Another Milestone!

Did you remember how difficult it was to learn to tie your shoe when you were a kid? Well, it must be like 100 times more difficult to try to teach a kid to do it. Eleanor has been wanting so badly to learn to tie her shoes (although she hardly ever wears shoes with laces.) So, after a long break from frustrating lessons, she put on her tennies today so she and Lucas could play tag. She said, "Mom, will you show me one more time how to do it myself?" So I showed her one time and like magic.....SHE DID IT ALL BY HERSELF! I swear, she must have been doing this in her dreams because I just couldn't believe she did it on her first try this time around.

Green Sharpie

Yesterday I was talking on the phone in the den while Lucas was quietly by himself in the family room. As I hung up the phone he came into the den covered in green marker. I think he thought I was going to start laughing, because he had a slight smile on his face. When he saw that I did not return the smile, he realized he had done something that I was not very happy about. I asked him "Um...Lukie? Will you pleas show me the marker that you used on your body?" He must have known exactly what I was getting at because he ran into the kitchen and grabbed a green CRAYOLA marker. He brought it to me and I then said "are you sure this is the one you used? Because I don't think it is." Then he went back and brought me a green sharpie (which when we bought it we had explained to both kids that they were never allowed to use these without permission because they would not wash off." I then spent the next 10 minutes scrubbing his face with a wash cloth. Surprisingly, it came off of his face much easier than I had anticipated. But for some reason, coming off the hands and arms and feet have not been so easy. Where is the green sharpie now you ask? The trash of course. (by the way, these pictures were taken after I had been scrubbing him for about 5 minutes.)

Easter Sunday

This Easter was spent a little different than usual. Normally all of us siblings here in Visalia would eat a big Easter dinner at Mom and Dad's house. But since they're on their mission, Rachael's family and my family spent it at my house. Dave bar-b-qued and Rachael brought over a ham. And of course we had the yummy side dishes that we love so much. Gary and Debbie spent their evening at Debbie's family's house, so it was just the Reher's and the Rahm's. It was a very fun evening. These pictures are of my kids in their Easter clothes they got special for the day. Lucas actually had on a tie, but as he pulled on his buttoned up collar he said "this thing is really buggin me!" Needless to say, he wouldn't wear it to church. Oh well. Luckily Eleanor doesn't fuss over her clothes!

A Day at the Fresno Zoo

I took the kids to the Fresno Zoo today with a group of girlfriends of mine and thier kids. We had a great day. Eleanor's favorite were the sting rays, and Lucas and I both enjoyed the elephants! It was really fun and the kids can't wait to go back!

the kids looooooved the petting zoo

...and finally Sting Ray Bay. Eleanor touched the sting rays, but Lucas couldn't quite get himself to. If you look close at the picture of Lucas, you can see the sting ray swimming past him.

Power 90

I had to post these because this particular morning was so funny! I do this workout video called Power 90 and I always do it in the morning when Eleanor is at school. There's a jog in place part and Lucas and I chase each other around the house during that part. Well, this week is Spring Break and Eleanor decided she really wanted to exercise with me. She put on her "exercise outfit" and put her hair in a pony tail just like mine (oh yeah and Lucas put on his fast shoes.) They both stood in front of me so they could see the tv better and these are some of the shots I took of them. Actually, Eleanor does really great jumping jacks!! I was very impressed.

View From the Window

These pictures were taken by Mom and Dad. It is the view outside the big picture window in the condo that they are living in in Salt Lake City. Isn't it beautiful? It's the same view my siblings and I have all seen a million times outside that same window. And how could I forget those little houses right across the street? Ha. Some things never change. My parents are so lucky to be living in our Grandma and Grandpa Evans' condominium that they lived in for years while they were still living. My Uncle owns it now and was so great to offer to let Mom and Dad live there while on their mission. When I was a kid I never appreciated that view and when I see it now I just can't believe how fabulous it is!!

Princess Madeline

Disney on Ice was at Salt Lake City and honored five little girls. One of those was Madeline. She was all dressed up as Sleeping Beauty. I met Sharilyn, Madeline, Natalie and Peter at the Delta Center at 10:30, Wednesday, March 12. As you will see in the pictures, make-up and hair people were there to get the little girls all ready for the red carpet. Madeline had her hair curled and make-up put on. All the little girls were so beautiful. That night, they were all honored at a dinner with their families and free tickets to Disney on Ice. What a wonderful day for a wonderful little Granddaughter. I'm so glad that I was a part of it, or at least part of it. Grandpa and I had to work in the Family History Library till 9:00 so we did not get to go to the dinner or show

Our Saturday night at Red Robin!

Trip to the Fire Station

Lucas is obsessed with anything having to do with emergency vehicles, his most favorite being a fire truck. He has been bugging me for a very long time to buy him a fireman hat. So, thinking like a very smart mom, I called up the fire station in hopes that they gave out those plastic hats for free. Upon calling them, they informed me that they also love to give tours to the children. So, when Dave was home last weekend we made an appointment to visit and have a tour. The kids absolutely loved it and yes, they got their hats! Just as we were finishing up, they got a call for an emergency and we got to see them get ready in their big coats and boots then race off! Lucas thought he'd died and gone to heaven!

Make-up Artist

Now all of you that know Dave, you would know that he would FREAK out if he saw Lucas putting on any sort of make-up....or even putting it on someone else!! Since this was simply CHAP STICK, I thought it was perfectly fine and darn funny too!

Future Employees of IN & Out Burger

need I say more?

Why Lucas Loves Summer

...because he can walk around in nothing but underwear!!