Open your eyes and say CHEESE...

On a SUNNY Spring Sunday, I attempted to take a picture of my cute kids before church. It was the week after Easter and they were all decked out in their new attire. Russ has been trying to teach me some photography tricks, and although I am not understanding many of them, I do remember to face the kids towards the sun so they won't have shadows on their faces. Well, let's just say it was a little TOO SUNNY at 11:00 a.m. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw these pictures and thought maybe you might enjoy a little giggle as well.

I've decided I don't mind shadows on their faces, at least I get cute smiles and open eyes.

They look innocent and sweet enough...

It seems like whenever we are with the Ellsworth's lately, they are causing TROUBLE! It began on April 1st at Grant and Gavin's school play. I somehow ended up in charge of the refreshment table. I recruited some help from Kami. Next thing I know we are in a fight with some HUGE-OBESE-WHITE TRASH-WOMAN. She is swearing at us, yelling at us, etc. I absolutely hate confrontation and try to avoid it all costs, so I am just trying to ignore this lady and keep performing my duties. Kami on the other hand is telling this woman, "Bring it on Honey, you don't scare me. I grew up in Compton!" She easily out-weighed Kami and I put together by another 100 pounds. I'm whispering, "Kami, shut up! You're going to get us killed". Kami says, "She'll have to catch us first". We got out of there alive, but two weeks later I run into the gal and her boyfriend (who looked like he had just finished serving time) at Wal-Mart. Luckily, they were eating at the Subway within Wal-Mart and I don't think she wanted to put down her sandwich to fight me. They were staring me down and mouthing the "B" word at me. I was looking over my shoulder the whole time I was in the store.
Then yesterday we went to Garrett's baseball game at Gubler Park. Brent and the kids came to watch (we always love all of the family support). At one point I turn around and Brent is in an argument with the old, ornery maintenance man. He comes and sits down and 2 minutes later the cops show up and Brent is pulled aside and questioned/reprimanded. I suppose I should tell the whole story... but telling of Brent's complete innocence and how the old, grumpy man was absolutely ridiculous and 50 witnesses would agree... just isn't as entertaining of a read. Let's just say that things at the Santa Clara City Hall are going to be interesting Monday morning as several angry will be paying visits and making phone calls about the old, raunchy man. Poor old, grouchy man... I hope you get FIRED!

Fish for Sail

We are so excited to have Russ returning home today from a fly-fishing trip to Guatemala. He has been gone for over a week playing with the sailfish in Central America. Thank heaven for good technology which has allowed us to keep in contact with him while he has been away. We were able to communicate using instant messaging and e-mail almost every night. He had a great time and caught two fish that were 100+ pounds. We can't wait to see more pictures and video footage from the trip.

Steeerike Three!

Little league baseball has begun. Grant is playing Triple A ball. He was placed on the Indian's team with 10 other boys, none of which he knew prior to season. Last year he had very intense coaches and he learned so much. But, he wasn't into baseball as much as most of the boys on his team. He played mostly in right field and if he wasn't chewing on his mitt, he was making up imaginary baseball plays and acting them out. He is very entertaining to watch. Some changes have occurred in the league this year and it is a little less competitive. We are thrilled. Way more up Grant's alley. He just wants to have a good time and feel successful.

His new coach called and said we were having a parent/player meeting. We went to the meeting and they gave us Grant's uniform and then the coach introduced himself. He told us that he has never coached baseball, knows very little about the sport, however he can play basketball. But, he volunteered to be the coach where Russ and I didn't, so I can't say too much. He then started asking the boys what their names were and what position they would like to play. The first boy, Drew, wanted to play center field or second. The coach said he could play either one throughout the game. Then he looks to my son.

Coach: What is your name?

Grant: Grant

Coach: What position do you want to play?

Grant: Pitcher

Coach: Okay, you will be one of my pitchers. I will probably need two.

Me: (Laughing) He has never pitched before, ever.

Coach: That is okay.

I was sick. Grant was determined. We went out and practiced a few times. He threw somewhat accurate until I put Garrett in the batter's box. Then he started throwing way outside. We worked at it for about an hour. I kept telling him, "Don't worry about hitting the batter, just get the ball inside". Luckily, Garrett is very used to batting against me and has gotten quite good at ducking and jumping out of the way. Eventually, Grant stared to feel more confident and started throwing across the plate again.

Tonight Grant was the starting pitcher. He was so excited. I was a nervous wreck, but he wasn't. He was very confident. On the way over to his game I had told him not to be worried about hitting the batter, just get the ball to Mitchell (the catcher) and don't make him have to chase wild balls. Grant's first two pitches were high and then he beaned the batter. I was starting to have that really sick feeling. The next batter got a base hit. Then Grant STRUC OUT the next batter up. The next few boys got hits, a couple of boys scored, and then Grant had two more strike outs to finish the inning. He only walked one batter, the one he beaned. I was so impressed. His form looked good. He had a little attitude up on the mound. And best of all, he had a smile from ear to ear. He was in the game, contributing, and having the time of his life.

