Some random pictures of the kids...

The other day Maximus had a really, really bad day. Probably the worst day he's ever had. Even holding our neighbors puppies didn't help. Look at that upset face. Ugh. He even missed his soccer game and went to bed at 6:30pm. 

A random picture of cute Biggie. 

But behold! The next day was so much better that I rewarded him with a trip to the Lego store. He was SUCH a good boy. What a turn around. 

Ingrid got a little something too. 

I don't know what we'd do without our evening walk. It soothes all of us and a little walk at the end of the day is healthy!

I took them out for frozen yogurt the other evening. I let them have that little treat every couple of weeks and they get so excited. 

He's got to understand that money doesn't grow on trees, so we're making him do some work around the house for an allowance. He really loves it so far!

Easter

The Easter Bunny woke up at 6:30 and hid eggs outside. Then the Easter Bunny sat in the armchair drinking coffee until everyone woke up...at 8:45! 

Scooter gang. 

So happy to have this amazing guy home!

My friend Steve smoked all this salmon for us. Amazing! We ate it with crackers for dinner. 

Spring Break

I know, I hear the words "North Dakota" when I think of spring break too. It was a fun time. The flights alone up there with the kids went smoothly and they were well behaved. We had a nice room that had all the comforts of home. We saw Jesse's family and I got to meet my two newest nieces. I also got to see where Jesse works and we went to his office. There are very few people who truly understand what responsibility he has up there. I know for a fact that his company wouldn't be successful without him. 

Isn't this nice? They both slept on our flight out of Denver. 

On the left is Lucille and on the right is Addison. I have two nieces named Addi!

There's a tasty Japanese steakhouse there and luckily both kids love it. 

We went painting with some of the wives and kids of the guys who work for Jesse. They were all so nice. 

Maximus kind of struggled on this trip. I think the change in routine and being cooped up indoors messed with him. He had to nap each day but he and Ingrid cuddled like this each afternoon! How adorable is this?!

The weather just sucked while we were there. But we just had to let them run around at a park and man, it helped. There really isn't much for kids to do during winter in Minot, North Dakota. It really opened my eyes and made me SO thankful for what we have in Salt Lake City for children. Maximus and I are on the go social butterflies and it would be hard on us up there with Jesse at work all day. 

I was really glad to see a little of what Jesse and his guys do. Jesse doesn't work on site but he's responsible for all of them that Hess has pumps on. I saw the guys working in the blowing snow on site and they all work so hard! Jesse has such a big job and I'm so proud of his accomplishments. I want him to go as far as can. I'm lucky to have him in my life!

 

Jackie

Yesterday Jackie left us. She lived 20 years and spent her last 10 with us. I took her on countless hikes up in the Rocky Mountains, she killed rats and birds last summer, she loved to hunch over and sprint around the coffee table, and she lived for our evening walks. 

I am so heartbroken. Last night I walked out onto the back deck and quietly called her name. I half expected to see her come around the corner. Jesse sent me a text message saying he wishes I could just go back to the vet and pick her up. I wish that too. I know now that she's not suffering any longer. It still doesn't make any of this easy. 

This was the two of them yesterday morning before Maximus went to school. 

And this is how I want to remember her. Zipping around chasing us on our mountain bikes at the farm in Nebraska. GooGoo was loved by so many and she will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Goog.