Quotes of the Week

Random Jonah quotes that have made me smirk this week...

Jonah to his bowl of cereal: "Come to papa!"
To me as we're getting ready for bed: "Today was so ADORABLE!"
Jonah to me as he invited me to battle: "Come here, old man!"
Snuggling up to a blanket his grandma made when he was born and uses all the time: "This is SO lovely, Mom.  It's just so lovely."
To himself as he jumps from rock to rock.: "I AM SO PARKOUR!" 

This is parkour.  :)

 

A few random moments from our quiet, calm conference.

"I'm now a dentist.  No, really.  I am a dentist."  I was getting my teeth checked, and Bob (my brother in law's father who is an awesome dentist) let him help and hold the "sucky" thingy in my mouth.  He thought it was the greatest thing ever!  And when they handed me my appointment reminder card for my next visit, he took it as his official card stating he was a dentist.  So proud of himself!

And for your viewing pleasure,  a dance in his underpants.  With a plastic spatula..

 

Ok. Two videos.

Just underpants is a common phenomenon around here.   I think it's a boy thing. 

Love this kid.  He loves life, loves to talk and loves his mama.

Spring Break: Rated E for Everyone

As we went one way convertible-ing around Phoenix, our two lovelies drove out to Prescott with their grandparents. 

 

 As luck would have it, cousins came out as well so they had one big party all week long.

My Uncle Lloyd and my father built an amazing water table where the kids spent hours playing, building cities, creating their own monetary system, bartering and trading to create a quite a working community.

Jonah and Pax went shirtless most of the week, which is quite common most days. At least here there was sun and a little more warmth.

Each day my wonderful mother and sisters planned an Easter activity that taught the kids about Christ's last week and His teachings.

They celebrated the Feast of the Passover with a Seder dinner filled with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  Lucas doesn't seem too excited about the endeavor.  Now that I look at the picture, doesn't seem like any one is. 

My dad took the older boys out shooting just like he did when I was a girl.  We shot at cans and the "groundhogs" that made holes in my grandfather's horse pasture that made it dangerous for his horses. I put groundhogs in parenthesis because I don't any of us girls came even close to shooting something alive. 

These boys have shot at cans, gingerbread houses days after Christmas, and I don't know what else.  Lucas loves the 22 and would not mind in the least to get one for his birthday.

My sister would send cute update pictures of the boys and, I have to admit I missed these sweet faces and all the fun they were having without us.  (But then I'd take another sip of my pina colada and all those thoughts would just melt away.)

We did make it up to Prescott for an Easter egg hunt and finding their baskets.  At first, Jonah was intent on getting his hands on as much as he could.

But after some good finds, he said he had enough and was content with the amount he had.  Definitely does not get that from me!

 

Lucas and Jack are always good at finding their goodies early and then helping the little kids out.  This year was no different.

 

What a cute gaggle of grandchildren.

And what cute brothers. I know I am such a sappy mom, but my heart just swells when I think of these two. They bring such joy and craziness to our lives.  I couldn't ask for more!

One more thing...the grownups ventured out to the water park one day with all the kids.  My "lucky" mom convalesced from her knee surgery with her sister who had a knee replacement.  Their day was much calmer than everyone else's,

Cousins and best friends.

 

Jonah has two bathing suits.  One that fits and one that doesn't.  Guess which one I couldn't find before we left? And guess who forgot to send a safety pin with this kid so his stinkin'  bloomers would stay up?  My sisters did their best by adding a swim diaper to his little bum but nothing really seemed to work.

Apparently he didn't really mind,

Lucas especially loves Prescott and was soaking in the peacefulness the last night we were there.  I so appreciate my parents who are willing and able to care for our children while we have Romantic Times.  I love that they have a sweet relationship with both sets of grandparents. They give them a better sense of identity, who they are and where they came from.  It helps them find their place in the world and how they fit in, and are a vital contributor to our eternal family.  

 

Thanks again, Nana & Papa! We sure love you!

 

Spring Break: Adult Version

Not that kind of adult version.

