Easter has come....

And gone.....

I love Easter time, and I love that I am currently in a place that is experiencing spring.... or something along those lines, anyway.

I thought I would have time to really put something together.... but even though it was it was at the end of April I still feel like it snuck up on me. So when the Primary announced that they would be doing an Easter Egg hunt for all the primary kids, I thought yeah, I'll still come out of this looking somewhat like a cool mom.

The boys were eager to start.

 Benji wasn't into the egg gathering but getting all the looks from ever one he was eating up.

They let the younger kids out first and let them have a go at collecting the eggs before the bigger kids came and over ran them all.

I have found that baskets are a waste of space in my life right now, and they are hard to store. So I went the easy route and got them each a party bag, and that worked well.... this might just be our thing, rather than baskets... time will tell.

Tim went out to start getting hie eggs. He felt so lucky... he found a small bunch right together. {note Tommy in on the right hand side}

 All of a sudden Tommy swoops in.......

And then like the wind he was gone. {I don't know what I'm going to do with that boy....}

James was part of the older group and came out to fetch some eggs 2.5 minutes later.

They all had a great time and it was fun watching them run around and have such a great time. I love seeing the smiles on their faces. When I grow old that is what I want to remember. Not necessarily what they were doing, but the smile on their faces as they were doing it.

It was an "Egg"-cellent day!!!! {sorry, I couldn't resist}

He is Risen!!!

He is risen! He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice
He has burst his three days prison
Let the whole wide earth rejoice
Death is conquered, man is free
Christ has won the victory

This is a great time of year! I am so thankful to know that my Lord and Savior is alive. I am thankful to know that he died for my sins, and that I can live again because of the gift that he gave to me. I know that this was the plan that my Father in Heaven had laid out, that a Savior needed to come to redeem up from the fall. And because he did we can all live with him again. I know that he was in the tomb for three days, and when Mary came to the tomb she found it empty. I know that she must have been sad upon arrival not seeing his body in the tomb, but I can imagine the happiness as well that she found it empty. Knowing that this was to happen, knowing that the promise had been fulfilled, and knowing that the Savior was risen from the grave. What a great thing to know!!! 

{He is Risen was written by Ceicl Frances Alexander and you can listen to it HERE}

Boys and Fire

What is it with boys and fire? The shiny light at the end of a stick... the heat that comes from it? And the husband would like to know whos bright idea it was give children hot burning phosphorus and let them swing it around. Regardless we do it every year and for us anyway.... so far so good....

Tim wasn't really sure what to do with it at first.  And he wasn't really that into it.

James liked to conduct the orchestra in his head.... what's playing today?? The "Star-Spangled Banner"

Every family has one.... her is ours... Tommy is our pyro. He was so fascinated about lighting the box on fire than he was about actually have a fun sparkler. After the box... then the grass, and then the ant hill. Other than the ants and the box there were no other casualties... thank goodness.

The husband had a great time throwing the snaps.... to see if he could get them to snap on the boys' head. Tommy and James were not amused... Tim however was. Unfortunately he couldn't throw them hard enough back. next best option.... dump them out and jumped on them.

Yeah for snaps and fire sticks.

"Let us Live to Make Men Free"

I L-O-V-E the 4th of July!!! It ranks in my top favorite holidays. I love that I live in a free land and that so many fought and died for me. I love that the Founding Fathers fought so hard in committee's to write the constitution to get it just right. So that it would benefit everyone, and give this new country just what it needed to succeed.  

Today we sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the third verse really gets to me... "As He died to make men Holy, Let us live to make men free"  What are YOU doing to keep our land free??

Many years ago, poor men rose up to fight for something that they wanted more than anything. They wanted to be free to choose their own will. They weren't force too, they just did. They stood ready to live... or to die for something that they believed in

Right now I have friends that are serving in the military. And whether you agree with the war or not these men and women are doing their duty, they are keeping our land free. They are standing guard over our country. They have chosen to volunteer to serve, and because of that they have chosen to be away from their family for over a year. Leaving spouses, and children at home to keep all men safe. 

This sounds like another man I know. My Savior. He chose to give his life so all men could be free. Free to choose good or evil, free to do as they want, with the promise that if we follow Him, we can return home to our Father in Heaven.

