APRIL

SPRING BREAK
When I think of spring break, I think of sunshine. I think of being warm, wearing new spring clothes, and getting a taste of summer. I really don't know why I think of warm weather because we so rarely have it in Utah during spring break. Sure there are those occasional days when the sun shines and the air gets warmer, but typical spring breaks for us are cold and rainy. The kids wear shorts because they are hopeful and they trick themselves into believing it's warm. Adults wear jackets because we are realistic, and we don't like to be cold. This year was no different. We had a little sunshine but for the most part it was cold.

Still- Spring break is great. It reminds me that summer and truly warm weather are right around the corner. It signals the end of the school year and provides a much needed break. Even with the cold temps and the rain- I love spring break!

This year our spring break consisted of time at the park when the sun was shining, a sleep over with cousins, and a day mini golfing with friends at Trafalga. We also took a two day road trip to Idaho to visit Great Grandma Hendrix. The kids were very excited to sleep in a hotel. They loved the swimming pool and the continental breakfast. S said it was the worst bed he ever slept in (it wasn't a bed, it was a small chair and ottoman). I'm not sure why I didn't take pictures of them in the pool, but here are some of them playing at the park in Idaho Falls.









TWO TEMPLES

I've been through Idaho Falls many times but have never stopped at the park by the falls or at the temple.
Since our hotel was nearby we decided to make a quick stop to see the water falls and to look at the temple. It was cold (typical spring break) but it was also very beautiful. It would be nice to go back when it's warm. The park looked like a really fun place to have a picnic or to walk along the trails.


Here is a picture of our family in front of the temple. One of our goals for this year is to see a new temple, and we did it!

The boys liked the water falls. They watched sticks, and almost a duck, go over the edge of the falls.

We enjoyed spending time with Great Grandma as well. It was good to see her. We visited, played games and watched the squirrels out her window. The boys could remember some things from their visit last summer and they enjoyed spending time with the dogs again, especially Bug. It was nice to see Grandma again! On our way home we drove through Wyoming and into Logan so we could see another temple. It was cold and there was still quite a bit of snow through the mountains. We made it to Logan and walked around the temple there for a few minutes. It was a nice break before the rest of our long trip home.



Here are the boys in front of the Logan temple. We visited two new temples in just one day- pretty great!


GROWING UP
Happy Birthday to my baby boy! I can't believe he's six years old. He is growing up so fast. He is a joy to have in our family.
He has such a unique personality. He is so thoughtful of others. He is constantly asking me how my day went, or how work was, or how I did on a test.
He is also constantly making me laugh. The other day, as we were driving in the car, he asked me if I knew what his favorite thing about the car was. When I said I didn't know, he told me that his favorite thing is that it talks about Jimmer (Fredette) all of the time (the radio station was on news radio). He cracks me up with all of the funny things he says, like- my heart is "beeping" and "thingo". We sure love this kid!

Thanks to Aunt T. She came through on another birthday with this fantastic cake. Some wished it was red, but that is a never ending debate in our family.



S was very happy. He's already wondering what Aunt T will make next year.

THE ALLERGY ADVENTURE
I have become complacent.
Or maybe a better way to describe me would be spoiled, or in denial, or lazy.
At least when it comes to S's allergies. He has been allergic to milk for...
...well forever really. When he was little I was constantly on guard, always watching and always prepared. But then he started growing up. He knows what he can eat so I don't watch him closely because I know he will only eat what he's suppose to (see, I'm spoiled). I don't even worry that he'll have a reaction because he never does (see, I'm in denial). And I even let the epi-pens expire (see, I'm lazy).
Well, I got a nice little reminder this month that the milk allergy is still there, and accidents can happen and I better have 2 epi-pens available.

S and T were eating breakfast together. I had gotten T some chocolate milk but neglected to get S some as well. I left the kitchen while they were eating. Soon enough came the scream and T came running. "S drank my milk", he yelled. In the midst of their talking and laughing S had accidentally picked up T's cup and drank a couple of swallows. I wondered if maybe it wouldn't matter and he would be fine with a little Benadryl. Unfortunately I was wrong (see- denial). First came the itchy throat, and the upset tummy. Then the asthma like cough, red face and purple lips. I gave him the epi-pen, even though I'm pretty sure it was expired (see- lazy). Those epi's are great! It's amazing how quickly they work. Within minutes his color returned to normal and he felt so much better. I thought we were good but about 10 minutes later he started itching. I thought maybe a bath would help him feel better and soothe the itching. After being in the bath a few minutes I went in to check on him and his entire body from the waist up was dark red. It looked like he had been out in the sun all day with no sunscreen. He was as red as a lobster. I had never seen anything like it and I didn't know if it was a reaction to the epi or the milk. I called the pediatrician's office and they said to come right over. He was still so red when we got there and his knuckles and lips were swollen. His O2 level was just fine but the doctor said he was having a secondary reaction to the milk. He needed another shot and we had to stay in the office until the redness started to go away. It was probably almost 3 hours before he was completely back to normal. When we got home he said to me, "Mom, it's all your fault!"
And, he's probably right... I had been spoiled and lazy and in denial.
Lesson learned.


The doctor gave S a tester so he could practice giving himself the shot. Believe me, he didn't look this calm or happy when I gave him the real thing.

EASTER
I love these matching ties, and I love these handsome boys!