The Robisons: March 2016

March is a month to look forward to - birthdays, Indian Wells, and Easter

And a new tradition: Restaurant Week

Kathryn is slowly introducing me to the finer things... like Oceans Prime. During restaurant week, you get a 4 course meal for $30.

It was Primo

I've been taking pictures of the construction going on around our neighborhood. Growing up in Henderson, I know how quickly things change (and how fun it is to look back on the progress).

This is across from the sledding hill, next to the tower.

Sloan's bday - he wanted to have a breakfast date with this dude

we got left behind

this is a dose of our reality

Ruth's 9th birthday party - the boys were on balloon duty.
Somehow Reggie talked dad into "5"

The birthday girl - ready for spanking!

Her party at White Fence Farm

Headbanz game was a hit

The activities and grounds at the farm are charming.
Pig Chute!

Pony rides

Petting zoo

Tractors -these girls are all too willing to pose for a picture!

back to the birthday room for cake & presents.
Best $80 I ever spent - thanks Groupon!

Ruth's birthday breakfast

and family party

present from Luvy & Ken

she's been wanting this for a long time! dreams do come true!

The next day Sloan, Drew & I took off for San Diego on our way to Indian Wells.

We stopped by this outrageous Lucha Libre taco shop by the airport. It's worth a re-visit

The morning always starts with tennis

and snuggles

Sloan found us an Air B&B in La Quinta right by the hiking trails. Beautiful area.

Time for the tournament!

Drew is our 3rd baby to get to tag along

he's a little distracting

This announcer is our favorite. He has a very recognizable accent and enthusiastic way of announcing. We were star-struck to finally meet him

This is the first year we invited friends along. The Blackburns came from Denver, and Sloan's BFF Matt and his wife Leigh came from Chico. Made it even more fun.

One of the best parts of this tournament are seeing the top pros on the practice courts. Nadal is playful with the crowd and full of passion when he plays - so he's a favorite

especially when I catch the ball he hits out of the court!

We also got to see him on court 2 playing doubles with Verdanko against the Bryan Brothers.

It was a very close match and so entertaining-

the crowd was on fire!

so hard to leave :(

the flight attendants LOVE this

back to our crew!

(big baby Luke)

Ruth wanted to take a break from poop scooping, Reggie was happy to take it over

but this is a job she's always up for

Afternoons in March were a struggle for me. After trips, Sloan works back-to-back 12 hour shifts to make up for time gone, so he gets home around 8 and I am usually a wreck.

The recreation center by our house is hard to book swim lessons at because they fill up instantly, so when a friend mentioned they go to another center nearby, I called to see if they had classes.

They happened to have an opening in each of their 3 classes, which fit my kids' ages perfectly, and happened at the same time!! Pinch me now!

Luke was scared to swim. And overly social. So he got kicked out a couple times.

But Reggie, who I was struggling most with at home, was very focused and hard working in his class and really enjoyed going.

swimming in the deep end!

Ruth had her first try with swim team. The coach was too strict for her liking, but Ruth worked hard (sometimes through tears), and found her summer team at Jet Stream a breeze after the training she got here.

he didn't need a class to find something to do

We spent an afternoon at the passport office getting ready for next month's trip to London

Daddy date #3 - this one with Luke

Luke's playdate posse'

Sloan generously gave this elder a bridge. It made a huge difference in his smile & confidence. He converted from being a Jehova's Witness at 24, then decided to serve a mission. It was great to have an elder in our ward with a little more experience & maturity... he bore a sweet and powerful testimony.