A Date With a Bull!!

NATE AND ME

L. James trying to get more points

Michael Jordan You really can't argue - - - - the man is a legend!!! Nathan and I were out for the night cruising into downtown Chicago to have our own adult date night !! We go out alot with our two boys to dinner, movies, shopping, or whatever fancies us at the time especially when our boys are really good for us where ever we go. But, this time it was a turn for Just Us, and what better way to go than a Bulls Vs Cavs game at the United Center!! We had such good seats (like row 7 from the floor) and even though the Bulls are not in the playoffs this year they put on an awesome show last night! There had to be at least 5 HUGE DUNKS that the crowd (and us) went wild over!! Lebron James was awesome as always and seemed really big in person, I tend to like an assortment of talented players than any one set team so when the playoffs are on they will be fun to watch.

Am I ready yet??

Awesome Jump!

You can't beat BENNY THE BULL

He's such a great dancer!!

Nate was trying to score a free t shirt from the flying Bull but alas a no t-shirt wanted to fly our way!!!

Half time was BMX Jumpers on ramps and those guys were really talented, we gave them lots of cheers for all their hard work. The Bulls won 100-95 the last point was a big one for the whole crowd because everyone there could get a FREE BIG MAC if the BULLS hit 100 points and they left us hanging until those last 20 seconds to see if they could pull it off or not. It was fun to get out and have a fun night out with Nathan knowing our boys were having a blast at home with Nathan's parents. Movie night watching "Willow" chowing on pop and popcorn! Nathan's parents are moving to New Orleans soon and I know my boys will miss them, but it will be fun going to see them for visits.

Turf Paradise Race Track

Dad , Eli, Clayton, and Landon checking on the competition. I'm sure Gr. Barbara was flooded with questions like:
Where's the gate? When's it going to start? Is our horse going to win? Can we have nachos? Grandpa Delwyn and his crew of girls!!

COSIMO NUMBER 2!!

He was right in third stance all along till the very last stretch!!
OH, He didn't win NEXT TIME!! My Niece Brooklyn with a beautiful pose!
My Gr Delwyn owns some race horses in Phoenix, so naturally we all went to go cheer for them on our trip to AZ. All the family was hooting and hollering for NUMBER 2 to GO GO GO!!! The kids loved the suspense even though this horse of Grandpa didn't finish out as well as others had in the past. But there's always another race and the next new horse to cheer on!!

ME and Big Sis Emily or in other words Emma Jean (my nick name for her)

Who's at the Zoo? Crazy Idaho people that's Who!

TURTLES!!

Clayton said "They have really long tongues!!"

Hayden loved the Giraffes

Who doesn't like visiting the Zoo? If you don't then there must be something wrong because there are so many animals, birds, reptiles, etc... to ohhh and ahh about. I especially love going with kids with all their questions and weird faces at the strange things. At one point Clayton asked "Why don't they have any clothes on?" referring to some monkeys who's bums were in clear view. Kids he he. We all loved feeding the giraffes and tropical birds. The kids were little statues so the birds could eat the apples from their hands.

Hello Sunny Arizona!!

Prime beach towel spot by pool, McDonald's Happy Meal, and Family, what could be better?
So Serious Hayden!! That's better Smile!!
Dad and Mom taking Hayden for a spin!!

Let the water wars begin! Dad at gun duty and Mom would go behind the alligator and attack! Sneaky Mindy!! Three peas in a pod!

Winter just seemed to dragged on forever this year, so our trip to sunny 80 degree days in Arizona was the best boost ever!! The boys and I went to visit my family in the new Thompson Winter vacation home in Peoria AZ. A gorgeous 4 bed 2 bath with a huge kitchen and family room and best of all a heated pool!! What could be better! We would wake up and all the kids would be in the pool at 7:00 am. Everyone there included: Dad, Mom & Sophie . . . Trent and Jessa . . . Joe Emily and their kids Brooklyn 8, Landon 6, Eli 4, and Calvin 1 . . . Then me Clayton and Hayden. My Gr. Delwyn and Gr. Barbara also have a house in AZ and we were able to see them and attend church with them as well. We had such a fun time, it definitly is going to be a yearly vacation for us!!

