Easter 2011

This Easter was so much fun for us. We didn't think Boston would actually get into the whole egg hunt thing, but he totally did! We had Easter dinner at Nikki and John's, and afterward Mark and I hid 80 or so eggs for the four kiddos in the backyard. We made a few of them very obvious (right there in the grass), thinking that Boston wouldn't get the whole "hunt" for eggs business. Boy were we wrong! He did pick up all the eggs from the grass (see below)... He just kept piling them in and running from one egg to the next! Too cute!

But he not only got the ones from the grass, he actually found eggs! This picture was taken right after he found one hidden at the corner of the house... and as he was picking it up, he noticed another in the mulch. Can you see the "I spy" in his eyes?! So cute!

Here he found two eggs beneath this plant. I was such a proud mama! I couldn't believe my baby was actually LOOKING for eggs!

The hunt was dang cute while it lasted, but I must say it didn't last too long after he cracked open the first egg and realized it was packed with candy. He spent the next several minutes opening one egg after the other, and shoving candy into his mouth as quick as he could. I'm probably a bad mom and let him eat too much, but it was so cute to watch!

And here's all the kids (plus John) parading their stash of candy... And then there's Boston sneaking a taste from Catherine's basket too! It was so much fun, and I am so glad Boston was big enough this year to enjoy it!

Dad and Uncle Ken's visit

This past week we had a quick visit from my dad and uncle Ken. My dad had a dental emergency and decided he might as well coax his brother into making a trip with him to have his treatment. Kristin and I were so glad he did. Once the dental visit was over, we were able to have a few days of fun before they had to drive back to St. George.

The night before they left to drive home we decided to have a BBQ outside. It has been such nice weather the past few weeks that we wanted to take advantage of being outside. The only problem was Kristin and I hadn't purchased a grill since moving from Indiana. We made a quick trip to the home store and ended up with this beauty. Ken and I spent a few hours putting it together while Kristin and dad went to buy the fixings for an amazing feast.

If you have ever put one of these together, you may know how much of a pain they are. Kristin and I put one together in Indiana and I swore I would never do it again. Well, when you visit the store and all the assembled ones have scratches and you don't have three days to wait for the store to put it together, I guess you do it yourself. They said it should take about 45 min. Well, Ken and I can attest to the fact it takes much longer than 45 min. I will again vow to never do this again.

Sue and Ken Anderson took my dad and Ken into the city on one of the days while I was working. They had such a great time. This was Ken Simkins first time visiting San Francisco so he wanted to see the Golden Gate. I will have to admit I was shocked when, on my day off, I gave them the option of visiting the Winchester gun museum and mystery house or returning to the city for the day, and my dad chose the city. I would never have pegged him as one who would pass up a gun museum for a city.

While in the city we took a bay cruise out under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz island. It was foggy on the water but beautiful in the city.

We had to have a break for the traditional San Francisco favorite, clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

My dad's decision to visit the city all made sense as we approached these ships in the harbor. The San Francisco Maritime Museum. We were able to tour all these ships and go through some interactive displays about San Francisco's maritime past and beginning as a port city. It was very interesting and actually quite fun.

Once we had our fill of the water, ships, sourdough, and the city, we left, complete with sunburns and totally exausted. Overall we had a great time while Ken and Dad were here. So glad they could come for a visit.

Mom and Gma's visit

For her spring break my mom decided she would come visit us. She needed a travel partner for the drive, and we were so happy that she selected grandma. We had so much fun while they were here, and Boston loved seeing his Grandma and Nana. One day we took a trip into the city and down to Fisherman's Wharf. Grandma decided she wanted crab, so we had a delicious lunch at Alioto's and enjoyed the beautiful view of the bay. This was only our first of many crab experiences while Grandma was here. I think Alioto's just made us want more, so we bought fresh crab packed on ice for dinner that night and had a feast, complete with fresh sourdough bread, warm butter, and my new favorite cocktail sauce. These are a couple of pictures from our day in the city. After spending the day at the wharf, we drove across the Golden Gate and into Sausalito for a few pictures across the bay. Boston with his Grandma and Nana. He was such a good boy the entire day. This shot is for Jackson. He has decided that next time he visits us, he wants to go to this museum down at Fisherman's Wharf. He specifically called and let me know he wanted me to show my mom the museum.

While mom and grandma were here, we decided to take a trip down memory lane. It was fun driving around and seeing where my mom grew up.

This is the Church in Danville where my mom and her family were baptised into the LDS church.

This is the house in Walnut Creek where my mom grew up. They actually planted those red wood tree's in the front. They were huge!

This is Aunt Nee's house in Concord. It took a few wrong turns to get there since so much has changed. Aunt Nee owned a huge orchard here, and it has all been converted to housing now. They named the street where the original house is Leeland after Lee. I thought that was kind of cool.

This is mom and grandma out front of their Concord house.

One morning we went to Mimi's Cafe here in Brentwood for brunch. It was a relaxing day after touring all around the east bay.

Uncle Bob was in Walnut Creek checking up on a rental property, and we thought it would be a shame if he was so close and we didn't meet up for lunch. We met at a small place in down town Walnut Creek and had some time to talk and catch up.

Mare and Becca made the trek from Nevada City down to Brentwood for a short visit. This is in front of our house. We spent the afternoon talking and went out for dinner here in Brentwood before they had to drive back.

Overall we had such a great time visiting with everyone and seeing Mom and Grandma. Thank you guys so much for making the trip. We look forward to doing it again.