The Hatch Family

Spring Break Part Three

We hit Superstition Farm on Friday. I spent my time trying to stay calm and not act nervous around the farm animals. I basically hate animals. I felt safer around the cows than the chicken, goats, donkey, and so on. My kids seem to have acquired their fear from me whereas my nieces and nephews were in seventh heaven.

Check out Addie's face in these pictures. That's my girl!

Kimber let go of the food before the goat could even get a nibble!

The man finally forced her into it. I don't know if my kids will ever relax around animals.

Michelle was loving the animals! You will NEVVVVVVVER see me touch a chicken. I don't even touch my own!

Kimber did enjoy the rabbit. Is there hope for her?

When we got home I forgave all chickens and disgusting animals for a moment when we found 17 eggs!

Spring Break Part 2

On Thursday we decided to try out Flipside. We were sold on the idea of mini bowling. I thought $3/kid was a fair price for 45 minutes of entrainment for my kids. Hind sight is 20/20, right? Turns out it was $9 for 10 minutes of entertainment that left them wanting more. I indulged them and spent another $10 on lame arcade games. We probably won't be going back.

The bowling was certainly mini.

And the arcade games were a bit lame and too hard for Lucy.

Spring Break Part 1

Our first Spring Break activity was going to the Cerretta Candy Co. Joe and Marisa Cerretta are not only customers of ours but wonderful friends. They are such kind people and have adopted our girls as grandchildren. They have invited us three times to come visit them at the factory and each time it's a whole new experience. This time we invited a few cousins to tag along.

Joe's first order for was all of the kids to pick any five candies they wanted.

Next up was chocolate pizzas with Marisa. Since this wasn't Addie's first time she helped Marisa demonstrate.

Then it was time for everyone to make a pizza.

After pizzas it was chocolate bunny time.

After bunnies Marisa had them making breakfast out of pretzels (bacon/sausage), white chocolate (egg whites) and yellow M&M's (egg yolks.) She then gave them each a chocolate ear to wrap in some cool foil.

As if that wasn't enough, she then had Bethany and I take part in their tasting tour. We learned to wrap candy and ate lots of yummy chocolate.

It was a wonderful day and we are already excited for our next visit.

I'm including this picture of Hyde because it sums up his personality just perfectly.

Pancakes

Sunday morning are a blur around here. I try to be ready by 7:15 then rush to get the kids up and ready to leave by 8:40. On this particular morning Addie asked for pancakes. We didn't have time so I told her she would have them after church. Sure enough, she didn't forget my promise. I'm a bit in the sensitive side when it comes to food aromas in the house so I told her she could take advantage of the beautiful day and cook her pancakes outside. Best day ever!

Do you see that bottle of syrup? Syrup is a taboo topic around here. I grew up on store bought, Jared on homemade. I don't eat many things that require syrup but when I do, I now prefer homemade. Kimber is the only one who refuses to eat anything but store bought. If I ever run out of homemade Addie reluctantly eats Kimber's. Whhhhy? Why do I cater to them like this?

Birthday Dates

One of our birthday traditions is taking the kids with us on our date on the weekend closest to their birthday. They get to choose the restaurant and the night is all about them.

Once again, Kimber was easy to please. She chose Trapper's. We were home in less than an hour.

Addie requested Red Devil.

Later that night we headed to CalRanch where she used her birthday money from Poppy to buy some new boots. She also tried to mug me.

My Madhouse

Have you seen this?

A few weeks ago it was a particularly hectic night. Jared was leaving for meetings, the kids were wild, I had a lot to do, the houser was a disaster zone and Colton was ready for bed. In all of the chaos I decided I would long for days like this when my kids were gone and Jared and I were all alone. With that thought in mind, I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures in order to remember the fabulously ordinary moments of my life as a mom.

Lucy had laid on the floor and played dolls. Later her and Kimber got out a few art supplies and colored. Kimber seems to think this is the dumping ground for shoes, jackets, etc. after school.

The chair found a home on the coffee table. I love how the shoes are placed so perfectly.

My room became a playground.

Lucy decided it was a good time to dump the change cup and had money-smelling hands. While they were cleaning it up Kimber found a pocket knife and decided it was wise to open it up. She ended up with a cut and me running to the store during all of the chaos for some bandaids. I bet it's the last time she plays with a pocket knife.

This little guy was neglected. Thankfully he took my shoe out of his mouth and replaced it with his toy elephant.

My kids love forts in creative places. This time they draped blankets, piled boxes and anything else they could find to make a fort in my shower.

You know, as crazy at it was at time the time I am glad I photographed it. Looking back it doesn't seem so chaotic, it actually looks like fun!

Addie's Ninth

Again, how is it possible? Nine?

It's very bittersweet to watch Addie get older. It's that way for all of my kids, but since she is the oldest and we experiencing so many firsts, it's sad but very fun.

In early March we attended the Gilbert Temple dedication together.

Last weekend we were able to go to the Woman's Meeting.

We even snuck in a mother/daughter date afterward.

Buuuut, back to her turning nine.

This poor gal got the short end of the stick as far as pictures go. These aren't even the presents she got from us!

She also isn't as easy to please when it comes to birthday cake. She request Hungarian Sponge Cake. An old Strubel family recipe that has to be made with precision.