Spring 2011

 Well it's been a year since I have posted.  I have a ton of pictures to post so I think the best idea is to post by season until I become current.  So without further ado, here is Spring of last year.


Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival is always a spring highlight for us.  The first thing the chillins want to do is roll down the main lawn, which is a giant hill.

 I love that Ella and Seth are such good buddies.  Sometimes Ella forgets that they are brother and sister and that she is not actually his mother.  Whenever Seth opens a door for her she says in her best British accent "What a gentlemen Sethie!"

If there is a stick in the vicinity Seth will find it and whack something with it, in this case it was tulips.

There are a ton of coy fish in this pond.  Seth and Ella are joined by their cousin Caleb (left) and Tate (right).  Seth always reminds me to bring lots of quarters for fish food.  

I have to take advantage of times when Seth wants to be near me because I know very soon he will not want to take pictures with "mommy".

This is the really cool entrance to the secret garden.  It is one of Ella's favorite parts of the garden.  The first time we came here my mom took a picture of Ella lounging on one of the benches and every time Ella runs in there and poses on the same bench in the same way awaiting her picture.

It's so funny how kids can be so fascinated by just a little water in a fountain and of course they always dip their hands in it.  I wonder why I don't?

All the kids love running up and down these stairs.  

These pictures are from the Petersen Easter Party which always takes place at my parent's house for all my mom's brothers and sisters (all 6 of them) and their kids and grandkids.  We are becoming quite a crowd and it is so fun to see everyone! I didn't take very many pictures so I may have to get some from Chelsea who is excellent at taking pictures.  I think I was preoccupied with other things because we were leaving for Disneyland two days later.

Here are the kids in their Easter outfits. 

Holding their Easter baskets.   We have early church so the Easter Bunny arrived extra early.  It helps them get ready for church really fast if they know they can't find eggs and baskets until they are dressed.

We came back to Grandma Judi's on Sunday night so we could all leave for Disneyland together bright and early at 5am the next morning.  As usual Grandma had hidden eggs and baskets for the kids and they were delighted.  This year she had found some little bug nets and bug themed eggs for the kids to "catch".  It was a big hit.

The displaying of the baskets.  Ella was very excited because she received a Disney princess watch to take on our trip.  Because there are so many Disney pictures I am going to post them separately in the next post.

The kids in the bear cave at Thanksgiving Point children's garden  with cousin Caleb.  They love it because it is just a little scary.  There is a sound track playing bear growling noises that adds to the effect.

Also there are some fun tunnels in the cave that provide additional thrills with a low bravery cost.

Peek a boo!












 Caleb's little brudder Joshie waiting patiently for the kids to come out of the cave.

They have lots of bronzed creatures lurking about and nestled in little burrows which the kids like to check out.

 This is a cute little pond with more fish in it to feed.  Also there is a little island that holds a surprise on it, a bronze alligator that looks like it is half out of the water.  Seth still thinks it is real.

The fun little lighthouse the kids like to play house inside.