Jessica, Natalie & Ashtin Arrive

Jessica, Natalie & Ashtin arrived on Sunday shortly after we arrived home from church. They are here to play for a week; since Spring Break is over; it will mostly be Jessica, Auntie Kim, Natalie and Ashtin playing while the kids are at school. Sunday we pretty much just played and caught up on what had been happening since we last saw each other. Monday we pretty much just hung out and didn't do a whole lot of anything special; did some grocery shopping, went to the gym; ect. We always love having Jessica and the girls with us.

Spring Break is officially over!

Well, we had high hopes of going to King's Dominion two days in a row! We woke up this morning to frigid temperatures...we went to Taylore's soccer game at about 10:00 A.M.; (we all froze), we still had plans to head to King's Dominion when Jocelyn's soccer game ended (about 3:00 PM)...after Jocelyn's soccer game (which we froze at)...I got a call from Erin saying that she talked to somebody on the phone that was at King's Dominion today, she said it was miserably cold; you needed something covering your face, and there was no relief from the cold once you got on the rides! Needless to say; didn't feel like dragging the kids up there only to turn into Popsicles! Instead we sent Spring Break out with a bang! I dragged all of the kids to Wal-Mart and Costco for two hours while Aaron took his Weather and Climate test (which took him 3 1/2 hours). It was a blast for all of us. Seriously though; we all had a good Spring Break, we did lots of fun stuff, along with lots of relaxing; it was a good mix of both. Now, even though we had tons of fun, Mom is looking forward to getting back into our regular routine! We are all super excited to see Jessica, Natalie, and Ashton tomorrow (and Larry and Keith next weekend).

Kings Dominion (More Spring Break Fun)

Today the kids and I went to Kings Dominion with some friends of ours; Lori Nielsen and three of her kids; Kade, Cutter, & Dunes! We had a blast!! As you can see; Addison and Dunes pretty much hung out together the whole time; Lori and I took turns taking the big kids on coasters and the little kids on rides. They found lots of kids stuff toward the end...We were able to catch a couple of shots with some of the "big" kids! We even got them to stand with Blue! Dunes didn't want to; and I can't say I blame him. It was a good time; and we can't wait to go tomorrow after all of the soccer games are over. Isn't Spring Break GREAT!!

Swimming in D.C. over Spring Break

This week is Spring Break for our kids! Jocelyn went on a Temple trip yesterday with the youth. Since the temple is in D.C., we decided to make a day of it. We met the youth at Potomac Mills Mall (where they were having lunch on the way home) and picked up Jocelyn; then headed up to Lynette's house. We went to a Rec Center in D.C. that has this huge pool with two water slides and a play area for kids. It was lots of fun! We swam from about 5:30 until 8:00; had dinner at Lynette's house at about 9:30; then we headed home at about 10:00! Needless to say, it was a LONG drive home. Once I got home I was realizing that I probably should have stayed the night! The kids slept the entire way home! (And we slept in late this morning! It was so nice not to have anything to have to get out of bed for!)

Happy Easter!

Tonight we all went to Hendry's for an Easter egg hunt. It was lots of fun; the kids played outside, then hunted for eggs, then played outside some more. I should have gotten a picture of them all on the trampoline. That is what they spent most of the time doing. We were able to get a picture of all the kids together after the hunt! It was impossible to get all of them smiling at the same time! Aaron said this was the best picture because it showed them all being kids!!! It was lots of fun! Thanks Erin & Travis for providing a warm house to escape into! The treats are dirt cups! It was so much fun to make these! I stole the idea from a lady from church! It was good and messy! P.S. - If you look closely you will see Addison's infamous "Moody Booty"!

Addie's Tummy wanted a Popsicle

Addie just came up to me and said, "Mommy, my tummy doesn't feel good, it really wants a Popsicle, and they are out in the garage on the top (in the garage freezer). So can you go get one?" I said to Addison, "How would your tummy like to finish the rest of your chocolate pudding." Her response, "(Giggle) Yes, he would like that." I guess her tummy is of the male sort.

Stake Young Women CHAMPS!!!!

Jocelyn's church basketball team played in the championship game today and won! Yeah! They had a really fun season; this is the first year that Jocelyn has been old enough to play with the Young Women. They all got together on Tuesday and made these cool shirts! Way to go!

