"Easter Dinner" at Mom and Dad's

These are the pictures I snapped at Mom and Dad's the week before Easter. Mom and Dad thought it would be better to meet a week before since Easter and Conference are the same week this year. I should have taken a picture of Mom and Dad and Rachel and Shane and also the "Easter Dinner". I'm still a novice at this!:)
This is of Eden and Ava, Dean and Alisa, Ethan and Dave and the whole group-jumping rope.

Piano Lessons

Brad (9) and Jake (7) have been taking piano lessons since January. They love it and are always trying to play songs on our little piano. Their teacher is amazing. She has been playing since she was Jake's age and started composing music when in the 5th grade. She played the boys the first piece she composed in that grade and it shocked me. So much talent-I hope the boys really soak it up!

In Answer to my Sister's Question. . .

Elena was wondering how my hair was looking when I fix it myself (not the hair stylist). I can't seem to make it straight. Well girls, this is as good as it's going to get I'm afraid. Dennis says he still likes it better than all curly and crazy so I guess I'll keep doing it.(And in my defense, I went with Brad to a fieldtrip and we walked-the wind was a-blowing)

Dave's Birthday

After bowling with Brad, I went back to mom and dad's to pick up the shrimpy girl, Ava, and Dave came in. Mom and dad were taking him to Porter's Place in Lehi for his birthday and they invited Ava and me to join them. We of course didn't refuse. The place was built in 1910 and we think the dust on the decorations has been building since then. Such a fun place to go to though. We all had a good visit and Ava only spilled one big mug of water. She had to hold grandma and grandpas' hands on the way out.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!

Brad's Fieldtrip

Went bowling with Brad's class today. It was fun and there were so many kids that most of the parents just watched and cheered. There were a few moms and dads who bowled but Brad was just happy I was there. His teacher, Mrs. Jackson is a cute little thing-she is barely taller than Brad and he is one of the shortest in his class. He has a friend who is now an inch taller than her and they are only in the 3rd grade. They all love her and think she is just so much fun.

Little Bradey, Brad's friend jumped into the picture as well-so cute.

Shane's birthday

Here we are at Olive Garden for Shane's 31st birthday. We had a kids' table this time and they were so good. We were very proud of them. I snapped a picture of Dave with mom and dad before he left and one of Jesse and Ava. It was fun and the whole group enjoyed it.

Modified "New England" Dinner

Since I can't seem to post a comment on my sisters' blog, "The House of Fat" (which has fun meals and desserts they both have cooked) I decided to post a simple meal that my little family loves. We call it a "New Enland" dinner, but I have modified it to fit our tastes. I don't cook the potatoes with the carrots and roast but make mashed potatoes with garlic. And I definately leave out the turnips (which my husband assures me he's most grateful for)! I steam the cabbage. A friend in Maine convinced me to try the cabbage with prepared mustard. I thought she was crazy but it does taste amazing together. The cake is a fun new recipe that I just tried. It has marshmallows on the bottom and then you put a prepared cake mix on top of them and spoon cherry pie filling on top of that. Cook it at 350 degrees for an hour, cool it completely and top with cool whip (which I forgot, but luckily had vanilla ice cream) and there you go. Hopefully I will be able to post recipes on the other blog soon and leave this one just for our day to day activities.

Ethan's Interview

Ethan was chosen as one of six youth from our stake to meet with a board member of the General Young Women and be interviewed about a recent stake temple trip. They had to find family names using the new family search and he found one name along the Reidhead line. He is there in the interview right now as I type this and I hope he can think clearly and bear his testimony. He has a lot of knowledge about the gospel but he keeps his feelings to himself most of the time. Anyway, this is supposed to be on the church's youth website. I'll have to see if I can find it.

