Spring Break at LEO CARILLO State Beach

So we decided to join the masses and go to Leo Carillo for Spring Break.  The Mormons tend to take the park over during Spring Break.  It was lots of fun camping with lots of people that we knew.  It was especially great for the kids.  They were able to go from camp site to camp site to visit their friends.  We also were able to coordinate dinner plans and so took turns hosting dinner with the Christensens and the Luthis.  While there we celebrated Liesl's birthday and went on a good Easter egg hunt.  But there is a special trick to hunting for eggs in this park and it is that you have to find the eggs before ALL the squirrels do.  The Christensen's also added a nice touch with a special Easter message one night after dinner.

 

It was nice to be close enough but far away enough from the beach.  There was a litle hiking to the water, but while we were at the beach it was extremely windy, which didn't make for the best spring break experience, but of course didn't stop anyone from taking some hikes and searching for shells and playing a game of soccer.  Jacob loved the sand. 

 

Just a little bit about the wind.  One night were there, I thought we were going to wake up to the whole camp site turned upside down the wind sounded so strong.  We were in a tent under a big tree which didn't help.  I was a little nervous. 

 

E: I liked making money.  It was nice camping at the beach and being with friends.

M: I liked the tidepools. And it was freezing.

R: I liked playing games with everyone at the campsites.

L: I like hanging out in Kandrea's camper.

 

The starfish were cool.

Since Aunt Sarah lives close enough she came to visit us and she also came to show off her new car.  She bought herself a brand new Audi.  It is beautiful.

Ethan made a bunch of braided hemp bracelets with a few beads and sold them to the local surf shop while he was there.  It kept him busy for a while and he loves to make money.

Dallin and Etha braving the water.

 

Cute friends, Kandrea and Lauren

 

Little bit of soccer, anyone?

Maddy and Rachel

 

Ethan made a snare trap to catch one of the pesty squirrels and it worked. 

 

So grateful for friends and the time and means to spend with our family.

Our Ballerina Girl

Lauren loves to dance. She had a great time doing ballet this year, but she is definitely a more modern dancer or hip hop. She has got some moves. She likes to do her own thing at her own pace and on her own time. This was proven early on in life when she was 3 or 4 and had her first ballet recital. She would not get on stage and perform with her class. It wasn't until after the recital was done did she get back on stage and perform her own routine while everyone wasn't really watching.
And the end of every little ballet move in her class she would do her own litttle twist and hop to get some of her personality into it.   Love this little dancer girl!

 

Hunger Games

Yes, I am also a Hunger Games freak along with every other teenager in America. 

 Midnight showing with Vaun, Liesl, Vicki, Renee and Jill {who are not teenagers}

So much fun!!  Love, Love, Love these ladies. 

Condors Game Fundraiser

Matthew won some tickets to the Condors game as part of a fundraiser to earn money for some smart boards at school.  So Mom was the lucky one to take Matthew and two of his silly friends

Brothers & Sisters

 

 

Piano Recital

"From Beethoven to Lanz..." Ethan, Matthew, Rachel and Lauren have been working hard for this day. Or maybe it is was me that was working so hard.... Either way they all did a great job and we are so proud of them. They all got a little anxious as it got closer but Lauren surprised us the most as she watched her name get closer and closer to being called next. She jumped right up and had no problem performing. To be honest I wasn't 100% sure if she would actually follow through with it. It was a great evening. Our piano teacher is amazing. She has 21 students that performed in this recital. She goes to each of their homes to teach lessons and we just love her. 
These pictures are what you get when one parent is trying to video tape the recital and the other parent is trying to manage a 16 month old.  A little blurry but you can see how proud of themselves they are.

Lauren played Once Upon a Princess by Nancy Faber

Rachel played It's Spring by Jon George

Matthew played Sword Dance by Nancy Faber

Ethan played Fast Track Boogie by Melody Bober

Brimhall Young Womens February 2012

Condors Game with the Laurels - I had my annual worst cold ever that night, so bummed but glad I was able to go.

Etiquette Night with YM&YW. 

Just a little bit on dating and then at the dinner table with some games and dessert.

Happy Valentine's Day to the Brimhall Young Women, Love, Sis $<3 p="p">

Laurels Heart Attacking some special women in our ward!

Super Cute Beehives making Super Cute Personal Progress book covers and holders!

Get to know you night!  Each girl brought a suitcase with 10 items that describe themselves or tells us something new about them.  It was so much fun.  I think we all learned lots of fun, new & crazy things about each other.