Memorial Day

I love America, and I love holidays that make us reflect on what a great nation we live in and those who have given so much to protect it. My brother took this picture last year on Memorial Day. I really like it because the Washington Monument in the background reminds us of who and what founded this nation. The headstones at Arlington Cemetary remind us of those who protect us.

My dream car

My sister and I were talking about our dream cars today. Its a toss-up. I can't decide between an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and an Aston Marton DBS Volante. They are amazingly beautiful. Which ever I decide to get, it'll be red. Of course one thing to consider is price: the V8 base price is $132,500, whereas the DBS base price is unknown to me, as it is new for 2010. The base price for the 2009 DBS (not convertible) is $269,000. Maybe I can get a deal if I pay cash.

Denver

The Friday and Saturday before Easter we left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Sundquist and drove to Denver. We had been wanting to go down to the temple. Our bro-in-law was able to acquire some free tickets to a Colorado Avalanche game, so we killed two birds with one stone. We went down Friday night and wandered around the 16th Street Mall. This is no ordinary shopping mall where you enter thru one door, visit several stores, and then exit the same door. No, no. This is a 16-block pedestrian stripmall. The road is closed off to allow for the bus-train-thing, and there are chess tables in the center where people actually play chess. Pretty cool. Anyway, we wandered around for a while. Then we met Chad's brother and his wife at The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. YUM. MY. Highly recommend it.

We stayed the night (at a hotel, not at the Cheesecake Factory), and the next morning we went to the temple. That is always such a boost. That afternoon we went to the hockey game. It was the last game of the season, and the Avs are pretty much the worst team in the NHL right now, so the game wasn't very exciting; there wasn't a single good fight! Whats a hockey game without a couple decent fights. But it was still fun. I learned a few things: 1. Hockey is a very aggressive, in-your-face kind of game. 2. I don't think my kids would want to play it because they aren't very aggressive. 3. Even if they did want to play, I think I'd encourage something else because I'm not an aggressive person. 4. Hockey players are NUTS!! My sister thinks that baseball is the most difficult sport to play because you have to hit that tiny ball that is going 90+mph with that not-very-big stick. I beg to differ... Hit an even smaller puck with a skinnier stick while speeding down the ICE, with 5 guys coming at you at equal speeds, and try not to fall down. Sounds tougher to me.

It was a fun weekend. Spending time with just Chad and me is always so nice because it helps me remember that I am more than just mom and housekeeper. Thanks to everyone we spent time with, and thanks to everyone who made the trip possible.

Easter

I know, I know. Easter was over a month ago. But at least I'm doing something now, right?

For the first time, I actually colored eggs. The kids had lots of fun. We did less sugar in the baskets this year and gave a little present to each of the kids instead.

This year I decided to go all Martha Stewart and make dresses for the girls. This actually wasn't too difficult because Natalie's was half made already. (I had started making it a year ago but ran in to problems, got frustrated, threw it in the bag in a drawer, you know how it goes, right?) My mom helped me work thru the trouble, and a couple weeks later I sewed on the sleeves and was done. Claire's was a relatively simple pattern. I even made the matching bloomers--they were SUPER EASY! The fabric of their dresses isn't the same since Natalie's was bought over a year ago, but they are both pinkish flowersSo here are some pictures.

P.S. For the record: it is practically impossible to get all 3 of these kids smiling nicely and holding still at the same time. Even one at a time!