Easter Dinner

It was a beautiful day to celebrate Easter. Dave came by as he usually does on sundays and Kevin Young came from San Diego. Lisa is always so fun to have around, as she is the happiest person I know. Elder Burns and Sheets came by and added to this beautiful celebration dinner.

The people next door...

I never got a chance to experience having a roommate which I always thought seemed really fun. Having the Chamberlains next door is kind of like having 5 roommates. At any given point in the day, it seems at least one Chamberlain is over here and one Swierenga is over at their place. We share kitchen utensils and use each others food and borrow pretty much anything from each other. In fact, I think I still have their ketchup and I am pretty sure Ezra's missing flip flop is in Penny's room. Doug even bought a pool and put in in out backyard for 'US' all to use this summer!!!! It's great. I couldn't imagine a more perfectly suited family to us moving next door. Chloe is pretty much in love with Owen, even though she harasses him. And while she wants to watch Curious George and he wants to watch Diego they always seem to figure it out. Penny and Ezra get along pretty well when Ezra doesn't have her in a headlock. Sophie is the coolest 12 year old I know and is always super helpful with the kids and makes the easiest and best babysitter. Doug and Emily are just plain awesome and we are so happy that live next door. N. Avon street has never been better.

Sequoia National Park (may 2009)

We had a zillion Marriott points, so we decided to take a close-by weekend vacation. We chose Sequoia national park and it was so incredible. We felt like we had entered a whole new world. It was far more amazing to see the giant trees and unfamiliar woods than we could have ever imagined. It was so nice to be outdoors all day- even when it rained. We will definitely do it again.

Random April Pics

Just a little summary of the month of April...

Ez demolishing an ice cream cone at a Family Home Evening at the Chamberlains

Easter Egg hunt at the Cordays

Each year, the Corday family put on an incredible Easter Egg party for the kids in their beautiful home and backyard. Last year Chloe was scared of the easter bunny but this year warmed to him and then followed him around. Ezra was obsessed with the bunny and wanted him to hold him the whole time. The egg hunt was pretty awesome as their backyard is HUGE and the kids had a blast hunting for their treasures. Chloe kept asking me if we could have a garden like the Cordays. Too bad their garden is 100 times the size of my entire house!!!! 

Cruisin' down Baja California

For my 29th birthday (still a month away) my mum took me on my first cruise! We boarded the Carnival Paradise ship on monday and headed off down to Catalina Island and then to Ensenada, Mexico. We had such an amazing time and had so much fun. All I wanted to do was sleep all night long with no kids waking me up, read my book, read US and People magazine, eat good food and not have to make it, not clean up and just overall relax. I did EVERYTHING I wanted to and it was utter relaxation. At night my mum and I went to the dining room for delicious food- the best part was the MOST incredible melting chocolate cake (I had it 4 nights in a row!) and after dinner each night we went to the karaoke lounge. I even got up the nerve to sing on the last night. The day in Ensenada, Mexico was my favorite day. My mum had to convince me that I wouldn't get killed or kidnapped ( I was really scared of all the warnings about Mexico and the ongoing drug war) but I ended up LOVING it! My mum signed us up to do 'The Taste of Mexico' , where we learned how to make simple, authentic Mexican food. It was so much fun and delicious. Afterwards, we went shopping for an hour and I bought a whole bunch or cool things, my favorite being an awesome hammock. The kids loved the guitar and maracas and Bran loved his sling shot. I spent the first 2 days REALLY missing the kids, but by the end of the 4 day vacation, I was ready to stay a few more days! It was such a treat and I am sooooooo grateful to my mum for taking me on such a wonderful amazing cruise. Thanks AGAIN mum!!!

Mum making her tostada at the Mango Mango restaurant

Mum holding her $17 drink. We thought they were $7.

My beautiful hand-made tamale at the Mango  Mango. 

Our table at the Mango Mango. Beautiful! I wish this was my table and chairs.

Mum and I as soon as we stepped foot in Ensenada

Me about to go down the ship's waterslide. It was freezing! I was in the hot tub the second I was done.

Mum and I in Catalina. 

Me on the Paradise... I miss you!