Black and White

I played on my phone with the pictures I took with my nice camera. I had a grand time. I spent most of last Sunday doing it. That is probably not the best Sunday activity but there are definitely worse. I am in love with the pictures. And my nieces and nephews. And the thought of summer!

The end.

Katelyn Mae

I brought my camera and got some pictures of Katelyn. Nothing too fancy but it was fun to have such an adorable subject.

She was blessed the Saturday I came to town. I missed the blessing but got to take some cute pictures Monday morning.

 She really is a doll.

 I love all her hair!

 Her dress was super cute as well.

 Katie getting her to smile!

 She did some crying as well:)

Her sister kept trying to get in the pictures.

 Then we tried one with all her siblings. They were in their pajamas still. It was early Monday morning.

Pretty cute kiddos.

Then we got real crazy and threw in all the cousins.

  And that was the tipping point.

And then she was DONE!!!

Spring Break

I went to California for Spring Break. I am sooooooo exhausted today. I have got to be ready for the real world tomorrow. Why is that always so hard? I had a great break. Way too much time in the car but other than that it was nice. The temperature in Northern California was in the 80's, I got in a few good bike rides, days were filled playing with my nieces and nephews, picnics outside on the blanket, and I got to see my dad at the hospital everyday. It was a great trip.

Nancy and I drove straight to Sacramento to see this guy at the hospital.

The weather was nice and so his nurse let us take him out on a walk. It was great to get him outside. We stayed for a couple of hours and then headed to Ben and Katie's.

Sam and Amanda and family were also in town so it was CRAZINESS!!! We set up both my hammocks and the kids played outside really late. Then they went to bed and I rocked Emerson to sleep in one. That was quite heavenly.

It was conference weekend. So Jacklyn and Aaron came to Lodi as well. We made our traditional conference breakfast and just watched conference in the morning. In between sessions we took the kids to the park and then headed back to catch the second session.

My dad has gone a long time without being able to eat. I think his digestive system started to shut down from all the trauma and it has taken some time to wake up again. Finally he is enjoying food again. He really wanted pizza. So Sunday after conference we headed to the hospital and had a pizza picnic with him at Sutter's Fort. It was a beautiful day and it was much easier to be outside with all the kids we had.

A photographer saw us eating and visiting and asked if she could take our picture. We quickly assembled and then she emailed it to someone. That was so nice and it was fun to capture us all. It was a good Sunday, although I did not get as much out of conference as I usually do with all those kids.

We spent the rest of the week playing and visiting my dad in the hospital. The weather was great so it was really just so nice to be outside and enjoy the warm sun.

 Andrew and Emerson both took turns being sick.

 Braxton is the craziest most energetic three year old I know but he was so sweet and rocked Emerson to sleep in the hammock.

 Katelyn was a highlight of the trip for sure.

 Entertaining kids at lunch.

 Riding bikes.

 Olivia and I rode four miles one day and rode 6 miles another day. She is getting good on the bike. It was so fun to have some time with just her. She loves biking and we just chatted and I loved it!

 I love biking in Oroville. Open roads for days.

I definitely miss that in Utah.

Wednesday we met my grandma Brown, aunt Janice, and aunt Virginia at the hospital. We had another picnic. It was 88 degrees this day. It was hot but lots of fun.

 Friday my dad finally got moved out of ICU!!!!! It was so great. He is in a regular room. He really is doing so much better. He still needs to work on his stamina and strength but this time I could really see progress which was so good. Man I love this guy. I hope he can come home soon.

Spring break was great. 7 weeks of school left......that it crazy!

March wrap up

 Track season started and so really I have felt busy just with that. The school year is also really hectic leading up to spring break so it's been busy but good.

Andrew had his first sleep over with me. We had fun. We played, watched a movie, went on a walk, went on a bike ride, and went swimming. I was really tired when it was over. We were busy!

My hamstring has been bothering me as I have been playing more soccer and basketball. That muscle is so annoying. I went on a 36 mile bike ride and had to stop and stretch it three times. So annoying.

 I got really good tickets to the cultural celebration and so Caleb came with me. It was so fun. The presentation was amazing. The spirit was so strong. Such a neat experience for all of the youth.

 My dad got to meet Kaitlyn. He is still in the hospital but is actually finally doing a lot better.

 I got a hammock and it is a kid favorite. We spent three hours playing in it one afternoon. It is really comfortable, especially when you aren't in it with three other people:)

 Olivia and Braxton showing off some of their Easter clothes I sent them. Man I love these kids.

 Moki and I took a little time off from the Y. I was playing on a couple of basketball leagues and so I wasn't making it a priority. She was happy to get back to it.

 I got Andrew this cape forever ago at our ward auction. He wasn't too into it at first but over a year later and he is loving it. What boy doesn't love a good cape? He is so cute.

 Emerson is the cutest little guy.

 Anthony hanging out with his people on Easter. He ate at the kids table.

 These two in their Easter outfits. They are so cute!

 I am in cub scouts these days. It is a calling that I am loving. The boys are so excited and they just love to learn. I have really enjoyed it and their enthusiasm is so refreshing.

 I got this adorable picture in a text from Katie. Katelyn is so little and cute.