Family Night Activity...

 

The girls received kites in their Easter baskets this year so we thought we would do a fun FHE activity with them.  Our lesson was on how the kite is similar to the gospel standards. We asked the girls this question before we started. "Does the string hold the kite up or does the string hold the kite down?"  Then we asked the girls; "Do the standards of the church hold us back or do they help us reach our full potential?" No one said anything for a few moments. You could tell they were really trying to think about it.  We talked about For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and the protection and strength it can give us, if we live the standards that our Heavenly Father has put in place for us. Each girl was determined to be the first one to get her kite up in the air.  After moving around to different parts of the field, we found a good wind breeze and the girls were able to get their kites up in the air.  After they were worn out from running around and playing, we had them gather around the kite Adam and I were flying.  We asked them our original question again and also asked them if flying a kite was hard work?  One of the girls said no, and the other two made the comment that maybe it was at first, but the more they did it the easier it became.  Adam pulled a pair of scissors out of his pocket and had the girls watch the kite as he cut the string.  The kite quickly went out of control and crashed into the ground.  It was such a great visual aid to show the girls.  We talked about at times it might seem hard to follow the counsel that has been given to us. As you follow the counsel and are obedient to them, it will become easier! The standards and commandments of the gospel are really there to help us succeed and reach our goals in this life and eternity! It was such a fun activity that really made the girls stop and think about things!

Easter Egg Hunt at Great's House

 

Easter Sunday we all got together at Grammy Greats house for dinner and Matt & Nettie's annual egg hunt.   Megan had the kids find a few eggs hidden downstairs that were filled with objects that represented the Easter story.  After that, the kids were handed a basket with a list of colored eggs and the amount they were to find.  Matt told everyone that there was one GRAND prize egg hidden in the mix of everything.  The kids had a ball running around the yard finding eggs.  All the eggs had been found except the Grand prize egg. The kids were frantically running around looking for it.  The adults were skeptical and praying that our own kids were not the lucky ones to find it after last year's prize.  We did not want baby chicks!  The golden Grand prize egg was located in grammy Ann's purse. Wouldn't you know it...Kaitlyn was the "lucky" one to find it.  Adam and I's stomachs sank as we heard Kaitlyn was the one that found it.  It wasn't a surprise since that kid wins everything! She is one lucky kid.  Adam was saying a quick prayer under his breath that Kaitlyn would be kind and give it to one of the cousins. Our nightmare was coming true as the rules were that no one could open the egg before Matt told them something about it.  Little cousin Kaylee wanted to carry the egg and opened it with the contents spilling onto the floor.  Adam and I happened to walk back inside as grandpa was sweeping up rabbit pellets from all over the floor.  As Adam would say: "It's now a perfect time to panic!" We both looked at each other and said: "Oh crap!" We didn't need anymore pets!  Matt stepped out onto the front porch and brought back in a covered box.  Nettie reached in a pulled out a huge popcorn bowl filled with all sorts of treats!  Nettie always has our backs!  She said she wasn't about to let Matt give baby bunnies away. As you could imagine Adam and I were quite relieved!  We had just dodged a bullet! Kaitlyn was so sweet to share as she let everyone pick something from the basket to keep.  Fun evening with family!      

Easter Saturday!

The Easter Bunny delivers the goods and fills the baskets on Saturday morning instead of Sunday around here.  It helps us remember and focus on what the true meaning of Easter really is on Sunday. The kids woke up to their baskets missing again.  They hunted around the house until they found them hanging from the shower, in the oven, and under the computer desk.  The day before a snow storm rolled through leaving a few inches of snow on the ground.  Makell and Kaitlyn still wanted to try their luck with the town Easter Egg Hunt.  It was crazy seeing all the eggs laying on top of the snow! The snow didn't discourage people from coming. The number of people were no less than previous years.  The kids were bundled up in their winter coats and hats.  Quite a different sight and experience than normal.  The egg hunt was over in less than one minute. The eggs were picked clean off the ground.  Makell went through her candy before I knew it!  That girl has quite the sweet tooth.  Kaitlyn seems to know how to balance it out.  A little here and a little there until it's gone.  Kourtney on the other hand never finishes her candy.  When the time comes to set baskets out, her basket is practically full of uneaten candy from the previous year.  Good thing Makell doesn't know that!   

