Our April update

It's been a pretty eventful week! Last Tuesday we took the kids hiking. It was the first time since high school I have been hiking and enjoyed myself, so it was a landmark day. Both because I am in better shape and I'm not pregnant and because the kids are getting old enough to do fun stuff like that! It was a perfect day.

The next day we left (sans Andrew, again) to Utah for Cami's graduation from BYU, and then to Idaho for Kim's baby Eliza's blessing. It was a great trip. The kids fell in LOVE with my aunt's house, where we stayed, and were literally crying and begging to go back the rest of the time. I told Leighton we could go back for his birthday. Their backyard was paradise - trampoline, swingset, slide, dog, and cat. What more could the kids ask for?

 My parents came from TX for the weekend as well, and it was so fun to be all together. I was missing Linds something FIERCE!! It just wasn't the same without her there. Christmas will be awesome.

Idaho was a blast too, although I took no pictures. We went to Rexburg, where I met Andrew and part of my heart still lives. I was thrilled to walk the campus and reminisce to myself. So many memories, most good and a few bad, but I sure love that town.

We went to the sand dunes, where Kim rented a 4-wheeler and we all took a spin. (I was mocked for my extreme-slow speed, but I'm not exactly an adventurous spirit when it comes to motor vehicles. Or anything, actually.) The kids got completely FILTHY playing in the sand and lake, alternatively, and their clothes were caked. They all 3 fell asleep on the way back to IF, so they obviously wore themselves out in a good time.

Sunday night I stayed with our dear friends the Noyes back in Utah, who are pretty much like family. It was a quick visit but so much fun. Our kids are all getting married to each other someday, so if for nothing else we have to keep the relationship alive. ;)

We came back home on Monday, to a spotless house and a bored Daddy. He cooked us a yummy dinner that night and we were so glad to be back. And just in time to start our new school year bright and early Tuesday morning!

Yes, we're officially homeschoolers. Possibly nerdy, but I absolutely love it. We found out we'll be moving in the fall, so I decided to start our academic year a little early so we can take our break when most kids go back to school. We just finished our preschool year 2 weeks ago, but who needs a summer break anyway? We get pretty bored around here without our list of books to read. :) We use Sonlight and I can't say enough about how wonderful it is. If you are even considering homeschooling, please look into this company! It's absolutely the best. Just 2 days into our kindergarten curriculum and I've already learned a few things myself!

So there's our little update. We're happy to be back home in the swing of things, as they say.

Oh, and also, my sisters' cooking blog is back in gear as well. If you need some recipes, head on over and check it out. My recipes are all vegan (I'm a vegan homeschooler; I may be losing a few friends here...) but my sisters' have more "normal" stuff. Let me know what you think if you take a peek!