Back On The Wagon

...Or is it off the wagon? I don't know. The thing is this, back in January Ryan set a goal to not eat sugar for a whole year. All I can say is crazy, crazy. But he's lost about 20 pounds and looks great and swears he doesn't crave it anymore. So I've been trying to do better in my own way and haven't bought any chocolate for over a month. Not that I've given up on chocolate. I mean, if someone gave me a piece, it's not like I was going to say no. But I figured if I didn't have it in the house then I wouldn't eat as much of it and maybe I could lose weight too. Not that it's all about losing weight. I realize sugar is just plain bad and the look Ryan gives me when I steal my kids Easter jelly beans is heartbreaking. So I really have done well, mostly out of guilt (I can't eat all of their Easter candy). But yesterday I finally gave in and bought a bag of milk chocolate chips. They were supposed to be for the cookies that I never bake. But deep down I knew they were so I could steal handfuls out of the fridge every now and then. Personally, I feel so much better. Sorry Ryan. Maybe if you drank more of my veggie shakes you would need chocolate chips too. Actually, I'm really proud of Ryan. Keep up the good work honey. At least this way I don't have to worry about you stealing my chocolate chips.

Popcorn Popping

I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

Spring is here! And it feels so good! My windows are open and a cool breeze brings in the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Everything is turning green and the skies seem even more blue. The mountains are still capped in snow but the view finally doesn't make me feel cold.

These really are pictures of my apricot tree in full bloom. I hope we get more than ten apricots this year!

I'm so excited I already bought a new bathing suit and a bright pink floral skirt to celebrate the season!

Swim Lessons

I started Eden and Austin in swim lessons a few weeks ago to get them ready for summer. I had no idea it would be so entertaining. Austin is fearless. He jumped in the very first day with the noodle wrapped around him and began motoring himself all around the pool. He looked like one of those little wind up toys with a huge smile on his face and his feet running circles non-stop in the water. His teacher would gently turn him around as soon as he hit a wall and he just kept going! She does a great job and has succeeded in teaching him to lift his legs behind him and kick.

It also took several weeks to teach him to stop smiling and close his mouth so he wouldn't drink half the pool! He loves his class and I love his teacher.

Eden started swim lessons too and is almost swimming freestyle. She's made a lot of progress. She can jump in off the side and swim around to the stairs all by herself.

Swimming is one of those "musts" on my list of things my kids need to learn before they grow up. It's exciting to see them all doing so well. Other things on that list, just because you wanted to know are: being good readers, playing the piano, being able to speak in public, and being able to make friends and get along well with others. If I'm missing anything important please let me know.

A Series of Events

With so many people in town last weekend for Grandma Heaton's funeral there were a lot of opportunities to get together with family we don't get to see very often. There were also several other events scheduled for that same weekend.

We had the cousins party Thursday, the funeral Friday, then Saturday morning Ryan's nephew Kalvin was baptized. After the baptism his brother Steve blessed his beautiful baby girl Olivia with all his brothers and brothers-in-law in attendance. Sunday we celebrated Brigette's birthday with dinner at our house and then attended Kale's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. We were also fortunate to get to spend time with his cousin Brandon who spent the night at our house on Friday.

It was a full weekend and we had a full house most of that time but I know that it's rare for Ryan to get to spend time with all his brothers and his sister and his cousins. I could tell he was really happy and enjoying every minute. It's always hard to say goodbye but guess what, they'll all be back in June for his brother Scott's wedding. (I think I'll get extra sleep the week before).

DeLoy Heaton Funeral

On March 26th Ryan's Grandma Heaton passed away. Her funeral was last Friday, April 9th. DeLoy E. Heaton had seven children, 31 grandchildren, and 47 great grandchildren. Ryan's mom and his other aunts and uncles got together Thursday night to talk about and remember their mother and she asked us if we would host a cousin's party for all those that were already in town for the funeral. We had about 50 people at our house that night. Ryan loved getting together with his cousins and the kids had a lot of fun getting to know many of their second cousins. There were also many great stories shared about Grandma Heaton.

The funeral services were held in Orem and the interment was at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo. It was wonderful to see what a great impact his grandmother had on so many generations. She was a hard working, devoted, loving woman who endured many trials with fortitude and determination. One of her greatest qualities was the endless hours of service she devoted to those she loved.

All seven of DeLoy's children: Sherilyn Gale Smith, Kent Gale, Linda Gale Hill, Marsha Gale Williams, Randy Heaton, Dave Heaton, and Jeff Heaton.

Spring Break

Spring Break didn't feel much like "spring" this year. The first few days were very cold and snowy. The kids got to see the new movie How To Train Your Dragon in 3D which was awesome and we went to the Dinosaur Museum but we honestly spent most of the week doing spring cleaning to get ready for company.

Easter Sunday

We got another few inches of fresh snow for Easter Sunday this year. Fortunately, with the sun shining, it was still a beautiful day. And since it was also General Conference we spent the day snuggled on the couch listening to uplifting and much needed spiritual messages.

The kids did get new church clothes but will have to wait to wear them. But I think they were just as happy as we were to listen to conference, eat Easter candy, and play with playdough. It was a wonderful day to just be together.

Grandma Bobbi, Uncle Adam, and Breanne, Michael and baby Jane came over to enjoy Easter dinner with us. We had a good time but I think the kids had more fun trying to see who could put together the craziest costume.

Easter Preparations

I picked up this Easter cookie decorating kit from Bountiful Baskets food coop. The kids had a lot of fun decorating and eating their cookies before Easter.

We had to decorate eggs on Friday after school because we had a busy weekend but the kids didn't mind that Dad wasn't there. It just meant more eggs for them to color.

Austin has a hundred different facial expressions that just crack me up. I was able to capture a few here...

That kid just cracks me up.

Speaking of cracking up. We managed to decorate all the eggs this year without any cracking. It just goes to show how nice things get when your kids are old enough to understand that if you drop your egg into the food coloring it might break (or if you slam it on the table it might break). They were all very careful this year and did a great job.

April Fool's

This is what we woke up to on April Fool's Day. I didn't think Mother Nature's joke was very funny.

Bean Museum

On March 31 I got to go on a field trip with Eden's preschool group to the Bean Museum. The day before I looked at the calendar and realized Austin had swim lessons at the exact same time. Since I had double booked myself and haven't yet figured out how to be in two places at once it was Grandma to the rescue.

The kids got to watch a little reptile show and even touched a few of the creatures.

Eden said she could barely handle touching the lizard because it creeped her out. It was pretty cute.

Chocolate For Mom

I just asked Dallin if he had any chocolate he could share with me. He said he only had one small Twix left out of the bag Grandma Bobbi gave him for his play. But he said in Primary they give you a whole big Twix bar with four sections in it if you memorize the fourth Article of Faith. I laughed and told him I didn't think they would let me come into Primary with that Article of Faith memorized for a candy bar. Then he explained that he would get it for me. Ahhh, he's so sweet. I kind of want chocolate now, though.