Birdie Birdie

Chore Time!

Feeding the birds

Tess loves to be outside and Caleb enjoys her help.

Keeping Warm

Well, actually, today was the day to burn our boxes. Caleb loves to be in charge of that duty. This may be the last of the cold, cold for awhile. We are suppose to be high 50's tomorrow. Melt snow melt! So, take a good look at the snow in this picture b/c we are hoping for no more until next winter. (unlikely)

Laundry Angel

Launderess in Training

For the past month Abbi has been doing laundry with me. What a great help! Well, this week she took on a full laundry day all by herself. She sorted first thing in the morning and was folding the last load right before bed. She did it!
Thanks Abbi! I love your cheerful heart and willingness to help.

These are the piles folded and ready to be delivered.

I know everyone has their system of laundry. Here is ours...

We do laundry 2 days a week. It starts in the morning and is done by the end of the day. The following morning, along with morning chores, each child delivers and puts away their pile. The older child in the room helps the younger with the hanging and making sure things get put in the right place. Laundry Done! I don't think or mess it with it except on those 2 days.

Sheets and towels are not done as frequently and usually on Saturday while we are doing our Saturday chores.

Where are the boys?

No Big Surprise...

It snowed again!

Since it snowed - - (we make the best of it around here) the boys decided to try out their new (birthday) camo garb. Even though they were not hidden in the snow, they did stay warm.

Caleb

Hudson

Looks like I will have some great hunters in the fall. Fill my freezer, boys!

The Recap!

April 6th
The Z tradition for birthdays is the birthday child starts their day by waking up to the rest of us singing Happy Birthday with a candle.

Maggie waking up with a big smile to our magnificent singing.

We went to church, came home and got ready for the big party! Papa, Nana and Gma Great came up for the afternoon, dinner and celebration. Another tradition for us is the child gets to pick their favorite dinner and dessert. Maggie chose Spaghetti Chicken for dinner and Rocky Road for dessert. (great choice Mags!) We also go around the table telling the birthday child what we appreciate about that person. They also get the Special Birthday plate.

Gma Great, Caleb and Hudson having a good time

Dani got book time with Papa

The rest of the children got book time with Nana

The Dessert

(We have given up the birthday cake (in most cases) b/c we have so many birthdays in a row in the spring that we tire of it quickly. So, we have gotten creative.)

Happy Birthday Maggie!

Blow Blow



The Party Guests

Maggie and Nana

Caleb and Hudson

Dani Rae and Papa

Gma Great and Abbi

Weston, Me and Tess

Daddy and his girl (one of them anyway)


Some Fun Birthday Gifts...

You are a sweet sweet girl! A true blessing to me. I love you!!


PS For those of you curious of what our "special" plate looks like, here it is:

8

Maggie Turns 8 Today!!

She is a sweet young lady and we are proud of her.

Happy Birthday

We love you, Maggie!

A Day to Remember - FOREVER!

I Love my Family!!

April 1st had been a day that we (my siblings, their spouses and my parents) all had been looking forward to. This is the day that my dad signs over the business to my brothers. My dad is "moving on" from the business he started 33 years ago and the boys are "taking on" from here!! So, a retirement party was in order. Bob and Deb (my sister) flew in from Colorado, Paul (my older brother) and Elaine flew in from Idaho and we celebrated BIG!

Brian and I picked up Bob and Deb (and 5 mo Samuel) from the airport and went to Little America Hotel to have a "family meeting" before the celebration would begin. Dad updated us on things of business and told us about the day so far. We sat around and visited until it was time to go.

Paul - my older brother.

(sorry Paul, I just had to put this one in)

Then we all headed to the New Yorker Restaurant for our 5:00 reservation for dinner. They gave us a private room with a round table and doors to close. Perfect!

These are my parents ~ The Best in the Whole World!!

Brian and I put together a slideshow to honor Dad. We put together pictures from when he was a baby, to marriage, to having four children, to starting a business and then to helping raise/play with his 26 (soon 27) grandchildren. I think we were all pretty much in tears.

Samuel had had enough partying so decided to snooze right where he was.

We presented Dad with a bronze statue. A horse looking on to its foal. And we titled it "Keeping an Eye on the Next Generation". Very fitting ~ that is exactly what he has done and is doing And he loves horses!

Paul and Elaine

(older brother)

Reside in Idaho with their 8 children.

Brian and I

I was very reluctant to put a picture of me (and pregnancy chub) in this post but that would mean leaving my husband out and I couldn't do that.

Grant and Shannon

(younger brother)

Reside in Salt Lake with their 4 children.

Bob and Deb

(younger sister)

Reside in Colorado with their 6 children.

All of us children with Dad and his new statue!

I was reminded of how much I love my family. Even though we are separated by miles, we have a very close bond. When we get together, great time is had by all. This night was full of laughter and tears. I did not want it to end.

We are excited for Dad and Mom and their new adventures. And we are excited for Paul and Grant and their new venture in running a business!!

Arrgh!

Spring in the Mountains

Well, this is what we woke up to this morning. We know we live in the mountains (and we love them!) and that our snow season is not over BUT, we did have lots of snow melt last week and we always get spring fever when that happens. We were hopeful for warmer days. For now, our shorts will stay packed and our snow pants will keep hanging in our lockers. "Sprinter" (spring/winter) will soon be over and we will enjoy our summer in the mountains.