Just Got Home, and Now To CA!

Beware, lots of pictures coming your way!

Peter's maternal grandfather passed away last week and we got to go out to L.A. for the funeral. It was a really quick and crazy trip with the kids, but I'm really glad that we were all able to go. I learned a lot about Grandpa Mingus that I hadn't known before and it was great to see extended family members that we don't see very often at all. The last time I saw some of Peter's family was when we got married almost 6 years ago! The kids also had a great time seeing their cousins that live far away.

Levi, apparently bracing himself for the long boring drive

We headed out on Friday morning and made good time. We wanted the kids to be able to at least see the beach while we were out there. We drove out to Oceanside where Peter's brother, Jack, lives and where a bunch of the group was staying the night. We took the kids to walk on Oceanside Pier. They loved it and were so excited to see the ocean and the surfers!

I just love this shot-

Eden was afraid to walk on the cracks, like she would fall through or something. She was cracking everybody up!
Here is Jonah, begging me to let him stay at the beach longer.

We finally made it over to Jack's house and had a fun time hanging out and eating pizza and brownies.

Charlotte showed off her acrobatic skills

The next day we drove up to Northridge for the funeral. It was a really beautiful service. Grandpa was a Marine, and some Marines came and played Taps and did a flag ceremony. (Is that what it's called?) It was the first time I had seen something like that and it was truly touching. I have never heard Taps played so beautifully. Grandpa Mingus will be missed. He was always really kind to me and he made it clear that he loved our kids' red hair! Jonah was even due on Grandpa Mingus' birthday, but decided to come 5 days late instead.

Eden on the drive to L.A.

Levi, with his Uncle Tom, who we rarely see (hint, hint)

I am so mad at myself that I didn't get better pictures (or any with Grandma Mingus for that matter). Peter's brothers were even all in attendance and I don't think anyone got a picture of them all together. In my defense, I was chasing my kids most of the time.
After the funeral, the wonderful Relief Society sisters served the family some desserts and punch before we headed over to Grandma Mingus' house. The kids were really getting hyper and it didn't help that they were being chased by their cousins. But I was about ready to scream by the time we left the church. I was afraid that we'd have to leave for home early because our kids were just being so bad! But by the time we got to Grandma Mingus' house, they were doing a lot better, and besides, Grandma had the coolest backyard and toys! Yeah! I was so excited that the kids could get their energy out without causing a scene. The trusty RS also served dinner at Grandma's, which was yummy and kid-friendly as well! These ladies knew what they were doing when they brought a plate of PB&J and some Cheetos! I can't tell you how thrilled I was!

The kids had a blast playing outside. Grandma Mingus had some cool toys.

My adorable nephew, Henry, looks just like his Grandma Harper to me!

My sister-in-law, Shelley, made us do this, but I think it turned out well.
And we met for the second time, our nephew, Luke! He looks so much bigger!
And just to round out the evening, Henry ate his fill of potting soil!

I swear, his mother was right there with me when I took these pictures! I didn't just let him eat a bunch of dirt while I snapped pictures!

We left L.A. at about 8:30pm and drove all the way home with the help of sunflower seeds and No-Doz. We got in safely at 2 am and were glad to be home in our beds!

Spring Break in Logandale

Jonah had two weeks off for Spring Break since he is on the modified year-round schedule. So instead of being cooped up here with all of my kids for two weeks, I decided that we could visit my parents in Logandale and share the insanity. The kids had a lot of fun and I was glad to get to hang out with my siblings a little and watch Landon play ball and the drums. (It stinks being the oldest with siblings still at home and in high school. I feel like I miss out on a lot.)

Levi spent a lot of time climbing on the Elliptical machine on my parents' porch...

While the other kids dug in the dirt,

which resulted in plenty of bath time!

