Our Easter...

We had a nice relaxing Easter this year. Maddy was so excited (he's been counting down for weeks) and woke up around 3AM and came into our room. He laid down on our floor and kept asking us about every half hour if we could get up yet. We finally got up around 6:30AM. We had to wake Avery up because he just couldn't wait any longer. She was a little grumpy at first but warmed right up when she realized the Easter Bunny had made a stop.

I had lots of fun shopping for Easter outfits and I think the kids look absolutely adorable!

The kids were complaining about the sun being in their eyes and we were trying to get them to open their eyes long enough to get a picture. Maddy also has a big wad of gum in his mouth... nice! They were being a little silly and I thought this picture was too cute not to post.

Avery got her very first "Ben 10" toy. She has been wanting Gwen's ship and the Easter Bunny left it right outside her bedroom door. She was pretty excited when she saw it.

Maddy got the matching Ben ship and now they just need Kevin's ship and then they can put them all together to make a bigger ship.

The Easter Bunny got creative this year and put money in all the mis-matched eggs. The kids were pretty excited about that.

He also left a candy trail down the stairs and hid more stuff down in the basement.

The goods... Maddy got a Ben 10 nightlight/flashlight and Avery finally got a Hello Kitty stuffed animal. They were also really excited about the "Seven Peaks" lawn chairs they got!

After church we had lunch and then I laid down to take a little nap, and woke up almost 4 hours later... it was awesome! I was told that Avery also took a nap while I was sleeping :) Then our friends Mike and Brittney came over for a really yummy dinner. We bought some really nice steaks and grilled them up. I also made baked red potatoes, asparagus, green beans and they brought Brittney's awesome seven layer dip and chips and the most awesome caramel apple salad. It has chunks of green apples, snickers and cool whip in it... super yummy! We opted out of a movie this time and just hung out for awhile and then decided to get to bed at a decent hour. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Sunday 4/24/11

Easter

Coloring Easter Eggs...

My sisters Jamie and Stacy (and kiddos of course) came over on Friday to color Easter Eggs. As always good times were had...

I forgot to have one of my sisters take a picture of my kids and I before they left, so this was my best attempt at a self portrait...

Friday 4/22/11

I Know That My Redeemer Lives...

I know I shared this song/video last year but I absolutely love it so much! I feel it captures the true meaning of Easter and does a perfect job expressing the way I feel about My Savior. So I'm going to share it again this year...

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

Lehi Easter Egg Hunt...

Saturday my sisters and I took the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt at the Lehi Legacy Center. It wasn't a traditional egg hunt however, the kids had to earn their eggs/prizes. There were a bunch of games set up and after playing each game they got their egg/prize. It turned out pretty good and the kids had a great time and definitely made out with way more than the $2 admission we paid.

You were suppose to only play each game once and Maddy was really bummed because he didn't win a cupcake on the cupcake walk. Only the winner got one (which happened to be his cousin Dallin) and everyone else got a plastic egg with something in it. Towards the end however, they were trying to get rid of all the cupcakes and let the kids keep playing until they were gone. Maddy won one right away and he was more than excited as you can tell. He was pretty much doing a happy dance :)

The kids checking out their stash. Avery got the cutest little pink stuffed bunny (you can see it right next to her) and it's become her new favorite thing... she sleeps with it at night and packs it around during the day. She lost her "baby" quite awhile ago and seems to have found a replacement.

Not mine, but I couldn't resist...

Luckily the Legacy Center has concessions inside and we were able to grab a pizza and take it outside and have a little picnic for lunch. In case you can't tell it was pretty yummy... who needs napkins anyway?

My sisters and their kiddos... good times! It was actually warmer than it looks and I even managed to come home with a slight sunburn on my face :)

Saturday 4/16/11

Easter Afternoon...

On Easter Sunday after the first session of Conference we went to my sister Jamie's house. She made us the yummiest (custom order) grilled sandwiches. My order was turkey & roast beef, pepper jack & cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and mustard. We also had a bunch of stuff to munch on like fruit, chips & salsa and salad.

My sisters Shalane and Jamie and I.

My Mom wasn't feeling well and didn't make it but she sent these cute matching dresses for Avery and Claire. Thanks Mom we missed you! We missed Stacy and Jen (and families) also. I can't wait until Jen (and family) come out this summer and we can all hang out.

Maddy and his cousin Dallin playing and having fun as always.

My brothers Shawn & Justin.

All the boys (big & small) had a ton of fun with the air dart guns. Seriously it was so much fun!

Here are a couple videos of some dart gun fun. The first is the older guys and sadly I didn't get video of the best parts... things got really crazy as soon as I stopped recording (it was quite the battle and I think we all got nailed at least once.)

This one is of the kids and my Dad...

Thanks Jamie for having us it was so much fun!

Easter Morning...

