a little TOO creative if you ask me!

Dear Yoga Master,

I found this email in my inbox today:

TONIGHT! YOGA SAMPLER!!!

Tuesday, April 14 (tonight!) at 6:30 p.m.
Grierson’s Home

Yoga is one form of exercise that involves every part of your body and helps you develop the flexibility you thought was lost forever. Jen Dayton will help you find it!

I just have to say, you are AMAZING....I went to Yoga this past Saturday for the first time in weeks and soooo needed it! I got rid of so much junk...I loved hearing the birds chirping and listening to to the words to the song, "Be Still and Know That I Am". Thank you for sharing your many talents. Thank you for not laughing at me when I am curled up (in the wrong direction) like a pretzel. I hope to find that flexibility and my sanity again!

TV JUNKIE

I remember the days when I did not turn a TV on for weeks. It was not a necessity in my life and definitely something I could live without. I married someone totally opposite of me in that respect....it's his guilty pleasure. At some point in the last year, I just started watching TV with him and never stopped. He loves it I know, it is the time when I sit with him and give him my full attention. The problem is, I am addicted to at least one show a night and I need to be more productive and get my work done! I always used to go to bed when the kids went to be (boring I know). Now, thanks to Tivo I am lucky to hit the hay before 11:30 or 12 which puts the late night hubby in heaven! Here is my favorite show line up, I need intervention!

Monday-Heroes

Tuesday-Fringe

Wednesday-Lost

Thursday-The Office and 30 Rock

Friday-Dollhouse

Sunday-Rock of Love

Yeah, try not to laugh about that last one but Jus and I recently got to where we couldn't live without our Sunday night white trash drama. Not sure we understand how that happened, and we are still laughing at our own selves! Thank goodness Summer is almost here and I can get away from the television!

Sushi Snob...

Apparently that's me...we have a little group of girls that likes to go out for sushi now and again. I have decided that the Happy Sumo in Riverwoods is the only place I am willing to go. The last place we went to was scary. I really questioned the cleanliness of that place. The thought of eating raw fish in a place that is that unclean unacceptable to me. I ordered everything tempura that night! All my friends called me a sushi snob Saturday night, yep...that's me girls! It was fun seeing everyone and Abby agrees

P.S. Bekah....we missed you!

What a Great Easter Weekend!

Little sweetie, waking up

I don't want to wake up!

Old Faithful, up and at em' READY TO GO!

What a little sweetie!

Hunting Eggs

They found them all

Silly Bed Heads!

Isaac's first time blowing up a balloon

The SPREAD

Sis In Laws

Mom & Shaun

Easter Dinner

Celeste and Kris with the twins and Lydi-Loo

Gabe

My Sweetie and I

It was such a great (and Busy) Easter weekend for us. The kids woke up to baskets of cool treats from the Easter Bunny. We were able to have some of Justin's family over for dinner on Sunday. The Hill cousins played and played and played! Celeste and Kris even came down from Wyoming and we got to see their twins Jackson and baby Shaun. Shaun and Liz came down with their kids. We are so glad they have moved back to Utah! We loved having everyone over, sharing yummy food and enjoying the beautiful weather!

Easter Memories....

Looking back, I can't believe this was our family 2 years ago. So much has changed since then. The children have grown so much and a grown in their independance for sure. I love this time of year. I feel so renewed, such a sense of hope and love. As our Spring flowers poke out their little heads I can't think of a time of year I love better. Most of all, I think of Jesus Christ and all that he gave to free us from the bonds of sin. I am grateful to be a Christian and eternally grateful for Christ and his Attonement.

Love My Job!

These were the awesome centerpieces my hubby helped me bring to creation!

Chef Chester and I

Set Tables

Dessert

Cute Things

The Salmon

Chicken Scallopini

Steamed Asparagus with toasted Pine Nuts

Nuts about Berries Salad

One of my favorite parts of my job is entertaining! We had 100 guests here today for a business luncheon and so this is what I got to do today! It was so fun. I searched for the perfect recipes months ago came up with the entire menu. Chef Chester worked his magic and made it happen! I arranged all the flowers and think my centerpieces were the bomb diggetty! I am grateful I spent some time in my past life working for a catering company. My life goal would be to go to culinary school someday. Most of you know I love to cook and entertain but for now this is a great avenue for me to be creative a few times a year! The Salmon and Chicken recipes are so fabulous, so I will have to post them soon, I PROMISE!

Right NOW...

I would rather be here.....

OR HERE (VEGAS).......



THIS LOOKS GOOD TOO!

WHAT IS MOTHER NATURE THINKING????

I NEED WARM, SUMMER, SAND, WIND, POPSICLES RIGHT AWAY!

I Placed my ORDER, WHY is she NOT Listening?????

Proof of Routine Naughtiness

The PROOF is there, RIGHT UNDER the table in the form of a

Candy Wrapper!

It must be the Dora PJ's that bring out her NAUGHTY SIDE!

I have never seen such a mess maker in my life! The funny thing is, I see her doing the exact things that use to drive my momma bonkers when I was young. We have never had so many walls drawn on, food smeared and random candy wrappers all over the house. Now that it is warm, add piles of sand everywhere as she brings her mud pies in the house. Gone are the days that I could leave a candy dish out for guests to enjoy! She is a true delight, but at the end of every day Jus and I are WIPED! Thank goodness she's at least starting to sleep in her own bed at night!