NICK'S SCHOOL

Nick is quite liking his preschool these days. Some weeks he doesn't want to go at all, other times he goes and loves it. This week was Parent Week and the kids get to show their families around the various classrooms and do special activities. Chris' parents were in town and Nick was so excited to take them, along Daddy and Ben, to his school!

drinking fountain, highlight of the tour for both boys...

GRANDMA JEN

Grandma Jen and Grandpa Randall are here for a visit and the kids are in heaven. They love their grandparents so much. I thought this was a darling picture of Jen and Ben playing legos. The kids love her because she will just play for hours and hours. Whether it's craft projects or legos or puzzles or wrestling, she is right in the mix of it, laughing the entire time. I hope my kids can always remember the special moments they share with their Grandmas and Grandpas!

EASTER

We had such a nice Easter! Earlier in the week, the big kids and I had fun dying eggs. I remember dying eggs every year when I was young- clear into highschool, really- so I always look forward to doing them with my kids. We had about 14 different colors of dye and the kids made very creative designs. Just as we were finishing up, Nick dropped his prized egg and burst into tears when he saw all the cracks on it. Through the tears he said, "Mom, can't we fix it? Can't we tape it or something?!" When I told him there was no way to fix it but that it would be fine, he informed me that "okay, this is YOUR egg." Thanks, Nick. Olivia made me a special yellow egg with the inscription "Mom you rock" and Nick gave me a cracked one off the floor...

The Easter bunny found his way to our house on Sunday morning, too. It took Nick and Olivia a while to find their baskets, they were hidden so well! Eggs were hidden all over the house, filled with candy, Teddy Grahams, fruit snacks, and quarters. Ben loved his dinosaur rain "boops" from the bunny and has worn them every time we go out! Chris' parents arrived the night before so they were here for all the excitement, too. Chris was the breakfast man in the kitchen, making pancakes, omelets, sausage and fruit for all of us. It was such a nice, relaxing day, just hanging out with the family!


I love Easter and all the fun and traditions that go along with it. (Did I mention that I wait all year for the opportunity to buy Cadbury eggs?!) But even more than that, I love what it stands for. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate His life. I know that He lives and that, because of His resurrection, we will be given the gift of life after death. The comfort and peace that comes from knowing this is better than any Cadbury egg!

CONFERENCE WEEKEND

I love General Conference weekend. (General Conference is a special ocurrance twice a year when the leaders of our church speak to the LDS members world wide via satellite.) The talks given are always so good and so inspiring and I love it. I also love that we can watch it from home in our pajamas! With all that has been going on in our life recently, there were several points made that really sunk into my heart. My favorites are below:

1-" The rains and floods may come and beat upon our house but we shall not fall for we are built upon the rock of Christ."
2-"If ye have faith, ye shall have power to do whatsoever is expedient in me."
3-"Choose to live by faith, not fear."
4-"If our lives and faith are permanently centered on Christ and His teachings, nothing can go permanently wrong."
5-"We can do the best we can but the outcome is up to Him."
6-"We should not complain about the opportunities given to us to learn."

Besides spending a relaxing weekend at home, I look forward to the guidance and knowledge that I gain from General Conference. I always come away feeling inspired and full of hope and encouragement. Even the kids enjoy it. This year we played "Conference Bingo" and the kids listened for certain words in the talks and then covered the corresponding bingo spaces. I am sure they enjoyed the yummy bingo markers more than the talks, but they sure were quiet and listened well!

After the Sunday talks were over, we headed out to the front yard and did a little sledding. The sun was shining and we had so much fun!Just like when they were really little, Livi still prefers eating snow to sledding and Nick is a dare devil on a saucer!Ben refused to wear his socks and boots.....and the Red Cross ended up hauling him out by sled to treat his cold toes!