Spring Break Report....

This trip seems to have become a tradition for us these past few years, and one we all look forward to. We really did have a great week, in spite of driving half way there and realizing we forgot the travel crib and stroller. Anyway, we left last Monday morning and arrived in San Diego (my sister, Crystal's house--by the way Crystal, Starr calls you a mom that looks like a teenager -you rock star, you!) by late afternoon. Her son was back in the hospital due to running a fever, but it gave us a chance to go visit him (in shifts) and see where Tates "other home" is. Fortunately, Tate came home the next day and the kids played and played -- they really do have a great time together. We played ROCK BAND alot...but everyone had such a blast. On Wednesday, we drove up near LA and stayed with my favorite Auntie...it was so good to see her, Jim, and my great-Uncle Rod. Aunt Jackie was sooo good to us -- she's the best cook - and so giving....and she made sure we all had foot rubs before we left. Anyway, while there, we spent one day at Knotts Berry Farm (my kids LOVE the roller coasters!). This was Josh's first time riding the rides, and he tried his hardest to keep up with Joseph and Emi in Camp Snoopy (kiddy land). Steve and I would take turns with the 2 older kids and the younger ones. The last day was spent at the Pacific Coast Aquarium -- it was fun to see all the different exhibits and touch the fish -- even Josh was trying. We arrived home Saturday home, just in time to enjoy Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter. We arrived from our trip to California Saturday night, so we were able to enjoy a low-key family day on Sunday. My kids really look forward to Easter, and fortunately, the Easter Bunny didn't let them down this year -- that sneeky bunny always hides their baskets, along with filled eggs, in the back yard for the kids to find. And with Easter so early this year, you can see how ugly my yard is still -- the grass won't start turning green and the flowers won't usually start blossoming until April...but oh well, what can I say. After baskets, we enjoyed church and then a fun family dinner at Steve's sisters house. In the past, we've tried to make the day more spiritual -- but it was tough on Sunday with being our first day back from vacation. Hope all of you enjoyed your day, also.

Emi was excited to see what was in her basket -- mainly a new book she had been wanting....

17 Years and Still HAPPY!

Seventeen years, we can hardly believe it's been that long! And I feel fortunate enough to be married to my best friend. I couldn't imagine being married to a better, more fun, dependable, spiritual, hard-working guy. I'm so grateful for our compatibility, we have so much in common, yet we compliment each other. So here's to eternity...we still have a long way to go! (Thank goodness.)

My kids get a kick out of this picture. They think we both look pretty scary (especially mom and her puffy hair). Emi said yesterday, "I can't believe that was the style in the old days!" Since when did I live in the old days -- that's when my parents lived!! Anyway, this is a photo of the night Steve proposed to me -- it included a night with a limo, fancy restaurant, and the Theatre. What a romantic!


This picture is of us on our 10th wedding anniversary cruise in Mexico. Doesn't Steve look cute? Anyway, no cruise for us, at least not until we celebrate the big 20..then we'll do something big again. We used to leave our children and get away for a day or so, but now since we have so many children, it's too much work to leave them all over night...so, it's dinner and a movie for us and then we'll take off for a family trip to CA on Monday.

A Big Foot Sighting!

Don't you love that title? Ha ha. Anyway, Starr and I went out the other day to buy her some new shoes (we actually haven't done that in a about 6 months-- you don't grow out of flip-flopps too quickly around here.) Anyway, as she continued to try on shoes, we were both shocked to find out her foot has grown about 1 1/2 sizes during the past 6 months and she's now officially in MY size ladies 7 1/2 shoe. And she's ONLY 9! (But almost 10.) Geeze!

Gotta Love Those Toddlers!

If it's been a while since you've had a toddler around the house, allow me to refresh your memory......



That child! This is Joshua's new phase. He's takes out every book of the bottom 2 shelves for the past 3 days -- as soon as it gets picked up and put back he does it again the very next day. I swear everyone of my kids have done this and it last several months -- so see, it is a phase, just not a fun one. I probably should just hide the books for a while. Hee hee.

Lovin' Hanna Montana!

Okay, so maybe we all don't love Hanna Montana, but my 2 girls sure do! And since I didn't score them tickets a few months ago when she went on tour, I decided the least I could do was take them to see her in concert at the I-MAX in 3D. I think it should be leaving the theatre anyday now, and I wanted to take them before it was too late. It worked out for me too since it was about 1/3 the price as concert tickets, and no screaming girls in my ear! Needless to say, they were so excited and Starr invited her best friend, Janae to come along.





The I-Max ROCKED! We went to the 5:30 showing and were surprised to find out we were the only ones who bought tickets for that showing and had the 400 seat theatre to ourselves! The girls felt very uninhibited since no one else was watching them and rocked out. They were dancing everywhere, up and down the isle, down the stairs, on the stage...it was a blast for them, and hopefully made some great memories.

February Update!

Ya know, I figured you all are pretty sick of seeing my kitchen, so I thought I'd do a quick update on what's been going on in the Hartman home this month. Besides I like to kill 2 birds with one stone and print these out for my journal, so just bear with me. It's been a busy month, but what's pitiful, is that I have really no pictures to show - so you'll just have to take my word for it.

The month started off with Jeff and Steve heading north near Flagstaff for a snow campout with the scouts. They had a blast cross-country skiing, sledding and building snow igloos. Jeff and a couple of his best friends slept in their igloo (a tarp instead of snow was the roof) as one of their requirements for earning their survival merit badge.....burrr... no thanks.

Actually, we can just call this Jeff's month since last week he, with his dad and other deacons, did baptisms for the dead. This was his first experience and he truely loved it (in spite of waking up at 4am to go). Jeff also had his Jr. High orientation last week and also had baseball tryouts where he found out he'll be on the same team as his 2 best friends (and with 7 teams for his age group, this is very rare). Needless to say he's so excited! This week Jeff and the other deacons and beehives are performing in the roadshow - they have a cute little singing and dancing number they perform dressed as missionaries, very fun, but he's glad tonight's the last night for roadshows.

Whew...on to Starr. Her highlight this month was going up near Sunrise ski resort (4 hrs away where they spent the entire day sledding with Janae's family. She said a news reporter was there talking with them, and that she should be on youtube...but we'll see.

Josh was evaluated by a speech therapist on Monday and they will continue to come weekly to help work with him. Oh, for those of you who don't know, Josh is turning 2 in about 5 weeks and doesn't talk...at all...seriously. Sometimes the most we can get out of him is "ma" and that's it. The therapist wants us to start introducing him to sign language and more babbling sounds, so this should involve the whole family. But we sure enjoy Josh, he's the sweetest and most loving little boy. What a joy!

On top all all this, we enjoyed mom and Paul's visit last week for a few days. Mom and I were able to work on grandma bushmans headstone and make a plan for that. Also, Katie and Bryce hosted FHE for the entire family since mom was here at Bryce's house -- Katie served a taco bar for dinner...the food was awesome!! (As usual.)

My dad has been here this week - closing up his house for the winter before he heads back to Utah. He helped me get my garden ready yesterday (thanks, again dad!) Whew, I'm ready for March now. I just have to get through our Blue and Gold Cub Scout Banquet tomorrow night. We love all of you -