It begins!

From our earliest years, man has enjoyed digging holes.  I remember back to my days in early childhood, digging away in the sand box.  You would hit the bottom of sand, hit the dirt, and dig even deeper.  Down, down, until you hit the "indian clay" and thereby claimed your dig a success.  Don't deny it, given the opportunity and a shovel, you would jump at the chance to go and dig a big hole right now.  Big enough for you to stand in!

Well, my excitement for large holes has not dissapated, and this past month was satisfied by not only standing in a big hole, but eating dinner in one!

Our little family traveled up to Midway this past week and had  a "hole party."  They have begun to dig for our new place and we opted to celebrate the event.  Complete with sandwiches, chips, fruit, crinkle carrots and of course sparkling cider, we each took tuns toasting to the event,
Mom-I would like to make a toast to the beginning of our new adventure here in Midway!
CHEERS!
Josh-A toast to uncle Cam on his mission!
CHEERS!
Dax-I would like to make a toast to our new house!
CHEERS!
Ella-I would like to make a toast to our new home and to this beautiful hole!
CHEERS! 
We finished up dinner, climbed up the giant mounds of dirt, threw some dirt clods, then journeyed in our future "back yard" and envisioned all we would do there: football, basketball, sledding.  Such fun! The adventure begins!


The Easter bunny did not disappoint this year, and once again brought eggs full of jelly beans, peanut butter cups, and m&m's. 

After finding the candy, the scramble began to get ready for church.  They clean up good, right?

Joshua

Josh received "Wasatch County" as his county project.  We were excited and decided to spend a weekend up there, exploring all that Wasatch County had to offer.  Below are some pictures of our fun excursion in Midway:

Passing off a scouting requirement, making dinner for the family:

Josh's pinewood derby car took first place in his Bear Den.  He opted for an "Egyptian" theme this year:

Josh eating a chicken heart for Kelli's graduation dinner

Soccer season has started and Josh has scored 3 goals in his last 2 games.  Good job buddy!  Josh keeps us laughing by his eccentric dance moves.  Love love those hips a shakin!  He also amazes me with his musical talent.  We watched "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog" together.  (I recommend it, Netflix) His favorite song is "Freeze Ray," so after watching it, he sat down to the piano and has taught himself most of the song. Stud.

Daxton

This is Daxton's favorite jacket.  He loves wearing it like so: with his favorite home-made iron on "TRON" shirt underneath, and collar up.  Jimmy Dean anyone?

Josh captured this photo of Dax running on our "lot" after he took a leak up in the hills.

Daxton's new trick

This morning Daxton asked me to come outside so I could make a wish.  He had picked a dandelion just for me to make my wish, and blow.  Sweet kid.   Daxton's soccer season has begun as well, and he is a goal scoring maniac! It's so fun to watch the kids chase the ball, like ants on a chesse puff. 

Dax quote of the month,
Me: "Guess what guys! We got a lot!"
Dax, "A lot of what?"

Ella

Ella Arts and Crafts Eggertz, lives up to her name as this past month she decided she wanted to perform the play "Snow White" and therefore needed to paint the set.

 Below, she enlisted Amelie's help to paint the sun and part of the castle. 

My little sister Kelli is going to get married this Summer and Ella is loving every minute of it.  She came along to a bridal shop with us and "oohoed" and "awwwed" at the dresses, shoes and veils.  By the end of the dress-trying-on event, Ella was sitting on the floor, rather in a huff.  Nana asked her, "Ella, would you like to try on a veil?"  Ella's eyes grew big and she was all grin from ear to ear.

I am going to live up to my crude reputation and share my favorite Ella quote of the month.  The setting?  Public restroom.  Ella was a bit constipated that day.
Me, "Ella, are you okay?"
"Yeah mom. The first one's out, but the second one is coming.  Plug your ears 'cause I'm gonna scream!"

Amelie

Amelie is officially the family parrot, reapeating everything everyone says. It's quite amusing and keeps us laughing.

Posing in her new bathing suit

Marshmallow break

Her favorite trick

This girl has so much spunk and personality.  She reminds me a lot of Dax when he was little, as she will try all she can to make you laugh.  Silly girl.  Amelie also has an incredible sense of balance.  She doesn't just walk down the steps, she jumps.  Hopping from step to step with that enormous belly.  She loves jumping on the tramp too, especially if we put the sprinler underneath. 

Cameron

Cam is still Cam and prides himself on breakng what he views as "awkward silences."  We recently put our home under contract with a wonderful family, the Nolans.  The contract was contingent upon them selling their home, and they had until May 9th to put it under contract, after that date it would go under contract with a backup offer we had received.  Well, last night they came over and we signed new papers because they were able to sell their home, just in the nick of time. Jay Nolan was sharing his experience about the whole process, saying that it is such a testimony to him of faith and prayer, and that prayers are answered.  Cam replied, "I'm just glad we don't have to show our house anymore." 

Cindy

Climbing the dirt hills at the lot

Me trying to keep the kids entertained in the car by having them put sticky notes on my face

I am a new woman.  I'm rockin' my curly locks (or just giving into the madness of them), exercising again, and breathing. I went to a workshop on anxiety this past weekend and was given all kinds of wonderful tips and tools to use when I freak out.  I feel empowered!  I really want to tell the world that you don't have to live with a stomach ache your whole life!  Sit down, breathe.  Take 10 minutes out of your day to sit and breathe into your belly.  If you're feeling sick or panicky, ask yourself why you feel that way.  If your child was hurt or worried you would ask them how you could help, then lovingly put your arms around them.  Do the same for yourself! Ask, "What's wrong, why am I feeling this way?" Then take care of yourself!  When your mind thinks that it is threatened or scared, your body will respond by tensing up, stiff muscles, stomach ache, nauseau, short breaths.  So tell yourself, "self, you are okay. Everything is okay." And sit down and breathe, it will force your body to relax. 

Hippy talk baby, but it works!