Just A Dab will Do Ya!

Debbie is our family fairy-godmother. She so generously remembers EACH member of our family on special occasions  and even not so special occasions  We were thrilled to have a visit from her in Lviv last spring, and thrilled again to see her when she is in Salt Lake for family events.
This trip she shared Burlingame Aida Opera candies with all, books for all, and dinner at Pago. We're spoiled. We love 'aunt' Debbie.

Benj made a lemon cake on home-made graham-cracker crust (Cooking My Way Back Home) cookbook for Debbie's visit. And I was thrilled to show off my new plates.

And, in keeping with the theme, my mom gave me this beautiful cake-stand for my birthday. Benj made a chocolate cake (America's Test Kitchen) for it's first use. Stand and cake = both pieces of art!

Splash Pad

We learned a new vocab word in AZ - "Splash Pad."
A fountain kids play in at out-door shopping areas, with that cool rubberized ground, where parents meet and congregate.

Anything to beat the heat, right?

And we loved meeting up with the Budds!

Birthdays

While we were in AZ my father turned 47 and my grandma turned 29 ... or something like that.

We had a wonderful time celebrating each.

On Packa Low Low's big day we went to CrackerJacks, and did lots of outdoor family fun stuff... Like the bumper boats, race car, and mini golf.

That evening we made home-made burgers and celebrated with friends.

We had a nice evening with Great-Grandma-Ginny in honor of her special day too.
Ella and Rex (Darlin's 'friend') have become great pals.

 We love Rex too! 

Phoenix Zoo

The AZ zoo is one of the top five in the country for children - and it really is a fun place with lots of play areas and water features (summer is HOT!).


We had so much fun feeding the giraffes last year that we did it again this year - and it was certainly the high-light!

 
 Of course, they make you exit through the gift store...

Easter

We enjoyed our un-traditional Easter dinner in Scottsdale last year so much ... we requested to repeat it!
Alaskan King Crab, yams, rice, salad ... divine.
And who knew Easter candy was so yum?

I know it's basically the same 'stuff' but when they shape it like eggs and such it just tastes better.

Thank you Easter bunny for another great Easter!

3 months

Sara turned three months old! Where does the time go?

She smiles, giggles, found her fingers, and started the early phases of teething (drooling, playing with tongue and such).
On her actual three month day we flew to AZ for spring-break and Easter, so her 3 month sticker pictures were taken a week late.

We love this little bundle of joy. And lucky for us she has three big sisters who love to help!:)

March Dates

Everyone wants to go on dates with Daddy - because he's so fun to be with!
This month Ella had a tasty outing.

Anne went ice-skating.

And Mom got to take the older girls to a local dance production of Alice in Wonderland.

We love our date-outings!