Stockton & Malone

Over the kids' spring break we took a day trip to Salt Lake City. Eliah's favorite destination was the home of the Utah Jazz. Outside they have statues of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Eliah has no memory of them playing, but he worships them anyway. He is an official Jazz fanatic. Daryl is so proud.

Family Togetherness

My mom's cousin Sue and her daughter Shelly came out while Natalie was here. We all went through quite a few of Mamoo's photos, and Sue helped us identify those we didn't recognize. What a fun afternoon. We love our Garner relations!

Wisdom from Ana

Ana was riding in Katie's car the other day when Katie passed a dead dog in the road. Thinking it could serve as a learning lesson for Lincoln, Katie started talking about how the dog died because he didn't look both ways before crossing the street. She asked them, "So what should we do before we cross the street?" Ana answered, "Let the doggies go first!"

Feeding the Ducks

While the girls shopped, Natalie, Katie and I took Ana and Scout to see the ducks by Novell. Ana loved it, as you can see. She will tell you all about the one that nipped her finger because he wasn't waiting his turn.

All of Us at the Mall

After feeding the ducks, we joined the girls at Provo Towne Centre. Ana and Scout kept up with the teenagers just fine.

Girls at the Mall

Chillin' Out

Abbie, Carly and Meili hanging out on our stairs. Natalie and Abbie came out for spring break. We loved that they brought Carly along! The girls had fun all week! It was NOT Meili's spring break, however, so she spent the week alternating between school and home. The school secretary must have thought she had some strange disease that kept striking randomly.

1st Dance

Meili attended her first dance last month and had a fabulous time. It was hosted by Utah Valley Groove at Mapleton Memorial Hall. This organization is trying to revive the lost art of boys and girls actually dancing at the dances. She left with her friends Cassie and Chelsea, and they all looked soooo beautiful. When I went to pick her up, she was dancing with a BOY! Gotta admit, I got a little choked up. We can't deny it any longer--Meili is growing up.

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!