The best kind of surprise

We got a wonderful surprise right after Easter. Scott had to come into town to "work" and lucky for us, the Hotel Mom was available. Rich and I knew he was coming but we didn't tell the boys. So the day he flew in he had a plan. I picked up Carter from school and told him I would take his friends home, too but he need to put his back pack in the far back. He opened the hatch and Scott jumped out! I think it scared him to death!

Carter was so happy to see him and just as willing to help surprise his brother.

At Jensen's school I called ahead and told them to let his uncle check him out of class 10 minutes early. As Jensen got to the font office he saw Carter and asked if everything was okay. Carter started to talk but not before the stranger standing in the office Jensen just walked by asked how come a kid like him was getting in trouble with the principal. Jensen turned just as it clicked that it was Scott and he jumped into Scott's arms. The office ladies thought it was the cutest thing every.

The boys spent the rest of the afternoon playing videos and then we went out for Chinese food. We love Scott!



Mom has spoken..

Not me the mom... but my mom...
"Nichole, I am patient but I need an update from all the blogs [siblings included] so get to work."
Got ya mom, coming soon, I promise. So much to say, so little time..

Here's the quick update:
I got a new computer for mom's day (awesome). Carter was seriously upset when he realized he wasn't getting the "old" desk top for his personal use. Sorry, dude.
Jensen is so bored with school he can't stand it. He also won a free bike at school so he's now learning to ride it.
Anja is as cute as can be. Her new obsession is pink lip gloss. If it sparkles, she wears it.. on her lips, feet and body.
Rich is STILL EQ pres (can you tell it's been a while). He's not teaching this semester he's taking a class from his good friend which is so funny because his friend is a little freaked out he's in the class. He loves being a student. He's working crazy hours and surviving.
I'm pulling crazy hours working for free for the school, working for a paycheck for the newspaper and the radio and not working hard enough at the gym. My girlfriend promised to take me to Wendover for my birthday to watch some old 80's band and drink (virgin for me) margaritas. Can't wait!
Mini vacation is coming, soon.

Easter Morning (dress #3)

These adorable kids did the sweetest thing for me. They handed me an empty basket and told me to go on my own egg hunt. Hidden all over the upstairs were plastic eggs filled with my favorite treats and inside every single egg was a note from one of my babes. Jensen wrote sweet little love notes, Anja colored little pictures and Carter wrote the things he was thankful I did for him. My favorite read," Mom, thanks for feeding me. love Carter." Feeding him has become a problem, but I am glad to do it. Jensen's notes made me cry. He has such a tender heart! I'm guessing their wonderful daddy helped with this little project. It made for the most romantic and memorable Easter hunt I've ever been on. thank you!

Easter with the family!

Fun pictures taken outside at the Bywater's house after the Easter Egg extravaganza.

Bywater Easter Egg Hunt

As usual, grandma Bywater out-did the Easter Bunny again this year. More candy than they could eat!

 (Easter dress number two-- grandma and Nadia brought these cute dresses back from Chicago).

 Never too cool to participate in an event that offers free candy.

 Even the smallest pieces of candy can not be passed by.

 The gang (minus Marcus who wasn't awake)

 Darling girls!

 Here he is!

All four grandkids! Our last Easter hunt all together for a while. We will miss this yearly tradition.

School field trip/downtown for break

Anja and I went with her preschool to Clark planetarium. Jensen and Nadia were both on spring break so Kristin took them on a tour of downtown. They went to the top of the Church Office building, toured the temple grounds and even the Beehive House. It was a blast!

 Anja and I hit the star show with her two best friends in the whole class-- Severin and Alexus!

Notice my child is not wearing the yellow field trip shirt-- she's in pink, her official 'new' favorite color.

Easter Dress, Part I

We just couldn't decide, so we bought three.. here's number one.. the pink "sparkle" dress as she calls it.