Spring 2014

OK, trying to catch up....again, so I can write my summer blog round-up.  But first, some highlights from our Spring 2014.

Since Rivers placed in the District Science Fair, she got to compete in the Regional Science Fair held at the University of Utah at the top of the football stadium.  It was pretty impressive and I have to admit, I get way more excited about science fairs than I probably should.

My little fellow nerd daughter Rivers did so well and now also loves science fairs more than the norm.

 

They had a big old awards ceremony afterwards at an auditorium and emailed me to inform me Rivers should attend.  I thought maybe she won one of the extra awards like "Women in Geoscience" or something, but she ended up winning the whole thing for 5th and 6th graders!!  So proud of my little nugget.

Then she got called up again to receive the "Broadcom Masters" award which is awarded to the top 10% of all projects in the nation and she was invited to compete in the national science fair, where winners are flown to Washington DC.  Pretty exciting stuff!!

Meanwhile at home, I feel like everyday is some kind of science project with these three.  Now that the weather has warmed up a little, they are out everyday collecting and inspecting insects of every kind.  This is a normal, everyday scene around here, but I wanted to capture and remember how they always crowd around, with their heads together as they observe whatever it is they are trying to learn about. 

The end of the school year for Rivers was a whirlwind of performances and activities.  This was on the day of the lip sync where she was in a group that performed to the last song on Greece, which required a last minute poodle skirt construction late night.

This was her dance partner......and here she is with her best bud before she moved off to Texas.

The twins played soccer for the first time this year and they were on the same team with Carlos as their coach.  No one believed it was Dreyton's first soccer experience though as he scored 7 goals the first game and 8 goals the second game (even though Carlos took him out two extra times because he scored so much).  He was the littlest kid but played like there was a magnetic pull between him and the ball and he would do anything to get to it.  It was especially fun to watch Reagan get so excited for him and they would meet after every goal and talk about it.  The rest of the game, Reagan just liked to run up and down the field showing people how fast she is.  Dre would find me on the sidelines after each goal and give me the thumbs up.  My favorite play was when Reagan threw it into Dre and he scored.  Wondertwin powers!!  

Carlos was also CD's soccer coach.  It was so fun Saturday mornings to go watch CD get so excited for the twins during their game, and then get to play in his own.  He looked too big for his team, but loves soccer and did a good job being a leader on the team since they thought he was older (even though he wasn't).  Lots of goal scorin' by this kid too. 

Off to church in a dress I made for Rivers 8 years ago.

This kid is seriously the best helper/worker.  He gets upset if I don't include him in the work part of getting ready for any activity.  For Spring break I planned a big 5 night trip through 3 of Utah's National Parks.  We went to Zion's, Bryce, Kodachrome, and drove historic highway 12 through Escalante/Grand Staircase up to Capital Reef National Park.  It was such an incredible trip.  I found fun places to camp or stay along the way each night and we went on 11 incredible hikes.  This was CD helping to haul stuff to the van as we packed up. 

Out of the 11 hikes we did, I think the favorite for everyone was this hike through the Willis Creek narrows just outside of Tropic, UT.  It truly was magical.  I had researched and chosen some hikes I wanted to do along the way, but we found this gem by asking locals.  For more pics and a detailed description of our itinerary (which lots of people have asked me for), check out http://allberrieslife.wordpress.com/2014/05/07/southern-utah-spring-break-trip-3-national-parks/ .  It's another blog I have been writing on and am still considering whether to continue :)

 These are on the other blog, but I had to post at least pics from this fun covered wagon we stayed in the first night near Zion's.  The kids absolutely loved it and we stayed warm despite the chilly 35 degree weather that night.  More info on the other blog. 

Easter is a favorite around our house and we always celebrate with a backyard obstacle course, through which if they complete it in a certain time, they win their Easter outfit, or toy or whatever.

Then we had a candy and gold coin hunt.

Checking out their loot.

Family Easter Shot - love how CD is schmizing the camera.

Dre's unruly hair that I can't seem to make myself cut. 

Rivers and CD did track conditioning with the Central City Cheetahs this year and there was a huge sand pile right next to the track which entertained the twins flawlessly during each and every practice.

Here's a pic of Dre enjoying one of my crafty projects I finished this year.  I tore up old sheets into one long strip each and crocheted this rug for the boys' room.

And while I'm at it, here are a couple more of my domestic thingy's I made recently (the pillow and the hat).

When I was out with hernia surgery, I decided to try my hand at acrylic painting and found that I actually really like it.  I painted the bluish rolling hills landscape scene that used to be the view from my kitchen window in Oregon.  It was so fun that I threw a dinner and painting party with some friends while Alissa was in town.  We decided we should make it a more regular occurrence.

 Since it was a ladies only party, the kids felt jipped and wanted their own painting party.   So, we painted all Saturday morning and hung up the masterpieces in their rooms.  CD tried to recreate mine but he decided his is waves instead of mountains.

 The girls hangin' out after Art Night at Dilworth.  I can't stand how big they are. 

 CD and I snuck off to Alta to ski on their last open day.  The snow was terrible mush, but it was still fun to be with him and it felt like we literally had the mountain to ourselves. 

 Embarrassing pic, BUT I had a rare morning where I got to appreciate the sleeping beauty that snuck into my bed last night.  I know my days are numbered for this to occur, so I snapped a pic.  And yes, I sleep in a T-shirt with the periodic table of the elements on it. 


 Every day at noon the twins and I took CD to kindergarten, which lucky for us was also when Rivers and her BFF had lunch recess, so the twins would always attack them when spotted.  So much love.

I just appreciated Reagan's outfit on this day.



Sweaty soccer pic

 To celebrate 14 years together, we headed up to Midway to check out a crater hot spring.  We snorkeled (not much to see) and floated around, basking in the warm minerals for 45 minutes before heading to Park City for dinner. 

Our Anniversary and Mother's Day always happen the same weekend.  What a crazy lucky Mom I am to have these 4.  My heart runneth over :)

 Another impressive night this Spring was being able to attend an evening put on by Sportsmen for Warriors where the Lone Survivor himself spoke to us.  It was an incredibly beautiful setting and an incredible story to hear him tell.

As soon as the snow melted, the twins were back out on their bikes.  They can finally brake well enough that I don't feel like I have to sprint around the block next to them.  We can actually all go on bike rides together now! 

One of my favorites. 

A few times this Spring we had family night at the track which turned into lots of sibling races.  And, a few very entertaining daddy-daughter races between Rivers and Carlos.  Rivers squeaked out wins against him in the 400 and 200 but Carlos came out ahead in the 100.  Carlos then trained and challenged her to a rematch and finally beat her in all three.  I loved watching them lay it all out on the track against each other. 

 Rivers mid-evil day at school.  They made hennins and got to celebrate with a dinner at the round (actually square) table. 

Rivs played the Saxophone at school this year. 

End of School Year Field Day Fun!

CD and his kindergarten buddies.

"That's the most fun I've ever had!"  After dancing and getting doused by water from the fire truck.

Zoo day.  Dreyton and this orangutan bonded.  They just stared at each other for a LONG time.  Probably because Dre walked like one for a year. 

Our other favorite exhibit - seals and sea lions.  Miss mama long legs needs a new dress.

Teacher gifts - succulents and initial mugs.  Perty cute.

On the last day of school, I armed myself with two water guns and hid and left this on the front porch.  I was nervous and giddy in my hiding spot waiting for my targets to appear and the water war to begin.  Woohoo summer!!!!