Sam did it.

Recently Reese has discovered that she can actually use her little brother for her own (sometimes naughty) purposes.  There has been a WHOLE LOT of "Sam did it" going on lately.  For example, here's what just happened, chez Badger--

We hear a thump, followed by Sam crying.

We walk into the living room to see the two of them sitting together on the couch, a cookie sheet in Reese's hands hovering just over Sam's weeping head.

We ask, "What happened here?"  Then, being the understanding, give-them-the-benefit-of-the-doubt parents we are try to be, we take Reese aside and give her a chance to relate the entire story, just in case she actually did have cause to smack her brother over the head with a large sheet of metal.  Keeping our bases covered, you know.  We try again-


"What happened?"

"Sam did it.  He did it all by himself- he hit himself."

Ry doubtingly asks, "He hit himself?"

"Umm. . . a shark bit him."

"A shark?"

"Umm, yeah. . . wait-- NO!  The mountain hurt him."

Is that your final answer?  Hmmm, yeah. . . we think you had a stronger argument with your first answer.  You've just landed yourself in the Naughty Chair, but thanks for playing and better luck next time!  

Easter Sweets

Our kids were lucky this year and squeezed in two egg hunts and more sugar than is smart to pour into their tiny bloodstreams over Easter weekend.  

The first was the ward-hosted hunt in the field behind the church.

While Sam was most excited about the candy (once he figured out what exactly was inside the plastic eggs),

the definite highlight for Reese was the dead squirrel our bishop found amidst the trees.

She's still talking about it.

 The second was at Grandma Badger's the next day.  After attending our own ward for the Easter program, we packed up and drove to Pocatello to for a visit and to pick up Ryan's sister, Holly, who would be staying with us for a few days.  We were fed like royalty (as always), and had a wonderful time.  

Sam, our little sweet tooth, had an especially good time with the treats!

He didn't waste time searching for the most eggs, he got a few, plunked himself down, and cracked those bad boys open, stuffing his mouth with multi-colored jellybeans and chocolate while Reese scored 90% of what we'd hidden.

Then Grandma brought out the Strawberry Shortcake. . .

it was love at first bite.

We love you Grandma!!!

Happy Spring!

Wow, has this blog been lacking in Badger-happenin' details the last few months!  Well, thank heavens for Sunday and a catch-up post.  Hopefully it will be just the first of many. :)  Let's start with a little Easter, shall we?

A month or so ago my sister did a fabulous 'Easter Best' photo shoot for me of my cute little munchkins and it occurs to me I never showed them off properly.   Here they are, my cute little dressed-up muffins-

Another Life Calling?

A week ago Ryan and I started down a road of protein, pain, sweat, 

and a whole slew of awesome one-liners from Tony Horton.

We started P90x.

It's insane, intense, and a serious amount of FUN!

I know, you're probably thinking we can't possibly be doing things right if we're enjoying this kind of craziness, but I assure you, it's AWESOME.

Here's one of them. . . 

The day after finishing week 1 (huge cheer from the crowd, thank you very much!), we buzzed out the door to take Ry up to class, and only on returning did I realize I had left my house key inside.  In a matter of minutes I had Ry back, and we turned into a couple of regular acrobats.  We pulled ourselves up to the balcony, squeezed my now narrower waist through a tiny window and landed me in the shower.

We were both seriously impressed at the ease with which we handled the whole situation and the already huge difference in upper body strength we were seeing.  Boo-yah for being fit!

And, I have to add, it's also a great comfort to know that if this whole Masters Degree thing doesn't work out, we really could become cat burlars and live in the lap of luxury like Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

Which, I have to admit, has always been a secret dream

The dresses.

Sigh.

Spring=Canyon Love

Long winters in Logan usually mean that as soon as we get a sunny day the whole valley has packed up and headed for the canyon.

In this case, we don't mind at all following the crowd.

Plus, it gave us a great excuse to get out and break in our new camara.  :)

Yay for spots of green, 

and mountain picnics, 

marshmallows eaten raw, 

and weiner dogs trekking down the trail, 

cameras that shoot panoramic,

and the smell of summer in the air!