Mariner's Game

Dave got 4 free tickets to the Seattle Mariner's Game from work.  We debated about who should go, but since there are 5 of us and I am really not in any mood to go sit for hours on end, we decided to invite a "true" Mariner's fan, our friend Russ Carlson, and me and Brady could go play with Emily and Mirian while the boys did the baseball thing.  Carlson's live in Yakima, about an hour from here and on the way to Seattle, so it was perfect.  After Tanner's 1st Grade program we headed out.  The boys dropped off me and Brady and then headed onward.  Dave thought it would be fun, but that the boys would probably get bored after a while and they would come home early.  He was wrong.  They all LOVED it and were enthralled and engaged the whole time.  We made posters for them to hold up and hopefully get on the big screen with, but they didn't.  They got first ball game certificates and baseball cards (which Tanner will treasure forever) and of course ate hotdogs at the stadium.  After the game they drove back to Yakima and we spent the night and then came home in the morning. 

Braden and I had fun visiting and having pizza.  Emily and I got a sitter and went and got pedicures (with the awesomest flowers) and then frozen yogurt and a chic flick.  It was so fun to have a girls night and not have to hear anyone whine about a girl movie that we both really enjoyed! 

It is fun to get away sometimes, and spend time with people we all enjoy!

Random pics

 Tanner LOVES legos!  They consume most of this thoughts and he is very creative and clever in the things he builds.

 He is also very imaginative and has fun using his brain!

 This is weirdo Auntie Amanda. She just got her mission call to Lubbuck, TX and we are very excited for her!  We hope they people of TX can handle her!

 Braden has learned to ride his bike.  It took lots of times up and down the sidewalk with lots of concentration, but he finally got it figured out.  And he was so delighted!

 Colt loves to be outside.  He is Daddy's best helper and is very kind to Braden when they aren't fighting.

4 weeks and counting!!! 

An answer to many prayers!

Well, it is official!! Our home in Sugar City, ID is finally sold!!  We headed up there the last weekend in April to sign on papers, make sure the renters had left it in good condition, and kind of say goodbye one last time. 

Thursday night we spend the night in Declo.  The boys love to see their cousins, and even though we never stay very long, it is fun that they get to know each other a little better every time.  We sure appreciate having family along the way!

Friday we had "business" to take care of, so the boys went with Grandpa and Grandma Peterson to hang out at Uncle Mark's house and visit with G. Grandma Peterson too.  It was very convenient that there was a cousin reception in Rexburg that weekend too.  It was nice that Dave and I could run and get some things done without our little helpers.  We made it to the bank, signed closing papers, and visited with Grandma Sonderegger at the nursing home.  That evening we were able to go dinner at the Sugar City 3rd Ward Adult dinner and dance.  It was so nice to say hello to some old friends and of course enjoy some not-fast food dinner.  Then we headed out to the reception to say hello there too.

We stayed the night in Rigby at Uncle Mark's home.  It was so nice of him to let us stay.  It was enjoyable to visit with him and Dad that night and we had the tastiest waffles and raspberries for breakfast.  Uncle Mark has a fun go-cart and four-wheeler that the boys enjoyed very much.

Saturday morning we stopped in Sugar City and picked up Mason Kinghorn and Matthew Taylor and met the big college kids an headed to Green Canyon for a Birthday swim.  We had such a wonderful time in the nice warm water.  We bought lunch there and Tanner opened a few more presents.  He loves gifts!

We then headed back to the house to get some small "projects" done for the buyer.  We had donuts for our birthday cake, and then the boys went off to play with friends while our Dad and Grandpa worked. 

That night we stayed with Aunt Carol and Uncle Ronnie.  It was so nice to be in their home.  We love being there and the boys were so good.  It was Ronnie's birthday so they had the kids over for tacos and it was fun to catch up with them.  Tanner was so sweet and kept calling Carol "grandma".  He made comment earlier in the week that it is hard to remember all his "grandmas".  We are lucky to have so many women in our lives that have been "grandmas" to us.  We all went to sacrament meeting together, then Tanner wanted to stay for Primary but the rest of us left to meet the buyer at the house for the final walk through.  She was impressed with everything and we felt good about it all too.  She will take good care of our first home.  So many memories, and yet, we are now ready to let go.

We drove home that night though Salmon, ID and stayed in Missoula, MT.  It was a lovely drive and we had never been that way before.  The boys travel so well -- it is really pleasant.  We stopped at Safeway in Missoula and picked up a little something for dinner at the hotel, had a good night's sleep, and then went swimming after breakfast.  We drove home on the windy, twisty roads through Kamiah and Koosia and Lewiston.  We thought it would be the same distance as going our usual way, but it was much longer.  But, nobody seemed to mind (except my poor pregnant body).  We drove Dave's new truck so the ride was much more roomy and smooth than the van and it was just fine.  We had a great time just being  together.
And so, prayers are answered.  Sometimes they they take 2 years longer than you expect, but we feel like the windows of heaven have been opened to us and are being blessed in abundance right now. 

Kindergarten Program

Colton had his kindergarten program this month.  They took a tour around the world singing songs about Africa, Jamaica, Australia, France, and America.  It was fun to see.  Colt of course doesn't open his mouth and sing very loud, but he said he was singing the whole time.  He had two special parts in the program.  He got to play the triangle during the France song, and wave the flag during America. 

Happy Birthday Tanner

Our little Tanner turned 7 this year!  We can't belive it! Since we would be in Idaho on his special day, we had some friends over for a bear cake and gifts on Wednesday before we left. He got spoiled rotten as usual.  Grandma Mills sent him an awesome bug kit, that is probably his favorite, a Case hat from Grandpa Mills which he loves too, a bike from Mom & Dad, a crystal garden growing kit and a video game from his brothers, and legos and a aqua sand kit from his friends.  It was fun to have others celebrate with us.  It sure makes Tanner feel special!

Easter

What a fun Easter Sunday.  Each holiday that the boys are older it is more fun! We had bunny pancakes before church, then colored eggs after church and had our egg hunt.  This year the boys got great big eggs with Legos in them, as well as little eggs with candy.  Braden fevered all night and had a runny nose and Colt had been sick in the night, so just Tanner and Dad went to sacrament meeting, then Dad and Mom switched for RS.  But by afternoon everyone seemed just fine!

Spring Break Week

Sunday we drove to PG with the rest of the crew.  It was nice to have Amanda ride with me and enjoy her company.  Mitch took Tanner with him and Tan loved it. 

We spent time during the week playing with cousins, getting to know baby Drew, I sewed, we had a weenie roast at Grandpa's house with our friend the Richards, Grandpa took the boys to a Jazz basketball game, and then took them fishing and hiking another day, celebrated Uncle J's birthday and played at his new house, and we just had a fun time being with those we love.  We drove home on Saturday so we could spend Easter Sunday with our Daddy.  It is a long drive straight through, especially large and pregnant like I am.