April 8th, 2012

• On Monday this week the kids were invited to a Birthday Party for their friend Faith. It was at one of those jumping places with the huge inflatable slides and bounce houses. Of course, they had a great time. This was my favorite picture! 

• Just a sweet little boy taking his afternoon nap. Just one of the few times I don't have to wonder what he's getting into now:) 

• Seriously, proud Mama moment! All the kids grabbed a book and were quietly reading (or just looking at the pictures, but still...) 

• Friday was Crazy Hair Day at school. We made Addy's hair into 14 different ponytails and they gave it a Candy Land theme. We put in the Candy Land cards, people, and pieces of candy. It was pretty fun for Addy! 

• Grandma Bassett had her annual Easter Party on Friday evening. As always it was a smashing success with lots of cousin fun! We just love being so close to family. 

• On Saturday morning we went to our last and final Easter hunt. This one was a Smiths Grocery Store. They rope off aisles per age group and dump tons of candy on the floor. Surprisingly, there really weren't that many kids so our three came away with bucketfuls. We ended up giving half of it away since the children had eaten WAY to much candy this past week. 

• EASTER MORNING! Our Easter Bunny hides our Easter baskets so the kids have to search around the house to find them. Boden's was on a chair in the kitchen. Brynn's was in the coat closet and Addy's was in tub on a stool. Some highlights from the baskets...candy (of course), a long jump rope, Squinkies, little trucks for Bodee, nail polish, and a few summer shorts and shirts.

• Sunday morning with their new Easter dresses on. Beautiful girls and a handsome boy! 

• Dying Easter eggs. Always a good, messy time! 

• This picture makes me laugh for two reasons. First, his face. But second, his shoes. Bodee is obsessed with wearing these new penny loafers we bought him for church shoes. He wears them all the time and when I take them away he puts on Addy or Brynn's shoes and clomps around the house. Boden also frequently brings shoes to me to put on him and says "shoes". So funny but so cute! 

• The girls cut out the cookies last night and today they decorated the cookies. They sure are creative and even Bodee ended up joining in and decorating a few cookies, I mean eat frosting:) I love holidays because the kids just get so excited about EVERYTHING! I'm glad I get to be their Mom and help them make fun memories. The  cookies below were decorated completely by the kids. I did not help at all. I think they did a great job! 

• Saturday afternoon we decided to take a family bike ride. Brynn and Boden were pulled in the bike trailer by Todd and Addy road her own bike. We biked on the Jordan River Trail and ended up riding all the way to Thanksgiving Point. It ended up being a very long way and Addy did so great. Even with the hills. Once we got to Thanksgiving Point we bought the kids 25 cent ice cream cones. I think Addy earned more than that so next time she can get a big cone with bubblegum ice cream!
• Brynn cannot stop talking about her birthday and hasn't for the past 9 months. This week she told her father that for her birthday she wants to go to Disneyland, Seven Peaks water park, and golfing with dad. She then told her preschool teacher that she is going to Hawaii for her birthday. When I informed her that would not be happening she stared to cry and said "You and Dad and Addy and Bodee get everything and I get nothing!" I think I have a long road ahead of me.
• Saturday morning we were working in the yard and Brynn was actually being a really good helper weeding. After we were done she said "that was a big job for a little girl".
• This morning at church Brynn went out to get a drink before Sacrament Meeting started and missed the Bishop walking around shaking hands. She insisted that she walk up to the stand to shake his hand; so she did and talked to him for a minute.
• The other day I was folding laundry in my room and Addy came in to talk. She was being so cute and silly. I love being able to have more grown-up conversations with her as she matures. It is becoming a time I really cherish.

April 1st, 2012

• Last Sunday was Grandpa Bassett's birthday! Todd really enjoys grilling out so for his dad's birthday he took over some ribs to cook for him. They were yummy! Todd is getting really good at grilling ribs.

• Here are the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Bassett. Brynn was in charge of putting the candles in the pie and if you notice they are ALL over the pie. 

• Addy had to get two teeth pulled this week because there is crowding in her mouth already. It was a little painful for her for a few hours but on the upside she got to put two teeth under her pillow for the tooth fairy that night. She also got sung to twice by her kindergarten class the next day. The song goes...

Look in Addy's mouth and what do you see?

A great big hole where her tooth use to be

But she wiggled it and giggled it 

Until it fell out.

Now there's a great big window in her mouth!

• Early Saturday morning we took to the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt at the local park. We got there just in time and all the kids were able to pick up a few eggs filled with candy. It took Bodee a few minutes to realize what was going on but once he found a little bag of mini marshmallows he didn't care about anything else.

• After the egg hunt we took the kids to One Man Band for a quick breakfast. 