We had a great Easter and the Easter Bunny made his way to our house. Maddy was so excited the night before. I took advantage of his excitement and told him he had to get the house cleaned up because the Easter Bunny wouldn't come to messy houses. He started cleaning right away... if only it was always that easy. Then he didn't want to go to bed and I told him I thought I could hear the Easter Bunny hopping. He got so excited and ran and got into bed. He took a late nap and was so excited that I think he had a hard time falling asleep which is very unusual for him. My brother Shawn came and spent the night and so we were up talking a bit and he kept yelling from his room for us to go to bed so the Easter Bunny could come. We finally went to bed and then a little while later Steve decided he wanted a protein shake. He was out in the kitchen making it and trying to be quiet. Maddy heard him and said "Who is out there?" I think he thought it was the Easter Bunny. Steve told him it was him and went in his room. He asked Steve to look out his bedroom window to see if he could see the Easter Bunny in the neighborhood (over at Ava's house.) He finally went to sleep and was excited the next morning to see the Easter Bunny had made it.

Of course Maddy got some Ben 10 figures and a shirt (green of course.)

Avery got a new dress and sandals. I'm sure you noticed her poor red swollen eye. She has some kind of eye infection (probably the same one Maddy had a couple weeks ago.) She looks so miserable and I hope it clears up soon.

My brother Shawn made us an awesome breakfast (eggs, homemade hash browns and wheat pancakes.) It was so yummy! I love when I don't have to cook! Thanks Shawn! Then we all got ready for the day and watch the morning session of Conference. In between sessions we went to my sister Jamie's house (for lunch and the last session of Conference) and spent most of the day there. It was so fun to spend the day with family!

Music Monday: I Know That My Redeemer Lives...

I love that Conference fell on Easter Sunday this year. It was really nice to spend the weekend reflecting on Christ and the Atonement. For both I am so grateful. We spent the majority of the day on Sunday with my family and it was a great day. More on that in another post. I love this song and think the video is done so beautifully...

Coloring Easter Eggs...

Wednesday my sisters (and kids) came over to our house and we colored Easter eggs. It was lots of fun and the kids can't wait for the Easter Bunny to hide them (if they don't get eaten before then.)

Easter Egg Hunt/Picnic...

On Saturday our ward had a Easter egg hunt/picnic for the Primary kids. We brought sack lunches and then the kids could decorate bags for the Easter egg hunt. My kids decided they didn't want to decorate their bags because they wanted to keep playing on the playground. Then it was time for the Easter egg hunt. Maddy knew exactly what to do and took off and I stayed with Avery. They had a fun time and were too busy checking out their candy to look at the camera.

Easter Weekend(Part 1)...

We had a busy Easter weekend with Avery's birthday, all the Easter stuff going on as well as our monthly family get together.

Friday was Avery's birthday. We kept things pretty low key. She got this cute little piano, a purse and some hair clips from her cousins in California. As you can see Maddy loves the piano as much(if not more) than Avery.

On Saturday I took the kids to the ward Easter party. It was originally going to be at a park but due to rainy weather was moved to the church. We had a yummy picnic lunch and then there was an Easter Egg hunt for the kids. Avery had fun running around and Maddy had a hard time being patient and waiting for the Easter egg hunt.

The kids checking out their candy.

Saturday evening we colored eggs. I bought the "glitter" kit but decided to skip out on the glitter after realizing it was everywhere before even opening the packet. Don't you hate that about glitter! Lyndsey and John came over while we were finishing up the eggs. I had a hard time just getting this picture of the kids-Avery kept grabbing the eggs and banging them on the counter and Maddy wouldn't look at the camera. Thanks for the help getting the picture Lyndsey!

Maddy had so much fun playing dinosaurs with Lyndsey and listening to music on her Ipod.

Maddy woke up at 7:00am Easter morning and was so excited to find all the eggs the Easter Bunny hid. I had to wake Avery up so she wasn't quite as happy.

The Easter Bunny even left eggs in the basement. The kids also got a kite, bathing suit and shorts.

I had to post this picture to cause Maddy looks so cute! He insisted on holding his egg coloring stick. My brother Shawn spent the night so we were able to have him take some pictures. Thanks Shawn! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Easter Weekend(Part 2)...

After church on Sunday we all headed up to Vivian Park in Provo Canyon for our monthly family gathering/Easter/Avery's birthday celebration. It would've been a perfect day if it wasn't so windy.

Avery and I.

Steve and Maddy.

The guys doing their thing...grilling, talking about motorcycles and who knows what else.

The girls doing our thing...preparing food, taking care of the kids, chatting and trying to stay warm.

Some of the yummy food we had. We also had my mom's homemade potato salad. Don't you love the picture of me taking a picture of Jamie taking the picture. HAHAHA!

The wind doesn't stop these two from playing and having fun!

Hanging out...

The birthday girl getting some love from Laney and Nana.

Avery and Papa opening the books Stacy(and family) gave her. She was the most excited about the paper as usual. Stacy also gave me a gift bag with lots of fun stuff in it. Thanks Stacy!

Avery also got a bunch of clothes from my mom and us.

My sister Jamie made this awesome cake for Avery. She is so talented and she even made all the butterflies. Thanks Jamie-it was so beautiful and yummy!

Singing Happy Birthday to Avery(without the candles lighted because it was so windy.) :(

We finished the day with an Easter egg hunt for the kids. They all had fun.

Love that tongue sticking out!

Maddy(rabbit) with all his(and Avery's) eggs.

Thanks everyone for a fun time and yummy food as usual! We need to go again when it's not so windy.