Cubs

Luke loves Cubs. He won this one night and it was so gross to watch him eat it. That is a real cricket! He didn't eat that part, but he did put it in his mouth.

Bakersfield part 4

Leaving Bakersfield is always hard. Luckily we got to stay and watch the first session of General Conference with everyone before we hit the road. The kids played outside on the grass until the last possible minute. After we got in the car and were about 5 minutes down the road Kate asked where we were going. She didn't know we were going home. After I told her Portland, she started crying and said she wanted to go back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. She said she wanted to stay in Bakersfield forever.

My Dad has the best lawn and yard in all of Bakersfield




We miss these cousins so much!


These Hell's Angels bikers followed us for a long time. I'm pretty sure they thought of me in my super cool minivan as their leader.




And just for fun...these pictures were discovered on the iPad when we got home. I guess someone was bored.



This one is my favorite!

Bakersfield part 3

No trip to Bakersfield is ever complete without playing on Neil and Jill's slip n slide. We almost didn't get to do it this year--but we sneaked it in the last day. Jill was so cool to put it all together--it made my kids' day. The big news this year was that Kate actually did it and liked it. All the other years she screamed when we threw her down it. Allie and Luke also got to wear their new swimsuits that Jill and Neil got them for their birthdays.

Bakersfield part 2

One of Luke's requirements for cub scouts was to plan, prepare and clean up an outdoor meal. It didn't really sound fun to wear our coats and eat outside in Portland so Grandpa helped Luke with this requirement while we were in Bakersfield. They spent ALL day putting this feast together. Luke planned the menu- Chili dogs, chips, salad,  and soda. They made a grocery list and went shopping and since they were gone for four hours shopping we think they had some extra fun. The whole family came over and it was a fun meal. We think Luke and Grandpa should always cook a meal for us--they are really good at it.







Dale and Mimi


Kate and Andee


Lucy


Kate thought she was so funny to steal my cup.


Cody isn't so sure about me--but he really likes Luke


Super fun Aunt Jill and Allie


Beautiful Gracie!


Neil and Luke played a great game of "hoopless" basketball. Even though Neil was super busy at work he came home and played with us.


And of course back to the dirt pile.

Bakersfield part 1

If you asked my children where their dream vacation destination is, they would say Bakersfield. Luke had friends that were going to Hawaii and some that went to the Caribbean and he said, "Yeah, but I get to go to Bakersfield! " I agree--it's my favorite place to be. I think it's the people. So, they kids and I went to south for Spring Break.
On the way down, it rained and rained. It was even raining when we got into Bakersfield. The children were disgusted. One said, "What! We came here some sun!" Luckily, the sun arrived the next day.



There is a Black Bear Diner where we stop for the night on the way down. The kids love to go there. I think it's because they can get breakfast for dinner and ice cream sundaes. This time the kids were a little wound up. I think Allie is being a bear. Kate is probably under the table. 

Kate was supposed to sleep with me but she didn't want to get left out from Luke and Allie. So, Luke was going to sleep with me, but she wanted to sleep with Allie AND Luke. So, they all slept together. Allie and Luke are so good to her!


We pretty much spent all of our time outside enjoying the sunshine. We launched rocket balloons one afternoon.


Aunt Peggy came down and brought dogs to play with


Allie gave manicures.



Grandpa had a great pile of dirt from a project in his yard. Kate and Andee spent hours playing in the dirt.


When everyone was exhausted from playing outside we cleaned up and watched cartoons.


Every night Kate would pray that we could get a job in Bakersfield and live in Bakersfield.

Book of Mormon

Last year, the Primary challenged the children to read the entire Book of Mormon. We believe that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  We believe it stands with the Bible to teach us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we believe that it contains the words of God.  Luke diligently read it by himself  all year and then finished this year in February. We knew along the way where he was, but he didn't say anything about finishing it. We found out when he came home from  Primary with something for finishing. He said it was sad at the end, but he knows it is a true book.

His super cool Primary teacher made him a Star Wars tie tack to mark his accomplishment. I think it goes well with his scripture case. 

***PS If you would like to read the Book of Mormon and find out for yourself if it's true, send me a message and I'll send you one!

Easter

We actually had a sunny Easter this year! It just seems right that it would be sunny and light on the day when we remember the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.


Decorating eggs on Saturday





Kate was the first one up and let us all know that there were eggs downstairs and we should get up and see them.



Right before church--Allie and Kate's dresses from last year still fit. Yes!



Can you just see how happy everyone is about the sunshine!