Jonah jammed on the piano,

Levi ate lots of food

and Eden drank a gallon of milk everyday (or so it seemed).
Eden, the Princess of Milk!
Tibi watched Eden and Levi so we could go to Landon's band concert without chaos (videos in the next post). Jonah loved it, of course. It was a spaghetti dinner and the orchestra and band both played. It was the perfect outing for Jonah; he loves spaghetti and good music! He was really excited to see Landon play the xylophone and drums. When he tasted his spaghetti he said, "This is GOOD!"
We also went to the park with the Chappells to play soccer. The kids ran around the field, mostly getting in the way, but they seemed to enjoy it. I think we have a distance runner on our hands; Jonah kept running all the way up and down the field and around the track and never got tired!
We did some dancing

and some relaxing
and we watched a lot of this:
We also ate plenty of junk food, including some yummy Girl Scout Cookie ice cream. Well, most of us ate it. Eden seems to have bathed herself in it.
The day before we went home, we got to go to a morning Easter egg hunt and breakfast that my cousin was in charge of. It was a lot of fun and the kids figured out what they were supposed to do really quickly! They got a ton of eggs and had a great time.

Landon's Band Concert

I noticed that Landon played the most prominent instruments in the percussion section for each song. I guess that means he's pretty good! I sure thought so! Here he is on the snare drum:

and the bongos:

Another Day at the Zoo

The kids had a fun day with some friends at the zoo today. The weather was really nice and warm with a cool breeze and we may have even got a little sun on our noses!

There's a tiger in there:

Everyone wanted to see!

The kids had a blast at the petting zoo! Levi tried the brush but it was kind of hard to use.

Peek-a-boo!

The kids also got to play at the playground there.

The giant tortoise

As we were walking out of the petting zoo area, a group of 3 or 4 peacocks was walking by!

Odds and Ends

This kid is growing up so fast! One more week until Nursery! Wahoo!

This is the first drawing of a face I have ever seen Jonah do- he colors a lot, but rarely draws. Guess I need to let him just draw more!

My mom used to put our pants on our heads as kids. I'm so glad I had the camera at this moment! It was so cute!

And here is a video of Jonah. I caught him reading a book to the other kids.

Our Courtship in Six-Word Snippets

Both just living in Provo area
Not going to school, just working
What to do, mission or school?
Prayed one night, mission for sure
Hanging out with cousin Aubrey 24/7
"Hey Jack's brothers live up here"
Sounds cool, let's play some games
Peter and Alan fun to hang with
Alan's mission to Iceland- super interesting!
Peter's mission to Idaho- that's nice.
Had no clue Peter diggin' me
Mission mindset- totally gung-ho now
Moved home soon after meeting him
Pretty much forgot, unexpected phone call
Jack's family- not coming to farewell
Hmm didn't expect them to anyway...
More info given- Peter liked you
That's nice. He's cool. Too late.
Left for Russia, freezing out there
Sometimes think of Peter, probably married.
Maybe write him? Probably forgot me.
Time goes on, still freezing temps
Mission soon over, letter comes
Funny and charming letter from him
I write back, another letter comes
One more from me. No response!
Uh-oh, what happened? Scared him off.
Four months later, landing in Vegas.
Chance to visit grandparents in California
Hitch a ride down, hear rumors
Grandma's been bugging Peter for months
About granddaughter in Russia, home soon
Gotta date her when she returns
Calls me up, I feel awkward
Probably forced to take me out
We have fun, like each other
Peter got sick from restaurant's food
Barfs at church next day-yuck
Hanging out all week, dropping classes
Okay, first kiss, come on already!
Finally he lays one on me
Gotta go home, long distance relationship
Lots of trips back and forth
I get hormonal and ruin proposal
He asks anyway, Cheryl sees ring
Screams out loud, everyone freaking out
Rocky engagement, mission high still there
Peter's super patient, I become normal
Both move to Arizona, working lots
Fun, hard times, poor, sharing car
Car accident, now what to do?
Borrow truck, no A/C, 110 degrees
Ride bike to grocery store together
Bike stolen, time to buy car
Wedding preparations mostly done by us
Lots of help once day comes
Very early morning sealing in temple
The start of our forever family
San Diego, so lovely, Floyd sealed
Perfect beginning of our lives together!