Gymnastic Nationals

Mandy's baby Evelynn, Zander, and Jami's baby Anna

Sorry Jami and Michelle, but this is a repeat.

Last Tuesday, Mandy, Jami and myself headed East in the good 'ol minivan (with our 3 babies) to watch the Utes in the NCAA National Gymnastics meet. We traveled through the night so the babies could sleep the majority of the trip. Luckily we were able to check into our hotel early so we could rest after a very long night. We welcomed Wendy and Michelle (with her baby), who flew, later Wednesday night. After enjoying a fabulous steak dinner and a severely needed nights worth of sleep, it was the long 2 meet Thursday. The afternoon wasn't stressful as Utah did not compete. The evening session, however, gave us all heart attacks as Utah tried really hard to not make it to the super six on Friday. After 2 falls on beam, they tied with UCLA for the 3rd spot to continue on. Luckily the tie breaker went our way.

Here are all of us at the meet. Michelle and Brylee, me and Zander, Jami and Anna, Mandy and Evelynn and Wendy

Here are the 4 babes attempting to stay on the seats by themselves.

Friday we decided to have a relaxing morning and took the babies swimming.

After the LONG process to get ready with all the babies, we took them to the Utah fan party, where the babies, all in front packs, were a hit. I have never been popular and usually try to stay out of the lime light, but everyone wanted pictures and thought it was the cutest thing ever.

Me and my Bubba at one of the restaurants.

Here is Wendy holding Zander at the meet.

I have to sent out a huge thanks to Wendy for being a great friend and extra set of hands for us. She was very brave to want to take a trip with 4 moms and their babies.

The Utes did okay Friday night, but could have done better. I won't get on my soap box about Georgia. Utah ended up taking 3rd, which I guess we can't complain about 3rd in the nation.
Saturday we did a little shopping and then enjoying the individual competitions that night.
Sunday was the longest day of my life! 14 hours in the van, with all 3 babies now during awake time. They did pretty good considering.
We are home and we all survived.

Jones Easter Egg Hunt

We had the Jones family Easter party today at Alleson's house. Everyone was able to be there, which is quite a feat. Here is Zander hanging out with daddy while the girls go on the egg hunt.

I find this picture quite comical. My girls love the sun in their eyes as much as my husband. Nothin' but a bunch of squinters.!

Here is Zoey finding one of her eggs. From what I was told, she got the biggest one.

Here is Maizy bending down to pick up another egg to add to her collection.

Here are all the grandkids on Casey's side of the family. What a group. I am hoping that Tony got a better picture. Trust me, I took plenty, but still did not manage to get everyone looking at the same time.

Easter Sunday

Zander in his new Easter outfit

Zoey ready to go

Maizy looking cute

Here are the kids all dressed and ready for church. Getting them all ready for church by 0900 by my self is quite a challenge, but somehow we managed...today!

Happy Easter

Coloring Eggs

Today we had the annual Easter egg coloring party (this is our first year to attempt due to the kids ages). Maizy and Zoey loved it! Of course both mom and dad were needed for supervision to make sure Zoey didn't use the eggs as cannon balls. I was quite surprised at how well they both did. Maizy helped me dye the eggs and then both decorated with stickers. This will be a tradition for us from now on.

Here is Maizy decorating her one of many eggs.

Casey was in charge of Zoey...sorry honey! She did pretty good except for once she put the stickers on, she kept trying to pull them back off.

here are the finished products. I had to make sure they were out of Zoey's reach.

Here is the whole family participating. Zander just chillin' in his high chair.

Even though he didn't color eggs, he had to be included because he is just so darn cute. Plus, he has a duck, and that is Easter-ish, so it counts!!!

Wilde Easter Party

Friday was our annual family Easter dinner and egg hunt. I wish we would have been able to do it on Easter, but with all of our work schedules, this is the only day that worked to get everyone together. I am so glad my parents have continued the tradition of what my Grandma Betty used to do when I was younger. I have fond memories of Easter and hope my children have those same memories when they get older. We started off with a fabulous dinner that mom prepared. You can never go wrong with ham and funeral potatoes. Yummm!!! The egg hunt is of course what all of the kids look forward to. My parents spoil the kids. Candy, candy, a toy, and more candy...where are they when the sugar rush hits??? Thanks mom and dad for a wonderful Easter!!!

Here is Maizy showing off her Easter egg with her name on it. I had a hard time getting pictures of her because she kept running off and finding her stuff before I could get to her. The joys of them growing up. Maybe her eggs will have to be hidden harder next year!!

Zoey was having a blast, but we had to keep our eye on her as she kept wandering off...including almost into the road (my parents live on Main Street so it can be busy). She loved her basket and didn't want to let it go. She did have fun finding her eggs...and everyone else's.

Zander enjoyed hanging out with dad and sucking on everything in site. He loved his plastic eggs as they were easy for him to hold on to.

Here is a picture of all 6 grandkids. I took about 20 shots and this was the best I got. Oh well, maybe next time I will get them all smiling. Parker looks like he is the only one who was glad to be there.

Update

We were finally able to get Zander in for his 6 month appointment last week. He weighs a whopping 21 pounds 9 ounces. Wow!!! I should have muscles of steel from carrying him around. I had weighed him on our home scale, so I was not too surprised. I had already transitioned him to our bigger car seat as the infant one we have only goes to 20 pounds. (By the way, if anyone knows someone who needs a good carseat that is only a little over 4 years old and has never been in an accident, let me know-it will be cheap:) ) He is not quite sitting up yet, but we hope this will be soon. He has one bottom tooth with the second ready to pop through the gum. He continues to be a happy baby...for the most part.

Below are the pictures of the kids ceiling fans that I stamped today. I think they turned out pretty cute. Maizy is very excited about her fan. This was my first time stamping with paints...interesting!!!