Dang, he is so cute! And he throws a mean strike! Good job Grant!
Grant had so much support from family tonight, how could he have not been successful. Nana, Papa, Uncle Brent, Aunt Kami, Gavin, Savanna, Garrett, Gracie, Brayden and his buddy Jamie, and of course Grant's mom, were all there to cheer him on. It meant the world to Grant to have his cousin, Brayden at the game. NOBODY loves Brayden more than Grant. Not even that cute little mama of Bray's can compete with Grant's adoration! Thanks Brayden (and Jamie) for being there.

as EGG-citing as ever

I don't know what the Easter Bunny does at your home, but in ours, that little fur ball hides about 200 eggs ALL over. My kids love hunting for eggs. Due to the fact that we would find eggs for months after the holiday was over, the Easter Bunny finally wised up. It now hides 21 eggs in each area/room of the house. Each of my kids find 7 eggs and we can't move on to a new room/area until every egg is found. It seemed to have worked very well. However, I will miss finding random pieces of chocolate in August this year!The kids really had a nice Easter this year. We were going to celebrate Easter on Saturday because Russ was going to be gone on Sunday. However, that just didn't happen. With the triathlon, two baseball games, family dinner, priesthood session of conference, and Russ flying out of Vegas that night- we just didn't have a minute to squeeze in an egg hunt. So, that darn bunny came about 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. The kids started waking up around 4:30 a.m. asking if it was time to start hunting for eggs. They get way more excited about Easter than Christmas. Anyway, I finally gave in at 6:30 and the fun began.

The kids got a few toys from the Easter Bunny like new spiky balls (like we need any more balls in this house), swim goggles, bubble wands...

water balloon sling-shots for the boys, and a hula hoop for GracieThe boys each got a new tie and Gracie got a new Easter dress. I will have to take pictures of them this Sunday in their new attire.

The kids spent a good hour finding Easter eggs filled with candy or quarters. They were everywhere! After the egg hunt, I made the kids pancakes and we got ready for conference to begin. When the morning session of conference was over, we got ready for the day and went over to Nana and Papa's. Kaci, Raleigh, Brayden, Peyton, Kami, and Brent were there too. So, it was fun to get to be with them for the holiday. Nana and Papa had an Easter egg hunt for my kids also.

More candy and some golden dollars to add to the Easter stash. Nana made a really nice dinner and we watched the afternoon session of conference. It was a really nice and relaxing day and I enjoyed every minute of it (other than not having Russ there to share it with). Conference was really good this year. I have never known it to be bad, but I really enjoyed several of the talks this year. Particularly, Elder Holland's talk and the talk about mothers on Sunday afternoon.

It was fun to have Kaci and some of her family here. I just cannot get enough of her baby girl. Peyton is the sweetest little thing I have ever met. Just look at how cute she is...

My kids, of course, could not get enough of Brayden. He is so sweet to my children who follow him where ever he goes and absolutely hang on him every second they are with him. He is such a good guy and we are very lucky to have him as a cousin.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. We are so blessed to have a Savior that came to the earth, lived a perfect life, atoned for our sins, and died for us. I am grateful for His Atonement and His resurrection which allows us to make mistakes, repent, become a better and wiser people, and live with our loved ones for all eternity. I am also so grateful for my wonderful family who helps me stay the course and keep focused on what is really important.

Grant's got Talent

Our family read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series last year (very good, would highly recommend them). We were very excited when Grant got Mrs. Drummond as a teacher this year because she has created a course curriculum around these books. The books are centered around Greek Mythology.

On April Fool's day, Grant's class presented their Greek plays. Mrs. Drummond's and Mr. Broadhead's classes had created 6 short plays about Greek mythology. They were very clever and quite good.

Grant was amazing. He had to narrate each of the plays. He had all of his lines memorized, spoke very clearly and with great confidence. He also played the part of one the miseries from Pandora's Box. He was disease. He was very dramatic with his wicked laugh.

After the play, Grant's teacher came up to Russ and I to tell us how impressed she was with Grant. Apparently, one kid didn't show up for the plays and another kid broke down with stage fright. At the last minute, they threw Grant into these parts. Mrs. Drummond told us that Grant had every line of every play memorized and easily stepped in to "save the play"! We were so proud of him. He really did a great job. Look out Broadway!

Give it a TRI

I had the fun experience of watching my dad, brother-in-law (Brent), and his uncle (Dee) compete in a triathlon this past Saturday. We went over to the SHAC (Sand Hollow Aquatic Center) just before 7:00 a.m. for the start of the race. Dee was first. He did the swimming portion of the race, which consisted of 8 laps (or 16 lengths) in the pool. He was an amazing swimmer. He glides in the water, does the fancy turns, and really makes swimming look effortless. Since I am a drowner by nature, I can really appreciate his skills in the water. I only got one picture of Dee in the water... and it is of his butt as he is making a turn. I will save him any embarrassment since I just met him. However, I may save it for future use, just in case he and I get better acquainted and I need a little coaxing to get him to teach me how to swim. I am not above using blackmail. Hehehe! Here is a picture of Dee after his swim, running to exchange chips with my dad.It is not the best picture. It was still very dark outside and he ran by me VERY fast. Good Job Dee! He swam his part in under 7 minutes.

Dee handed his ankle bracelet to my dad who did the cycling portion of the race. My dad had not slept one wink the night before the race. He was so nervous. We were all nervous for him. He took off without crashing and headed out on the course. He had to complete two 5 mile loops. As he passed by us after one loop, he yelled out, "I lost my shifter on the first hill!". The poor guy had just had his bike worked on the day before the race. He had to ride in a low gear the entire time. Despite the malfunction, he did very well. He looked strong coming into the finish of the cycling portion.Dad handed off to Brent, who took off running. Brent had a 3 mile run, which he finished in 22 minutes. Good job Brent!

Overall, they captured 3rd place in their division. Whoo-hoo! Glad I could be there. My parents are always so supportive of all of my family's various activities. It is nice that I had the opportunity to reverse the role and be there to support my dad and Brent. Plus, I got to hang out with my sisters and mom while the men toiled. It was fabulous.