• Saturday was a beautiful day! We listened to a few conference talks but since we don't have cable and the the internet wasn't streaming it very well I ended up taking the kids to the new cool park for about four hours while Todd went up to Salt Lake to help his uncle move. I didn't realize it was that warm out and we all got a little red-cheeked from the sun. 
• Brynn was also very excited because she climbed to the very top the huge climbing tower I showed a few weeks ago. Go Brynn! 

• Saturday night the kids were so excited to have their cousin Grant over while his dad went to the priesthood session of conference. Here they are all snuggled up together watching Kung Fu Panda. 

• Todd has a reclining chair that he often sits in and through the last few years it has been given various names such as "The Snuggle Chair" and more recently "The Macker Dad Chair" because as Todd calls himself the "Macker Dad". (Whatever?) So it's always cute little family stuff until Brynn tells her preschool friend that he can't sit in the chair because it's the "Macker Dad Chair". I could tell her little friend what like "what are you talking about?" It just make me laugh because she was so serious.

March 25th, 2012

This week has flown by so fast! Each day has been completely filled with things to do. The highlight of the week...Todd was offered employment! He is so excited for this new opportunity. We are so proud of him! (Although the kids and I am really going to miss him not being around all the time.)

• On Monday, Addy had a Rockin' 50's party to celebrate only 50 days left of the school year. She borrowed her little poodle skirt from her cousin Jane and dressed the part.

• After one of our very busy days Boden didn't get his nap and he just couldn't take it anymore...

• I woke up one morning and the sky was aglow. The picture does not do the beauty justice but it was breathtaking. Made me think of the small but numerous beautiful things in my life.

• Brynn had to return to the dentist this week and get some dental work done. One filling and a cap on one tooth. They gave her laughing gas and boy, was she ever funny! She kept talking really loud, laughing and giggling, and waving her hands everywhere. I was cracking up! The gas definitely works since she did great while they did the work.
• We took Bodee's bottle away this week. And he survived. He's doing very well considering his usual immediate comfort is gone. It had to be done, but it is always a hard process for child and parent. I'm just glad it's over with:)
• I found a local school close to home that would allow me to begin a nursing program in May and graduate in December 2013! To be accepted I had to take the TEAS V test. I standardized test for nursing applicants. I was kinda worried but it turns out, I did great! I hope the final details work out so I can finish this never ending degree.
• Friday night I was lucky to have a Girls Night Out! My friend Elizabeth and I went to to watch The Hunger Games. I usually don't like movies that have been adapted from books but I really liked this movie! Even though I knew what was going to happen I was on edge the whole second half. It was really nice to have dinner and laugh and talk with my dear friend. I'm so glad we live so close to each other. 
• On Saturday Todd and I went to the funeral for someone that was very close to Cathy, Todd's mother. I didn't know the man at all and Todd knew him some but we went to support our wonderful mother. It was the first LDS funeral I had ever been to and it definitely helped us remember our priorities in life. Heavenly Father, spouse, family. After the funeral we ate a quick lunch at Cafe Paesan then ran a few errands. I sure do love spending time with my sweet husband!

March 18th, 2012

This past week has been pretty much awesome! We have been so busy but we also had so many fun things planned and the weather has been perfect:)

• First things first...I turned 30 on Wednesday! Wahoo! It really was a wonderful day and I'm really looking forward the next decade of my life. To help make my 30th year great I've made a list of "30 Things to do While I'm 30". I look forward to tackling this list and making this a great year!
• Turning 30 also inspired me to reflect on the past decade of my life to see what I have accomplished: 
• Graduated from BYU-Hawaii with B.S. in Exercise Science
• Lived in three different states
• Married the man of my dreams and was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple
• Gave birth to the three biggest joys of my life: Adalyn, Brynnlee, Boden
• Bought a home (can't wait until we live in it again:)
• Continued the ever growing pursuit of further education
• Completed five marathons
• Traveled to Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii (again), New York City, Disneyland, and Wisconsin (repeatedly)
• Strengthen my relationship with my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Developed a deeper love for the scriptures and the words the Prophets speak. And learned I am continually amazed at how blessed I am!
• The biggest thing I learned this decade?  How to put others (namely my husband and children) first. Their feelings, needs, and happiness.
• Todd and the kids woke me up with fun balloons and a sweet card for my Birthday. Todd then took us all to the famous Lehi Bakery (which I had never been to) for donuts. Yummy! We had sandwiches for lunch with the kids and did the whole present and cake thing. I picked out a carrot cake because it is currently my favorite. Then my mother-in-law Cathy came over to tend the kids while we went skiing at Brighton. We had a 2 for 1 deal on both ski passes and rentals so it was a really good deal and we had the best time:) I really enjoyed my special day!