We are given so much!!! And this land that we live in is the promised land. His hand has been in everything that has been done. Leading many people here, helping the Founding Fathers form this country, being there and ready to answer a young boy's prayer about the truth. Joseph Smith was able to go into the grove and pray because he was in a country that allowed freedom of religion.

I love seeing the fireworks and knowing that they are for our delightment. Many years ago the fireworks that were seen in the sky ment that war was on the horizon, and it was only a matter of time before they came closer to their home.

The Star Spangled Banner. Do you remember to stand??? Do you remember to put take your hat off? or to put your hand on you heart? {do you know where Francis Scot Key what when he wrote the poem that later became our National Anthem?}

I love this country, I love what it stands for, I love the colors that I see flying, I am so proud of my husband who has served our country, and I'm proud of those that are serving. And I feel so blessed to be able to call the United States of America my "Home Sweet Home"

240 Eggs!

We were able to celebrate Easter with all of my family. It was so fun!! with 13 kids, and 240 eggs it was chaos, but the great kind. Some of the adults took all the kids on a walk so the Easter Bunny could come and hide the eggs. The weather decided to be cloudy and cold, so inside it was. We were able to have the eggs hidden upstairs and down. Which was nice because we were able separate the kids.... the little ones need to at least have a chance at getting some eggs.


Tim was so excited to find the eggs. And surprisingly he kept looking for all the eggs instead of stopping to eat what ever goodies were in his bucket.

Tommy was happy to find a bunch of orange eggs. It was nice that the Easter Bunny was freakishly tall and gave the kids a run for their candy by hiding the eggs in really tall places. Good thing there were lots of tall dads to help get the eggs down.

I really like this picture of James. There is just something about this picture. He had such a great time having lots of friends to play with.

I thought this picture was funny. The three crazies belong to me, the cute little girl is cousin Bianca and the man under it all is her dad.... my brother. This is considered a light workout for him. It was going well until the husband decided he wanted to get on. That was a bit much the Uncle Hyrum.

And here are all 13 grand kids. And by the end of the year there will be 2 maybe 3 more. Even though we are so far away it's fun to see all the kids together. They are all pretty close in age so they all seem to mesh well.

It was a fun Easter hunt. Made even better with the mass amount to cousins to enjoy it with!

Ouch!!!

Well... yes is did hurt to fall off the face of the earth for a bit.... but I do have a really REALLY good reason!!! Only you'll just have to wait to find out. Don't you love the suspense???

Well here is our Christmas celebrations...{with lots of pictures.... but I think they are worth it}

Tim was a bit tired on Christmas Eve. This boy can sleep anywhere.... anytime

As you can see....Poor boy. {but what a funny picture}

Our Christmas Eve tradition... decorating a ginger bread house to be eaten Christmas morning. Here is James and his big eye look...

Thank you Grandma M. for the jammie pants!!! {and pillow cases... the boys won't sleep on anything else :)}

My beautiful boys! {being nice to each other}

Oh, Christmas morning

James has been asking for 3 years for a violin!!! And this year he got one, boy oh boy, this kid was happy!!

And this boy too was in heaven! He got stacks and stacks of Geo-Tracks {thanks to ebay and great finds!}

Tommy got Cars Mac Trucks. I love seeing them so happy to get what they want, no matter how silly I think it is, they love it and that makes me so happy.

Here are the boys Christmas morning... after the presents. The boys are required to have a muffin, and a piece of fruit, then they can have anything else they want. So they are pretty much on a sugar high the whole day. Thanks to the candy canes that Santa brings, and the ginger bread house, and all the other goodies they find.

We had a lucky find.... This is Swim, he is the husband battle buddy from Iraq. He is in a new profession {don't ask.... if I tell you I'll have to kill you and that would take too long and just be way to messy} Anyway he had a couple days off and couldn't get home to his family so we had the pleasure of his company, and the boys really did love it.

Remember the ginger bread house.... it was pretty picked through by 10:00am

One of the family gifts we got was a Wii. So we all have taken turns playing.... and here is Tim beating up Swim in a boxing match.

Tommy showing me his new talent....he can make a whole in his muffin. So if anyone needs a muffin whole-er, I know one.

