Easter/General Conference

I love General Conference and look forward to it every six months.  I always feel that they are speaking directly to me, that they know where I am struggling the very most.  Today's afternoon session was a stand out for me and I can't wait to read them all again.  Today is also Easter Sunday and so it was even more special.  The Church put out a special video called "He Lives" it is so touching and reminds me of the reason we celebrate this season.  I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his atoning sacrifice on our behalf.  Conference was a good reminder for me of the things that I need to do personally to be a better person, to try harder and not be complacent.

 General Conference also brings about many traditions for our family. Many of these traditions began when our girls were very young or even as teenagers.  As our family has grown some of these traditions have become a little over whelming but we still try to carry on with most of them.  "Conference Café" is very much apart of these weekends, where we have Hueavos Rancheros  for brunch and Chile Verde for dinner.  Next conference we will do more ahead of time so that we can listen more and be in the kitchen less in order to hear the talks even better.  I just wonder why it took me so long to think of this idea.  I just don't like being in the kitchen all day when so much is going on! 

Today was also our family Easter Egg hunt.  Because the yard is still so new places to hide so many eggs is a bit of a challenge but it was still fun.  I was just wishing that all of the family could have been together today for a little while.  Getting to "face time" with Cyd and her family was great though.

Makayla First Birthday Celebration

What's at the end of the rainbow?  This cute little one, and she is already one.  Natalie did such a great job with this cake and tasted every bit as good.  These girls of mine are so very talented!!!  Happy Birthday sweet girl, just a few days late!

Jack 4 years

Look who's four today!  I can hardly believe it and yet in so many ways he seems so much older than four, perhaps because he is so tall.  Happy Birthday sweet Jack.

Caleb State Science Fair 2015

Couldn't be more proud of this little man.  Today he and his Science Fair project traveled to BYU to participate in the State Science Fair.  His third and final round.  We were afraid because of the timing for the public viewing and his lunch time we wouldn't be able to see him, but we caught a quick glance before he headed off to lunch.  Hard to believe he is this big already.  Congratulations Caleb on doing such a great job.

It's a Miracle-Baby coming around!!!

While celebrating Jack's birthday this little miracle happened!  At McDonalds this little sweetheart willing went to and stayed with Grandpa for at least 20 minutes even with her mom in plain sight.  Just give her a French fry and she's your temporary friend! We'll take what we can get.  After she went back to mom and ate a little dinner she then went and visited with Rebecca, another first.  Since we are celebrating her turning one tomorrow we have decided this is her gift to us!  Why do they have to grow up so very fast?

Story time with Grandpa

These are some of the moments that I never want to forget.  The memories of our life!  Just the sweet quiet times that come and go so quickly.  I was glad that I was able to snap this picture because the little ones often move so fast that I can't capture the innocence.  Time with Grandpa telling stories, what could be more precious.

Some days there are glimmers of hope!

Well the little one is almost a year old and there are days when I wonder if she will ever warm up to me!  I watched these guys today while mom and dad had to work.  We got off to a little bit of a rocky start as the top left picture indicates but on the right she gradually started to warm up as the day went along.  Thankfully big sister was happy to have me there and later to come to our house to play.  Big brother was far too busy to let me take his picture after he got home from preschool.  Love these "littles" so much!

St. Spencer 2015

Finally getting his picture from the last birthday!  I can't believe he is as old as he is already.  He is such a fun kid and one of the biggest teases in our family.  He's one of the few that has actually decided that is was a good idea to tickle me back.  I sure love this boy.

Lila Jane

Sweet little Lila Jane entered our family today.  Number 12 grandchild, already.  I think the process will slow down a little now but what a ride.  Lila seems to be very patient.  Clara is so excited all she wants to do is hold her and kiss her.  Cydney seems  to be experiencing more pain with this delivery than the others.  Her Dr. is using different pain meds with this one than the Dr. she loved in Kansas did with the other three.  Grandpa started getting sick on the trip to Middleton so he is keeping himself away in order not to get anyone else sick but it is hard for him not to hold and snuggle her.  we feel very blessed that she is her and they are doing well. 

Celebrating Rachel

Rachel and her family were in Maryland for the Holidays, kind of swan song for Cameron's family.  We missed celebrating her day with her so when most of us could get together we threw her a belated birthday party.  I love seeing my girls play with one another's children and also seeing the little ones play together more and more.  Avery and Makayla are so fun to watch as they discover one another.

Happy belated birthday Rachel.

Emma-2013 Three really?

Can she really be three?  I find it hard to believe?  This costume for her dance recital reminds me of her mom a few years ago in one quite similar and she is a mini Jessica for sure.  Happy Birthday sweet little Emma.

She's two? Olivia 2013

I can't believe how quickly these little ones are growing up!  Today this little angel is really two years old.  Happy Birthday Olivia, our little "Livi Lou!"