Lots of New Things at our House

This is what it looks like in front of my house right now! Joseph and I planted these tulips in September and we had so much fun watching them bloom. I didn't realize the the azaleas would bloom the same time. So colorful! Here's a taste of what our family room make-over is starting to look like. Here's our new furniture and tv and you can see the new paint on the wall and new rug on the floor. Now I get to have fun filling the shelves. I think I'll put some photos, planters/vases, and wicker baskets on them. Then I plan to get a matching ledge shelf to go over the tv. What do you think?We enjoyed a visit from my cousin Terri and her family. We rode the new Water Taxi across the bay where we rode the carousel and ate ice cream. Yum.Here's what our spring walks around the block look like now. It seems like just yesterday our walks looked like this. It's kind of freaking me out that they're getting so big. Joseph is apprehensive about taking off his training wheels, but I think I've got him convinced to try it out after he turns six next month. Justin rides this three-wheeled scooter like a pro.Joseph drives me crazy with his incessant need to make projects and create "formulas." Just about everyday on the ride home from school he tells me he's got the best idea ever. I think it's inspired by one of our favorite shows, Phineas and Ferb, who make an elaborate creation everyday. He's made tvs and laptops out of cardboard, bluetooth headsets out of paper, and lately he makes things for me to use around the house. This afternoon he made me some wood floor cleaner. This picture is Joseph creating some sort of gel to use in my hair. His ingredients include hand soap, toothpaste and lotion.And this is his can of paint. I love that he's being creative and inventive but it's getting tricky that he wants to save all his projects and keep them in permanent places of honor. When I slowly throw them away, he always realizes it and lectures me about it.And I finally got Justin to the dentist for the first time. He's been begging since he watched Joseph go. I thought maybe he'd back down when we got there, but he just jumped in the chair and let them do the whole cleaning routine! He was so proud of his new toothbrush and play dough he picked out of the prize basket. My baby is turning into a big boy right before my eyes whether I like it or not.

Spring Break to Easter

Here's my little Easter Bunny.Joseph's Spring Break from school was the week before Easter and we decided to use it just play play playing. We went to a great little egg hunt at the community center and bounced at a bouncy house place. Joseph took his new kite out for a spin.We had a blast at the Pacific Science Center.And we visited the Museum of Flight.We got to meet up with some old friends that we never get to see.And of course, we dyed Easter Eggs.Whew! What a great week. But of course, this means I'm exhausted and no walls got painted again and no housework got done either. I'm paying for that this week. But it was worth the fun!

I thought it was so relaxing (We loved having Darren all to ourselves all weekend!) and so spiritual to have Easter on General Conference weekend. I was truly inspired with a resolve to do better by the messages of our Prophet and Apostles. I know they are men of God called to direct us this day. Because of conference, all weekend my thoughts were turned to Christ and all He has done for me. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that He lives and continues to help and strengthen me each day as long as I come unto Him.