April

There are two months I deem magical during the year - October and April. October for the changing of temperature, the color of leaves, and the settling into winter. April for the hope of warmth and beautiful blossoms erasing the memory of colder days. I think I spent nearly every day just walking around admiring the blossoms. Here are some other things we did.

Spent a day at a California beach before heading home from our cruise. 

Had our first backyard fire.

Quinton started a new referee job.

We walked Lagoon trail.

The boys got a little crazy with some balls on the tramp one day.

We commissioned my friend Anna Wood to paint my childhood home which completely filled my heart in ways I didn't know I needed.

Post I wrote on Facebook about the painting:

I grew up in an old house. A house that seemed magical to me as a 3-year-old when we moved from Iona to Rigby. A house where it always felt cold and there were strange noises in the walls and you couldn't plug in too many things at once or the whole place would lose power. A house with a big yard and wide fields around it, a ditch to get wet in, old sheds to explore, and a faithful dog who would drag home the weirdest things. A house where I would wait excitedly by the window for my older brothers and sisters to come home for holidays. A house that has survived fire, grief, and a slightly crazy family. A house I was sad to leave when I set off for college but always knew I could return to because it was my home. 

The house looks different now, with new siding and bigger trees and a town that has grown exponentially around it. My sister lives there with her own family and it's miraculously still standing, but the way it looks in my memory will always hold a special place in my heart. 

For Christmas Barry gave me the gift of a commissioned painting from my beautiful friend @annaleewoodpaintingsprints and I knew that of course I wanted her to paint my childhood home. She did an incredible job and I am so grateful to have this sweet memory hanging where I can see it every day and remember that once I lived in a cool, old house.

On Track and Off Track

Warren ran his first year on the Kaysville Junior High Team. He is doing really well at the mile and is trying the shotput and discus as well. Clara ran for the high school team and even tried pole vaulting at a couple of meets. Unfortunately after we returned from spring break she fell during practice and dislocated her elbow. This was pretty sad all around since it meant no track or jump rope for several weeks, but she was a trooper and made it through physical therapy and all that fun stuff. 

Quinton kept at rugby through the spring and below is a picture of Sawyer doing the long jump at running club.

 

Heather's Birthday

I turned 39! And we hiked Elephant Rock! Yay!

 

Warren Turns 13! (And Easter)

I keep telling this kid not to grow up and he keeps doing it anyway. He had fun fishing with friends before we headed up to Rigby on Saturday. It was also Grandpa Don's 80th birthday and Easter that weekend, so we had a big celebration! We went to church with Jeni and Nolan at BYU-Idaho and had dinner at their place before we came home to celebrate as a family. Warren is so sweet, helpful, and easy-going. He is truly a blessing to our family.

 

Ensenada Mexico

Our favorite day of the cruise was getting off at the Ensenada, Mexico port. We shopped a little and found an amazing beach to play at. We had some amazing Mexican food at a little taco stand on the side of the road. It's very touristy there, but it was still fun to show kids what Mexico is like.

 

Navigator of the Seas

Spring Break came and we were finally able to go on our cruise! Clara and I flew to Las Vegas from Denver and met the boys to drive to Los Angeles. We stayed in an Airbnb before heading to the cruise the next morning. It was so fun to have Grandma and Grandpa Decker and Shari/Triston/Connor with us for the adventure. We went on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas. Everything was great except the weather made some things a little difficult. We weren't able to go to the Catalina Island port and swimming was a bit chilly because of the wind. We did get to enjoy all the ship's amenities including ice skating, rock climbing, SO MUCH FOOD, fun shows, and sports. We also really enjoyed spending a day Ensenada. Even though it wasn't perfect, hopefully it's a memory the kids will cherish.