Spring Break: Part 1

Wow! Happy April 1st or April Fools day! I guess this year it won't be nearly as humorous to pull my usual prank and set out a positive pregnancy test for Nate to find. Crazy that it is already April. Time flies when you're driving all over the place and spending all of your money on GAS for Spring Break!

We've been gone for a week and we had such a great time. Nate couldn't come along (as usual) since he had a big trial but the boys and I would not be stopped. We picked up EE and headed down south to find some glorious sunshine!

On the way we stopped at the crazy little petting zoo in Scipio. The boys love that place. It was FREEZING and WINDY as all get out but we still checked it out.

Once we got to St. George it was 65 degrees which felt like heaven to us. We immediately went over to Hidden Springs Park. The boys could play there all day if I would let them.

Tuesday we packed a lunch and headed for Zion's. On the way we took a short detour over to Grafton Ghost town. First we stopped at the graveyard and then we went over to what was left of the small town.

Zion's was next. We picked such a perfect day to go. 73 degrees and clear skies. We made the hike up to Weeping Rock and we did the Emerald Pools. My sciatic nerve was hurting like crazy but we made it. Luckily Landon's legs were tired too so we all agreed that we'd had enough hiking for the day.

Here's Weeping Rock First:

Emerald Pool:

More to come!

All things SPRING!

Yesterday and today have been BEAUTIFUL! I know better than to say that spring is here because this IS eastern Idaho but we are enjoying these nice days nonetheless.

First off I taught preschool where we focused on SPRING! We colored flowers, painted, and planted some flowers.

Parker is a member of the "Outdoors Club" at school. Last night he stayed after school for two hours to make this beautiful birdhouse! I'm so proud of him.

And one of our favorite Aunts (Aunt Suzan) came to stay with us last night on her way to Utah. She brought the boys these SWEET magnets. Even though I hate bugs.....these are pretty cool. She always brings the coolest gifts.

I also caught this sweet moment last night before bed. Nothing like a good book and a sweet Aunt to curl up with at the end of the day.

One more day of school until SPRING BREAK officially begins! WooHoo!

Teton Dam Museum

One more week......one more week......one more week. We just have to get through the next few days before we can hit the road and go find the sunshine and warmer temps in St. George for Spring Break. Today is the official last day of winter and it sure has felt like it today. It has been off and on snowing and windy as all get out.

The boys didn't have school today (teacher inservice) so we decided to go somewhere new. Well, that and the fact that I deep cleaned the house for the first time in a LONG time last night and didn't want to spend the day watching all my hard work fall to pieces under cushion forts and race car tracks.

I get a little frustrated here as there just aren't very many things to do in the winter. The zoo is closed, there is no Discovery Center or children's museum. The Idaho Falls Museum is really cool but it costs us $30 every time we go there. There are only so many movies to see and fast food places to play. We have to get creative and branch out which is what we did today.
We drove up to good ol' Rexburg and went to the Teton Dam Flood Museum. $3.50 for all 4 of us. Much better pricing in my cheapskate opinion.

 The boys loved doing the scavenger hunt for various items.

They even sat through a 30 minute film about the flood which was made 35 years ago. I was impressed it kept their attention. The flood really was a horrific event that literally wiped out many communities. I can only imagine how scary it would have been to have 5-10 feet of water coming at you at 60 mph. It was really neat however, to see how the community came together and the church jumped into action to help out those who had lost everything.

On the way home we had a picnic in the car and stopped at Maverick for some yogurt cones. I just love doing random things like this with my boys. Even though they throw fits at times because they just want to stay home, they always tell me how much fun they have and end up THANKING me once we get back. It's always nice to get away and spend time together with no tv, i phone, computer, etc.

I worry a lot about being slowed down once the baby gets here. Being on the go makes me happy. It is what keeps me sane when I feel overwhelmed. I'm sure we'll adjust in time but I do worry about it a lot. I'm so looking forward to spending time together down in St. George with EE even though Nate can't come. One more crazy busy week to plow through!

In other FANTASTIC news....baby Kye was able to go home from the hospital today. He has a long road ahead as we have found out that he has chronic kidney failure and will need a transplant in the future. It looks like he will continue to need a catheter and a feeding tube for the time being but I'm just so glad he gets to be home in his darling nursery with his exhausted parents. Traveling back and forth from the hospital has been so hard on them. We sure love them and are so grateful that things are looking a little bit better.

24 weeks

24 weeks. Feeling really good. Sciatic nerve is starting to act up but everything else is great. Food is good again, sleeping well and haven't thrown up in forever. We're in the "honeymoon" phase and I'm soaking it up as I know it won't last for too long. ☺

WHOO'S the cutest owl around?