Sunday Jitters

Jake was asked to speak in Primary today. He had a week to prepare but of course I forgot until Wed. when I received a call from the Primary Secretary reminding me. He kept telling me how he didn't like to stand in front of people. Jake is so very shy when it comes to speaking with anyone he doesn't know real well. I just told him that nobody really likes to stand in front of people and speak but that it makes us grow and everyone is expected to take a turn every once in a while. He did just fine and was so proud of himself afterward. He came up to me in the hall after church and asked, "How'd I do on my talk?" Of course I let him know that he did an amazing job. It really does help our confidence when we accomplish something we think we can't. And here's the rest of the gang. (Brad gave talk a few weeks ago and did a great job as well-he wasn't as nervous as Jake.)

15 Wonderful Years

(WARNING: This might be a little too mushy for some of you). Dennis and I celebrated our 15 year Anniversary on March 11. Of course we both forgot (again) until I went to the mail and found a card from Joan and Clair (Dennis' parents). I thought "I wonder why they are sending a card to both of us". and then it hit me. I called Dennis to see what he had planned for the night and he said he didn't have any meetings. So I waited until he came home to show him the card. We had a good laugh-we are both so forgetful! I can't tell you how in awe I am that he loves me. He is such a good, good man with a heart and love for all people. He never sees any faults in people, including me and is so thoughtful and kind. He shows me everyday that I'm in his thoughts and is such a good example to our children of what a loving husband is. Anyway, I'm very grateful for such a fun, warm and caring companion to be with always and look forward to the years and eternity ahead. Oh, and we did go out, just the two of us and had a wonderful time.

Ava and "her Rachel"

Ava absolutely loves Rachel! She recently came over and brought Ava a headband that she had made for her. Rachel has always been talented and can sew and make lots of fun things. Ava was so excited to wear this headband and be like Rachel. If Ava gets hurt or is upset she has to call Rachel and talk to her about it-so funny!

Jesse Bear Turns 5!

Well, here he is with his protective goggles on that went with the weed-wacker from Grandma and Grandpa Merrill. He never shows much expression but did get excited about this and the toy shotgun from his Grandma and Grandpa Shaw. He received a lot of fun toys and had a Handy Manny cake with ice cream. (I also included a picture of Grandma trying out Rachel's new piece of equipment that is supposed to work the abs and butt-we all had a good laugh!)

Off with the Mullet

My sweet, little sister, Rachel told me it was time to cut the mullet that i had growing. So I made an appointment with a girl down the street and told her what Rachel said. I showed her a picture and here it is on me. The stylist said it would look good curly as well and it took a little effort to get it this straight so we'll see if i can pull it off.

Ava and Gamma and Gampa

Ava loves to go to Gamma and Gampa's house. Grandpa is usually working on extracting names for the Church and Grandma always paints Ava's nails. We usually have lunch with them and sit and visit. She teases Grandpa and he teases her right back. She loves to have him get on the floor with her and play memory or some such game. He's always a good sport and plays along.

Gospel Doctrine

I had the opportunity to teach a beautiful lesson today about Abraham and Isaac. I have struggled with this calling to teach adults the gospel. I feel I barely know anything and the thought "I'm not a teacher" keeps going through my mind. As I started reading a few weeks ago about Abraham and his son Isaac and also Jacob, I felt I was seeing them through new eyes. I felt so close to Abraham. It was like he was my grandfather sitting there on the couch with me and telling me his story and how he knew the Lord would keep his promises and to just trust God with all my heart. He truely is a "noble and great one" and how wonderful an example he is as a father of many nations. I am so grateful I was the one who got to teach about this amazing man. Isaac and all of his posterity have been blessed because he did not doubt, his father knew it!

2 Year Check-Up

My little Angel/Wolf (which I will explain) got her Hep shot today and was very brave. She had no idea what a shot was and was very excited about it. I don't think she will be so excited next time. She was @ 50% for weight and @ 60% for height.

