Eastering!

We weren't sure we'd be able to make it to the desert this year since Kellan had work and school and had just got home from China the week before. However, the kids and I couldn't stand the thought of missing out especially since my sister and her family were going and the weather looked like it was going to be perfect. 

So I loaded the van and drove the kids down Thursday night and Kellan was able to trade one of his shifts at work and drive down with my brother Friday afternoon. It seemed crazy to try to do it on my own, but it was so darn worth it. Who knows were we'll be next year so this could be the last year we can go. 

Eastering was always my favorite growing up perhaps even more than Christmas. It was just perfect weather and the kids were in love with it all, I felt so happy to see them love it they way I did when I was younger. 

Egg hunt. Good times.

All Anne and Sara wanted to do was ride the horses. Thankfully I have awesome brothers and cousins who were happy to oblige them.

Truman and Cort 

Sara and Keith

Jaecee and Libby

Anne about 10 min. before this one freaked out a bit and threw her off. Poor girl was so proud to ride all by herself. After she brushed herself off, she was willing to get back on but only if Keith held the lead rope. Even then that's all she wanted to do.

Libby's idea of roughing it.

Easter bunny goodies!

 You look lovely Keitha.

The jump. One of my favorite places ever.

Dad helping Sara hit rocks off the edge.

Dragon Ride!

Easter morning. Looking dapper.

My sweet nephew Max. He dislikes me imensely, perhaps because his mother ditches him with me from time to time, but I like to imagine I'm his favorite aunt. Ha, ha. 

China!

As part of Kellan's masters program he was required to go to China for 13 days. Tough life when you are forced to go on an awesome vacation huh? Just kidding, it was a lot of corporate visits and hard work too. So this is just me, Rikki-Leigh posting his pictures (like he would ever get to it) so if you want a more in depth explanation you'll have to ask him. I just chose some of my favorites to share here. 

Somewhere over Siberia. Crazy-bus!

Hong Kong

Night market

Hong Kong Temple. Kellan's grandparents have served 2 missions to this temple. Also the same grandpa was one of the first missionaries to Hong Kong in the 50's so it was really special for Kellan to get to see it in person. Unfortunately the only time he could go was on Sunday so he didn't get to go in, but it was neat to attend church across the street from here. 

Giant Budda Statue. I can't remember the details. Ask Kellan.

Pretending to be Po (Kung-Fu Panda) I have to say I liked that movie, but watching Kellan laugh his bum off through the whole thing was the best. Its only fitting he should reenact it for real. 

Shanghai China. Mainland was crazy. They did loads of corporate visits so not too many pics. It was ginormous though. 

I have hard time looking at this one. Makes me queasy.

Beijing China

The Great Wall of China! Its real! Who knew?! 

The forbidden city. General Mao. Crazy. 

Rickshaw ride with his friend Matt

Kellan said this was funny. I can't remember why.

Longest almost 2 weeks ever is over! Home at last!

Presents!

My new favorite pic. The girls fans have their names on and he also got them bracelets. Truman got a couple of dragon figurines that he adores. He also got me a plenty of pretty things- some jewelry, a handbag and a scarf.

He'd been awake for like 30 hours and could hardly keep his eyes open.

Also I'd like to take this moments to ask you all to not ever let me skip a hair trim or two or three again. Ew. I finally got my hair trimmed while Kellan was gone and the before shot below is revolting. 5 week trims Rikki-Leigh! 5 week trims! Either grow it out or commit already!

The hardest part of the trip was the food. Not much was very good for Kellan so we made sure to welcome him home with his favorite american food. Lasagna! Ironically his favorite food is Chinese  but apparently over there its a little to ethnic for him.

We're so glad to have him back! I didn't realize how much I just like being around him. Even though we're used to going for days with out seeing much of him it was a lot harder than I thought it would be to not get to at least say hello and goodbye everyday. Hooray! Now on to the next 5 weeks of crazy and then we are only 2 classes away from done forever!

Ginger Bread Houses

With all the craziness of Christmas prep and then being sick the week after Christmas we never got around to making graham cracker ginger bread houses. I think I even had all the Christmas stuff taken down (I'm a Grinch, I hate how cluttered everything feels after Christmas. So its gotta go.) Anywho, at some point the Holidays were over, but the kids still had some time off from school so we got out all the junk candy lying around from Christmas and decorated away. It turned out to be one of those perfect family activities were there was no stress and everyone just enjoyed being together. Miles was asleep too so that helped with the peacefulness.

Chirstmas Day!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning was lovely. Santa brought some pretty awesome stuff the kiddos were pretty happy with. I loved it because Santa didn't over do it but everyone still got what they wanted. 

Sara with one of the Fairy Tale books she and Anne got. They've been a hit so far.

Anne asked Santa for Merida and he delivered. 

T-man's Bucky Ship. Money well spent for sure! I wish I had him singing "Jake and the never land pirates and MEEEEE!" all day long on video. He still plays with this every day.

Libby and her Strawberry Shortcake books. Another hit. Yay.

Anne's binocliars. She's been asking for some since she was two. I really like the weird things my kids love sometimes. 

What could that be Libby?

Libby: "The one I dreamed about!"

The much desired big doll house. Kudos to Santa for staying up every night for a week to get that one done. 

Sara and her Lalaloopsy doll. 

My grandpa made these desks for my sister and I when we were about Anne and Sara's ages. They get to borrow them for a few years. Its nice for me that they have a place to stash all their art treasures and creations.

Poor sick kid wasn't really into it. He humored us a bit and showed some mild interest though.

Mostly he just liked the candy cane though.

Good job Santa!

Santa also made this train table for the boys. That Santa is pretty handy!

The rest of the day the kids watched movies while Kellan and I slept. Miles gave us whatever bug he had and we spent the next few days pretty out of it. In spite of that it was nice to just be home together and let the kids enjoy their spoils.