Spring Break and Easter

Derrick had a week off of school for spring break not long after we moved into our new house so we decided to try to get a lot done. We finished a lot of the last little unpacking and then we started on the yard. We started with one plan on what we wanted and it slowly evolved into what we actually ended up with. We're actually still working on it but through out all spring break Derrick worked hard digging up the yard and getting out a ton of rocks. We have a lot of caliche in the ground here and it is a pain! We got to buy a couple shovels and a wheelbarrow and a saw and a few other tools that I'm excited to have around. We decided to seperate the back yard into sections. We have two garden beds, a kids play area (that we hope to put a swing set in soon), a grass area, and walkways that go to each of the fences. We're now working on covering the dirt with river rock.

Before yard

Prepping for sod 

Dog run

We also decided to build a dog run. Since we finally have a home and a yard we told the kids they could have a dog (plus, they're supposed to help keep snakes away). We went to a shelter and they got to pick which one they liked best. Tori actually was the big decider. I said on the way there the only types of dogs that I didn't want were mean dogs, like a  Rottweiler, or little yippy dogs like a chihuahua. Well we came home with Sugar.














 She's a little yippy Chihuahua mix. She was great with the kids and she can't knock them over which is nice. She's 3 years old. She's a pretty good dog and the kids like her. She is a little yippy and barks at night from 7-10pm but she quiets down after that, so I guess it's not too bad. She chases bugs and the third or fourth day we had her her whole face swelled up. I think she ate some bug or spider she shouldn't have, but it went down the next day. She loves treats and knows to sit and stay. All in all, I guess I'm ok with our little yippy chihuahua.

My family got to come visit for Easter which was way exciting. It was so cool to have all of the here. Even Ashley and Davey made it, which was quite the task. They packed up all their stuff in St. George and then drove 16 hours to be here for two days for Easter and then drove back jumped in their moving truck and moved to North Dakota (a 21 hour) drive the day after they drove back. I never would have thought though that I would have a family holiday gathering in Texas. We went to the city egg hunt on Saturday, which was crazy, and then decorated sugar cookies.

Waiting at the city Easter egg hunt

Sunday we found our Easter baskets in the morning, went to church, had an Easter egg hunt in our back yard, and then ate an amazing steak and shrimp dinner.

My parents and a few of the kids stayed for a couple extra days and we took them out to an awesome prime rib dinner at the Barn Door. I'm so grateful for my wonderful family.