Reality

Getting an email confirmation with one way tickets that are booked for yourself and your kids really makes it hit home that you are moving.

Things I will dearly miss about Arizona...
1. Friends
2. Really good mexican food
3. Beautiful Sunsets

Things I think I might like about Ohio
1. Seasons
2. Great weekend road trips to NYC, Boston, DC, lots of Church history locations, Niagara Falls, Toronto
3. Having my own mailbox (15 years of marriage and finally I don't have to walk to the mailbox)

I hope there is more for me to love. I"m sure there will be. I can't believe we are actually doing this. Part of me is so excited to have new experiences with Del and the kids. Part of me is scared of the unknown. I am glad I can keep up with friends and family with blogs. We have about 5 weeks before the movers come!

The Ranch

This is a place where I have so many memories. I never appreciated how beautiful it was as a kid. I came here every year with my family when I was growing up. We haven't been for about eleven years. I've only been twice since I have been married. The first time I was here with Del we stopped on the way home and bought a home pregnancy test and found out that we were pregnant with Sydnee! The second time I've been here since I've been married I was pregnant with Lindsey. I hope we don't have any surprises soon! Anyways, my brother Jon wanted to come up here with his kids and we took the kids out of school this week and came up. I am so glad we did! It is not very convenient to get to. We flew to Salt Lake and then rented a car and drove for about 4 hours. I love this place! This is where I learned to drive a stick shift. We have been teaching Sydnee and Lindsey how to drive the jeep. They are doing pretty good so far.

These cousins have so much fun together. They are always working on a dance together, or playing restaurant at the bar in the house. It is very entertaining to watch their imaginations.
Rylee, Lindsey, Natalie, Carli, and aunt Cathy

I have lots more pics to put on here. Our connection is really slow. I will continue with another post with more highlights from the trip.

Muffins with Mom

Carli had a cute Mothers Day program in her kindergarten class. They served muffins and had crowns for all of the moms. They sang some songs and showed off a bit. She has had the best teacher this year that will not let her class even mention first grade! She tells them they are never leaving kindergarten. Carli has made some great friends this year at school.

Recital

Lindsey and Carli had their dance recital on May 10th. They have been taking dance at the Power Ranch clubhouse. It is very low key and low stress. They had a Princess and Pirate show that was darling. Lindsey did a duet with her friend Lexi and it was so cute. This was Carli's first performance in front of an audience besides her family and she wasn't a bit shy. She loved it. They worked really hard and it showed. Grandma and Grandpa and Cathy were able to come and watch the show. Lindsey's teacher from school, Mrs. Powers also came to the show to watch.

Where did April go?

I really can't believe April is almost over. I know blog posts are way more interesting with photos but I really don't have any to post. Here is an update for our family...
I went back to Ohio and we put in an offer on a house. Pictures are on Del's blog (deltanner.com) in his flickr pics. We are waiting to hear on the appraisal. It is a great house and I hope it works out!

In the last two weeks we have had the stomach flu, strep, bronchitis and a UTI. So fun! It has escaped Carli and I and just hit Sydnee and Lulu.

Lindsey got to go on a field trip to the Grand Canyon with her 4th grade class. She had so much fun and really learned a lot. I about had a heart attack when the principle of her school called me at about 6 p.m. that day when I knew they were traveling on the bus and was already a little bit paranoid about that but she was just calling to let me know they would be a little late. Very considerate of her to call.

Sydnee has her volleyball serve down pretty solid! Yeah. She has been working so hard in practice and had learned so much and had so much fun. Her coaches are so positive and she has met some great girls. She was also voted "Most Fashionable Player" at her end of the season party. They have a practice uniform and game uniforms so I think it must be the rhinestone hair clips! (thanks katy)

Carli is doing so well in school. She loves to read and recently read me a book that is on the third grade level in the AR program. I was so amazed and proud. Her kindergarten teacher is so wonderful and I cannot say enough positive things about her school. Really amazing!

Del and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this past weekend in Boulder, Colorado. It was so relaxing and we had a great time together. He had a concert he really wanted to go see and since we don't have too much time these days we combined it with our anniversary. I'm sure if you look on his blog for details there will be plenty about the concert (which was great) and probably not too much about anything else! We had pedicures, massages, ate some great meals, took naps every day, watched some TV, sat in the hot tub, drove up the canyon, and enjoyed seeing all of the tulips! The slap in the face from reality last night when I got home wasn't too bad. I missed my kids after being gone two weekends in a row.

I have a mother hen that won't get up! She is sitting on eggs and refuses to move so who knows... we might have some baby chicks pretty soon!

One more thing...

Carli and I actually watched an egg plop out of a hen today. Now that's educational!

Down Day

Today we are having a "down day". We got home really late last night and Carli and Lindsey were so tired so I caved and let them stay home. Sydnee wanted to go to school so I took her and I have been catching up on stuff and hanging out with Lindsey and Carli. I can't remember the last time Lindsey sat down and played with Carli. They have been playing Littlest Pet Shop and I can tell Carli is in heaven having her sister to herself. Sometimes soccer, volleyball, mutual, and life get in the way of great sister time. Maybe that means we need to simplify!?! Anyway, the kids have AIMS testing next week and I thought they deserved a day off. Call me a bad mom - call me a cool mom- call me irresponsible - but sometimes you just need a "down day"!