Madrid

Before we met up with the Nelson clan in Italy, we flew into Madrid and hung out with our beloved Ann Arborite friends the Thompsons (who now live in Madrid). We miss those people like crazy and it was so awesome to get to see their current digs.

This amazing aqueduct in medieval Segovia was probably built around 50 A.D.

Alot of the walls in Segovia were carved like this....I love it.

 

 Fancy Cathedral of Segovia



 

 Fancy pastry of Segovia

 

The Alcazar of Segovia that Disney used as inspiration for one their castles.

Hanging out in Madrid...this is supposedly the "Oldest Restaurant in the World"....about 300 yrs. old.

 

Todd and Rebecca on a date at the olive shop....JK!! I was there, guys! 

 

The Royal Palace....the official residence of the Royal Family - but they don't actually live there.

 

My dream car - I love it so much.

 

Spanish churros with dipping chocolate.....holy smokes!

My patient husband waited in line with me at this espadrille shop for half an hour so I could get some really inexpensive baker's twine. It was quite the fun cultural experience though watching these women order up their favorite pair of espadrilles.

Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel



And here we all are at Casa Thompson.

Two days was definitely not enough. We love you, Rob and Rebecca. Thanks for letting us visit!



Drew's Birthday

Drew turned 4 in May, and his only desire was to go to Chuck E. Cheese. I had been telling him forever that it was only for special occasions (in an attempt to put it off) but this was all his little heart wanted for his birthday....so off we went. Both the kids were in absolute heaven. Drewby opened a couple presents, we ate pizza and played games galore and then turned in our 4 billion tickets for a pack of smarties and some temporary tattoos.

 

So pumped!

 

I don't even know what this game is, but she came away with about 30 tickets. Score! 

 

We had a Spy Birthday party with friends a couple days later....it was a hit.

 

Clues to the location of the bad guy who stole the birthday cake.

I loaded all the kids in the back of the van and drove 2 blocks to the church where they found the bad guy (Todd) hiding behind a bush, and threw water balloons at him. One of the boys was terrified of this masked man so I let him in on the secret of who it was. The rest of them were thrilled to throw water balloons at the thief.



The stolen cake was recovered!

I made this bomb cake and Drew said, "What's that word on it?"
 I told him it said "Kaboom" and they all just stared at me. "Why does it say that??" "Because it's a bomb, get it?"  "Weird"

All my creativity lost on little minds.

 

At the end of the party I asked the kids what part they liked the best and one of them said, "Riding in the car with no seat belts!!!" Oh boy. 

 

We love this sweet, funny boy. Happy Birthday, Drewby Boy!

 

One more favorite....I found him sleeping like this the other day and it was very reminiscent of another picture I took 4 years earlier. TV watching pose. Love it.

Spring 2013

We started our spring with a couple trips to St. George. We love that place.

 

Some adorable bikers



Best picture ever taken of Micah and Rachel....just having some good ol' times hanging out in the street.

 

I took the kids to the Easter-egg hunt at Thanksgiving point. There wasn't much "hunting" but they got bucket loads of eggs!

 

So haggard

 

Watching conference with cousins

 

This is what Grandpa Rick calls "Dandelion Hair".

 

Back to St. George with the Seattle cousins. It was freezing this time.....booooo! But cousin time is cousin time! We will take what we can get.

 

Desert Fashion

 

Utah Natural History Museum. They were so proud that they came up with such a hilarious pose....they couldn't stop giggling, and  had to get dry pants on when we got home.

 

Trying so hard to pull the sword out of the stone - Discovery Gateway.



BYU Volleyball game - Cosmo and Drew....that cheeser is the best.

 

Diane Dimond came to town and we met at This is the Place park..... you can tell from this picture that we would have been really good pioneers.

 

 

Real Salt Lake Soccer Game - meeting Leo the Lion. I was surprised Drew thought this was funny....our kids are terrified of animals.

 

We haven't forgotten our roots.

Three of my lovies at Temple Square. The spring flowers at that place are breathtaking....this was such a beautiful night.

 

 

My cousin Ashley and her boyfriend Stas were here visiting from CA. We don't get to see my mom's side nearly enough, so it was really fun to hang out with them.

 

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival with the Derrs...so, so pretty.



 

Preschool Spring Sing - Drew always sings his heart out.



Todd and I went to the BYU Rugby National Championship (they won!) and dropped the kids off with my brother Micah and his wife Rachel (Todd's 1st cousin...get it?). Rachel asked the kids what they wanted to do and Drew said, "We could drink lemonade" and Audrey said, "We could have a lemonade stand!" Micah called us at the end of the game and asked if we could meet them at this corner instead of at the house and when we pulled up this is what we saw. Cutest thing ever.

 

They were sold out by time we got there. I love the roll of $$ in Drew's hand.



 She couldn't believe they were actually doing it....giggling.

 Micah and Rachel said at first they were nervous and shy about it and then after a sale or two they got more serious about their sales.

 

 A Blue Ribbon was awarded for the Fun Aunt and Uncle.