Easter 2012

Easter festivities started on Saturday with the annual neighborhood egg hunt. Eggs are hid throughout several acres and among tall trees, horse pastures, and scrub brush. Macy was excited that Dave hid some of our eggs up in the trees to make her search a little more exciting. 

 Asher was sure when the 'hunt' started he would find several eggs in and around the blue bucket, ended up yielding zero- poor kid wasted precious time!

 Macy is going through a camera aversion phase. This is her sole picture from the day where she didn't actually turn and run the other direction. 

 Sawyer and his buddy, Griffin, hiding from me too! What's up?!

 Liam merely ignored me! So I did get a few shots of him, just not looking at me :).

 A sweet neighbor girl, Aspen, helping Liam in his quest for five eggs (that's how many he told Dave he wanted to get.) He ended up with lots more due to her help!

 Liam found a Leap Frog dog in his basket, Scout. Inseparable since...

 Kids with their stash.

 Liam insisting that Scout get a bib and chocolate milk before heading off to church.

 My attempt to get a family Easter picture. It was sunny and we were in a hurry to get to church on time. 

Overall it was a nice Easter day both at church and at home. Dave and I were both put in new callings since we won't be leaving the country. It is a joke among the ward that it was all a heist for Dave to be released from the Exec. Secretary calling. He is now in Young Men's, myself in Primary. It is wonderful to celebrate such a momentous holiday as Easter and have the knowledge of resurrection and eternal life to look forward to! 

Sawyer's Party

Sawyer's 13th Birthday Party

Somehow Sawyer talked Dave and I into having a home air soft/halo party for his 13th (we quit having home parties for him after his 5th when it was complete chaos for 2 hours). After 5 hours with 18 boys, I found it quite different than the experience with 10 5 year olds running around. It was enjoyable and entertaining watching them interact and 'play' together. They started outside with a variety of different air soft battles. We fed  them pizza (15 total), gummy bears - which turned into a gummy fight, and then sent them to one of four different TV's all set to battle Halo against each other. I thought it was a successful party and I hear the boys loved it. Kudos to Daddy Dave for getting all the gear together!!!!

Mom of a Teen

Can't believe my oldest is now 13!!!!! Sawyer celebrated his birthday, March 1, at K-2 Racing with his dad and then home for some desired Thai food for dinner followed by Mom's homemade (but not pretty) German Chocolate Cake. He is anxiously awaiting his party next weekend! As for me, I can't believe that 13 years have past since giving birth for the first time! I remember holding him and thinking, "this can't be my son". He looked like a little Indian child (his 10'13oz might have had something to do with that!) Sawyer holds a wonderful standard as our oldest child. We are blessed each day to have him in our lives!

Quick Trip

Mid-Winter break came rushing upon us! We were prepared to be in Paris by this time and not in Seattle. Dave booked a room at the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho last minute and we jetted. The kids loved the indoor waterpark. Big boys- the Surf Rider. Macy- the water sliders. Liam- the water spouts. Silas- warm bodies holding him. Dave and the older two boys went up the mountain on Friday for a day of snowboarding. They returned after a successful day on the slopes. Macy, the babies and I hung out at the hotel, swam, played, and slept. It was a nice getaway that was lengthened by much snow accumulation on the last day. Took us double time to get back through Spokane where we ended up another night before heading home. I loved being together as a family and relaxing. Back to the grind.....

Strength through Trials

To me, trials become more manageable if I remind myself often, that through them, I become stronger. This has been my challenge and life lesson recently. Today, I am more introspective and faithful, because of recent health issues that I have been struggling with. I am by no means out of the woods at this point but on an upward trajectory that hopefully will lead to full recovery within the next few months. And then, I will be stronger :).

Sawyer, was recently awarded for his grades on the National Honor Society. We are proud of his efforts and labors in school.

Dave has been able to take the boys snowboarding several times recently. They always come home experiencing a wonderful time on the mountain and full of stories and adventures.

Silas and I recently went to Southern California for an extended weekend to see my parents, serving a mission there. It was fabulous spending time with them, observing and participating with them in their service to the Lord, and soaking in some much desired pampering! Thanks Daddy for taking care of my babies while I was away!

Mini Mouth

Silas has discovered his vocal cords and likes to use them, taking a close second in sounds to his older brother Asher (nicknamed Mouth for his active verbal skills). Silas loves to 'talk' while looking you directly in the eye. Makes me wonder what he is thinking....

Dave celebrated a birthday recently. He got two cakes. The first on his actual birthday and since he had been out of the country for weeks prior to the day, he received a Halloween Funfetti cake on the actual day due to the lack of time and preparation on my part. He also got his much coveted German Chocolate cake, four days later, on the day he was supposed to return home.

Still waiting to hear on our departure to France. Getting anxious....

I'm Back

Big Man Sawyer

Asher taking Liam for a ride

Liam in the snow

Macy and Asher ready with their snowballs

A new year. A new goal. A new adventure to blog. Add all reasons together and here I am again. This blog is for my history. For the kids to one day look back on and read, remembering our good times and bad times. Hopefully I can stay true to my hearts desire and keep it current! It's late already, so for tonight just some fun pictures from the past week of snow snow snow!!!!

(I'll only briefly mention the loss of power, doctor visits, zero working vehicles, or no school for a week all without a husband in the country!)