Why She Needed Assistants (video)

Scout's Assistants

Meili and Eliah spent almost the entire time helping Scout gather eggs. They must have chased her around the park 50 times. When it was time to go, the only way they could get her to come in was to sneak eggs out of her basket and toss them in front of her, like bread crumbs, to guide her back.

And She's Off . . . (video)

Easter Egg Hunt

Katie invited us to her neighbors' annual egg hunt last Friday. Ana was ready to go with her basket!

Shakespeare Orchestra

Here's Meili playing viola for the junior high's production of "A Comedy of Errors." Dad & Bonnie and Steve & Debbie came out for this performance (Friday, March 14). Thanks, everyone!

A Leisurely Afternoon

The girls were already missing school, so we took them to lunch in the secret underground cafeteria at the Church Office Building. Then we went up to the observation deck, and they selected their future mansions. Finally, we took a stroll through Temple Square, where they hopped up on the bride's platform for a photo shoot.

Abravanel Hall Performance

Meili performed in Salt Lake City with the Nebo Youth Symphony last week. Here she is with friends Jessica and Sydnie. All three girls' mothers drove up together to be with them.

Big Weekend

This was actually the end of Meili's birthday celebration. She turned 14 on Sunday, March 9, but because of her play practices and Ana's birthday on the 8th, we kind of broke up her parties. Daryl and I surprised her with four of her best friends at one of her favorite restaurants (Tucanos) on Friday night. The girls (most of whom she's known since early grade school) ended up here for presents and Italian Creme Sodas. I enjoyed watching them so much that I forgot to take a single picture! These pictures are from her family party Sunday night. We love our teenager!

Meili's Family Party

The writing on this cake refers to the fact that Daryl has finally consented to an eventual marriage for Meili--but only to a potato. Too funny.

"1 Month to 1st Dance. . . 2 Years to 1st Date. . . Waiting Forever for a Potato, Priceless."

Ana's Puppy Cake

Katie & Dave made this adorable cake for Ana last week.

Ana's "Sleepover" Party

Ana was so excited about her sleepover party. I think she invited everyone she talked to the entire week. In the end, the party consisted of just the three kids watching "Sleeping Beauty" in our bed, followed by some general running around and teasing until Ana was finally convinced to sleep in her own bed about 10 o'clock--2 hours past her bedtime. Pretty good sleepover for a 4-year-old, I'd say.

Present Time

Ana loves all the stuff pictured here, but her favorite gift is Meili's old sandbox, which the kids cleaned up for her and Daryl refilled with new sand.

Inviting Aiden

Ana drew a picture of Aiden coming to her "sleepover party" last night.

Cupcake Prep

Meili and Ana frosted the cupcakes that Eliah baked for Ana earlier today. What a great group of kids we've got!

Play Ball!

Eliah finished his basketball season today. Ana and Lincoln joined him outside to shoot some hoops.

Birthday Builder

Aunt Katie invited Ana to the Chase family's weekly trip to Lowe's kids clinics. Ana had so much fun and, according to Katie, built most of this periscope by herself. What a great way to start the birthday festivities. Thanks a million, Katie! (I'm still not sure how she managed all three kids by herself. She's amazing!)

So Little Time, So Much to Do

Meili's got a million things going on right now. Here she is after last Tuesday's youth symphony concert in Springville. She's performing with the symphony again at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Monday. But that's nothing compared to all the rehearsals and performances for the junior high Shakespeare play. She's in the production's orchestra again this year. She loves it! We can't wait to see the play with Grandpa and Bonnie next Friday.

Future Jazz Player

Basketball Star

Here are some pictures of Eliah in action on the basketball court and then sitting it out for a minute. He played great this season, and we're so proud of him.

Curly Locks

Ana went to church today looking like Shirley Temple. She let me put sponge rollers in her hair last night. After the first three curlers went in, she declared, "I'm done. Take them out." I bribed her with three cookies in order to finish the job. (Convincing her to sleep in the curlers was a whole different bribe.) She was adorable with her bouncy curls to match her bouncy self.