Egg Drop!

It was the Annual Egg Drop at school for Makell!  Each student was asked to "protect" their egg somehow, as it would then be thrown off the balcony. The object was to protect it well enough that it wouldn't break.   Makell and the girls decided to put her egg in an old jar of peanut butter that had just been taken out of the 72 hour kit.  They thought since the peanut butter was bad and needed to be tossed out anyway, why not throw it off the balcony.  She wrapped her egg in saran wrap and submerged it into the middle of the jar.  Makell turned her jar of peanut butter into an Easter basket. The kids were pretty proud of their project! They usually toss the eggs off the top of the school, but mother nature decided to drop about four inches of snow on the ground, so they decided to do it indoors this year. It was still a hit with all the kids!  After Makell removed her egg to do her inspection, she noticed a super small crack on the end. The peanut-butter worked fabulous!  We are thinking the crack probable happened as we were inserting the egg into the jar.  The bottom of the peanut butter busted out, but the egg was fully intact!       

Spring break ...

Our Spring Break this year was pretty lame.  A few days of our break was rainy so there wasn't much we could do outside.  Adam started a new project in the garage so most of our time was spent helping him.  We were able to break away to have a little fun.  We went to Trafalga for some glow in the dark miniature golf. Makell loved the fact that her white clothes were always glowing!  We had a few movie nights and late nights with friends. I can't complain too much because sometimes the best breaks or vacations are just taking things easy!

Kaitlyn had a Birthday!

 

Kaitlyn had another birthday!  I can hardly believe that ten years ago we brought this little bundle of joy home from the hospital. She brings so much happiness and laughter into our home.  We surprised Kaitlyn with a birthday poster that she would see as she came up the stairs. Her birthday fell on Sunday this year so we chose to open presents after church.  She was the lucky one that wore the birthday hat during primary today.  She now has a new softball glove to play with this year. We celebrated with her favorite...cheesecake!  We sure love this little girl!  Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!  

182nd LDS General Conference

We had the privilege of going to the Sunday morning session of  the LDS General Conference this year.  It was amazing!  We kept it a surprise from the kids until a few days before.  When Adam showed them the tickets they were pretty excited!  I loved Kaitlyn's response. "My goal is to see the Prophet and ALL the Apostles. I have seen three of them so far. (pause while thinking) Oh my gosh!! I will get to see ALL of them"!  In the past during conference there has always been someone who comments on how neat it would be to actually go.
I will admit that Sunday sessions are my favorite.  I love staying in my jammies all day, and just taking it easy. It was quite a different experience this time!  The alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. so we all could be ready and out the door by seven. We had to be in our seats by 9:00 a.m.  Even though we had a parking pass it was not guaranteed that you would get a spot to park.  Even with getting there two hours early, most spots were taken.  Lucky for us we found one! As we were exiting the car in the parking garage area a girl around 18 or 19 approached Kaitlyn face to face.  Her eyes were as big as silver dollars as almost touching nose to nose said, "Isn't this so exciting"?!!!  Kaitlyn said she could even smell her breath. Lol! Ya, a little weird I would say.  The girl ran off with scriptures and notebook in hand. It seemed as if she couldn't get there fast enough.  Kaitlyn wasn't sure what to think as it totally caught her off guard.  The rest of us could only laugh as we watched Kaitlyn's face in confusion and unbelief that someone she didn't know would do that. Lol! The Sunday morning session began with, Music and the Spoken Word. It's a small performance of hymns and a sweet message from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
I am always amazed at the power and spirit that is felt when entering the Conference center! It's an amazing experience!  Many people commented on Makell as she walked in with her purse, notebook, and temple picture into the conference center.  She was so excited! Kourtney and Kaitlyn were the best little note takers. They each had over five pages of notes! I was so impressed! Makell drew the sweetest pictures of the Temple, Pres. Monson, and L. Tom Perry. L Tom Perry is one of her favorites.  She had the privilege of shaking his hand and talking with him when he came to our Stake Conference a year ago. That experience must of made a huge impression on her!  It was so evident how happy everyone was.  Every time I looked over at the girls they had a big smile!  I was so grateful that we were able to experience this together! A memory we will never forget!