survival.

General Conference is this weekend.  It's a weekend that I look forward to every year!  It's also a bit stressful if I don't plan ahead.  I decided to get all set and ready to go a few days early this year so it would be a little less stressful.

We love to watch conference from the comfort of our living room.  We try to have our kids watch each session with us, but that doesn't always happen.  They start watching, and slowly make their way up to their rooms.  We have them come back whenever the Prophet is speaking.  Usually they make it through at least a few talks before they are bored.  

I try to have a bag filled with things for them to do.  During April conference, there is usually an Easter theme.  October conference is a Halloween theme.  Here's what is in our bag for this year:

A conference packet for each child

A Conference Bingo board for each child

Giant suckers

A giant Look and Find book (from Costco)

Candy (mainly for Bingo)

Wooden beads for making necklaces/bracelets

A foamy Easter Craft

Sun Catchers (to paint)

Bubbles for our conference walk between sessions

Crayons

I try to find activities that they can do basically on their own so I can sit back and enjoy listening to conference.

We also have the tradition of eating homemade oreos on Saturday and cinnamon rolls on Sunday. 

Can't wait for the weekend! 

thirty-one.

I had a birthday last week.  It was up there with some of the best days ever.  My family really spoiled me and made me feel so special all day long.  I started to come down the stairs and these two told me to go straight back to bed.  They later came into my room with breakfast they had made all by themselves.  I always drink a green smoothie for breakfast.  My version has berries, yogurt, orange juice, spinach, flax seed and wheat germ in it.  Their version had berries, yogurt, spinach and milk.  It was adorable that they even thought to make one for me!  They also brought me an english muffin with laughing cow cheese spread on it.  It was so darling.

Before Jeremy left for work he spoiled me with Muppet gifts.  I'm kind of a superfan.  I love them.  

I had these cups as a child and I think about them often.  I sent Jeremy a link to some on e-bay and he delivered!

Jeremy had a slow day at work so we met up for lunch at my favorite, Chipotle.  It was delicio-so!

Later that night we met up with three other couples for date night.  Group dates are so much fun.  Despite the horrible service at the restaurant we went to, we had a great time at dinner.  These people are like family to us.  We're so lucky to have such good friends out here.

After dinner we went to see the new Hunger Games movie.  It was fantastic.  I can't wait to see it again sometime.

I made my own birthday cake.  I had to.  I saw a picture of a similar one and I had to make it.  There were a few minor slip-ups with cracking fondant... but I think it turned out pretty awesome.

My best friend, Kristen, made me my very own birthday dinner the following Sunday.  She is so good to me.    I requested Nachos.  Turns out I'm a huge fan of Mexican food.  I think I could eat it all day, every day.  Jeremy snapped this picture of me right before we ate cake and ice cream.

It was so much fun celebrating again with our two families.  I almost felt like I was at my parents house surrounded by all of my siblings.  It was wonderful.

I am not one to get all anxious about getting older, or one to worry about aging at all.  I just take each year as it comes and embrace it.  30 was awesome... and 31 will be filled with new beginnings for our family.  I'm sure it's going to be incredible!

drive in movie.

Looks like all the lalaloopsy friends decided to head to the drive-in movies this week...

afternoon walks.

We've had weather in the upper 70's for the last week.  It's been amazing.  We've been walking to the school each afternoon to pick the kids up from school.  They get so mad if they see my van after school and it's a nice day outside.   They love walking home.  

Jayne is the cutest little runner you ever did see.  She holds her arms up just right and is the cutest little thing.

This was the last time Peter wore long sleeves and pants... after that day it got so hot.  You should see his little legs in shorts.... to die for.

Somebody fell down she was running so fast...

Luckily her tights helped and she didn't skin her knee up too bad.

Jayne insisted on taking my picture.... not too shabby.

We had about 10 minutes to kill once we got to the school.  Jayne insisted on taking loads of pictures... these are my favorites...

Who says Cleveland skies are grey..... I think they are beautiful!

So happy this is our last year at this school.... it's been great, but we are ready to move on.

Once we get to the corner of our street, the kids always run home.  Graham is just too slow to keep up and usually has a meltdown.... poor little guy.

our first derby.

Lincoln participated in his first pinewood derby last month.  He was SO excited.  Anything having to with scouts is the coolest thing in the world to him right now.

Here he is at the weigh station with Daddy...

Putting some powder on the wheels to make it go faster....

The derby was held on St. Patricks day.  I'm kind of in love with Peter's new Kermit shirt.

Parking his car in the depot.  He designed it himself to look like a bald eagle.  He was so proud of it.

With his BFFS... Reuben and Trey.  They are so stinkin cute.

His first race.... (he got to race four times.)

The actual race.... blurry because it was going so fast!

He won a race and lost three.  He was pleased as punch.

His car won the "Most patriotic" award.  He was just happy to be there.  He didn't really care about winning anything.  Jeremy is already looking up ways to make his car more awesome next year.  I think this race is mostly for the dad's involved.  But that's just me.

my little minions.

favorite favorite.

My perfect salad.

Spinach

Romaine

Tortellini

diced chicken

avacado

tomatoes

light ranch dressing

So easy and SO yummy.

coloring time.

Jayne and I have really been enjoying our afternoons together lately.  When Peter has been napping we spend time coloring, cooking, or watching a show together.  Coloring is our favorite. 

I'm going to be so sad when she goes to Pre-school in the Fall!  :(

spring!

We've had some incredible weather the past week.  We've been able to walk home from school, go to the park, play in the yard and even break out of little swimming pool!  Our favorite was our trip to our favorite castle one Sunday afternoon. 

This is classic Peter.  He always throws his head back when he gets upset.  He really wanted to walk all by himself. 

Silly Graham.  We had to be to church early this day for ward council.  I usually trust the older three to get themselves ready in the morning.  I have their clothes laid out the night before so it's a piece of cake for them.  We showed up to church that morning and he had Lincoln's pants on and no shoes.  It was classic Graham.  He's a goofball.

It was Peter's first time walking around the castle by himself.  He was in awe.

The boys wanted me to take some shadow pictures....

Jeremy and his littlest sweetheart.

She got tired and needed to rest.

He spent all of his time wandering about, enjoying his freedom.

He kept roaming off a little too far for comfort... he was in heaven.

Whoops!  Still a little shaky in the walking department!

We had a picnic... It was yummy.

Such a darling little buddy...

We can't wait to go back there again!  Hopefully soon all of the trees will be green!