Spring Break Summary

We had a fun Spring Break! Usually Spring Break is pretty boring, wet and cold. I had expected it to be the same this year, but it turned out much better. The weather was pretty decent and we had lots of fun playing! With Spring Break sandwiched between a weekend of General Conference and a weekend of Easter celebration, it has to be pretty great. 

The Friday night before Gen. Conference, my mom so kindly kept the kids so Matt and I could go see the Gauguin exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum downtown. Sadie hooked us up with some tickets. It was awesome to see his paintings close up. Beautiful. We had a great time and yummy italian dinner (in a place that felt like the Godfather - Matt even checked for a gun behind the toilet) before our ferry ride and walk home. It was raining the next morning as we were rushing to get back to my mom's for conference. We had a wet run to the ferry first thing in the morning :)

We spent Saturday conference with my mom at her house and Sunday with Grandma and Grandpa Thorne at their house. Both days were relaxing and easy. There is the best joy and peaceful feeling listening to the General Authorities teach and encourage us as a family.  Even the kids seem more peaceful during those days. It was a sweet experience. 

 Later in the week Jack and Savannah went to stay the night with Gramps and Omie. Willow was certain that she would be going too. But, she's just not quite old enough for the cousin/sleepover parties. She was sooo disappointed when we met my dad in Bellevue and I transferred Jack and Savannah's bags and carseats to Gramps' car but not hers. She kept saying, "My seat too! My bag too!" Matt and I felt so bad. She was heartbroken as the kids drove away. She is wanting to do everything that they do now. She wants to be with them all the time and not miss out. She wouldn't stop crying.

We headed to jamba juice and found a cure for her heartache. She finally stopped crying.

Matt and Willow and I stayed at my mom's house that night, because it's just too expensive to come back and forth on the ferry. My mom was sweet and let us have another night out while she put Willow down. Willow is so happy at my mom and grandma's house. She ignores me when we're there. 

We picked up the kids the next morning, grabbed some delish Pagliacci pizza and met our friends, the Shenemans, who came over from Liberty Lake. We went to the Arboretum. It was pretty, but super muddy.

Some people, like Jess, don't wear rain/mud boots everywhere they go, like me, and need to be carried through treacherous muddy conditions. Check me out walking the plank with her on my back :)

And check out the beautiful sunshine pouring its rays on the tree climbers, Jack, DJ, and Ethan.  All our kids got along so well and so quickly. Love friends like that!

 After this we ferried over to our pretty island and played on the beach and ate Mora's ice cream. Yum!

Savi and Kate looking buried in driftwood. We love it when our friends come to see us!

Oh boy, and then it was Easter weekend! We are so lucky to live by so much family. If it's Easter weekend, and you live by lots of family, and you are us, this means:

2 Easter Egg Hunts

2 Easter Dinners

More Grandparent Sleepovers

Lots of Time Goofing off with Cousins you Love

 We searched for Easter baskets Saturday morning since we wouldn't be back home until Sunday evening. We tried to hide them better this year since Savannah so quickly found everybody's last year!

 One down.

 Two down.

 Three down!

 And, our pantry after Jack "searched" through it.

 Willow eating my favorite Easter treat, the Cadbury Egg! So glad that all my kids love these too. Matt, unfortunately, doesn't. But, we still love him ;)

 Easter egg hunt at my Dad and Sally's. Pretty cute bunch.

 We sure missed Kiana, Sam and Josh this year!!

 Was so nice being able to do it outside this year! Maren and Alex and baby Stella were there too. We all fought over holding the cutest and easiest baby I've ever seen. And, Sally made FIVE cakes. All amazing and definitely worth mentioning and remembering forever.

Easter Sunday! So sunny, my kids were blinded! We went to Janice and Kay's ward at their brand new church building. The Easter music was beautiful, with Janice at the organ/piano. All the squinting just cracks me up. 

 Autumn painted the girls' nails. She is so sweet to do that for them. 

 And, she's so good. She's like a traveling salon!

Our ferry ride home. Goodbye Spring Break!

And Happy Easter!