The Stucki's: April 2012

Twinners! ... April 22, 2012

Beck is one of Ryan's best buddies and they love to wear twin shirts to church together! Cutest boys in town, for sure!!!

Ryan's Field Trip ... Apr 20, 2012

I got to go on a field trip with Ryan to pick strawberries. Ryan did a great job at picking the best ones, and we really enjoyed the delicious treat for a few days! We also got to see some really cute baby ducks!

Ashley's Etch-A-Sketch ... Apr 14, 2012

If you can't read this, I will translate:

"Mom & Dad and Katie. I'm going to live in my room and no one can stop me or come in and if you do come in I'll move to a different room and don't even think about bothering me. Love From Ashley"

Getting notes like this almost makes her tantrums worth it! I can't get over the "Love From Ashley" part:)

Hanami Day 2 ... Apr 9, 2012

We didn't have to leave until later in the evening on Monday, so Kym took us on another Hanami adventure. I was amazed at how much time some of these people took to set up their picnic spots. The cherry blossoms here may have been the very best we have seen in Tokyo... like perfect pops of popcorn. We had such a wonderful few days in Tokyo and we were so glad we were able to go.

I thought this little school girl was so cute in her hat and uniform.

If you look closely at this picture above you can see they have cardboard set down and taped neatly together, with blue tarps on top, again taped together perfectly. They also have taped cardboard boxes together for tables, and in the corner of their spot, they have made cubbies to hold their shoes and bags out of more cardboard boxes. This was the most awesome picnic spot I have ever seen!

Seriously, look at those trees!!!

There was a fun little amusement park where the kids enjoyed a few rides before we had some nice, big soft serve ice cream cones!

We decided against the fish on a stick or cucumber on a stick snacks!

Pansies always remind me of my mom:)

Easter ... Apr 8, 2012

The Easter Bunny found us in Tokyo!!! Friday night we decorated our eggs so they would be all ready for us to set out on Saturday night when we returned home from Kyoto. There was 1 egg the kids couldn't find on Sunday morning, so we hope Aunt Kymmie and Uncle Mark don't have a smelly surprise a couple months from now!! It was interesting to see the different candy the Easter Bunny brings! But the kids were happy and we got to enjoy the treats while we watched General Conference. That evening Aunt Kymmie and Uncle Mark invited some other friends from their ward over for dinner. We enjoyed a delicious meal and were grateful to spend such a lovely holiday with family.

Uncle Mark is also very proud of his motorcycle and the kids were super excited to "try it out".

Hanami ... Apr 8, 2012

Hanami is the celebration in Japan when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and everyone gathers in the most beautiful areas and picnics. There are sidewalks lined with blue tarps that people sit on and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. We were so, so happy that we chose to come and visit at this time. It could not have been more beautiful in Tokyo. The Imperial Palace is a short walk from Kym and Mark's place, so we had a lovely Easter Sunday stroll around the Palace and along a Hanami route. The kids wore their Easter clothes and we clicked away on our camera!

Quotes to Remember

We were in Munich and just checking into our Hotel and both the girls needed to go to the bathroom. We all ran upstairs to our rooms and they both bolted into the bathroom. They began to fight over which one was going to use the toilet first. They argue for a few seconds when Katie shouts, "Mom, which one of us do you want to pee their pants?!" (May, 2009)
We were driving home from church last week and I said something like, "We are going to buy a Toyota Sequoia". Suddenly from the back we hear our 4 year old, Ashley, pipe up ... "You killed my Father...Prepare to Die!"...somehow she confused "Toyota Sequoia" with "Inigo Montoya" from the Princess Bride! (May, 2009)
Ashley and I were playing a card game when she says to me, "pause the game, I have to go to the bathroom". This is when I realized the technology gap between my childhood and hers.
I asked Ashley what country she was born in (she was born in Canada). She told me that she couldn't remember, so I tried to give her a hint. I said, "you were born in Cannnn...". To which she immediately exclaimed in triumph..."CANDYLAND!!"
Katie woke us up this morning telling us we needed to get up. Heather told her that her head hurt and she wasn't going to get up yet. Katie responds, "But you don't WALK on your head, so get up!"