you never know what you'll get

I love finding random photos on the computer that I didn't take or have never seen.  I kinda love these kids!

spring break

Here is a very photo heavy, random sampling of our Spring Break last week.  Pictures did not download in order and I am way too lazy to fix it (and don't tell me you've never felt like that too)

Grass fight at the local school

Megan went on a double date...bike ride, climbing, picnic at the park.  Both Megan and Emily got new, matching bikes at the start of spring break (see the cute turquoise one with the basket?  I kinda love it and want one too)

Rolling down hills.  Why is something this simple so much fun?  We should all do this a bit more.

Disneyland

New shoes and a new shoe photo shoot.  Random, I know but regardless it is what we did during the week.

More double date pictures

Family trip to the park with friends.  Megan spent a lot of her time in solitude being artsy.  I love watching my kids create (especially when they don't know I'm watching)

Time spent with good friends is always fun

A game or two of Pickle

A seriously relaxing day

Super blurry picture but love it anyway

Everyones favorite activity...the beach.  Luke and friends waiting for the perfect wave to run into with their boogie boards

Soaking up the sun!

a sunny spot

A few weeks ago we had some seriously nice weather.  Every day after school the kids and I would climb out Megan's bedroom window to the patio cover where we'd lay out towels, blankets, & exercise mats.  It was a great place to read, do homework, play DS, sleep, day dream and just enjoy the sun.

random

I just downloaded pictures from my iphone onto the computer and thought I'd post some of them.  Excuse the randomness but it's a glimpse into our life for the past few months.

I think I already posted one of these sunset pictures but you can never have to many sunsets right?  I l.o.v.e living here and am amazed on a nearly daily basis by the beauty of the sunsets each night.  I've taken these photos while driving either to or from home and each time I've uttered a silent prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for sharing it.  I really do love a good sunset - they are gorgeous.  The pictures don't capture how the sky actually looked or made me feel but they still warm my heart.

In addition to digging on all the sunsets we seem to be digging on the Biebs.  Yep, we have gotten the "Beiber Fever"  I know, I know...it kills me to admit it.  

I'm a fan of all music even cheesy pop but I drew the line at JB - I did not like the kid or his music.  But when our friend/daughter/byu student/sister/mini me Andrea was here from Utah visiting she and the girls dragged me (kicking and screaming) to see Never Say Never, Justin B's movie.  

I'm Denise.  

I'm a recovering Beiber Hater.  

I can admit I liked the movie...a whole lot.

So now Justin Bieber is on all our ipods - so as to not humiliate my husband let me make it clear that Derek does NOT have Justin on his ipod only the girls and me.  

The fever has gotten bad.  It's causing us to do crazy things...

We set up a fake Justin Bieber meeting for Emily at Disneyland so that we could fool Megan (who wasn't with us) into thinking we saw him (and that he was really short)  Thanks to Derek, who hates to listen to JB but is willing to be a stand in for him.

I also let the girls convince me to drive them around town for a couple hours on a Bieb hunt because Facebook was going crazy with updates on Justin Bieber/Selena Gomez sightings a couple weekends ago.  He and Selena Gomez were in fact in town but we were not successful in finding them.  It ended up being a fun night of girl bonding even without that Bieber kid.

More rnadomness...

My favorite food place at the moment - Which Wich?  Best sandwiches EVER!

Tried this technique on Megan's nails.  Fun for anyone that loves words, reading, type, etc.

I got that phone call that every parent dreads - Megan and Emily were in a car crash.  The girls were alright but the car didn't fair as well.  Both sides got fairly damaged.  Nerves were shaken and it is now much harder to watch Megan leave to go anywhere in the car but we are managing.  How grateful I was to be home with them the night of the accident, all together and safe.  I can't imagine if there had been a different outcome.

Megan and I took a wet, cold trip to the beach to have some time together to sort through those tender teenage feelings that come from time to time.

I went to Goodwill and found a hanging cauldron...you can't imagine the excitement.  Really, you can't.  I don't know if anyone can understand how giddy I get when I find crazy things at Goodwill (especially something as fabulous as this cauldron)  I didn't know I was in the market for one until I saw it but now it's mine and it's eagerly awaiting its debut at our upcoming Harry Potter party for the release of the last movie.

Derek and I spent a fun "night at the carnival" with the girls for New Beginnings at church.  It was a great activity and perfect way to spend an evening. 

One more random tidbit that I have no pictures for...

Derek was asked to sing with a group of 60 people at a benefit held in Malibu at Jane Seymour's house for her Open Heart thing-a-ma-jig (the word I want is escaping me)  He got to dress up in a tux (ohhh, super fancy for us) and sing back up for Katherine McPhee.  Don't know who Jane or Katherine are? Yeah, for Google!  I thought that was a fun little opportunity.

mormon battalion

In January we took a ride down to San Diego to visit Old Towne and see the newly renovated Mormon Battalion Visitors Center (I would highly recommend this outing - lots to see and do & way fun for the kids)

Here's a quick summary of our day...

Lots of sliding down rails - we all did this (yes, even me) 

Modeling the clothes and supplies that the Mormon Battalion soldiers used.  The boys were so excited to be chosen to do this.

Panning for gold.

Actually got my boys to wash some clothes :)  Maybe I just need to install a hand pump in the backyard to get them to help more with laundry.

Got to check out the beautiful San Diego area from an observation tower at the visitors center.

 

Explored all of Old Towne.

Emily's nickname is Pie - hence the photo.

Megan has a slight obsession with boots.

Way to ruin the adorable picture of Emily.  Chalk me up another good mom point.