Prisoner of Azkaban

Adam finished reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a few weeks ago, so last week we watched the movie together as a family. It held up a lot better than I remember. The kids loved it! A few days ago we had another movie night and watched Chamber of Secrets. I figured we could skip that book and move right on to the film. Last night I started reading Prisoner of Azkaban with Adam and Max. They are both enjoying it so far (we are only on to Ch. 3), but Max is nervous about Sirius Black. Not sure if I should reveal anything so that he doesn't get too scared. I'll write back when we finish.

After months and months...

Back in late summer we received a check from our mortgage company telling us they had made a mistake in a refinance we did! FREE MONEY!! Well, not really, but now we had some cash to redo our bathrooms. 5 months later our bathrooms are done! I've got some great before and after pics. Plus, Lindsay got new blinds and shutters for the windows (you know, to put onto the brand new windows we got right in the middle of all the bathroom renovations). Do we have enough money for all of this, you ask? Of course not, but who needs food, right?

Kids upstairs bathroom...before.

Kids upstairs bathroom...after. I love this tile!

Our bathroom...before (well, during).

Our bathroom...after.

Full view. This bathroom turned out really well.

Brynn's new setup, complete with new blinds.

Master bedroom with new shutters. Lindsay is so happy.

Kam's bathroom downstairs. I didn't get any before pictures, but just imagine a very small space of shiz.

I think this is my favorite renovation. We went with a bold color against the white of the accessories and it turned out awesome. We just need to pay off our debt and then complete the shower.

Oblivion

Lindsay and I had a fun date night tonight! We ate at Cubby's in Provo (great sandwich--they just need better rolls) and then saw Oblivion with Tom Cruise. I remember being overloaded with the previews before pretty much every movie I saw this past year, so there were some things to expect from the film. But it still offered a lot of secrets and surprises! Tom is always incredible. He gives everything to every role he takes. Love him. The visuals were some of the best I've seen--the sight of the moon blown up (don't worry, it's in the first 5 minutes of the movie) was stunning. M83 did the music and I can't to download a few songs! Great movie, lots of thinking, fun night!

Happy Happy Maxie Max!

This is my most special guy! I love our Max so much. Anyone who knows him always tells us there is just something about him. He has the greatest smile (as you'll see from the photos below), a very creative mind (his LEGO creations could be sold in stores), and he loves his family. Max and I will cuddle up together in bed and watch home videos and extra features from the extended Lord of the Rings set! He can't get enough! I couldn't skim it down to my top 3 photos of Max from this past year, so I've included 10...

Max does this great thing, where he sometimes tilts his head in pictures. So cute!

My favorite photo ever!

Cover of GQ magazine-right here!

Best Dad Ever & Tanner Building

Lee Radebaugh

I really have the greatest dad ever! He is retiring this year from his service of many years with the BYU Marriott School. The other night he was honored at the International Business banquet and most of our family was able to attend. He has made some great decisions in his life that have resulted in touching many people. I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. This banquet was held at the Tanner building on BYU campus...

This is one of my most favorite places on earth. I know that sounds weird, but I have so many memories here. This was where my dad worked throughout his time at BYU and I spent a lot of days and nights visiting him. When I was in 8th grade I invented a game that can really only be played at this building because of its design. Of course I called the game "Die Hard." It was basically a game of tag that was good through the entire building. You had to be with a partner (best if it was a girl) and you could use the elevators, stairs, atrium, etc. We were kicked out many times and I found out that the game was played for years after I graduated high school. Lindsay even played it on a date one time! Her date said they were playing a game called "Die Hard." What the what?!

The other night, after the dinner with my dad I strolled around the building and a wave of nostalgia hit me! It was the greatest feeling. The smells, the sounds of the elevator, the stairways (HUGE part of playing the game) all came flooding back and made me remember my friends from junior high and high school. The only thing missing in the moment was a soundtrack playing in the background. I could have been the successful L.A. businessman coming back to his small hometown for some memories and rekindling with family. Of course, I just live down the road where I teach 6th grade, so...

Happy Easter!

I'm a week behind, but we were down at the Ranch for spring break. I'll post some Ranch photos soon. Kam didn't want to come home from friends to color eggs and Adam was out of reach. SO it was just the wee ones.

Max got some LOTR LEGOS and Adam got Chima

Brynn rounded out her My Little Ponies collection and Kam got a gift card

Spring Tanning

Three boys trying to get a tan when they don't think their parents are watching them...Classic.