Update on Bear

 

Bear is over 6 months now and finally fully potty trained and not chewing things much anymore. He definitely didn't destroy the amount of toys and books as Penny did...only my new custom table downstairs that cost a fortune 😆😢. We had to implement a new no Bear downstairs rule until maybe he is a year old. 

Bear is just as loved today as he was the day we brought him home. I think small dogs and children have an easier time bonding quickly because of the nature of being a small dog who is easy to carry and snuggle. The girls like to hold him like a baby and feed him water from a dolls bottle 😅. He is loved and I am grateful I listened to the Holy Ghost tell me he needed to be a part of the family. 

He has to be right by someone so even if it's just touching someone's foot...he is always near. 

Bear was neutered and the kids felt so bad for him. Luckily our next door neighbor let us borrow a little dog onsie shirt so he didn't have to do the cone of shame for too long. But the shirt was annoying because you have to unbutton it every single time he needs to go out and have to go outside with him to make sure to button it right after going potty. But now we're fininshed with that fun time and Bear FINALLY got a bath and smells good again ;). 

Easter Fun

 Dying eggs together. Benson was loving it and was so cute just staring at his eggs in each cup with great anticipation. We had Gma and Gpa Close over too even though I didn't know that Gpa really doesn't like to color eggs :). He was a good sport and watched. 

The Easter egg hunt was at Gma and Gpa Close's again. The treehouse made it even more fun. It was a cold and kind of rainy weekend but it worked out to not have rain for that couple hours in the morning. 

This was our first Easter morning in 16 years of marriage that the sun hasn't shone for us. Brought up some good discussion on how even though we couldn't see the sun we knew it was there behind the clouds and could still feel of its presence in the world. Christ is just the same way. We can't necessarily see Him but we can feel of His presence in our lives if we want to. 

Emma Orchestra Trip to LA

 Emma just went on another orchestra tour with Lincoln Academy and her friends in orchestra and choir. This time they went to Los Angeles--Universal Studios, and Hollywood.  

Lamb of God 2024

 I was able to participate with Witness Music in Rob Gardner's Lamb of God again. I was the female narrator for the Orem shows and Cade McGary was the male narrator. It's amazing that no matter how many times I hear the music or performance I don't get sick of it. It just gets better and better and deeper meaning for me. I absolutely loved this year. The soloists and choir and the whole production was the best it has ever been. What a wonderful show and experience. 

Spontaneous St. George Trip

 The week before I found out that my girls had no school on a Monday and Tuesday. I was just dying to go somewhere and make some memories hiking! So I called my mom and asked if she wanted to be spontaneous and go to St. George with me and the kiddos in a few days. She said yes! (I was very proud of her being spontaneous) and we took the kiddos for just 2 nights. The first afternoon/evening (Sunday) we went swimming, played games and watched a movie before bed. 

The next day (Monday) we met up with Kristen and her kids and a friend of Kristen, Whitney and her kids. We hiked around Red Cliffs National Recreation Area. It was SO fun. Lucy may have slipped and fallen in the water and got super wet and was freezing the rest of the way back :). We also got ice cream at our new favorite place called Zeppe's. It was amazingly good. Then we did some more swimming, got pizza for the kids and my mom and I went out to eat while the kids watched a movie. 

Benson was exhausted from keeping me awake ALL. NIGHT. LONG. The joys of travel with a toddler. 

On Tuesday we asked for a late checkout and so we went to Pioneer Park to explore. My mom remembered going with her sisters when she was really young and called it "The Flinstone Caves". My kids had been before but they were younger and didn't remember. So this time they had a BLAST exploring, climbing and making little homes or beds all over the red rocks. 

Emma's good friend Autumn came with us and were so glad she did. All of my kids love to play and hang out with her. 

Then we ended with playing at the main town square where they had a fun carousel and water to splash and play in. Then we packed up and went back home. It was just what the doctor ordered!!!

Jane's husband she fell in love with and talked to 😂