Spring Break in California

 

 

 

 

We went to Ventura California for 4 days during our Spring Break. While we were there we went to Santa Barbara, and the Beach. The weather was perfect! During our visit to Santa Barbara we rented bikes and cruised around the Pier. We discovered a cartoon artist, and paid him to draw all eight members of our family. He first drew the 2 girls together, and had them dressing up in my high heels and wearing my jewelry. Then all four boys were drawn. They of course were playing basketball, baseball, and football in the picture. Then Steve and I were drawn. I told the artist that both of us work, and juggle the task of taking care of the house, and getting all of our 6 children to their activities. The pictures turned out great! We already have them framed, and hanging in our house.

Nevada Reading Week!

 

During Nevada Reading Week the kids are asked to do different things at home associated with reading. One of the 5 days they were supposed to read to a stuffed animal. If they did what was asked, then a parent could sign a note and their name would be put into a drawing for a prize. If winning something is associated with the task, then Cameron is all for it. This is how I found him! He was reading to Austin and a stuffed animal. This was so cute, I couldn't resist posting it!

Cam turns 7

 

 

 

 

Cameron turned 7 on March 10th. We took donuts into his class at school on his actual birthday, and then the Saturday following his Birthday was his party. He insisted on having a football cake. Steve worked his magic and came up with a football/gumball cake. Cam was in Heaven!! When we asked Cam what games he wanted to play at his party, it wasn't a surprise when he said, "Football!!" I came up with an obstacle course that he approved because throwing a football, and dribbling a basketball was associated with it. He made out like a bandit with the gifts he received. He got a pair of baseball gloves, a football, lots of Nerf guns, and money. He is so happy to have finally turned 7!

More Sledding Pictures!

 

 

 

 

Here are more pictures of our day of sledding! We borrowed winter gear from four of our good friends. One day of sledding was a lot of work, but worth it in the long run.

Skipping Work and School to Sled!!

 

 

 

 

The kids have been begging us to take them up to Pine Valley to go sledding! There isn't one free Saturday in the next couple months to take them, so we decided to pull them out of school and take off work! We told Cameron it was one of his Birthday presents! It was such a fun day! The weather was nice, with a ton of snow! We met up with my oldest brother and his family in S.T. George, and took up three of his kids. In exchange, they took Alexa for the day. After eating lunch at the Golden Coral (my kids love this place)we went sledding, and Derek snowboarded for the first time. He did awesome! He got a small lesson on what to do from his cousin, and within 15 minutes he was snowboarding down the hill. After sledding, we drove back to my brother's house for hamburgers, hot dogs, and relaxing in their hot tub. Nothing like one extreme to the other! Fun times!!

Watch me Balance!!

 

 

All of our children learn to stand and balance on Steve's hand by the time they are 6 months old. Austin will be 6 months in a few days, so we had to video tape him doing what all the other Reese's have done! This balancing act started with my Dad. I have baby pictures of doing this same thing on my Dad's hand! How cool is that?

Basketball is over! Baseball has begun!

 

 

 

 

Conner, Derek, and Cameron just ended their Basketball season. Conner and Derek had the opportunity for the first time to play on the same team. We moved Derek up to a higher level because of his size and skill. It was a good move! They both did awesome! Conner has a great shot, and scored 15-20 points most games. He also improved a ton with rebounding. Derek also rebounded great. He did well in the center position. He has learned to post up and pivot in order to score down low. They were so excited to play on the same team! They get along so well! They are truly best of friends. They still fight like brothers, but a few minutes after an argument they have forgotten all about it. All the time practicing at home together helped them on the same team. They could read each other's mind, knowing exactly where to throw the ball to get it to the other. They had some great plays!
Cameron is the funniest child to watch play sports. Intense is not a strong enough word to describe Cam. He is very driven to win! He watches the score like a hawk! Every time he would score, he would look and make sure they put the points on the score board. If the score keeper wasn't fast enough, Cam would let them know. He made me laugh numerous times in the game. He is quite the basketball player! He scored every point in almost every game, and became concerned when we would call him a ball hog. On numerous occasions he tried to pass the ball to a team mate, but they would drop it and it was stolen by the other team. Eventually, he just started taking the shots himself. After we told him he was being a ball hog, he would make it a point to pass the ball to a team mate, and then look at me and say, "Mom, did you see me pass the ball?" Too funny! By the last game, he wanted his team mates to score a basket. He passed it several times to different players, and quite a few of them scored a basket for the first time this season. He was so proud of them! It was exciting watching the faces of children after they score their very first basket in a game!!