Once you've read this, you are officially updated

So for those who haven't heard the big news -- our time has come to leave The Ohio. We have been here for 7 great years, and reality hasn't sunk in yet that this won't be home anymore. Q starts his post-doc the beginning of July so we have about one month left to enjoy Columbus.

We will be heading to a little school on the East Coast in Connecticut. The position is probably only for a year, so we are excited for our short but exciting stay. The kids are referring to it as, "The Beazers Grand Adventure!"

The ward there has been so helpful with finding a place to live, figuring out a school for L, and answering a million questions for me. It feels great to know that there are people who will be there to welcome us and be our family for a year.

Let the packing begin!

Surfin' USA

To celebrate a monumental birthday for my dad this year, my family headed to California to become beach bums. He wanted to play on the sand with the grandkids so we flew from Ohio to Utah and then joined in the motor-home road trip to Sacramento. After getting to stay in my sister's home for the first time, we continued on to Monterey Bay for the week. The hope was to have Q join us there, but due to sudden deadlines and pressures (more on that later), he was unable to bask in the balmy 55 degree weather with us. That also meant that I had the joy of returning to Utah via motor-home again and then flew by myself with ALL THREE CHILDREN! I think I'm putting that right up there with natural childbirth on my list of accomplishments in life. Really the kids are fabulous travelers, but it was 3 separate flights and I was traveling with a 16 month old in tow -- you can only expect so much. It was worth it though to have all of the family together and to spend some quality family time in such a lovely setting.

Here are some highlights:

Collecting pinecones at Donner Pass on the road-trip.

He's considering becoming a trucker when he grows up.

With only 6 weeks separating them, they were funny to watch love and bug each other.

Dad picking Dani's lemons in her back yard to make fresh juice with.

"Hammie" was L's new best friend

He was super excited to touch the sand for the first time.

We played games about Grandpa Pete and if we guessed correctly the kids got to put stickers on him -- it was a huge hit.

The sunset view on our balcony.

Did I mention it was pretty cold there?

"Surfing" was all the rage.

My Dad's Mom, Grandma Iris got to come along as well. I was so glad to have the kids and me get some bonding time with her. We don't get much in our infrequent trips to Utah.

C turns 4

He was so excited to wake up to all of the birthday fun -- especially the Birthday Sombrero.

With threats of the tornado-causing storms coming our way we were a bit worried about the activities we'd planned for the day, but luckily things turned out quite nicely. We had his favorite breakfast of blinis, chocolate milk, and bacon and opened some presents. Then later we picked up L and had a picnic with Q at his school -- it rained, but the huge tree we were under protected our lunch.

That evening his birthday celebrations were supposed to be in the backyard, but the rain had us start things inside. After dinner and cake and games and presents we noticed that the sun had returned so we were able to do the piñata outside. (Important tip -- do not try to speed dry a home-made piñata in the car. The heat will pop the balloon before drying the newspaper and create a sad implosion. It will get you out of decorating the piñata though.)

Being 4 is pretty exciting. His favorite part so far -- getting to advance to a whole vitamin instead of just a half. Life just got even better.

What we've been up to (for the past 4 months) Part 3

Partying every day for Spring Break:

(Even a day at Jeni's cabin -- a real treat)

Watching Spring arrive

Making our yearly dandelion crowns

and creating Monster Shows

(You'll get spooked out)

(I loved that L dressed C up as the "Yellow Soo (zoo) Monster" -- he's posing next to Bad Manners and Meany. )

Who wouldn't be spooked out by monsters such as: Blud(blood) Mud, Sanso Monstre, the Tow(2) Head Ted, Tssststtstststs, and my favorite -- 10 Eyed Elen (it took us a while to figure out she meant Alien).

The Punch

From the hair to the boots to the face -- this is priceless.

What we've been up to (for the past 4 months) Part 2

Q's birthday

St. Patrick's Day

L's school had a Read-a-Thon and she was the top kindergarten reader.

Playing Pirates

Mom visiting (helping with our Easter tree here)

Easter celebrations

They get told they look alike

What we've been up to (for the past 4 months) Part I

L's 6th birthday

Valentines Day

Learning all about mischief

We'd been writing notes to each other on her new white board since Christmas, but I loved waking up to find this one, "I love Penny, I love Bear, I even love my long, long hair. But most of all I love you Mom."

Taking the kids to Fort Rapids for their Christmas present -- freezing, but fun!

I had to include this one of C -- he refused to change out of his pjs for school and insisted on wearing his shirt inside out and backwards. Some days are just like that.

Dance Recitals

Eating beans