The Jacobs Family

Spring Break was fabulous!

We finally got the chance to head down to the beautiful red rock and warmth of St. George!

Dan's parents have bought a home down there in Green Valley. Their plan is to rent out this home until they return home from their next mission. Then they will sell their home in East Layton and retire where there is plenty of warmth and GOLFING!

So, they closed on the home on Monday and while it was still vacant they offered to let us stay in it. We headed down there Thursday afternoon and spent the rest of the weekend playing and relaxing. It was so WONDERFUL! Thank You Leo and Tricia!

We have some fantastic friends and family that live down there and we took full advantage of getting to be with all. Kwint and Gina are only there for a couple more weeks before they leave and move to Heber to start their next adventure. We are so happy we got to spend time with them. All the boys had so much fun together. Thanks so much for your hospitality! Feeding us, playing with us, lending us all the things I forgot :), talking, playing, eating, and lending me your maternity clothes. It felt so much like old times. We are so excited to have you back living a bit closer.

We were also lucky enough to have one of Dan's cousins, Shannon, in town visiting her parents that also live down there. So we took an afternoon and got to hang with her and her cute kiddos at a great park. Can't wait to get that Jacobs' reunion pulled together. We definitely don't get to spend enough time with that side of the family.

My cousin Tami and her crew had us over for breakfast one morning. Not just any breakfast, of course, but the biggest, cheesiest, tastiest omelets, fruit, muffins and juice ever!!! Kaleo is quite the omelet maker! Thank You! It was also fabulous to see my other cuz Julie (sisters) and her crazy friends. Unfortunately Dan got a bug of sorts and had to head back to the house to spend some quality time sleeping and hanging out with The John. So the boys and I got to spend the rest of the day lounging at the pool with Tami and fishing boulder rocks out of it that Tate insisted on throwing in. Oh how I LOVE 80 degree weather and a cool pool. But best of all I absolutely loved catching up with me wonderful cousin. I LOVE YOU TAMI! Wish we lived closer. I guess it means we really need to come visit more often.

In between getting to be with family and friends, we spent some of our own little family time exploring and climbing the red rocks. Seriously the best place for little boy and big boys (and girls). So much room for adventure and figuring out "cool tricks". So much FREEDOM! Of course this is the only time I actually pulled out the camera.

They loved all the caves and crevices to hide in.

Did I mention how much the BIG BOY liked it too?He thinks he's so tough!

Tate really wanted to climb THAT rock.

Hey! Where'd THOSE big guns come from?
Show Off!

Tracen had to leave his mark like everyone else.

Tate was fascinated with spaces that were just his size.

Oops! Who was in charge of the camera?

Tate loved his freedom! And climbed everything. Seriously NO FEAR!

The picture really doesn't capture this right, but this rock was a bit on the steep side. Tyler seriously scaled it without a second thought. Unfortunately Tracen froze about half up and needed a bit of coaching from Dad.

It's hard to be shown up by your little brother.

Especially a little brother that really is no wimp!

And neither is this little brother.

SUCCESS is so SWEET!

Tyler had this pose in just about every picture. Love It!

Of course you have to check out the View from Dixie Rock!

A bit more climbing from the boys.

A few pics with me and the boys.

Oh and the hot shot doing a few pull-ups.

Wouldn't want to miss a chance to work on those guns!

Oh now look who has the camera! Paybacks I guess!

They were amazed with how much space there was.

The entrance to one of the narrows.

Once upon a time Dan and I and Kwint and Gina used to squeeze our way through this lovely crack. Well, actually Dan never could quite fit because of his rippling pectorals. Now neither of us fit. Me, because of the bulge I'm working on. So unfortunately the boys didn't get to go through it. Sorry boys. Next summer! I promise to leave the babe with muscle man and give you the chance to go a bit further than this.

For now... this is me standing over the narrow.

And Tyler showing off his bravery and completely freaking his mother and older brother out!

That was a bit too close to the edge for me.

More of the Boys and I.

Great belly shot -eh?

Dan's parents came back through St. George on their way home from a rendevou in Mexico. So we went to dinner with them Saturday night to a Mongolian BBQ place. Surprisingly enough the boys have taked about how much they loved the food there even more so than when we went with Kwint and Gina to Priate Island Pizza. I personally have to agree with them. So tasty.

Sunday morning we went to Kwint and Gina's sacrament meeting with them and Leo and Tricia. We headed out right after the sacrament so we could get a head start on the long drive home.

The drive to St. George had gone so smoothly, we weren't quite prepared for the craziness that would occur on the drive home.

Starting with the Mom.

Or maybe it was the Dad.

Nope, just three crazy boys smashed in the back of a mini van.

Can't wait to go back!

It's that time of year again. Time for spring and reflecting on all that our Savior has done for us.

Every year I just simply can't resist the fragrance or beauty of the Easter Lilly.

The next tradition, of course, are the Easter Outfits. They wore them the week before because this year General Conference and Easter marked the same Sunday.
Just can't resist capturing those little moments.

The Sunday before Easter our ward choir presented a beautiful Easter program in which Dan and I had the privilege of singing a duet together titled, "Because He Lives".
It is a truly beautiful piece and I am grateful that Dan and I were able to convey the spirit of our Savior's gift to us through this song. I love singing with my amazingly talented hubby.

Now onto the commercial side and festivities of the season.

Per tradition, the Saturday before Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny somehow finds our house and leaves a few fun treats for the kiddos to enjoy. The boys were up bright and early. Probably good so we could be done in time for Conference to start.

The deal is they have to wait at the top of the stairs till mom and dad have the cameras ready.
Then its youngest to oldest and The Hunt begins.
That hip hoppity bunny seems to hide those eggs EVERYWHERE!

And the boys will climb to any height to obtain them. Tyler fell off the couch after retrieving the egg off the top of the window covering.

So many eggs, so many places to look.

Oh here is another one!

The Easter Bunny also likes to hide their baskets.

Sometimes in a bit more obvious places...

...and sometimes in much trickier ones. Tracen's basket was found inside the oven!

I think the Easter Bunny spoiled them a bit.

The boys were so pleased.

So who got the most eggs?

Well.... because they are still young, and we don't need to add competition to the day...

we just throw them all in one BIG bowl and share the load.

Then, because we are not ones to keep life simple, after the hunt we quickly loaded up the van, and headed up to the Stratford family cabin for watching Conference with the fam and of course more Easter festivities.