Trying Out Knott's Berry Farm

We took a quick trip to So. California with our friends the Croppers to enjoy a little time away and to try out Knott's Berry Farm. The verdict--we liked the park but not on Saturday. I didn't feel it was extremely crowded in my surroundings but the lines would take entirely too long to go through. As a result, it seemed we didn't ride very many rides. I love a good thrill ride and yet had to walk out of the park not having experienced many of their best. I couldn't justify standing in a line that was going to take more than an hour while my kids sat and waited. Which did happen on one occasion. We are loving that Taylor will go on any of the rides she's tall enough for, not loving the fact that Will was being so selective in his choices that he wouldn't even go on some of the kiddie rides (this didn't use to be the case!). Admission was cheap at least and we were happy that we could hang with our friends as that always makes a day at the park more fun.

Reagan and Maddy

Will in his comfort zone (train ride) with Peyton

The Calico ghost town (named after the real ghost town near Barstow) had a fun atmosphere.

Just one of the rides Will wouldn't go on in Camp Snoopy

Four little hot dogs

Food, Family, Friends and Fun

My sister Dawn was married to Robert Payne joining their two families into one of eight kids! I am so excited for them to begin their new life together as Dawn seems so happy with her new man. We drove up to Salt Lake so we could of course be a part of it all.

FOOD

Everybody delved into the soda, flavored popcorn, sandwiches, cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. It was all very tasty!

Taylor

Dawn

Matt and Morgan

 

FAMILY

Grant

Some of the new family

Uncle Christian and Brigham

Ava, Reagan, and Hannah

FUN

The wedding gave us reason to celebrate and we danced the night away. The kids all really got into this wedding tradition. Of course, they have enthusiastic examples to follow!

Aunt Mary

Will kept us thoroughly entertained with his moves on the stage

Reagan following Aunt Dawn

Go Samuel Go Samuel!

Aunt Erin and Ava

Aunt Dawn

We spent the rest of our weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house where Lyndsee decided to sit on a big potty for the first time.

Grandma and Reagan

We were able to meet our new niece Lily for the first time and attend her blessing. I love when we can attend these special events!

Our Superhero Turns 7

We celebrated Will's 7th birthday with his friends. He wanted a superhero birthday so the kids made capes out of felt, practiced flying, fought Darth Vadar (pinata), played hot potato with Kriptonite and ate super hero snacks and cupcakes. Here is a slideshow of all those who came and some of our best flyers:

Easter Sunday

I've always wanted the Easter bunny to pay his visit on the Saturday morning of Easter weekend and this year he obliged. It worked out really nice because we have 9am church and we had to be there by 8:30 to rehearse the ward choir who would be singing that day. The kids ate most of their candy that day getting their sugar high over with on a day that we are fairly active anyway. This year the Easter bunny put new sunglasses in the kids baskets. Lyndsee was being grumpy that morning and didn't see what the big deal was so she wasn't in this picture.

On Sunday morning, Eric was able to capture some shots of the kids before going to church.

Cool dude Will

Pretty Reagan

All the girlies together in their new floral dresses.

We enjoyed an Easter feast which is my favorite part of our celebration. The food was great but I took this picture to show off the name cards Taylor made as her assignment for getting ready for our big feast.

Overnight Camptrip in Valley of Fire

We did a one night camp trip at nearby Valley of Fire. It was lots of fun with the exception of bedtime. Lyndsee refused to lay down and go to sleep until sometime around midnight when Eric and I just held her down until she finally gave up and fell asleep. Doesn't sound fun I know but the first night of every camp trip is awful with a baby/toddler.

Here are just some of the families we shared a group site with that night.

Morton Family

Fortier Family

Davidson Family

The kids loved climbing and hanging out with friends.

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Our lovely campground

Saturday morning we went for a hike to Mouse's Tank where the kids could continue their explorations.