"Coach"

Today was the Stake Basketball Tournament! Aaron has coached the Young Men in church for three years now. The first year they were the champs! Last year...not so much! Today they went out in the semi-final game! But they went out like champs! They only had five players, these five boys played the ENTIRE game, they lost 43-53! One of the boys on Aaron's team made 38 of the 43 points and got about 75% of his own rebounds! It was a great game considering the odds!

Haden's 3rd Grade Spring Party

Today Addison and I got to go to Haden's classroom and help with the Spring Party. They had an ice cream party. Addison was so happy that she got to go outside and eat ice cream with Haden; he was a good sport to scoot over and share his towel with her!

Taylore's Cheer Party

Tonight was Taylore's Cheer Party. (Aaron was out of town so we had to send Haden to his Basketball Party with friends :( ) Here is Tayloer with her two Cheerleading Coaches! Although Cheerleading has been a ton of fun; she's been cheering non-stop since July of 2007! We're all glad to have a break until July from Cheering!

Ultra Crazy Busy Day (We made it through)

Today would have been the "Ultra Crazy Busy Day" even before there was a kink thrown into it this morning. Aaron and I were on the phone yesterday afternoon trying to work out the details of today before it even started. Here was the plan: Aaron would leave to coach his Young Men's team at 7:30...I would drop Jocelyn off at the church at 8:30 on the way to Haden's baseball practice at 9:00...I would then stay at Haden's practice...meanwhile, Aaron was having two Young Men's Basketball games and Jocelyn had one in the middle of Aaron's two...When Aaron's games were over he would rush Jocelyn to All County Festival at 11:50...I would then leave Haden's practice to take Taylore to her soccer game at 12:30...we would all meet at the Elementary school for the Spring Carnival at around 1:30...Aaron would drag the kids around the Carnival while I worked the concessions stand until 4:00-4:30! Then we would all come home and collapse on the floor! It was all planned out so well....UNTIL...this morning we wake up, Addison is sick; diarrhea like you wouldn't believe! (I know that's a bit of TMI.) Thanks to GREAT friends, (Erin for driving the kids to soccer; Angie for going to Taylore's game with her and taking the kids to the Carnival so I could work at it and Aaron could stay home with Addie, Haden's baseball coach)...we were still able to get everything done that we needed! (I just ended up sitting home a lot more than I expected today. Until Aaron was done with Jocelyn at Festival.) There was one thing that didn't get messed up...coming home and collapsing!

Jocelyn's Chorus Concert

Tonight was Jocelyn's Chorus Concert. They performed the songs that they will be singing at All County Festival on Saturday. The teacher had asked for Volunteers that were willing to come and sit with the classes during the concert while other groups were performing. It was fun to be able to sit with Jocelyn and her Choir class. I was glad that Jocelyn would still hug me, put her arms around me, call me "Mommy" even at school in front of her friends! I love you, Joce!

Sweet Kids

Taylore did the sweetest thing tonight; I had to share. Aaron went to tuck Taylore in tonight, when he got upstairs she handed him a note and said, "Will you give this to Jocelyn and tell her I love her". I just love when they have these moments when we can see that they truly love each other, regardless of what they did to prompt the note!

Meal Swap Day is FABULOUS!!!

Erin decided to document "Meal Swap Day"! This is one of the most fabulous things I've done! It is so nice not to have to cook ALL week!

Oldest, Middle & Youngest Chalmers! COOL!!!

My kids went on and on about how "cool" it was that we had the "oldest Chalmers", the "middle Chalmers", and the "youngest Chalmers" all at our house this weekend. I had to get this picture before they left! (Besides I would never pass up a photo op with any of my siblings!) My "baby" decided she had to jump in there too.

Taylore's Halftime Show

Taylore has been cheering non-stop since the middle of July! She loves to cheer. Here is her half time routine (one of them) for the basketball season; and one of my favorite cheers! This was the last game that she is going to cheer for until next September! (Even though cheering is over; soccer practice starts on Friday!)

Haden's Basket!

I was lucky enough to capture Haden's last basket of the season on film!!! Haden is #55.

The Last Basketball Game

It worked out perfectly that on the last game of the season, Taylore was able to cheer at Haden's basketball game. This was the only time all season they had games at the same time and place, so it was nice that it was the weekend that Michelle & Keith were visiting.