More family fun

We've been spoiled by having family visit this month.  We had Missy (Jared's sister) and her adorable girls and Jared's amazing mom come.  It was so much fun!  There was a lot of rain outside, but we found plenty of things to do inside and snuck some fun outdoor activities in between the rainstorms.  Plus we got to listen to Conference together.  One of my favorite spring things to do!
Claire, Sydney, Afton and Ben went around in a little pack playing and laughing and having a great time.  They got to have a big slumber party in the kids room until after two hours they were still having a hard time calming down so we separated them all to different places and they promptly fell asleep.

We showed them that we really do live in Idaho by taking them to see the newborn calves in a pasture around the corner.

No trip is complete without checking out the Boise river.  We found the perfect spot this week and chucked rocks for a long time.  It was really fun.  I paid the kids one pink peep each for singing on this rock.  They are not afraid to perform!

We are so glad that family came to visit!  Especially since it might be awhile until we can see these cute girls again.  I am already going through withdrawal of holding sweet Gwen and watching her smile.  Man I have cute nieces!

Here are the crazy kids playing with our newest toy on the computer: a silly lense.

Next up on our very busy month was to celebrate Afton's 7th birthday!  She was very excited knock another year down.  Afton is coming into her own with so much creativity and passion, most of that channeled into good stuff!  She has been such a nurturing big sister to Cade and a thrill-a-minute playmate with Ben.  She helps me out all the time.  Afton loves school, loves reading, loves her friends, and loves growing up.
Here she is being patient to dig into her presents and cake.

 Instead of a big friend party, she took her BFF out to ice cream.  They are so fun to listen to and be with.  They really get each other deep down.  It has been this way since they met each other four and a half years ago.  What cuties.

 I really cherish the moments when I get Afton all to myself.  It doesn't come very often or without effort.  When I am hanging out with just her I realize how amazing she is and how she gracefully bears the burden of being the oldest child.  It's like I can see her (without the distractions and emotional rollercoaster of three little kids all wanting attention at the same time) as she REALLY is.  She is beautiful.   Happy Birthday to my sweet Afton.

 Putting together her new lego set.  A soccer girl!

 All dressed up in her new soccer uniform.  The first game went really well and we can't wait for more games to come!