Let it Go... again!

These kids mean business when they performs. Lexey was over and they all wanted to sing. The following hand motions are uncoached. And clearly they've never heard of the term "blend" or "listen to those around you." They're all in their own world!

Because He lives...

On this wonderful Easter morning, I ponder the words to the song "Because He Lives": 

God sent his son
They called him Jesus
He came to love
Heal and forgive
He lived and died
To buy my pardon
An empty grave
Is there to prove
My Savior lives

Because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives

How sweet to hold
A newborn baby
And feel the pride
And joy he gives
But greater still
The calm assurance
This child can face
Uncertain days
Just Because he lives


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For some, the Sunday morning of Easter is little more than another day, but for those who believe in the resurrection of Christ, it is a most special, hopeful and sacred day. It can be hard to explain the hope and joy that came from Christ's death to a child. It's hard to explain how the painful crucifixion of the Savior is not something we need to mourn over, but instead it was a necessary event in God's plan to offer us the atonement and have the potential for resurrection just like our Savior. It is wonderful to focus on the fact that He is Risen, and we may be too, one day. As I explain this event to my boys, I find great peace in knowing that they know how much God loves them, enough to send His Son to die for them. And I love telling them how great my love is for them, and how amazing it is that God loves them even more than I do, while that seems truly impossible! Happy Easter everyone. I look forward to spending the day with my family and focusing on the great sacrifice that was made on my behalf. It's going to be a great day!

Class Easter Party

Last week, a preschool mom organized an Easter egg hunt for the kids at the park. It was so fun and VERY hot. The kids loved hunting. Last year at this party, Parker took a bite out of every powdered sugar donut. :)

 We think Austin's allergic reaction last week was from sunscreen. So we try to avoid putting it on his face and keep the hat on. Easier said than done.

Silly kids

Papa is amazing. He loves to play with the boys and on this particular, play dough was his artistic medium. 

 Loving the park close by. We usually go several times a week. Have to burn off that energy somehow.

 Man my four-year old seems old lately.

 Sea World with Madeleine. She was very comfortable with Parker. :)

Some perspective

As our family deals with its own challenges right now, I was given a tender mercy yesterday. My friend Emily has a daughter who was diagnosed with autism a year ago. She blogs regularly about their journey (and also her delicious and healthy recipes), and she always has such an amazing way of putting words to the emotions we feel. She just wrote a birthday tribute to her sweet three year-old and if you need to see your problems in a proper light and to be thankful for your blessings, this post will do it. While all our trials are unique and important and carry weight, and we should never feel like our challenges don't matter because someone else has it harder than us, it doesn't hurt to be reminded of the blessings of the trial. Thanks, Emily.

Utah Part I

On Thursday afternoon we drove from SD to Las Vegas. It was a pretty smooth drive, though neither boys slept during the five hours. We stayed at the Rio, which has very large rooms. There was a Chippendale's poster up in the hotel and one of the models had shoulder-length brown hair. Austin said, "Look, Jesus!" Oh man. That's pretty bad. 

The next morning we headed on the next leg of our trek. The boys did a really good job, though hardly sleeping again. We finally stopped at a Cafe Rio in Spanish Fork. After McDonald's for breakfast and dinner the night before, nothing had every tasted so good. Austin referred to it as Donald Duck's. haha. The boys sure did treasure their happy meal toys, and for that I was grateful. 

But Cafe Rio... mmmmmmmmm. 

 The boys were soooo patient in the car. Parker hardly complained. He is such a dear these days. After lunch we went to run around BYU. We also drove by where we used to live and other favorite memory places.

 Then we drove the rest of the way to Salt Lake City. We checked into our room, which I thought had a door dividing the living area from the bed... ideal conditions for travelling with little ones who won't sleep if they can still see you! Well... no door. Thankfully they let us cancel the rest of our reservation after one night and we checked into a Residence in with TWO rooms. So luxurious.

 On Friday we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse (oh sweet, heavenly rolls) with Grandma Joyce and Aunt Shauna. We hadn't seen them in a year and a half. It was wonderful. The boys loved making Grandma shell the peanuts for them. They loved their hot dog and fries, and Pete and I split chicken fried steak. Grandma Joyce ordered a salmon dish, that ended up being under cooked, so she sent it back and they replaced it with a whole new meal. In addition, they took her meal off the bill. This all happened after Pete offered to pay for everyone's meal, so she ended up being a cheap date:)

Saturday we went out to visit Grandma Ruth who is now in a nursing home. More on that later, but it was the most wonderful visit.

Then we went to a park by Grandma Joyce's house and then celebrated Pete's Uncle Dave's birthday at Chow Time. Utah people sure do like their buffets! This large restaurant was just down the center from Buffet City. He was very nice to treat all of us. Parker ate tortilla chips and fries. I guess that's the beauty of a buffet.

Sunday morning we went to church in Salt Lake where Pete's cousin blessed her baby. It's the first daughter in the family with four other boys, so it was a very special day. My boys loved playing with all of the boy second-cousins. So fun to see them together. After that we made the rounds to various other family members...

Uncle Gary and Aunt Stacey just moved into a new home. The boys made themselves comfy on the couch.

Then we went over to Pete's cousin Erika's house. She had a baby 5 days ago, so it was amazing she even invited us in. We got to hold her new tiny baby. So cute. And the boys loved playing with her dog and cat. 

 They also loved the bath that night. They could play forever in there.

 Monday morning said our goodbyes to Grandma Joyce who we love to pieces, and made one last stop at the Hawkes's home. Alexis (high school friend) was visiting her family from Germany where she lives with her two little ones and Army helicopter-flying husband. It was fun to get to talk to them about their life. She is so strong, and will be staying with her family for a while while her husband is deployed starting next week. She'll even have a baby in his absence. I was so impressed with her strength and good attitude.

 Then we headed for home. We made a few stops for meals and made it home at midnight. We could have broken up the drive again, but we were just ready to be home in our own beds. We left later in the day hoping they would sleep. Parker did nap a bit, but then didn't fall asleep until 10:00pm. Austin fell asleep around 7:00pm.

My camera isn't uploading properly right now, but I have other good photos that will have to be saved for another post. I'm so glad we were able to get up there and visit everyone we did. We miss them already.

Happy b'day Grandaddy

Our attempt at a birthday song for Grandaddy...

Take two..

Happy birthday Grandaddy. The boys can't wait to come to your house to play with the new bats!