Hiking at Glenwood

When Grandma and Grandpa come we drop everything to go hiking. (I should do it even when they are not here.)

When I am hiking I tend to take more pictures too.

But I'd wish I'd had a picture of the moments surrounding this wagon ride. It was wild. Three boys flying down a hill as fast as they could possibly go without anyone to stop them and not a sound from any of them. Then plop. Over turned the wagon. The scratch on Bridger's nose was the only tell-tale sign anything had happened. It was an awesome experience.

We stopped at a gazebo near this lake.

We walked about 3.3 miles that day and it took us 2 and half hours to pull a wagon with two boys and one little one on my back.

Thanks for the good times!

Smiles, Dandelions, and Tye Dye

The boys love to pick dandelions for me. I threaten them if they pick the neighbors flowers, so they must think dandelions are my favorite. Josiah found this especially tall one the other day and it made me smile.

Its time to do another tye dye project as well. I feel it in my bones. These two shirts were made three years ago for their older brothers. But Ammon and Bridger look good anyway!

A little trip to Fredricksburg, VA

Ball games...

Rock games...

Tree games...

Family games...

Hiking games...

Climbing games...
Throw in a few nights, a musical, friends, picnics, sunshine, and

one very special Sunday morning and you have a little getaway for seven Richardsons!
Thanks for the invite Murphys, and thanks for taking care of us Marsha!

Wicked!

One of Goldie's presents was to go and see Wicked! We drove to Richmond, VA. I went with her. We took the binoculars that the Allen's had years ago. They were made in occupied Japan and were very heavy. But I'm glad because Goldie used them almost the entire time.

We got there just in time and had to ask for directions once we parked. The theatre was beautiful. I sat on the edge of my seat and loved every minute. I want to go and see it again. I kept telling people I didn't know who was more excited, Goldie or I but I can see the excitement in her eyes in this picture. It was a great experience for the two of us.

One thing I loved about the production was the steam punk feel they gave to it. It was well staged, a great experience.

Goldie is 9!

Goldie has turned 9! She wanted a new cape, and I went all out. She got two. One short, one long, in her new favorite color.

My beautiful girl has been exploring musicals lately and together we watched the 25th anniversary of the Phantom of the Opera.

And so a Phantom cake was on the menu. I declined making a rose. I've never done that and it seems a whole new learning curve.

We decided on a real one and when she heard about these rainbow roses we agreed to get her one. It was spectacularly colorful.

A week before the date we used Ammon's Captain America mask as a base and made a Phantom mask out of fondant. I probably did it too thick because it never did dry out enough. I didn't know what to do and Mike came to my rescue with marshmallows! They are there, you just can't see them. Also, my black fondant was off so he also came up with the broken glass look. I like it.

It was beautiful and delicious on both the inside and the outside.

But it wasn't just about the cake. That is just one of the birthday's adventures. I got to eat lunch with this beautiful young woman. I got to spend time with her and she is a cherished part of our family. Her smile, her love of her brothers, her joy in discovering life is all a part of who she is, who she is becoming. We love you Goldie. We are blessed by you. We are glad we got to spend time with you on your special day.

Spring has many colors

Easter 2014

Waiting to start the Easter Egg hunt, I think this might become an annual tradition.

Especially when you see all the loot they have from finding eggs.

This is another tradition that Mike had when he was a child. We haven't done it for a couple of years, but opted for it this year because Ammon had no memory of Easter bunny cake.

Hope your Easter was a good one!