Here is our last minute $4.00 attempt at an owl costume. Parker needed it for the Book Fair. He's just so stinkin cute. ☺

Great weekend in UT

The boys didn't have school on Friday and when I heard the weather was going to be in the 60's down in Utah, the boys and I jumped in the car. I was feeling the major itch to get out of Idaho Falls. We had such a great time spending time with everyone. Friday we took the boys skiing up at Canyons. Since Grandma LeeLee is a ski instructor and so is Aunt Ashley, I knew the boys would be in GREAT hands. They had such a fun time. Dallin even CRIED when it was time to leave becuase he was having such a fun time. They went on the big chair lift multiple times and made huge strides of improvement. PLUS, it was 53 degrees on the mountain, clear and sunny, AND they were with their cousins. Can't beat that!

 Saturday was just gorgeous. We went to the Zoo (and so did EVERYONE else in the world.) It was so much fun. We had kids galore with us. My boys were there with ALL of their cousins (except for baby Kye). That would be all cousins on BOTH sides of the family. My sister and brother were down in Utah as well so we met up with them. It was crazy but so great.

 

My newest nephew is still in the hospital. He was transfered up to Primary Children's Hospital and has been there for what seems like an eternity. Poor little guys has had such a rough start. It started with lung problems and then switched over to colon issues and now he has problems with his kidneys. Kelsey and Logan have been amazing. They have had to dig deeper then they ever thought possible. No one expects these trials....especially these unexpected health issues with your firstborn child. We continue to fast and pray for him and hope that he will get to go home soon. He is so cute with all of his dark hair and big lucious lips. I'm so happy that I was able to go and hold him and love him for a little while. My heart just breaks that he has had such a difficult start. He is tough though, and I pray we will get a resolution to these problems soon.

Baby girl Starnes was kicking Kye the entire time I was holding him. It was like she was telling him that she was close and that he needed to get better and out of the hospital so they could play once she gets here.

It's so easy to take the everyday for granted. To have a healthy baby, a healthy body. Life is so precious and family is everything. I'm so blessed to have married into such a strong and close knit family. I love them so much and cherish the time that we have to spend together and the opportunity we have to gain strengh from each other.

Growing boys

It's Sunday night and I'm feeling grateful. The weather was just BEAUTIFUL today...a tiny taste of spring and now I have officially caught SPRING FEVER. Church was good, we had a delicious roast and potato dinner when we got home and some cake for dessert. YUM.

We heard some great news on Saturday morning.....our newest nephew and cousin was born. Nate's sister Kelsey had their baby boy and we are so thrilled for she and Logan. His name is Kyelan Reed Jones. He has been having some difficulties and has been transferred over to Primary Children's. He has had some lung difficulty and he continues to be in our thoughts and prayers. We're excited Kye is here. This will be baby girl Starnes closest cousin in age. They are going to be best buds, I just know it. I can't wait to see him and hold him soon.

Family is absolutely everything and we're blessed that the Starnes clan continues to grow.

I feel like my own boys have been growing in leaps and bounds lately. Landon has been cracking me up with all of his questions lately. "Why does the baby kick you mama....is she mad at you?" "Does that big man have a baby in his tummy? His baby is probably bigger than your baby huh mom?" (YIKES) Love those totally awkward moments while standing in line at the store. Ugh. Landon is my buddy. He loves to stay home and be in his pjs as long as possible every day. I sure love my littlest guy.

 Parker had a very strange experience this weekend. He was invited to his friend's birthday party over at Leo's Place on Saturday night. First off, this was the invite he received for the party:

Over the Hill? Really? At 7 years old? The party was from 7-9pm which seemed a tad on the LATE side in my opinion. Oh, and the birthday boy didn't even show up until 8pm. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that one..........hmm. Very weird.

Parker also wrote a pretty funny letter in church today. I had to scan it and keep it since it made me laugh. This kid seriously hates school. It is a fight every day to get him to go. Having pink eye was heaven on earth for him because he got to stay home for so many days last week. Here is his note:

Mr. Dallin is getting taller by the minute. I cannot believe how FAST his teeth have all come together with his new braces on. I'm SO glad we decided to fork out the money and get going with his teeth. He feels so much better about it and all the kids in his class think that having braces is totally "wicked." Wicked meaning....awesome. Dallin would LIVE at school if he could. He absolutely loves to go. How on earth did we get such POLAR opposite children? It boggles my mind.