Easter Memories

When Cindy's family drove in from North Dakota for General Conference, we decided to celebrate Easter as well. With 15 kids, 3 dozen eggs, and candy galore we had a great hunt (especially when the Easter Bunny (teens) got creative in hiding the goods)!  We were also really excited to find out that Cindy is expecting!  Hooray for Babies...and what a great symbol of new life.

This was for our potluck lunch at Aunt Joys.  I think every person brought a dessert!  Elina was one happy girl :)  (We did enjoy a nice meal beforehand :)

Oliver Twist!

Elina worked hard to earn a date to go see her good friends in the Parowan production of Oliver.  We laughed, we cried, but most of the time just sat and soaked it in.  Watching as an adult gave me many new insights I had never noticed before. In fact, I kept forgetting to clap or laugh because I was so focused on the storyline.

It was soo fun to sit by Elina...although I did have to take her out a few times. When Bill slapped Nancy, she came unglued. As I talked with her in the foyer, she cried, "I know they are acting, but I just can't believe they would be so mean to her". She's such a sensitive little soul. The Larsen's did a great job though. Elina loved watching Olea and Zara act up on stage. I had to smile because Zara'd wave at us then lose her place in the dance or song. Good thing it's just Parowan :)

And no, Olea did not wear bright blue p.j.'s in the play, she had already changed before we could snap a photo!

 Elina was so excited to dance around on the stage afterword with the girls!

Fieldtrip Time!

For our "Imagination & Creativity" Month, we took Elina's "preschool" group to SUU.  Where else could you see so many different genres of art in one place.  From computer design, pottery and paintings, to murals, sculptures and theatre, they had it all! 

I hope the student we watched make a clay pot on the pottery wheel wasn't too self conscious to have an audience :)


Elina wanted to stand by the "girl" statue instead of with the group clustered around the "boy" statue :)

Here's a completely unedited collage of the photo's Elina took with my camera.  Not too bad for a 5 year old :)

We've really enjoyed our preschool group and will miss it when Elina starts Kindergarten next year. It'll be interesting to see how Aaron's all boy group will turn out :)

Birthday Boy!

I wasn't feeling very social on Bryce's birthday, so we celebrated at home with breakfast in bed, family racquetball (which turned into chase the ball) and a home made steak dinner. Thanks to my awesome Mother, I was also able to whip out the best apple pie I've ever made!  Scrumptious!

Throughout the week, I watched the mail and confiscated all packages before he saw them.  It was a big surprise to see the gifts each of his family members had sent!  I even found a great gift idea to frame some nice scrapbook paper that says "What I love about you" then write different notes each day with wet-erase markers on the glass. 

Despite a few mishaps, it turned out to be a great day!  Happy Birthday Sweetheart!