Spring Break 2014 - Palmer's Part 1

After finding out that our older girls' two week Spring Break would be the two weeks right before Jared's boards, I brought up the idea of us getting out of town, so Jared could have a quiet study space for those two weeks.  His swift smile told all;o)  While he tried to soften his smile as swiftly as it had appeared, I saw it and knew that he was thrilled with the idea.  He needed devoted study time so badly!  So, we planned a trip to Utah.  I was planning on driving there with the kids.  My mom decided it would not be safe for me to do the trip alone, so she booked flights to come with me on the drive.  I love her, and after those drives (and a few throwing up episodes by Lexi), I LOVE my mom even more!!!  Thanks to her and many people and things, this first part of our spring break was a blast!

Thanks to the mountains, we had great views!

Thanks to Lexi, the toy room got really cleaned one day.  Good job, sweetie!!!

Thanks to Kangaroo Zoo, the kids had a bouncy, beautiful day.

Thanks to Grandma, snacks were a plenty!

Thanks to Emmy, Jed mistakenly thought he had gotten gipped since he didn't get 'orange juice' (aka...water that had been dyed with the Cheetos that had been dipped frequently into it).

Thanks to Addie, Lexi couldn't smile with ease while she was being squooshed.

Thanks to Grandma, Emmy got to have a fabulous time breaking lots of rules!

Thanks to rules about renewing their passports, we got to hang out for the week with Dallin's awesome family and got to check out Mitch's marvelous mustache!

Thanks to Kaylie, we got to hang out with her for an afternoon (we love this girl!!!)!

Thanks to Jed and Emmy, posed pictures are anything but professional looking.

Thanks to Jed, Lexi had another experience trying to smile while under some pain (this time from getting her hair pulled).

Thanks to my parent's neighbors, my kids made a new friend (Zeke)!

Thanks to Zeke, more than one of my kids want a dog when they grow up.

Thanks to the climate in Utah, my kids got to play in the snow (something they don't see here in Arizona).

Thanks to the coldness, Em decided staying in the warmth was a better idea.

Thanks to Aunt Abby, we decided to take the kid's out for miniature bowling!

Thanks to Emmy, bowling was not as fun as it could have been, since she was sure that it was "my turn" on every single person's turn.

Thanks to Grandma, the big play toy was a much better success!

Thanks to cute cousins, playing hide and seek was super fun.

Thanks to oblivious toddlers, happiness can be had playing on games despite a lack of tokens;o).

Thanks to the merry-go-round, the kids went merrily around and around.

Thanks to this small table, these little sweeties got to eat together quite a few times.

Thanks to a Nickel Arcade, the kids had a blast!!!

Thanks to Addie and Lexi, a lot of tickets were earned, and we mean...

...A LOT of tickets!

Thanks to all of those tickets and how they shared them equally, all of the kids got some fun, little knick knacks!

Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma's front steps, the kid's got to enjoy their knick knacks in the sun and in style!

Thanks to Grandma, Addie got assigned to plan a family party!

Thanks to Addie, we had an INCREDIBLY fun St. Patrick's Day party!!!

Included were:

Wrapping paper,...

Presents,...

Balloons,...

Cheering,...

Hula hoops,...

Homemade sprinkles,...

Homemade sugar cookies,...

Crafty kids,...

More sprinkles,...

A thumbs up,...

Too many sprinkles,...

Colorful clover cookies,...

Colorful little faces,...

Dirty little hands,...

Games,...

Prizes,...

Miniature green hats,

 A St. Patrick's day song performance,...

An upset Leprechaun,...

More mad leprechauns,...

A few smiling leprechauns,...

Cupcake eating contests,...

Faces down with mouths munching,...

'Frostified' faces,...

Homemade 'shrinky dink' cupcake holders,...

A very happy leprechaun,...

Competitive guys,...

A competive gal,...

Neon necklaces taped on,...

Bright stick figures,...

Delightful dancers,...

A stick figure with a real life face

A stick figure piggy back ride,...

Addie's really, really long paper chain,...

Hip hooray!  What a day!!  Addie did amazing, planning this par-tay;o)

We had a truly fabulous time!!!  Thanks so much, Grandpa and Grandma Palmer!!!!!