Piano Be Gone

In an effort to continue to clear out the junk before the big move, (fingers crossed that everything goes through!) we have been getting very creative.  We are trying to get rid of everything we no longer need so when moving time comes there isn't a lot of unnecessary boxes being carted around.  The house we have put an offer in has limited storage.  I'm afraid we are going to be scrambling for space.  We decided that it was time to say good-bye to our old piano.  It no longer holds its tune and several things have just died on it.  Some of the keys no longer work, pedals stick, ivory has come off the keys etc. We tried to sell it for cheap.  Then we tried to give it away.  Now we are just getting rid of it.  And the easiest and cheapest way to do that is to take a chain saw to it. Hasta luego!

 

**UPDATE

It took a few weeks to slowly fit the pieces in the garbage can, but it's gone!

Happy Mother's Day 2017

Mother's Day is one of my favorite days of the year.  My family always makes it special and I love the effort they put into it.

Here we are just getting home from church. My little brood cleans up nice, don't you thing?

And the orneriest one of alllllllll - but even he was extra nice for me today!  And who can resist that smile? Happy Mother's day to all the mammas out there!

Happy 11th Birthday Kendri!

Kendri celebrated her 11th birthday Harry Potter style!  She is the queen of Harry Potter and has read the series numerous times. A real scholar on the matter, if you will.  Anyway, we decided it was high time for a Harry Potter party.  She picked the Monster Book of Monsters for a cake and then we took off from there.   

Several different potion experiments ensued....

As well as a visit from Moaning Myrtle.

Lexi made these clay figurines for her.  I think they turned out so good!

Happy birthday Kendri!

Easter 2017

We had a super special Easter this year because we had some super special guests....Uncle Travis and Aunt Jessica came out suprised the kids! They were waiting in Shayli's room when we got home from Brendan and Blaque's wedding.  Ryan and I knew they were there but none of the kids did.  We sent Lexi upstairs to turn the light off in Shayli's room fully setting her up for a scare.  She's our little scaredy cat and we tend to have some fun with that.....

Anyhoo, after much insisting she finally made her way cautiously to the room.  She was concerned because she knew we had turned it off when we left and she couldn't figure out why it would be on. 

Well, she finally made it and out jumped Travis and Jessica.  The screams were worth it. :) lol.

Travis and Jessica helped us get ready for Easter all weekend and then helped us enjoy our delicious Easter dinner.  And we taught the kids the beauty of a massage train.

Easter morning was a success and everyone managed to find their baskets.  We had our traditional egg hunt at Aunt Jenni's this year. It was raining but no one seemed to mind!

We managed to fit in some kangazoom in between our Easter prep.  The kids had a blast showing their aunt and uncle around town and our neighborhood.

We had to make pitstop at Michaels to stock up on the new King sized Reese's peanut butter cups.  With Reese's pieces in the middle!!! They are magnificent and Travis couldn't imagine going home to Lamar where they don't exist so he made sure to buy enough for food storage....#priorities

He did manage to share though.....

Wedding of the year - Brendan and Blaque

The wedding is here! And now it's over.  But it was so beautiful and we were happy to be a part of it.  The stars of the show (after the bride and groom that is) were obviously Sadie and Dexton.  They were so cute I could hardly stand it.

Although Kyson and Carson were quite handsome....

The wedding was in the Oakland temple.  Afterward we went home to rest up briefly and then on to the reception.  There was lots of delicious food and ended with dancing.

These cousins are so lucky to grow up together.

Lexi's job at the reception was to take polaroids of all the guests.  She did a fantastic job!

Ryan dancing with his girls

Tahoe Getaway 2017

Ryan's work had a team building weekend in Tahoe this week.  We stayed in the Hard Rock Cafe hotel for two nights and snowboarded all day Saturday.  It was pretty awesome.  I haven't gone snowboarding in way too long.  Luckily I didn't take any hard hits!

Tahoe is beautiful and I just loved the scenery.  The other thing I loved was Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  More specifically - Grandma's Apple Pie Caramel apple.  To die for.  Really.

And not long after we got home we had a surprise guest for a few hours! Uncle Philip showed up in California on a business trip.  He was challenged to a wii tournament. And like a man, he accepted.  And then Shayli beat him at boxing......:)

We loved having him visit AND we enjoyed our little all- expense paid getaway!

Happy 13th Birthday Lexi!

Welp. It's official.  We have a teenager in the house.  *Gulp*

Actually it doesn't feel all that different! Lexi decided she wanted all of her cousins over to help her celebrate.  She wanted the same ice cream cake that we made for Pa and who am I to complain?  That's one of the easiest cakes so I'm happy to oblige!

We had a great evening and are so proud of Lexi and the person she is becoming.  She is thoughtful and sweet and is always willing to help out around the house.  She is a little mother hen and is always concerned for safety. ;)  We love you Lexi!