* * LAST MINUTE * * * Easter Egg Hunt * *

We just went to an Easter Egg Hunt which was a very last minute thing!! I was updating my calendar for upcoming events and noticed the egg hunt I wanted to go to was going to happen not only on that day but in ten minutes!! We just finished eating a relaxing late breakfast now I'm running up the stairs to get Clayton, me, and Hayden all dressed and shoved in the car so they could have a fun time picking up eggs and candy that I'll probably have to pick up after them in our own house later. We arrived at 9:58 just in time for it all to start WHEW!!

Coloring Eggs!!!

Coloring Eggs is always so much fun!! We like to try new tricks with ours and put stickers and rubber bands on our eggs to take off and reveal all sorts of white lines or spots!! This year Clayton wanted to make faces for the eggs. They turned out pretty funny!!

DREAMS * DREAMS * DREAMS

Clayton usually has something either very silly or suprisingly profound to say throughout our days. When I hear "Mom, I had a dream last night", my first thought is " I wonder if it was Spiderman that he watched last night to give him nightmares or maybe that weird character on the animated series of Batman. . .hmmm" But this was not a nightmare of Clayton's it was one of his many magical dreams he seems to have. His dream according to Clayton:

"I was walking down a big road that was filled with fruit. I had to pick up the fruit so know one would slip or fall or anything. Then I saw Jesus and he had a huge bag! A really big one and he had tons of fruit in it and was sharing with everyone around him . . . and then I woke up."

What can I say his dreams are cool! When I asked Clayton about his dream again today he said "Jesus threw that dream away and said I could have a new one later."

There are a few tactics I use when Clayton does have a bad dream (which is not that often
-- even when I think he should because he saw some clip of something crazy while we channel surfed the TV) First, I tell him if he is having a hard time going to sleep then he should pray to Heavenly Father and ask him to help him be calm and have good dreams. It has to be something very disturbing to Clayton to have to do anything beyond that but then we bring out the "Dream your in CANDY LAND" bit where I tell Clayton he can eat anything he sees. His blanket becomes a huge marshmallow and his bed posts strawberry licorice. He loves talking about the Chocolate River that goes from his closet down the hall. He rides his horse Tutor to the Magic Rainbow where Jelly Belly candies fall from the sky!!

I love kids and their ability to soak everything up. The best part is when they really do get something important that you taught them and they are doing it all on their own ... like prayers.

Another dream of Clay's was when it was raining at night and Clayton said Jesus was outside his window watching over him just to make sure he didn't get wet.

It's good to know Clay thinks alot on Jesus and is trying to Choose The Right! AWESOME!!

"Cut not the wings of your dreams, for they are the heartbeat and the freedom of your soul."

Ahh Temples!!

My husband and I have recently attended the Chicago Temple for one of our ward temple days and everytime I do I am so grateful for Temples and their purposes. They are not only beautiful both on the outside and throughout the entire inside; but it is what they stand for and the feeling you get each and everytime you attend, so I guess that is why I say Ahhh Temples!!

They are best place to feel peace and comfort especially when things are crazy. Nathan and I were married in the Idaho Falls Temple, and Idaho is where I grew up so it will always have a special meaning to me! The Temple on the River.

Shedd Aquarium Fun!!

My kids love anything that has to do with animals!! Hayden was fascinated with the sea horses and turtles!! We went with our little cousins from Chicago and Clay really liked being the oldest one and showing the other kids what all the fish were about!! All the kids were smiling and clapping especially when the dolphins were jumping and showing off all their tricks!! Such a Blast!!

Clay such a chesser

Dolphin Show

the rock seating was a little tough on our back sides thou!!!!

Here is the crew Hayden . . . Clayton . . . Shayna . . . and . . . Jordan !! I love it when kids get together and just have so much fun!! After Hayden saw the FROGS he was jumping around and saying RIBBIT RIBBIT RIBBIT

Winter Winter Winter!!

It is definitely winter here in Chicago, on a day when it wasn't Bone Chillin Cold the boys played in the snow while I shoved the driveway. Making a snowmand is always a must with good wet snow!! We couldn't find any rocks to use for Frosty's eyes so I ran inside and grabbed some OREO COOKIES; but as you can tell from the pictures I didn't fool Hayden one bit . . . or should I say BITE!!