Easter Finally

We had plenty of Easter fun this year that's for sure. On Thurs we started off with an egg hunt next door at the Kerby's. This year Ty actually understood the point to the egg hunt. She was so excited to find them. Amber got them all sand pails to decorate and use to put their treasures in. We had so much fun kicking off the Easter weekend with Julie and Amber. Amber is always thoughtful when it comes to inviting us over for the fun activities she plans for her day care kids.Then on Friday we followed tradition and had our 1st swim of the year at mom and dads house. My kids always know come Easter weekend that they get to swim. I love seeing them in all of their cute suits and in sheer Heaven. After mom got them all UV resistant we had a blast. I swear mom was out there getting them all lubed up for 30min. Its quite a task when there are 10 of them. I'm not sure what us moms were doing inside but Gma took care of business like she always does. The spa was warmed up for those of us who are sane and didn't feel like swimming in 65 degree water. The bigger kids didn't seem to skip a beat and jumped right on into the chilly water. They were going crazy off the diving board and having a ball regardless of how cold the water was. Ty thought she would be brave and jumped in the big pool also. I have never seen her kick so hard to get back to the side. I'm not sure she realized what she was in for. Needless to say she decided to let the big kids do their own thing:) While we took a lunch break they colored a million eggs. They drew on them, stickered them and took time creating their own masterpieces. I love hard boiled eggs but man I am still trying to finish off the ones my kids made. After some more swimming it was off to hunt eggs. As if we needed anymore candy. I love Easter candy and start buying it the second it gets to the stores. Pretty much the day after Valentines. I am pretty certain there is nothing better than the Cadbury Mini eggs. Maybe next year we need to throw in some cash eggs.
They were all pleased with their findings and I'm sure will need dental work for it. We headed home that night a little early because both kids had ball games. I know they shouldn't be swimming on game day;) I remember my coach growing up saying that and I always thought it was funny.

Thankfully the Easter Bunny put some fun toys in their baskets and hardly any candy. The bunny hid all their baskets and they had so much fun tracking them down. I think they were more excited to get up for Easter morning than Christmas. Once they had all retrieved their baskets we had to hustle and get ready for church. As much fun as all the festivities are they are only a way to help us remember Christ death and resurrection. We had a brief talk on what Easter is about and off we went to church. I loved coming home and hearing each of them tell me what they learned about in primary. Tate told me how sad it was that people would do that to Jesus. I think its so awesome how as parents we have the church and our wards to help us teach our children. Without the guidance of the gospel it would be extremely hard to teach our families. I am so fortunate to have the many blessings that I do. I am grateful for my family, the gospel and this free country to live in. But most importantly I am grateful for the atonement. I realize it is through this sacrifice that we have all that we do. I mean without the opportunity to repent and better myself, eternal life would not be possible. There is not a day that goes by that I do not recognize just how blessed I am. I want my kids to know that the only way to truly be happy is to follow the teachings of our Heavenly Father. At times its not always easy but the alternative is much harder.

By the time the girls and I got home from church the boys had already changed out of their Easter outfits. I wanted a picture either way so here are just us girls. It was so fun to have B home this year for Easter. It felt complete unlike last year. We finished the day up with chicken in the dirt at Kyle and Linda's house. Also some hand cranked home made ice cream, just like it was done when grandpa was alive. We always have a good time and enjoy seeing members of Chads family that we don't see very often. From there it was off to my parents for some more dinner. It was a busy day but was definitely a great one!!!!

This and That

Painting Blocks for an orphanage.

Ty didnt think she wanted to boil and hunt these eggs, so she had her own fun with them on the back porch.

Not so sure Boss would have loved his protein water:)

Hula Baby

The Larson's went to Hawaii and were so kind to bring us all a treat back. This was Tylees gift and she has had a blast with it since. She wants it on at least once a day and I am more than willing to dress her in it. It brings a smile to my face, especially because she does this little hula move when she wears it. She is so much fun and has the spunkiest personality.