But a grandparents meet us at airport-they drive one way with the boys while we drive the other way for four days of sunny freedom-type of adult version.  That's exactly what we did Monday night after we flew into Phoenix.  My parents agreed to take the kids while we played in exotic Scottsdale.  I know that doesn't sound too exotic but we stayed at this wonderful resort with sleeping in, room service, adult-only pool, 3 restaurants inside the grounds and an amazing spa.  I didn't really care where we were!  And ok, I think it was an amazing spa because they sure charged enough.  Aaron told me to go to town on anything I wanted but I couldn't allow myself to pay for a $200 facial or $75 pedicure.  It's against all I hold to be true.  :)  So the spa was not visited by either of us.  But I'm sure it was heavenly because everything else was.

Instead we went to the Mesa Temple for a session.  We thought about all the people we love that got sealed here. Both mine and Aaron's grandparents, my parents, my sister and brother in law, plus a plethora of cousins, aunts and uncles.  It was a wonderful feeling of being eternally connected.

Afterward we ran over to see Aaron's Uncle Pete who lived 5 minutes from the temple.  His wife passed away last year and he moved to Mesa to be near family.  We had the sweetest visit with him and I loved hearing old stories of the Fish family and the wonderful examples of service they gave us.  We come from great stock!

 My generous mom lent us her convertible for the week and we l.o.v.e.d. every minute of it.  I couldn't help but take a picture. We had the top down any chance we could get.

Ok, Aaron will probably shoot me for putting this picture up but it's one of the only ones I have of one of us in the pool.  Aaron went swimming the first night about 11pm while I watched. Way too cold for me.  It has to be 100 degrees and I'm about to suffer heat stroke before I get into cold water.  It's a thing for me.  So Aaron, my white, hairless hottie, enjoyed a late night dip.

We actually exercised while on vacation!  I think that truly is a first for me.  Instead of going to the resort's gym INDOORS, we went outside in the sun.  Aaron ran while I walked. I had much better pictures of our view but they are no where to be found.  So imagine this, but way better. :)

Again, just driving in the perfect weather.

Here are my feet enjoying a relaxing afternoon at the pool.  Sipping pina coladas and reading my book.  Heaven!

 

Seriously, driving around was part of our vacation experience.  Sun on your face, wind in your hair, and a great song on the radio. 

One morning we went to the driving range. Neither of us play but we love hitting a few and seeing how far they go.  I think I only nailed one person behind the side wall of bushes.  I truly don't have any control. My motto is: Just hit it hard.

I had bought a Groupon for a sunrise hot air balloon ride but when I called the place was all booked up for the days we could go.  The nerve!  Other people actually go to Phoenix in March, when the weather is absolutely perfect?!  Oh well.  We still have the Groupon if anyone is going to be near Phoenix and wants a sunrise hot air balloon ride for two.

 Here's proof to Lucas that yes, I actually got into a suit and I did actually swim in the water.  I love our pale, Northwest, blinding skin.

Wednesday, the 27th, was our 14th wedding anniversary.  Can anyone imagine 14 years with Aaron?!  It's been wonderful and I love him dearly.  He's been perfect for me, my wonderful balance.

That night we went for a late dessert at the resort's restaurant Prado.  I ordered a Ducle de Leche bread pudding with vanilla cream while Aaron ordered the cheese plate.  Never in my wildest dreams would I order that!  Dessert is sugar, butter and chocolate.  But he loved it and it lasted for the next day's snack.

We also went down to take my grandmother out to lunch.  And we were surprised by my Uncle Andrew and cousin Kristine, as well!  They are the father and sister of the cousin, Celeste, who moved out here last year and whom Genet and I had a baby shower for.  We had a great time!  I'm sad I didn't get a picture of all of us. 

My grandmother was so proud of me for finally growing up and eating Mexican food.  (I was a super picky eater growing up.)  I told her I found the light around age 30 and haven't looked back. 

 It was such a perfect, romantic get away. Much too short :) but so relaxing and special.

Thank you to all the family who helped watch our kids while we played. We couldn't have done it with out you!  We'll have to do it again real soon. :)