Since 2020 and the pandemic has happened, temples closed and reopened slowly. Well, in 2022 they reopened but all temples moved to the make appointments. So, no more just dropping in when the need was there. I understand the need for appointments as it helps keep numbers down but it is really unfortunate when you can only have one appointment for one service at the time (in the same temple). So, I jumped on the opportunity to go during Spring Break. I was there for initiatories and an endowment. It was a much needed visit.
That evening was Channing's 8th birthday. Zac needed to ship animal so he took all the kids down to St. George. They stopped by the Sweet Toothfairy for some birthday cakes. Then when they got back, we had dinner and opened presents. I think Channing was happy with her presents.
The following morning, Zac, Aspen and I got all the other kids off to school and hit the road ourselves. In the previous weeks, Zac had taken me (and the kids) to the new Cedar Pet Supply store in St. George where they had quite a few puppies. That got me thinking of getting one, more specifically a little puppy. So, we started looking and found one up in West Haven. We spent 4.5 hours to get up there, fall in love with the puppy, 5.5 hours back (had to stop to get a gun for Zac and lunch/dinner). We got a Yorkshire male that we named Rocket. It's a family dog, but really mine and Aspen's (because she paid for half of him). He was 10 weeks old when we got him and we spent 12 hours away from home to get him. We all love him...
Colten had his final soccer game on Saturday. The team had gone into the game undefeated but they would be without their goalie. The team worked hard together and pulled off the win so they got medals. Zac also got a medal for being an assistant coach. Colten was pretty happy.
Then the countdown began to my birthday. Although, this year was a little different. Grandpa Higgins was turning 65 and was having a party at his house with friends and family. We were planning on going up Friday since the kids were out of school and I took the day off but Aspen ended up working Friday night so we headed up Saturday morning. We got there early afternoon, Doug was already there with CJ, Cassidy, Lindsey and Hunter. The kids had fun playing with Rocket in the backyard. But boy was it windy. It did rain for a little bit when we took shelter inside the house. Holly and her boys showed up a little after us and it was fun catching up with her. Greg had a lot of family show up, including all his kids so naturally we had to take a picture to document it. Colten and Aspen had fun hanging out with their siblings and cousins and learning to play horse shoes. Greg was able to get a hotel room for us at a discounted rate on Saturday night, that's where Zac and I went while the kids and Rocket got to sleep in the trailer at Sheila and Grandpa's house. Sunday was Easter and my birthday. Zac and I enjoyed breakfast and laying/sleeping until it was time to get ready for church. After church we headed back over to Grandpa's house for lunch, grilled hamburgers (oh so good) before we headed back south. But while waiting for lunch, the kids did an Easter egg hunt, followed by my tradition egg fight. I was victorious for many eggs until Parker beat me. He ended up winning the whole thing, granted I took out most of the eggs before he started lol. We were heading all the way to St. George for the annual get together with the Shield's and Watkins family at the park. It was fun seeing family members and conversing with them for a little bit. My mom made sure every person there sang Happy Birthday to me, we even did a traveling Happy Birthday to get everyone. My mom said she left my present at the house so as the night wounded down, we headed over to their place. The kids and Zac had a few presents for me still so I opened presents at their house. Darcee, Jay and Jeramiah were also there. I got a little spoiled. We decided to stay the night instead of driving back home.
Since there was no school on Monday (and I took it off), Colten had asked if a couple of friends could go to the movies for his birthday to which I said of course. Colten was excited to see "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" and hang out with his friends for a few hours at the park. I also got them some pizza, 2 large in fact and 5 boys only ate a total of 1 large pizza. Dinner for us lol.
On Tuesday, I returned to work a normal life. But that evening, Annika and Channing were over so we had another party with just the family. Zac had gotten all the baby yoda birthday decorations and had Aspen and Colten set them up while I was on a walk. The girls were able to get a few more gifts for me...which included two boxes of Hot Tamales...yum. It was definitely a good time.
Colten was in charge of the combined young men/young women activity that night and due to the fair also going on, his leader that had the idea wasn't able to make it. So, he just said "let's go for a hike in Confluence Park" which I was fine with. I even got a picture with both of the kids :)
