Isaac, The Great

Isaac got to come stay with us for a night before EFY started.  

The girls could not have been happier.

He might just be the coolest person they have ever met.

Can you say, "Cloud 9?"

After a night of fun and games, we had to put the girls, and Isaac to bed.  

He needed his beauty rest for EFY.

The next morning, we took Isaac to BYU and got him all checked in.

Being on BYU campus was totally nostalgic for me.

 He was even in the same dorms that I lived in as a Freshman.

Total flashback.

The girls didn't want to leave Isaac.  We didn't nearly get enough time with him!

But, Isaac was ready to say goodbye to these little girls and start meeting some OTHER girls ;)

Have fun, Isaac!

Camping!

Truth be told...my idea of camping is staying at the Sheraton.  

I blame that mostly on my Dad.

My Dad is an Eagle Scout and camped all growing up.  He's probably REALLY good at camping, but by the time we came along, he was more of a Sheraton guy:)

I remember camping a few times with my family.  I don't remember lots of specifics, but I DO remember my grandparent's van and playing the candy bar game.

  I really do like the idea of camping.  I just don't like the sleeping over part of it.  Especially with kids.

Chad loves camping, so we compromised.  Lisa & Ash go home to sleep while Chad & Kar stay over night.

We headed up to Whiting Campground in Mapleton for a Friday night campout!

The Smiths joined us also!

Holly got some really cute shots of the kiddos!

Cute Ashley.

Happy Tucker.

Sweet Karli.

Cute Calvin.

And how cute is this picture?

It just might be Grandpa Smith's favorite picture of all time.

Each of their personalities show through.  Love them all!!

 Tucker and Karli "helped" set up the tents.

While Chad and Curt were cooking burgers and hot dogs, we kept the kids busy with some games.

The kids went on a rock hunt, and then got to decorate their rocks.

 Can you believe I gave a Sharpie to that little girl?? Me neither.

Kids are crazy.  

They had the most fun in the back of the truck.

Forget about nature and fire and bugs and exploring.

All they needed was a truck to play in.

 Here's a proud Dad, teaching his girls about camping.

Uh oh, Secrets!

S'MORES TIME!

 "My hands, Mommy!"

 "They Sickky"

 The famous Chad wink.

Enjoying the fire, all by herself.

Maybe she's a REAL camper!

Soon after s'mores, Ash & I headed home to sleep in our nice, soft, warm, comfy, cozy beds.

Karli got to experience REAL camping.

Chad's report when I asked him how she did:"She wouldn't stop talking. We barely slept."

Apparently, she kept saying "Dad, I just want to go camping."

And he kept replying "We are camping, now be quiet and go to bed."

Then, that scenario replayed itself several hundred times.

I'm proud of both of them for surviving it!

This well-rested, happy girl and I woke up early, got donuts, and headed back to the campground.

We were happy to see everyone safe and "rested."

Ashley was so excited about these cocoa krispies she had to double-spoon it.

Calvin spotted the good stuff!

Happy Campers!

While the Dads cleaned up the site, the kids went on a little scavenger hunt.

I love Karli's outfit, don't you?  Complete with crazy hair and everything.

 Adorale little cousins.

We had so much fun "camping"!

Now let's go home, jump in the bath and do laundry!

For your viewing pleasure, here are a few out takes from the truck pictures:

I can't get enough of Ashley's little belly.

Easter Prep

We sure love Easter time around here!

Let the preparations begin!!

First thing first.

Painting our pots to plant our jelly beans in.

 It didn't take very long for the paint to turn into makeup.

 Yes, Ash, you look gorgeous as always.

Next up, go outside and play in the GIANT late snowstorm.

 Then, building a snow bunny rabbit.

 Complete with a colored marshmallow smile.

Karli's idea.

Sounded like a good idea at the time.

Clean up the next day was a little less than appetizing.

 Up next, head inside for some Grandma & Grandpa time and coloring eggs.

 Ashley got her very own cup of water to dye her egg in.

Smart Momma.

This ain't my first rodeo.

 Christine with Karli Christine.  Happy as can be.

Now, you better stop and eat a cupcake!

Now on to the annual Springville Easter Egg Hunt.

Which is basically a candy free-for-all.  Forget the eggs, just throw the candy on the ground please.

Luckily, the snow from the day before had melted.  Let's do this.

 Grandma & Grandpa brought the boys to the Easter Egg Hunt while Curt & Holly were out of town.  They got the boys up, fed and ready to hunt!  Rockstar Grandparents right there.

Hooray for cousins!

 How do I say this next thing without being SUPER cocky?

I guess I can't. So I will just tell you.

The announcer DID single the three of us out and named us, via megaphone, as "The cutest mother and daughters matching trio."

It didn't come with a trophy or anything, but still, we were pretty jazzed.

Must have been the ears.

 Calvin was L-O-V-I-N-G the anticipation of the egg hunt.

Cute pink noses.

 Plan of action

When the horn blows: 

Dad helps Ashley, Grandma takes Tucker

Mom takes Karli  and Grandpa stays with Calvin
Go!!!!!

 Mission accomplished!

Check out the spoils.

Ashley didn't want to be left out of "the spoils" picture.  So, she went up to the fence and stood until someone took a picture.  Bless her heart.  She is adorable.

I caught Grandpa sneaking some of Calvin's candy.

It's ok, I won't tell anyone ;)