Spring Break / Splash lagoon, Niagara Falls

Mckayla had a week off for spring break, so we decided that we were going to take a few days and enjoy them together. We headed up to Erie PA, were we stayed at Splash Lagoon. This was such a fun place. It was a indoor waterpark, with four different hotels connected to it. We stayed at the Residence Inn. The kids had a blast. Matt wanted to make sure we got the most of our money, so he had the kids running from the moment the park was open to the moment it was closed, or close to it. We have never seen our kids with such big appetites from running all day, and so exhausted that as soon as they hit their pillows they were out. Maybe a little to much fun in the day because Isaiah woke up with jumpy legs, and it took us a little bit, and a blessing for him to finally receive some comfort. All in all the kids absolutely loved the water park, and our vacation.

We just arrived at the hotel. A hotel stay isn't a hotel stay unless you get to ride the luggage cart. This is definitely one of the highlights for our kids.

This is our family shot in front all the water slides.

This slide was so cool. It starts out as a regular slide, then in the middle of the slide it opens up to what looks like a big toliet bowl, and you circle around until you go in the hole, and then you continue down the slide. This is McKayla and Matt circling around the toilet bowl.

Here is Sethey scaling his way up to the top. The boy has no fear, at least when it comes to climbing. This is his first time making his way up to dad. Great job Seth!!

We spent two days at this water park, and we could not get Seth to go down these slides. He was content enough to splash around in the water. Finally midway through the second day he finally got brave enough to go down the slide, and then he went down again, and again, and again. I lost count after 30 times down. I am so glad he finally got brave enough!

Isaiah got brave, and went down this waterslide. He went over and over again.

This is Isaiah showing me his back flip in the water.

Mckayla loved swinging across the lily pads.

Random shots of all our fun.


These pictures are from the hotel swimming pool, which is different from Splash Lagoon. Now this was my kind of swimming pool. The water was so warm. I hate getting into water that is slightly luke warm, and this pool, was on the verge of hot. I could of hung out all day at this pool. Here we have Mckay sporting her new Ariel swim suit.

Isaiah just enjoying his swim.

Here is Seth playing catch with dad.

Here we are in front of Niagara Falls. It was an amazing sight. It is such a beautiful piece of God's creation. I was so excited to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride, but to my disappointment, it was not open yet. It was still to early in the season to do it. The sad thing is, it was going to open up a week later. Just our luck. We had to also stay on the American side because I did not have a current passport. It was all so beautiful regardless. We did however get to watch movie about the story, and history of Niagara Falls. It was fun, and the kids seemed to like it as well.

Easter festivities 2010

The Easter Bunny came to Isaiah's pre-school. His school had a little luncheon, along with being able to visit and get a picture with Mr. Easter Bunny. As you can see Seth is a little unsure about it all, but Isaiah, as soon as he hops off the easter bunny's lap, he says, "Mommy that is not the real easter bunny because you can see his arm." Even though he could see his arm, he knew he was just a helper of the real Easter Bunny.

We decorated Easter eggs by dying them and adding stickers, glitter, and picture wraps on them. The kids had a great time, and we enjoyed having egg salad sandwiches when all was said and done.

With each Easter season we have tried to help our children understand the real meaning behind Easter. We had a special FHE with plastic easter eggs, and in each egg was something that depicted the last week and life of the Savior. The kids were very excited to see what was hidden in each egg, and very attentive as to what each thing represented. Hopefully our kids are finding a testimony of him through our lessons, and through the beauty of all that is around us. Both Matt and I are so grateful for the atonement of the Savior, and of his renewing power that strengths us everyday. How grateful we are for this season, and to see everything come to life during the Spring season. It is nice to renew ourselves, and recommit ourselves every sabbath to following his life and example.

Here are the kiddos in their new Easter outfits.

What a handsome and beautiful sight!

Here are the kids after they have found their Easter Baskets. All of them very excited to find what was left for them. Seth is especially fun, because he is at that age, where he is beginning to understand things, and he is always full of excitement.

Easter Sunday we had the opportunity to spend it with family. We always love the time we get to be with them. We had dinner and an easter egg hunt with all the cousins. The kids had a fabulous time running around, and spending time with each other. The highlight of course was the Easter egg hunt.

Here are the 3 monkey's with all of their treasures.

Bubbly Birthday

Seth just had his 2 year birthday on Feb. 19. I can't believe he is already 2. On his actual birthday Matt, Seth and I were in Utah for my valentine present. Ironically, we have been in Utah for his 1st and 2nd b-days. It just happened to be when we were visiting there. Which is kind of nice because then my family can celebrate with us on his special day. When we returned home from our trip, Mckayla and Isaiah wanted to be a part of his celebration. Mckayla and Isaiah picked out this bubble machine for Seth.

As you can see the bubble machine was a big hit. Seth was squealing and laughing. I never thought bubbles could be so entertaining. A picture is definitely worth a thousand words.



