Marching Right Along in March with Random-ness

Ashlyn participated in an all-District festival at the Civic Arts Plaza.  One of the numbers they sang was a song from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - the first time it was performed on this continent.  

Easter Morning searching for the baskets.  Christian found a present for Cole stuck in the door handle.  Looks like Cole wants some of the action.

Checking out the loot, with curlers in the hair, typical Sunday morning.

All dressed in Easter best and ready for church!

Dying Easter eggs fun.

The afternoon egg hunt.

After a successful egg hunt.  We had our neighbors over for dinner, too.

Ashlyn's birthday/Easter cake.

It's fun to have a birthday on Easter . . . you start the day off receiving gifts, and end the day opening presents.

At the San Diego Temple

Having fun along the temple grounds - a little rendition of "I am sixteen, going on seventeen..."

The newly renovated Mormon Battalion Museum in Old Town San Diego.  It's fabulous!

Artifacts of great great (great?) grandfather Philemon C Merrill

Panning for gold.

Spring hike on a beautiful morning.

Christian being interviewed by the newspaper for his Egg Drop Entry.

The principal, Mr. Santos, dropping an Egg Entry

The 3rd track meet of the season - Ashlyn is on her mark and set to GO!

Awaiting the starter for the 200m.

Cleaning up after the track meet is fun if you get to drive the cart around.

Conference Morning (the best!) brunch:  Breakfast pizza, Ebelskivers, Crepes.

During spring break, I took the kids on the subway downtown to Union Station and Olvera Street.

 They were grateful they didn't have to live in North Hollywood (where the subway stop was) or take the train every day.

 Enjoying a delicious filled churro.

Another day, we went ice skating and met Lisa's family there.

 brrr...it was cold.

Then we spent 2 days in San Diego.

 First stop: Sea World!

Swimming on a cool morning is remedied with pool-side hot chocolate.

 Lots of hot chocolate!

We are Honorary Members of the Mormon Battalion

Happy 14th Madison!

Happy Birthday Madison!!

Trampolining after school-awaiting the arrival of more friends.

Turning 14 was a super-fun event: 

1.  Fun breakfast - chocolate chip waffles

2.  Cookies at school office (T.A.)

3.  Receives gift from school office manager

4. Announcement over school PA system

5. Locker totally decorated inside and out by friends and Brooke

6.  Favorite lunch brought to school (Natural Cafe)

7. Embarrassed at school again by having name called over the PA for lunch

8. Lots of sweet cards from school pals

9.  Birthday Gram at school (balloon and candy)

10.  After school go to see the opening of "Oz" with friends and family

11. In-n-Out dinner

12. Private scuba diving birthday party (awesome!!)

13. Back home for Lemon Bundt cake and ice cream

14. Presents from friends!

At the movie theater going  to see "Oz"

Instructor Rhonda teaching us the basics on scuba technique and safety.

Getting ready to go in!

Lots more instruction/time to get comfortable

Time to breathe under water!

And they're down!  14 feet under.

That was awesome!!!!

The only reason they got out of the pool is because the store was closed and the employees wanted to go home!

Fourteen candles

Such darling, sweet girls and a fun and totally memorable birthday.  

It was a fun and exhausting day.  Probably one of the easiest birthday parties we've EVER done, and yet one that will be engrained in these girls' minds forever.  

Madison didn't want a big party, just a few friends to go surfing.  The weather was too stormy so we switched to scuba literally the day before.  Since she (and John) were officially certified the week before, their instructors were happy to be involved with her birthday celebration.  It was the first time Sport Chalet has ever hosted a birthday party.  You never know, this could be the new thing.  Forget laser tag or mini golf . . . go scuba!