Maren and friends

Maren had a snow day party with some of her favorite friends. They sledded and rolled a giant snowball, which Maren wanted rolled over herself. April and I watched them rolling the ball down the hill and saw how the snow packed onto it so easily. (like the cartoons almost!) It was enormous, and we nervously crossed our fingers that our smaller children wouldn't get in its way. I can't believe they rolled it over Maren! I think it was heavier than she expected. Wish I had a picture of that. 

Adding to the mural 

They had a great time! These are very nice girls that she knows through marching band.

This is how my Adam and Annalisa sleep at night.

 We let Anna sleep with us one night because she wasn't feeling well. This is always a special treat for the little kids and it doesn't happen often. But she left our bed in the middle of the night in order to sleep next to her beloved brother.  So sweet. I love that they have a special close relationship.

Mitchell at the park 

Maren and Tyler took all the kids to the park on this lovely spring day, which happens to be April's birthday. She says there is always beautiful weather for her birthday. They got a good dose of spring sunshine while Tawny, April, and I got our toenails done and then did some Easter shopping at Target.

Maren took the camera and got some cute pictures.

Anna still isn't feeling very well. 

This picture shows it.

Cute little Aubree

Nice, Trevor.

Mitchell with a football

It seems appropriate.

Preston on the pogo stick

Whose pretty eyes?

Yep, Louisa's!

Happy Birthday to April!

And more and more snow!

Surprise! Winter is not over yet! We broke out the boxes of snow stuff for another round.
It is a winter wonderland out there! Beautiful!

"Mom, look!"

It was too much for Geoff to resist.

"Dude, you got snow in my ear!"

Love this kid!
Trevor is sick with a cold, but that didn't stop him from getting out there in the snow!
Alec, however, was feeling too sick to venture outside. The illness is spreading. Geoff and Adam also have sore throats today. And Maren said she was just too comfy in her one-piece sleeper pajamas. She is less excited with snow this time but is not giving up hope that school will be cancelled tomorrow. (Seminary is cancelled.)  I don't know. The snow plow has already gone around our street a few times. Sad to say, but the roads might be okay by tomorrow. Maybe Trista will get to the airport after all. Though we wouldn't mind keeping her a while longer!

Anna remembers how much she likes to eat snow.

Ready for a snowball fight

Geoff shoveled and shoveled. 

Trevor's snowman

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...