Bates Photo Shoot

The last time we had a family picture done was 6 days before my dad passed away 4 years ago, so I will always cherish that picture....but it is just a little outdated. So, we finally did a current one and it was BITTER cold to say the least. The sun was out, but the WIND! It is SO funny to look back at these pictures because, as you can see, the grandkids were NOT happy :-)









My oldest brother, Brett, and his family. I loved their crazy faces pic :-0 They are SO fun!
My second oldest bro, Gabe, and his adorable family. I sure miss seeing them (they live in Texas)!
Me and my little COLD family...see the red noses!
My youngest bro (little by NO means), Josh, and his wife. I still don't get why they didn't bring their little doggie Tucker to the photo shoot :-)

It was cold, windy, and kids crying but hey, at least we tried :-) We are going for memories and this day sure was memorable :-) I sure do love my family and miss seeing them everyday!

Easter

Easter weekend was packed full of fun activities. We ate dinner at soon to be Aunt Hillary's house with family...yum yum.
Our ward had an Easter Egg hunt...

Daddy did his tradition of bunny poops trailing to the loot (complimentary loot from Nana and Grandpa and Aunt Ashley and Uncle Shawn)...

First time for the kids decorating eggs...what a mess, but WELL worth it! Reis and Everett showed such concentration!!


You know Evers is focused when he sticks out that tongue...just like his Uncle Gabe :-)

They looked so cute in their matching outfits...thanks Grandma!
The kids LOVE going to church...especially nursery. They got a special sugar cookie treat for their leaders. I think they they enjoyed it :-)

April Fools

Bryan was in Vegas for work on April Fools. When he got back, he didn't go into the office because we headed off to Colorado to see Bryan's family. This is what he came to work to...

Bryan's coworkers had covered EVERYTHING in his office in aluminum foil... EACH pen, paper chair, walls, cords, phones, computer, mouse....I think you get the point. Since Bryan wasn't in the office for a few days, I guess it was an oven and they had to keep his door open to prevent things from overheating! Bryan called me to come over and check it out. It was HILARIOUS. Good prank guys!

While the secretary and I cleaned up the foil, Evers and Reis were drawing on the board in the conference room. I had to take a pic because this is the first time Evers has drawn a person ALL by himself. Momma proud!

Nana's Bday Present

So this year for Nana's birthday we asked her what she wanted...she can be a little difficult to shop for :-) and she responded with family time. So, for her birthday, a couple months later, we flew to Colorado....careful what you wish for next year Nana :-)
We went to the Aquarium in downtown Denver and it was a lot of fun. First of all, the kids were mesmerized by the bubbles outside the aquarium. We could of gone home after that and they would of been satisfied!

Reis and Evers getting tats..word! The tough guys getting a train and dinosaur.
I think Reis is having a good time :-)

This tank was sweet. There were sharks swimming behind us. A person working said that sharks can hear our heartbeating, that is why they kept coming close to the glass. Crazy!
We got to feed sting rays and it felt SO weird! Here is Mike trying to take a turn...and everytime he stuck his hand in the water the BIGGEST sting ray would approach. I don't blame him for not wanting to do it!
We saw a 3-d sponge bob roller coaster movie...and Evers really enjoyed it. He is getting so big!
SuzAnne had to guest speak for work, so Bryan headed over to his dad's house. The kids sure do love Grandpa and his dogs. They played at Chuckee Cheese.




Our kids love plane rides....looking out the window, watching the people around them, and oh, yeah MOVIES!! Thank goodness for portable DVD players!
Our little monkeys at the airport climbing and sliding down anything they can!
We are home...almost. We had such a fun time in Colorado. Thank you Nana and Grandpa Mike and Grandpa Bill for making it a fun trip for us!