Tate's Pet Parade

At Tate's preschool they had a pet parade. It was cute Mrs. Jones played music and they marched around with their real and pretend pets. Tate asked me to bring Boss and I decided against it. When we were at the vet I was holding his leash and a female boxer came out of the back. I had flip flops on and my feet kept sliding and I could hardly stop him. He is 80 pounds of muscle. He wouldn't hurt anyone but tends to make people nervous, esp. kids. T was OK with that answer and took his dog we had just made at build-a-bear. Brecken brought this mini horse named Fancy Britches. All the kids took a spin on her and had a blast. Tate has learned a ton during his time at pre school. He has a ton of fun and talks about his buddies at school often. Im just praying he will like kindergarten as well. I cant believe its already that time to make sure shots are done and he is registered. I have very mixed feelings about him starting. I'm just praying for half day to be an option. I am sort of feeling strange about only having one kid at home next year. I can only imagine how much I will be able to get done.

Brooklyns Party

B chose to go to Bounce U for her party. I know original huh we seem to go there for most of our parties. We just have a ton of family and with friends it makes it nice to just have the chaos somewhere else. I took a few of her friends with us and we ate at Panda Express on the way. Out of about 10 places that's where they chose to eat. It reminded me yet again how easy they are to please. I wasn't about to complain, I walked away with a bill under 40 bucks :)

Some of Brooklyn's many fans!!

B and Kylan were boxing and it was funny because B could hardly hold the gloves up.

Ty taking a breather. She was literally bouncing off the walls!

Toniann Bluth and Julia Heitz, a bit blurry since they were on the move.

We had a blast and are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. B got so many awesome clothes and trinkets. Thank you guys a ton!

Happy 9 Years B

It has been an amazing and joyous 9 years with Brooklyn. From the moment I saw her I loved her more than anything I knew possible. She was huge and I was just so glad to be holding her in my arms and not feeling her karate on my ribs. At 10 lbs and 23in. I was stuffed to the max literally. I remember not minding being up all night because I was so in love with her. I loved her all to myself at night. We lived at my parents and she had lots of people fighting to love on her. The nights were ours to take it all in and enjoy each other. I remember giving her baths and the rubbing lotion all over her. Then I would hold her and just enjoy the clean smell. Even today that's one of my favorite scents.

Honestly- those cheeks were amazing. She was perfect except for the cone which I am not going to lie made me a bit nervous. I was assured it would be gone within 24 hours and it was. I took the most angelic gift I had ever received home with me and am a better person for the blessing of being her mom.

This is mostly how I remember B as a baby. So alert and happy! She never wanted for attention as you can see in this picture, this was typical. She was my constant, the one thing that always made me happy. I remember feeling like I had a best friend with me all the time. I loved taking her with me everywhere and hearing people tell me how adorable my perfect baby was. She never cried unless there was a need and was just plain happy.

This is B on her 2nd birthday. I still have that dress and Ty wears it now. I was so glad her hair started to grow and was curly. It didn't last long but we had fun with it while it did. She was such a quick learner and her developments came early. She walked the day she turned 10 months. Her vocabulary was quite extensive by the time she was 2.

Here she is just barely 3 now. I loved having her with me on this special day in my life. There was a certain completeness about that day that I cherish. I felt a happiness like nothing I had quite felt. I remember the extreme gratitude that I felt on that day! I have my Savior to thank for all of my many blessings. Especially the one on my lap!
There has never been a time when she hasn't grown like a weed. She has always been taller than just about everyone her age. As far as I am concerned she was way cuter than everyone her age to:) Not a day has gone by that I haven't felt proud of her. She continues to make me proud of everyday. B is such an overachiever. I love that quality about her, without a ton of prodding she excels. Simply because she wants to try her best at everything. B- you are beautiful, smart, witty, sassy, sweet, caring and a great friend. Everyone loves you and thinks you are amazing. You are one of my very best friends and have been from the moment you came to be my daughter. I thank Heavenly Father daily for you. Happy Bday and I hope you had a fun week. There have been 2 parties and cupcakes and balloons at school. Thursday she choose the breakfast of her choice and is still milking being 9:) WE LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW!!!!!!!

Now with all that said, I can not believe I have a 9 year old. Makes you realize just how important it is to cherish every moment because they are gone so quickly. I'm recommitting to do just that. As a mom it easy to get so busy with all that is expected of me and not see all of the little joys in our everyday. So I'm taking a deep breath, slowing down the pace and smelling the roses!!!!!