My best friend Elizabeth dropped this off on my Birthday. How cute is this?!

• The kids went to the dentist this week. This was Bodee's first check-up and he did great. He loved sitting on the chair and watching the movie.

• On Saturday it was St. Patrick's Day! The naughty leprechauns came and hid their treasure outside our house. Here's what they brought the kids. Green milk for their "magically delicious" Lucky Charms. St. Patrick's Day head bands and fun little painting sets. The girls loved searching for their treasure!

• This little dude is too cute!

• The girls were so upset that they didn't have green shirts so the day before we went to Old Navy and picked out some St. Patrick's apparel.

• Later that day the girls begged me to take them to Trafalga because we have the Pass of All Passes which makes all the activities free. It was crazy like always but once we got through the line it was really fun.

• The girls wanted to do the climbing wall and I was totally okay with Addy going up because she is pretty good at this kind of thing and I knew she'd do great. She almost got to the top and I was proud of her. Brynn shocked me! She climbed so much higher than I thought she would, well over half way up and she was so stinkin' cute about it. Wow! I love having brave girls that are up for anything!

• To top off our day we played a round of laser tag. I hadn't played it for years and we had a blast! Addy got brave enough to venture out on her own but Brynn stayed by my side and helped me fight off the other teams. Our team came in second place!

• All week long we have been selling Girl Scout Cookies at booths in front of Walmart and Smiths. I forgot my camera at the first two booths but for the third and last booth I remember to snap a picture of Addy with her friend and fellow Girl Scout, Jayda. We were lucky to have such wonderful weather while selling cookies outside this week.

March 11th, 2012

I turned on my camera to look over the pictures I took this week and realized I only took one picture this week. Oops!

• Here is Brynn flying the kite she made at preschool.

• So while it has not been ideal for Todd to be unemployed again this week it has been ideal for the kids! He has been able to spend so much time with us and with each child one on one. All the kids have grown to LOVE basketball lately. They want to dribble, shoot, and pass the ball all the time. Todd loves that they are so excited about the sport and has been taking them to the park to shoot hoops.
• On Friday I participated in a Busy Bag Exchange. I made two sets of 14 bags, one with a toddler activity and one with a preschool activity. I then took my bags and switched them with a big group and came home with 28 new activities (both learning and quiet time) for my kids. How cool is that? I love it!
• Boden had his 18 month check up this week. He is happy and healthy and doing very well. He is cute as can be and oh so sweet. He is started to get really sad when I leave and I don't take him with me. It breaks my heart:(
• Saturday night Todd and I were invited to a game night with a few other couples in our ward. We played SCUM and had a blast! It was really fun to get to know our friends a little better.
• This was a little tidbit I forgot to write about last week. Last Sunday, March 4th was Fast Sunday and both our little girls went up to the podium in Sacrament meetings and bore their testimonies. I was SO proud of them! It was Brynn's first time and she did great. The only thing was she forgot to say "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Addy did great as well. I won't allow my kids to bare their testimonies unless they can do it themselves and they did great!

March 4th, 2012

• This week we delivered A LOT of Girl Scout Cookies. We ate a lot too:) On Wednesday we drove up to Salt Lake City to deliver our cookies up there. Since it was the last Wednesday of the month the zoo was free so I thought I'd take the kids. Bodee hadn't been to Hogle Zoo since he was a baby so it was fun to watch him explore all the animals. His facial expressions and "ohhh" s were totally worth it.

• Wednesday night there was a snow storm so the next day Dad help the girls build a snowman. Addy's friend Emma came over to help. They loved helping Dad build it. I forgot to take a picture of the finished product but they had it all decked out in our snowman outfit with a scarf, hat, eyes, carrot nose, and buttons. 

• On Saturday, Grandma Bassett called to invite all the cousins for a party at...McDonalds! (Not a surprise since that's Grandma's favorite place to take the grandkids.) After lunch we invited all the girl cousins over to hang out! Addy and Brynn loved having some of their cousins come to play. They played, ate cookies, colored pictures, and played with Bend Its. We feel so lucky to live so close to so many cousins. 

• Bodee is really starting to talk and sign. He says yes, bye da (dad) and waves. He does the signs for more, milk, please, and thank you. He even started to try to sing a long while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He put his arms out and lets his voice soar. (Super Cute!) He loves to giggle and laugh and really loves dogs. Bodee always wants to pet them whenever he sees them.
• Addy has been accepted to the Chinese Immersion Program. I am so happy for her. She has also been working hard on addition and subtraction. 
• The other day Addy came home from school, gave Bodee a big hug and completely seriously told him "Hello handsome."