For his b-day cake, I made brownies in the shape of a monkey head. Matt is always calling the kids his little monkey's, and this is the animal that Seth recognizes, and gets excited about the most, so I decided to use a monkey. Seth also got a big bath toy from mom and dad, and loves playing with it in the tub. We absolutely love having Seth in our family. He is definitely his daddy's boy. Not only does he look just like him, but has developed a love for basketballs. We have a little hoop that he is always shooting balls into, and actually makes more shots than not. I guess we will see if he pursue's this in the future. His vocabulary is expanding daily, and I love to hear him using new words. When we say family prayer, you can be sure to hear Seth mumbling in the background, trying to say the same things of whoever is saying the prayer. Seth loves to be outside, loves his big wheel, loves to swing, loves to play in water, and already loves and recognizes the Ohio State symbols.

Valentine's Day Surprise!

For Valentine's Day my sweet husband surprised me with a trip home to see my family. I have been wanting to see them, but we usually take our vacation in June or July, and since the baby will be coming then, we won't be traveling. My sweetie actually wanted to take me on a getaway with just him and I (and Seth), to the beach or somewhere really warm, cause I am cold all the time, but then he realized that all I have really been wanting was to go home to see the family. So he planned a getaway vacation to Utah without the two oldest kiddos. He even planned babysitters for our kids. He truly went all out to make this such a special gift for me. Before I move on, one must remember that I am pregnant, and very emotional at the drop of a hat. As I looked at his gift, I was so excited, but on the other hand, feeling very bad to be visiting my family without all my kids. I wanted Mckayla and Isaiah to see grandma & grandpa, and all their cousins. So the thought of not having them with me became a very emotional roller coaster. Which I feel really bad about, because I am so appreciative that Matt would go out of his way to do something so special for me, and for me to seem like I didn't appreciate that, made me even more emotional. I am sure Matt never thought this gift, would spur on such an emotional mess. That is what I was a big fat mess. SO to make the story short, we decided to take the whole family with us. We found some tickets on line that seemed pretty reasonable, considering the short notice. Matt gave me the gift on Sat., and we were flying out on Thurs. So Matt calls up the airlines to change the tickets, and of course, they do not see the same flights we saw, and everything was outrageous on the prices. So we scrapped that idea, and went back to the original idea, that Matt had planned out in the first place. Is he not the best guy ever, to have to put up with me and my emotional state. What a big run around for him, all in the name to please me with a special gift.

Needless to say, the kids were fine without me (go figure), and Matt and I had a really fun trip. I don't think we could of planned the trip better. As it worked out, I actually got to spend one on one with each one of my brothers, sisters and parents. We also had the opportunity to see all of our friends and Matt's sister in Logan. Our friends gave us an awesome barbeque again. It was so nice (thanks again Danielle & Jeff). Here are some shots of the family.

While on our trip Seth had celebrated his 2nd birthday. This shot is on his actual b-day, and we were going to buy him some b-day balloons.

Thank you sweetie for such an awesome Valentine's suprise. I sure hope you do not stop doing thoughtful things for me, even though I put you through the ringer. I Love YOU!!

FOUR is at the door!

For those of you who have not heard the news, number four is on the way. We are so excited! Last week we got the ultrasound and found out that we are having a girl. Mckayla is very glad she will be getting a little sister. I am due June 27th, however I am usually induced a week early, so somewhere around June 22nd we are looking forward to meeting her.
Some names we have been discussing are 1) Hope Rebecca, or 2) Abigale Hope. Isaiah has made it very clear that he does not like Hope Rebecca, and that if we choose that name, he will still call her Abigale. So why don't you give me your feedback on what name you like best!

A night of dance, and a day of Karate!!!

Mckayla and Isaiah attend the Little Gym. At the end of each semester they put on a little show for the parents.
Mckayla's class consists of the 1st 30min. doing gymnastics, then for 15min., she does tap dance, and the last 15min. she does ballet. She absolutely loves it, and has excelled in all three categories. I really like it because it allows her to try three new things, and doesn't focus on just one. At this point, I just want Mckayla to experience all she can, and then if she really likes something specific we can then put our focus towards that. These are pictures from her tap & ballet class.

At the end of class, the all received a ribbon, and had a class photo.

Isaiah has been begging to take Karate. As you may know he loves Knights, and I think in his mind by taking Karate he will learn to fight like a knight. I had him take a trial class to see if he would really like it, and he was so excited about all of it. There were only 2 more classes till the end of the semester, so he participated in the show, but really didn't have the same practice as the other kids. The teacher said he was picking things up quick. I was amazed at how intent he was at listening and watching the teacher. He is so small, I hope that he does excel in this, and boost's his self confidence. Here he is showing off his new skills.

Great job Mckayla & Isaiah, we are so proud of you!