Easter

Checking out their Easter buckets….

Marlee got so excited about everything. She was happy to get pink chicks.

The kids got some snacks from the oriental market.

They each got some candy, eggs, a cup, a shirt & a beanie.

 

I taught sharing time for Primary today. I have this great little bag filled with plastic eggs numbered from 1-12. Each egg contains something about the Easter Story. One had red hot candies (representing Jesus bleeding from every pore), one a nail (Jesus nailed to the cross), and so on. The last egg is empty to represent an empty tomb, since Christ was risen & resurrected. I am so thankful for Easter & this time to reflect on all that Jesus Christ has done for us.

 

 

For dinner I made “bunny” rolls. Although I didn’t cut the ears long enough, so they looked more like gerbils or hamsters.

The Frosts brought the ham & I made all the side dishes & dessert.

 

The kids always have fun searching for eggs.

 

And guess who’s been sticking around lately…

wicked & dinner

Today Lucy & Jeff came in town & joined us, Jonathan & Darleen to the musical Wicked.

You can’t take any pictures during the show, but this is what the stage looked like before it began (big metal dragon & a map).

Lucy & Jeff

Pretty dark picture, but that is the stage in the background. The effects, orchestra & singing were good. I was glad that Jonathan & Darleen planned this & made sure we all got seats near each other.

Then we picked up our kids from the babysitter & went to Gee’s Garden Restaurant for dinner. The food was so good. We all shared, so it was fun to try a variety of dishes. The walnut  shrimp dish is Clayton & Porter’s favorite.

When we got home I baked Lucy a cake since she had a recent birthday. I was too full to even have any…I must have been really full to pass on chocolate cake & ice cream! That’s okay, I’ll eat my share tomorrow.

bunny trail

Funtastic’s put on a free bunny trail this morning where different companies come & give the parents info & the kids treats.

Clayton was a trooper & took a picture with the Easter Bunny & Funtastic’s Dog, even though he didn’t want to:)

We came home with entirely too much candy.

strange beauty

Porter’s cat is so strange. It hardly ever sticks around. For awhile we were convinced that it ran away, but it keeps randomly showing up. Lately it has come home every night & hangs out with the kids for a bit. Hopefully, it will start sticking around during the day too. I’m not sure if it is afraid of our dog Raggles or what? Raggles has licked the cat’s face, so maybe that is a little too much for it.

dove nest

Clayton found this nest in our tree today. He climbed up & took some pictures. I think they turned out so great. He is a good little photographer.

egg decorating

The kids dyed hard boiled eggs today & then shortly after we ate almost all of them.

Preschool at Marlee’s house

This week was my turn to host preschool & the theme was Easter. Clayton & Porter were such a huge help with it as always.

The kids practiced writing their names:

We made rabbits that were hiding behind grass (the kids handprints):

Brigden insisted on cutting out Marlee’s handprints for her, so cute:)

We decorated eggs:

They had an Easter egg hunt (Clayton & Porter hid the eggs):

Clayton showed the kids a real nest in our front tree:

We made bunnies out of toilet paper rolls (I always seem to do some craft with toilet paper rolls, thank you Pinterest):

We talked about the real meaning of Easter. I have this bag which holds 12 plastic eggs. In each egg there is something that represents the meaning of Easter, such as a sacrament cup, red hot candies (representing Jesus bleeding from every pore), a nail (Jesus nailed to the cross), etc. I was amazed at how well the preschool kids listened. We talked about the tomb & Jesus being resurrected & then the kids colored Jesus in a tomb resurrected (another project I got off Pinterest). Marlee colored Jesus pink:)

I am overwhelmed by all that Jesus has done for me & everyone. I am thankful for this Easter season to reflect on his sacrifice & love for us all.

Sabino Canyon with the preschool group

We’ve been to Sabino Canyon so many times, but we have never been to this area. I can’t believe we never even knew about this spot! I am so excited to come back with Laun. This was the preschool group’s fieldtrip this month. We hiked in, played in the water, had lunch & hiked out. I was bummed that my camera battery died, so I barely got any pictures.

Clayton & Porter 

The preschool kids all braved the cold water.

Clayton & Porter caught frogs, lizards & a horny toad.

Porter’s 9th birthday party

Porter’s birthday was last Tuesday, which we celebrated then, but today was his party with friends. 

He had Carlo & Jacob over. We had pizza & pop for lunch.

Jacob gave Porter a remote control truck (perfect gift for him) & Carlo gave him an army man set. He was pretty happy about it.

Porter wanted to go to Redington Pass. The boys had a great time hiking & swimming. I had a great time, too…easiest birthday party ever. No invitations to hand out, no goodie bags, nothing expensive (just the gasoline to get there), no prep- awesome Just enjoying the outdoors & beautiful weather.

Marlee’s only 4, but I bet she can beat your trash at hiking:)

Of course Raggles was invited too.

Laun & the pile of kids beat us in. They were already swimming when we arrived.

There’s Lucy, Darleen & I hiking in:

The boys were in heaven.

girl talk

Laun caught some fish with his bare hands. I find that sexy, seriously (Laun’s skills, not the fish).

Marlee might be a girly girl, but she will not pas up holding some fish.

Glad to spend time with our family.

I love Marlee’s hair today. Thanks Pinterest for the idea. Is it sad that even Marlee is a Pinterest fan at age four?

Helicopters flying over.

Marlee love’s the cattail plant.

The boys are looking for more fish to catch.

I brought some of my Jumbo Chocolate Chip cookies, which got pretty crumbled on the hike in.

Marlee grabbed a cookie & laid in the sun to dry. What a great life.

 

When we got home Aunt Darleen taught Porter how to play croquet. We were excited to find this croquet set at a recent yard sale.

Porter had such a great day. We love you buddy! I still can’t believe you’re nine years old!!!