Spring Break

For Spring Break this year we headed up to Hanna Land for a few days of fun and relaxation. 

 We did our usual 4 wheeler rides, going for walks, and watching movies. But we also did a few new things. We decorated Easter cookies:

 Some of the kids enjoyed eating them more than making them.

 We did a lot of puzzles.

All three kids got to sleep in Grandma and Grandpa's bed. 

 How cute is Makayla? She set up Marshmallow the Bear and put all of her babies on him.

 And how cute is Brynnli? She always has to be touching someone when she sleeps. It's a whole lot cuter when it's not you she's touching while you try to sleep.

 Brynn climbed in the closet shelves and made herself cozy.

 We went on a long walk and hike. We were so proud of our kids for climbing up this tall rock.

 We also decorated Easter eggs.

 I was pretty proud of my M and M ones.

 We threw rocks into the river

 And sang songs around the campfire.

Can't wait to head back up to Hanna Land again in a few weeks! It is truly one of our favorite places to go!

April is for Field Trips

Caden's preschool class went on a field trip to Tracy Aviary this year, and since it was right before Spring break, our whole family got to go!

Here's Caden's cute class: 

 We walked around and got to see all the birds.

 Some of Caden's cute classmates:

 Miss Aubrey and Miss Marie

 Brynn loved the flamingos.

 And I love selfies.

 I just love this picture of these two!

A few weeks later I got to go on a field trip to Wheeler Farm with Makayla. 

Luckily I was in charge of keeping track of Makayla and her two friends, Haylie and Samantha. 

 This is Makayla's class and her teacher, Mrs. Kimball.

 Makayla and Haylie did not like the smells at the farm.

 We got to watch the blacksmith make a part of a chain.

 These baby sheep were born that very morning we were on our trip.

 We got to go for a tractor ride.

 And see the ducks. All three girls were so enamored by this tiny little baby duckling.

Our Biggest Goal Yet

See this picture? It means more to me and Tyler than anyone will ever realize for two reasons: 

 1, our kids. We are so lucky to have three of the most adorable kids around, and 2, see the house in the background? After 51/2 years of living there it's officially ours.

 Yep, we paid off our house in full. WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!!

With the exception of our mortgage, Tyler and I have always been debt free, and it has been our mutual goal to pay off our house as soon as we could. We've sacrificed a lot, endured a lot of poking fun at our lifestyle (I didn't have a smart phone until a year ago, and we haven't had a cable package in years), and tolerated a lot of spreadsheets, but we've also celebrated each small step that's got us to this point. And you know what? It feels great to know that our house is ours. There is a huge relief taken off our shoulders, and the grass feels just a little bit better now that it's ours. 

To celebrate, Tyler and I went to dinner at The Roof Restaurant where we had a spectacular view of the Salt Lake Temple.  

The dinner was delicious, but my favorite part was obviously the desserts. It was a buffet, so obviously I helped myself to one of each. 

We had to take the iconic picture in front of the temple. 

 We walked around Temple Square and talked about our next big goal in life. It was probably one of my favorite nights.