Saying Good-Bye

This was out last morning before Granny and Papa went home. We were just about to leave for the airport. I hurried and grabbed the camera so we could get a picture. Carson wasn't into getting his picture taken. He was so sad that Granny and Papa were leaving. We had such a great time with the two of them visiting. We can't wait for it to happen again, and SOON! We love you guys! Here are some things we wanted to say:
1. Thanks for spoiling our kids!
2. Thanks for the really yummy Easter dinner.
3. Thank you for taking the kids to see Horton Hears a Hoo!
4. Whit- Thanks for painting our bathroom. It looks great. And we'll get that 2nd coat on soon.
5. Joni- Thanks for buying a few things for my bookshelves. (and that green candle!)
6. AND...thanks for having a vision when it came to the bookshelves.
7. Thanks for just being the great parents/grandparents/in-laws that you are. We miss you so much already!!!!

P.S. Carson cried almost the whole way home. After he woke up from his nap I asked him, "Are you still so sad?" He said, "I'm okay now!!" He would really like to talk to you soon though. We love you guys so much!!!

Sunday Drive to Swan Valley

Dorian wanted to go for a drive and show off some off the turf where he likes to go fishing. We went after dinner, so is was close to dusk and we saw at least 50 deer. There were so many of them all over the place. We collected a couple of rocks for the boys since they started a rock collection. It was a fun evening out. We got really close to some of the deer. it was crazy. It was just a great family night all in all!




Nobody but Carson would cooperate with a nice little family pic while we were out driving, so this is what I came up with!

Easter Eve

This was a really fun night! Joni and Whitney flew in and the kids and I went to pick them up from the airport. We ran over to the mall to see the Easter Bunny. This kids had fun with that. JD was a little timid at first, but actually sat on his lap. This makes me hopeful for Christmas time and Santa's lap. :o)
Then we went to eat at Carinos. Dorian was working and we all wanted to see him. Rocky was our server, and I invited Rocky's wife Andrea to come along. It was a really fun night. When we got home. The boys got some books from Granny. Everytime we see Granny the boys get a new book. Lucky them!!!!






Here are the kids posing like bunnies with their Easter cookies that Papa got for them from the airport. My boys are definitely spoiled.

Easter Morning

This was our most Exciting Easter by far, for a couple of reasons! One, both of the boys were old enough to REALLY participate and have a lot of fun with it. Reason two, and probably by far the best reason.....Granny and Papa (Dorian's parents) were here to visit (both of them at the same time!) We couldn't have asked for a better Easter than the one we got! We can't seem to get enough of these guys.







Getting ready for the Easter egg hunt. James looks pretty groggy, while Carson can't wait to get going.




JD finding his egg



Carson excited about his egg



One of the eggs dropped in the middle of the hunt. They had to stop and eat some of the candy! YUM.





Mr. Blue eyes playing with his planes from the Easter Bunny



Carson playing with his Motorcycles






Dorian telling the kids what Easter is all about. I am so thankful for the resurrection of our Savior. I was given the greatest gift a person could get. Jesus gave his life. I am so greatful that my Savior, brother and friend gave me the opportunity to repent and return to live with Heavenly Father again. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Silly Boys

Carson with his huge personality, decided to pose for me one night. I didn't have the camera and I told him, "Don't move Carosn, let me go get the camera!!!!" He didn't move. Except he did tell me, "My eyes are moving mom!" Of course JD had to join in on the action. This is the only shot I could get of the 2 of them before my battery for the camera died. James looks a little possesed! :o)

THE KITCHEN & MORE (tagged by Becky)

What three kitchen items do you use the most often?
Cheese grater, Can opener, Griddle

What kitchen gadget do you wish you had?
George Foreman Grill

What kitchen gadget do you never use/wish you hadn't spent the money for?
I'd have to agree with Becky and say the sandwich maker. At most it gets used 2 times a year, but that's pushing it.

What is your favorite cookbook?
The Ducker Family Recipes

Who is your cooking inspiration?
Dorian, Joni and Whitney. Same as Becky's reasons....they can throw ANYTHING into a pot and come out with a really yummy meal. No recipe or measurements needed!!!
BUT.... my Mom is the casserole queen! I can ALWAYS enjoy a great and yummy casserole!

What are the three most important items on your spice rack?
Oregano, Rosemary (if I make spaghetti a lot) and tied between parsley, garlic salt/powder and thyme.

What are three recipes that you use all the time?
Dinners:
Creamed Tacos, Chicken Pockets and Whitney's Potato Salad
Desserts:
Apple Dumplings, Cheesecake, Apple Crisp

Can you share a cooking secret?
The crockpot can be your best friend

What is your greatest cleaning secret?
spray Zout w/oxy clean. Put Oxy clean powder on top. Spray Zout again. Rub into stain. Let sit for 1/2 a day. THIS WILL REMOVE ANY STAIN!!! Including baby poop, grass stains, grease and blood! :o)

What is your favorite thing to clean?
Laundry!!! I feel powerful when I watch the piles shrink. I just hate that the same night you put dirty clothes in the hamper again. That ruins it all. It's never ending. Oh well....looks like I'll feel powerful for a long time to come!!

What is your least favorite thing to clean?
Sweep and mop. I always enlist Dorian to help me with that. :o)

What is your most embarrassing housekeeping moment?
I've never heard of an embarrassing housekeeping moment!?!? I must be a pro!!

Who do you tag to do this next?
Laurie, April and Erin

A BABY....

Today Carson asked me, "Mom how did Jen get a baby in her tummy?" I was shocked. Are we already starting these questions?? He's not even 4 yet! I thought for a moment, and then said, "When a mommy and daddy love each other, then they have babies. Now I have you and James, and I just love my babies!" Well, that worked, thank goodness! Then he told me, "Mom, I want you to get a baby in your tummy. You can have like 5 maybe." I replied with a very QUCIK, "No way Jose!!! I just want you and JD for a while. You two make me happy. Someday we'll have one more." The conversation was over. It was a good thing too. I don't need to convince Carson along with all my friends that now is NOT the time to have more babies in the Ducker family. I think I'll go knock on some wood now. :o)

Carson

James

Then I'll be a Bubble?

So, we went out for a night on the town last night to Idaho Falls. We started out with dinner at a mexican restaurant called Plum Loco. It was actually really good. Then we went to Walmart. We had a few things to pick up including the essentials of the home and a new Vacuum cleaner. Our other one has been working great, but the height adjustment never worked. So an exchange was a necessity! The boys got haircuts, they were starting to get shaggy. Then we ran over to the mall. I had to exchanged some jeans for Carson at Old Navy. Then I ran to Wet Seal and bought a couple of things while the kids played on the toys. Finally we were on our way home at 9:00pm.

We were almost home and the kids were making spitting sounds. Dorian gave them an empty threat.

Dorian: If you don't stop spitting I'll come back there and you'll get popped!
Carson: What's popped daddy?
Dorian: It's where you get smacked in the mouth for being naughty. Then you'll stop being naughty.
Carson: You'll popp-ED me?
Dorian: YES! If you don't stop!
Carson: Then I'll be a bubble?

Oh man! Dorian and I couldn't stop laughing! Where do these REALLY clever kids come from?