Bexy

Well, I've been slacking in the blog arena since our trip to Arizona. Life has gotten busy! Damon is playing spring soccer and also started baseball. Between practices and games, I am running him somewhere nearly every day (sometimes twice a day). And spring in Orem is not exactly the best time for outdoor activities. It is often cold, wet and windy. We all can't wait until it gets a little warmer!

With that said, there have been some really nice days in April. We went to the park yesterday for the first time in ages and it was fabulous. I can't wait to spend a lot of time there in the weeks/months to come, because my kids are all finally able to play (somewhat) independently and I can actually sit on the bench and watch. So nice!

I found this cute pic of Carter and McKay playing on the trampoline with Bex. The kids sure love having a dog. Jeff and I do too, some of the time.

We had an "invisible fence" installed all the way around the yard. Basically, it's an underground wire that runs the perimeter of the yard. Bex wears a collar that gives her a little "correction" (read: shock) when she crosses the perimeter. We also have a separate box that sits on the stairs, so she can't go up. We thought it was working great (and the one on the stairs does work great--she doesn't even try to go up anymore). But after some trial and error, we found that she was getting out. And it wasn't because she didn't understand her boundaries. She understands them just fine, she just chooses to break out of them. She'll gear herself up, jump through quickly, and take the shock. Then she's free to do as she pleases. We are now experimenting with different settings (increasing the range so that she gets a shock a greater distance from the wire) in hopes that she can figure it out. Jeff is losing patience with her quickly.

We also recently had her groomed for the first time since she was a puppy. I have some pics on my phone, I will post soon. She looks so much different! It's like getting a new dog. Her "chewing" habits are getting a little better, but she still has many puppy traits that we'd like to remove from her. Things such as taking diapers out of the trash and ripping them apart in the backyard. That's one of our least favorite. And just when we thought she was potty trained, and we no longer needed to take her out several times a day, we randomly find poop in the basement. WTH? We're not ready to give up on her yet, but things haven't been smooth sailing.

Spring Break

One of our favorite family trips of the year is Spring Break in Arizona. It's a long (9-10 hour) drive, which isn't a lot of fun, but it's worth it. It's so great to break out the summer clothes and get out of the cold Utah winter/spring every year!

McKay enjoyed throwing things off the deck of our second story room. 

Carter loved getting in his swimsuit every day, and was always the last one out of the water. 

One morning, we took the kids on a hike. It was a little ambitious for our crew (the two other families we were with don't have any little kids), but we pushed through the 90 degree weather and made it to the top (Kyla only made it about 80% of the way, and headed back down with the first group that was heading back). Jeff carried Carter and I carried McKay. It was tough, partly because it was already so hot! Allie did great, and made it. Everyone looks a little hot, and Carter is mad that McKay is sitting on his foot.  

Mostly, we spent our time at the various pools. We spent all day Friday at the JW Marriott, with its Lazy River. McKay thought these little fountains were fun to play in.

Carter got a free ride from Damon (see him through the tube?)

But this is how Carter liked to float around. He was so funny.

The kids spent about half their pool time in the hot tub. Even 90 degree weather and fairly warm pools weren't quite enough to keep them from constantly saying they were cold.

Luckily, no one got any major sunburns, but did get some dry, chapped skin. And we had no near drownings, which was even better.

We spent time outside at night, too, grilling food and playing with cousins. Heather's family came up to visit on Monday (I need to get some pics off of Jeff's phone), and we had so much fun. 

Damon showed us that he can climb to the top of the light pole

The girls roasting marshmallows

 Carter and McKay were well loved and taken care of. Here's Carter with Lauren

And Carter with Connor. Connor was a great buddy to my boys.

Saturday morning,we visited a Pioneer Living History museum, which was cool, and a good break from the constant swimming. It's not nearly as impressive as all the restorations the church has done with their old homes and buildings, but fun nonetheless.

It was a great trip and I'm sad that we're home now and that it's in the 40's here. Bring back Spring!

Easters