Happenings

Breakfast in bed for the birthday boy, a Barney family tradition

Anna and Louisa 

They love each other.

Trevor and Alec dressed as their favorite book characters for Reading Week. 

Trevor was Harry Potter of course and Alec was Stupendous Man. (from Calvin and Hobbes) Alec reads Trace's old Calvin and Hobbes books every night before going to sleep. Trevor and Mariah have been reading Harry Potter for their book club, and they are now on Book 5. It has been so fun for them to do this together. (with Aunt Tawny)

We LOVE books! 

Trevor's orchestra concert

My little violinist

At the Park 

Kisses!

Louisa was at the hospital with her parents getting a cast for her broken leg. (Poor baby!) We took the Farmer boys to the park with us to enjoy the spring-like weather. 

Mitchell was so busy and independent that day at the park. He didn't look for his mommy even once! Even more surprising, he didn't come over to the bench when we were handing out snacks. This kid loves being outside!

Lincoln, so sad about sister Louisa's broken leg

But not too sad!

Taking a little walk

Louisa's and her broken leg. 

Her pink cast is so cute. Everybody has signed it. The leg sure doesn't slow her down much. She gets around just fine! It looks kind of funny, especially as she limps around corners. We have to try not to laugh at her cuteness because it hurts her feelings. This happened at dinner at few days ago. We couldn't help ourselves. Her little pirate, peg-leg walk was so funny! She turned around to give us the stink-eye, (which she has perfected) while April tried to convince her that we were laughing at something else. She wasn't buying it.

Maren was found interesting ways to pass the time during spring break. This was an attempt as making a marionette. She admits that it wasn't a huge success. She also used wire cutters to snip a bottle cap into a thousand pieces and drew faces on all of our fruit and eggs. I seriously need to give this girl some more chores...

The Magic House!

Fun in the Art Room 

Yay! Tally came and brought the girls! We loved having them here!

They have a nice selection of craft supplies. Kids take whatever they need.

Aubree hard at work

Adam even made some art.

A fight ensued about whose art was better.

Angelina,

with a St. Patrick's Day tatoo.

It took some convincing and patience to persuade her to let us take it off.  At one point she was cornered behind the couch with the cousins and Aunt Tassa moving in with make-up remover and a wash cloth.This was not an effective method. Angelina won that round, even being so outnumbered.

Trista finally managed to get it a day later. Trista also managed to fix all the little girls' hair. She has some sort of magic with the nieces.

Aubree and her backwards pants. Love it.

Yet another painting

I love it that she can do this at the Magic House, because her mom is too old and tired to try this at home.

M for Mariah

Bread Wars

Adam adores Annalisa and visa versa

The ice cream stand was popular with the kiddos.

Important car repairs 

It sure would be nice to have a mechanic in the family someday.

The Weather Room

I'm awake! I'm awake!

A President and a comedian!

  

Snack time! (complements of Tally- she comes prepared!)

Easter Eggs!

Aubree's wild hair :)

We had quiet and pleasant Sister's Luncheon while Maren and Massiel watched the masses of children. It was so fun to chat and catch up on each other's lives. I wish we could do this more often!

When we came home this is what we found. The kids were gathered around Maren, who was spraying water into their mouths one by one. Strange, but pretty cute.

Check out those curls.

Dinnertime!

Feeding this crowd is an undertaking.

Everybody pitches in, and it's a lot of fun too. 

"Fantastico!"

 (He looks like he's enjoying the food, doesn't he?)

At dinner we had a fun game of Apples to Apples with the girls.

Family reunions are the best.

Julianna!

Trevor giving Annalisa the coveted giant purple egg

The Lucky Winner! 

(Alec was is in the house crying about not getting the purple egg. Kids!)

Those Easter Eggs went to good use. Thanks Tally!

Trista teaches the kiddos the Train Game. She was very patient with all the silliness.

Wait! I thought this was Spring!

As I write this, it is still snowing. Church was cut short, and so we are at home snug and warm, watching movies and enjoying some family time. (And catching up on the blog!)

I wonder if we will have school tomorrow...

Birthday Boys

We had another family gathering last Sunday to celebrate Adam's and Tyler's birthdays. We ate April's yummy stew with biscuits and salad. Cheesecake and chocolate pie were dessert. I officially have two teenagers! Adam is now thirteen years old. And still such a good boy! Love that kid!

Tawny discovered my long-forgotten tomatoes that were left in the garage to ripen. They ripened a bit too much. Trevor, this is what "rotten" looks like. Tawny suggested we let the kids see this experiment gone wrong and have a little lesson about decomposition as part of our Family Home Evening. Good idea, Tawny! They were fascinated.

That's our "Father Lehi" cheesing behind the rotten tomatoes. I thought this picture was so funny.

 (Mariah was getting ready for our FHE.)

Salsa, anyone?

The garden may have to wait patiently for Nonny's return. Our success was minimal.

Trevor and Mariah teach about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.

They have been very helpful in our FHE efforts lately, which is a part of the Faith in God requirements. 

She makes a good Lehi we all thought.  That mustache really works. Trace, you might want to try out this look next Christmas.

A School Dance

We let Maren go to her first school dance. Geoff has always been very adamant about our kids not going to these dances. (with very good reasons- he's seen too much) But I was cautiously optimistic that Lafayette High would be a notch above the CA schools in this. And even though we are very wary of these things, we thought we would let Maren make the decision on whether or not a school dance is an appropriate place to be.  She and her friend Allison had a very fun time, but admitted that there was some yucky stuff in the middle of the dance floor. Chaperons have their work cut out for them these days! She stuck with her band buddies and enjoyed the night. I'm not sure what the verdict will be from Geoff about school dances in the future. On the bright side, Maren, church dances are allowed. Just find a ride please... :)

She did look very pretty with her curly hair.

The Rotten Watermelon

     Trevor teamed up with Uncle Brian this year to get ready for the Pinewood Derby. Trevor is holding the finished product, "The Rotten Watermelon." (Why rotten? I asked. The watermelon looked beautiful to me.)  Their efforts paid off, and Trevor had his best finish ever- 5th place of about 16 boys. For a while it looked like he had 2nd or 3rd place behind the speedy "Lightening Bolt," but one slower run cost him enough so that a few others could edge past him. It was a fun event, which is not always how the Pinewood Derby goes for us. The Kesners even came to support Trevor and his Rotten Watermelon. Thank you, Uncle Brian! Next year I'll be sending little wolf cub Alec to your garage! 

                        

The treat table was a hit.

Tubby time!

The kids would stay in the tub for hours if we let them. They love it. They are always calling for more hot water, so they can keep the fun going.

Mitchell refused to be separated from his apples

The girls thought it was hilarious when Mitchell stood up and they saw his bare bottom. 

Even getting out of the tub can be fun!