Our traditional Christmas dinner. Homemade pizza. The husband flips it and all. This year was ever so interesting.... I totally ruined the dough!!! So I went out on a trek to find some, and I even hit up a pizza truck at Walgreens. But to no avail.... I can attest that everything is closed on Christmas... But here comes my knight in shining armor, and the husband saves the day and pulled it off wonderfully!!! {look how yummy}

Over all Tim had a great day!!!! As did we all. I love Christmas time. I love spending it with my family and our traditions. I love the good friends that we have and I love my wonderful family.

Here is to the new adventures...

Christmas Programs

It's that time of year again... Time for the Christmas programs. I love watching the boys up on stage and the boys love being up there. Well... James does anyway, Tommy only likes a crowd he knows, and is comfortable with.

First up... James'. He is part of a group called CAFA. It's a Fine Art program and they do plays and learn how to play instruments. {after the first of the year James will be learning the violin} James has been working very hard on his play and although he had no speaking parts there was a lot of singing.

I had to add this picture of Tim... look at how cute this boy is!

Remember how I said that James was singing a lot of songs. Well he sang those songs for many days and Tommy and Tim have learned the songs as well and were singing along with the show. It was really cute. {Tim always seems to have his mouth open...}

James was really cute, he was the 'Inn Keeper' while he was on stage he was signing "I love you" {for his next show I showed him how to sign I Love You with just one sign.}
James you did a wonderful job and I'm so proud of you and how hard you worked and practiced!James I'm sure someday I will see your name in lights!!

Next up was the Ward Christmas party. They also did the Nativity.

Tommy was a sheep. He was really cute {bleating all the way}

Santa came and Tim pushed his way to the front of the line to be the first to see the Jolly man. {I think more than anything he wanted the candy cane and there was nothing that could stop him.

Tommy, too wanted the candy cane, but paused long enough to tell Santa what he wanted. Which included some Cars' Mac Trucks and lots of candy.

James as a shepherd was busy giving Santa his list. The top of his included a violin, an oboe, a trumpet, and a piccolo. {what an odd child I have! but I love it. ps... one of those will be under the tree this year for him}

Here is Tommy... he is upset that I said no to a third piece of pie. I know, I know... what a horrible mother I am!!

Stories by the fire

Being up in North Carolina we got to be in the cooler weather {finally} so while we were up there we had a couple fire. Well if you have fires you NEED marshmallows and stories!

James really enjoying the marshmallow, this was one of five that he had.

James kept asking for stories, so Aunt Michelle told us a great story about a bride and a groom and a man named Chief.

Tommy is trying really hard to just sit and enjoy the fire....

But alas...he had to throw things in like any little boy.

And Tim he was just as cute as possible until....

Thanksgiving Holiday in pictures

This year for Thanksgiving we traveled up to North Carolina to stay with some family for the holiday. We left on Tuesday and our usual 9 hour drive took only 13 hours.. yup 13!! We got stuck in traffic and it took up 4 hours to go 5 miles!! How's that for you??


I thought I would give you a peek in to our holiday through all the pictures that I took {they ended up really good if I do say so myself... and I do}

Bread getting ready to be stuffing,

Look at those turkeys!! There really is nothing better than a fried turkey, honest!! If you haven't tasted one you are missing out.

Brie Cheese wrapped in a crust with a cranberry sauce, holy moly!!

Look at that baby coming out of the fryer. {this is the husband and his sister Michelle}

Here is Brian enjoying the smells. {Tim has given him the name of Uncles}

Here is our table setting...

Ok, really doesn't that look BEAUTIFUL!!!! {jen are you missing us yet?} Ok, on one side you see the stuffing, pretty huh... And next to that is the sweet potatoes. Oh, sweet goodness!!! It was good for dinner, great for dessert, and excellent for breakfast!!

Here is Riley and her turkey on a stick.

Dinner was wonderful, good food, good family, but really what family get together would be complete with out having something to laugh about later...So we karaoked.

Here are the boys and I doing Rock Star by Nickleback

Here are the boys singing Joy to the World

Here is James doing Your Beautiful, by Jame Blunt... when he was done he yelled out "I was INCREDIBLE!!" {yes James you were}

I had to add this one! Here is Michelle rocking out to Sheryl Crow's Soaking up the Sun.

And finally here is the husband singing One Week by Barenaked Ladies.

I am thankful for family, I am thankful for lots of great food. I am so thankful for my health and the health of my family. I am thankful for the safety that we had while we were driving. I am thankful for good friend, the ones that love me from so far away. I am thankful for my wonderful husband and my amazing boys.