Saturday, April 22, 2017

Gary's Funeral

On our date last night Mary sent me the following series of texts from my mom's phone. Following soccer games and pictures this morning the kids put together a really nice funeral and buried Gary.






Annie conducted the funeral.


Friday, April 21, 2017

FriYAY!

Fridays and I have a long history together. I loved them as a child, I LOVED them as a teacher, and I still wake up and feel a little bit of carefree excitement when Friday rolls around. Today was no exception. The sun peeked through and it was glorious!

I took the kids to school this morning and stayed for the assembly. Cameron's class sang a spring song, Noah got a reading award, and Mary's class made pancakes on the librarian for good behavior. The cousins all played after school and put together an adorable lemonade stand for the soccer games. I believe they made around 35 dollars (Grandma so graciously donated the 15 dollars worth of supplies). Cameron played great and then we topped it off with a date night.

Happy FriYAY!


Thursday, April 20, 2017

Mary's Party Invites

It's only a week away...my little girl will be 11!



Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Gunite!

Things are really starting to take shape. This is exciting stuff!

Now I know the reason for the big wood pieces they put up around the pool yesterday.


Following violin we head to Costco to pick up pictures for Mary's class photo session on "The Best Part of Me" (I love this project). Shopping with this crew is actually really fun, especially with all the samples.

One day I want a swing like this...and a Vitamix, and about a hundred other things at Costco. Oh boy...stick to the toilet paper lady!

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Some days are tough...

Some days I just want to drop all of the music lessons, and free myself of the complaining and hours of monitoring and encouraging at the piano. Then I remember all the time and money we put in to developing these talents, and I think ABSOLUTELY NOT! Keep clunking those keys sweet ones! We are doing something amazing here, I promise! Really. I promise. Don't forget that F#!


Monday, April 17, 2017

The Easter Bunny...

was a day late, but that's okay since we won't be able to use it for a while anyway.

Cameron said, "Mom, don't you want to take a picture of me?" Why yes! I'd love to, but just because you want me to.:)

Rebar is in!

Trying to relocate some more plants and trees.

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Happy Easter

We spent the week studying the life of Christ, so I decided to make a treasure hunt reviewing some of the things we learned and watching another video from this year's Easter campaign. Here was this year's Easter Egg hunt clues (they had to look for the next clue using the underlined word as a hint):

Good morning sweet children!

Happy Easter to you!
To find your Easter baskets
Simply follow each clue.

To help you remember the real reason for this day.
You need to recall what we’ve studied along the way.
For Christ’s priceless gift is the real reason for cheer.
Not just on Easter, but each day of the year.

On the Sunday before Easter Christ entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. He rode triumphantly just as a king would do. Believers reverently laid palm leaves on His path as a sign of honor. 

On Monday Christ went to the temple. Merchants were buying and selling goods there. Because the temple is such a sacred place Christ commanded them to leave. The people in the temple must be clean and holy.

On Tuesday many important city people followed Jesus. They tried to trick him with their questions. They wanted to accuse Him of a crime and get Him punished. But Jesus gave inspired answers that we can read about in the scriptures and they could not trick Him.

We do not know exactly what Jesus did on the Wednesday before His death, but we do know that He was always doing His Father’s work. Jesus spent His life on earth helping, teaching, and loving all of Heavenly Father’s children. His perfect obedience to Heavenly Father was a symbol of His gratitude, love and reverence for Him. Show love to your earthly Father (and our Heavenly Father) by doing something kind for Him or each other. When complete, Dad will hand you the next clue.

On Thursday, Jesus observed the passover meal at the Last Supper with His Apostles. Following this special event He went to a place known as the Garden of Gethsemane. The word Gethsemane means olive press. Olives from the trees in the garden were pushed upon to make oil. Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane and performed the atonement, where He paid the debt of every sin the world has ever known. He also felt all pain, heartache, and suffering anyone has ever felt so that He could more perfectly help us. This pain pressed on Him so much that He bled from every pore. This was an act of complete and perfect love.

On Friday, Jesus was taken by authorities and accused of a crime He didn’t commit. He was to die by crucifixion. They put a crown of thorns on his head to tease and make fun of Him for being a “King”. They hammered nails into his hands and feet and lifted him on the cross. Jesus died on the cross. They put His body in the tomb. 

On Saturday, Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. His followers were sad. Although He explained that He would rise again, they were unsure of what would happen. The city leaders rolled a big stone by the door of the tomb to make sure no one would take the body. They also put guards at the door. 

On Easter Sunday, something glorious happened. Read about it on the Holy Week and watch the Prince of Peace video on hope. Then you will receive the final clue.

People need water to drink in order to live. The Savior and His teachings are often called living water because we need Him and His direction to have eternal life. On Easter Sunday the living water was no longer in the tomb. The tomb was empty. He had risen. We will all be able to live again because of Him. 






The kids made us a treasure when my mom was babysitting last night. Wasn't this so sweet!? What a great surprise.






Second Egg hunt in their comfy clothes at Christine and Jared's house after Easter dinner. Yes, he managed to throw another egg up and knock this one down.


Grandma and Grandpa sharing an Easter message.