Now about the name. One night I said "goodnight my little angel" and she said, "I not angel, I a wolf" and then howled like one. She's such a tease-if you call her an angel she says she's a wolf and if you call her a wolf she will say she's an angel. What a funny little girl!

March Madness

My Ethan loves basketball and is playing for the Junior Flash this year. His team has a record of 7-4 and they are playing tournament games right now. They have had a game each night this week with another tonight and if they win, they will play tomorrow as well.
Last night I could tell he was holding back so I told him after the game to be more aggressive and he told me he was afraid he would hurt someone. He is 5'9 or 5'10 and 160 lbs. so I guess he has good reason to worry. Most of the kids on his team are quite tall for their age but the kids on the other teams are what kids should look like for 7th graders. Anyway, it has been fun to watch how much this team has improved in such a short time.

March Snow Storm

It's March 5th and we are getting snowed in. We have at least 6 inches and it's still coming down. The kids are out today for "teacher development" so we are just going to play inside and hopefully get some housework and homework done.

Brad's Pirate Party

Brad and a couple of buds.

Can you believe the size of this pizza?!! They call it the "Kraken".

The kids had so much fun at this place. It had a few little rides for the small children and arcades for the big kids. The decorating is out of this world and all the help are dressed like pirates. So fun!

Lucy Goose Playing the Piano

Well, here's mom playing the piano before the rest of the family came for the family dinner a couple of weeks ago. She has no idea that I recorded her with my little camera. Wish I could have got her face. I'll have to try to record her from a better view. I know she made a CD for us all but it's so much more fun to have a picture to go with it. Sorry for all the movement and sneezing in the background!

Daddy dates

The kids sure love hanging out with their dad. He is a pretty fun guy and will try anything they want. He took Jake to Build a Bear Workshop and Jake mad a wolf in a soccer uniform, he took Ethan water skiing at Deer Creek, and went rock climbing with Brad. Ava went with him a few times to Home Depot and the shop but I didn't get a picture dang it. I'll have to take one the next time those two go out together. We also love to go to the movies together but never have pictures taken-something I'll have to remedy.

Jake's Hero

Jake's class drew a picture and wrote about their favorite hero. I've seen classes do this before and hang them in the hall and most are of parents. But Jake surprised me when he showed me his. He drew a picture of Jesus with light all around him. The award says, "This hero award goes to (Jeses Christ) You are my hero because (I love Him because he skakfrast for us.)" Moments like these make me think, "yes, they're getting it!" Love my kids!!

Yellowstone-August 2009

This is all over the place but here are some pictures of our trip to Yellowstone last year. We so want to go again-we had so much fun together and it was absolutely breathtaking!

Trying to Modernize

Got a new camera cord and it only took me a few hours to download close to 400 pictures to my computer! Now to see if I can post any.

Yeah! Mom will love this-Ethan shot it of her before Christmas I believe. This is going to be so fun!

Stake Conference

We just had stake conference. It was all about families, and temple covenants. A member of the Timp Temple Presidency said, "The power of Godliness in the home is equal to the obedience to covenants made in the house of the Lord." He also said that if we keep our covenants, we will be prepared to see the face of God and live. Our stake president reminded us to live as if we are in the midst of the temple and said the ultimate sacred place is the home. He spoke of some of the symbols on the Timp Temple, especially Jacob's Ladder (which I just read about in the book, "The Old Testament Made Easier" by David J Ridges so it really made sense to me). He told us that nothing is as important as loving one another and we do this by acting. Action= i act on-do our duty and serve each other. Very good meeting. The Spirit was very strong even with all the noise of the children.

Geat friends

Just looked at some comments on my blog and saw a comment from a friend in Maine. Megan, I'm so glad you wrote. Our families always had such a great time together and I know we girls always enjoyed the haying season (can't imagine why!) Do you have a blog? What about Melissa? I haven't talked to that girl in such a long time. We think and talk about the fun times often as a family but really should stay in touch more. How wonderful to have life-long friends!