Memorial Day

 For Memorial Day Dan and I actually both had the holiday off, which is unusual.  We went to Logan and met up with the cousins who had spent the night at a hotel and went swimming with them.  It was super fun and the boys are getting more confident in the water.  Seth pretty much refuses to swim on his stomach, but is getting pretty good at water running.

 Sweet Ellie always has a smile on her face.

 The Fairview cemetery where Dan's brother Brad is buried.

 Brad standing next to his namesake's headstone.

After we came home we played outside.  The boys returned their friend's bike and Seth told Brad to "get on the back and not freak out!"

Happy Fourth Birthday

 Happy Birthday my beautiful boys!!  Their birthday is Wednesday, but today was their party.  They had to rest up for the big day, so this is how I found them this morning.

 We had all the family over for dinner and then the kids decorated binoculars to use on their treasure hunt.

 Luckily Maya is a superb reader and read all the clues for the hunt.

 We tried to recreate the excitement of last year's pin the tail on the donkey.  The boys didn't disappoint and blatantly cheated again.

 Ellie had one of the better hits on the pinata.

 The boys specifically requested a blue cake, so that's what they got.  They also wanted one big one instead of two smaller ones, but at least they had their own candles.

 I substituted Brad's Sunbeam class today, so was there when the boys were sung to for their birthday.  Brad was super excited, but Seth refused to go up front, even when Brad said "It's OK, I'll be with you". So Seth just stood on his bench and Brad stood in front with a big smile.  Seth's preschool teacher told me that he will now do show and tell and will only start when everyone is giving him attention, while at the beginning of the year he refused to participate.

They got some pretty awesome gifts, thanks everyone!  Their big gift was two wheel bikes.  Seth got the hang of it pretty quick, Brad was much more timid, but excited.

Uncle Dan's annual trip

 The past three years we've gone on an extended family weekend trip that I am now calling "Uncle Dan's annual trip"  because when all the cousins are older I think they're going to describe Dan as the uncle that took them on ambitious hikes.  Our first adventure was Arches/Moab, last year was Goblin Valley, and this year was Escalante to do the slot canyon "Spooky".  Dan absolutely loves slot canyons, and I think when he describes the short slot canyon he forgets to include the mile and a half to get there with six little kids.  But, it was freaking awesome.

 Seth with cousin Aaron enjoying some shade.  The boys got to use their backpacks for real.  I loaded up their lunches and Seth promptly put it in my backpack.  They did carry their water, though.

 Maya has found here voice "I'm not going a step farther" and with that she wouldn't finish the canyon.

 Entering "Spooky"

 Beautiful!  So, who is going to come with us on the next one?

 Sophie

 The two Tims.  Timmy was the best hiker of all the kids.

 The state camp site was really nice.  The boys saw some kids fishing and quickly found some sticks so that they could do their own fishing.  The actual fisherman weren't too excited with all their splashing fish technique.

In the tent

 The hogback- the road from Escalante National Monument to Boulder, Utah goes along the top of the mountain, cliffs on both sides and miles of slick rock, crazy.  

It was a beautiful drive home.

Easter Weekend

 The boys are expert egg hunters.  For weeks before hand they practiced by hiding eggs around our house.  Our neighbors hosted a hunt to kick off the festivities.

Neighbor kids from Barley Way

Great grandma Brown's assisted living had their annual hunt.  Our nieces were super cute bunnies. 

 We made monster eggs.

Pop quiz- which twin am I?? 

Grandma Ogilvie's annual Easter egg hunt.  The boys were super excited that they were the only kids and that they got all the eggs.