Family Time

Here are some moments to share of family life with a quiver full.

the Sunday afternoon whirlwind

Family Home Evening lessons on steroids - go daddy!  I love the light emanating from Jared's head.

beloved date nights (with friends and the dean this time!)

attempts at home improvement 

family parties for ribs and retirement!

Taxi and trips to the orthodontist

Update on Leisel

This girl is the big sister now.  She loves being a "sister" and she's working out the "big" part.  Leisel has been giving up naps and trying to figure out the potty.  She also wants to be able to do what her older siblings can do.  Those factors add up to what can be called the terrible twos.  I vowed to Jared that our sweetheart would never deal with the grumpy two year-old power struggles.  But after adding in sleep deprivation and skills unlearned by a toddler to the equation, even Leisel comes up short.  Nonetheless, we love her!  And we hope she move's on from this stage soon.

the cutest cheerleader at Michael's Jr. Jazz games

those special secret places kids find to play

Leisel is a perfect little sister.  She loves to join in with her big brothers and sister in any activity.  ...this time watching the falconry show with Jordan.  

performing with Tessa in the front room...

always ready to have fun and be silly

Spring break

Salt Lake City: Susie and fam came to see the sights.  They let us crash their party to swim and go to the planetarium.  Then they watched the kids at their hotel while Jared and I took a birthday date!

lifeforms sighted on planet Mars

Logan: We made the trek to Cache Valley to explore the Logan River trail with cousins.  It's an extra fun place to visit because it's the stomping grounds where Jared and I met and first lived when we were married.  I loved the photo opps of our afternoon there.

We found two nests of garter snakes!

Pocatello: Then we cruised up to meet Jenny's new baby and celebrate the baby's blessing.  We managed to fit in some serious cousin time at the pool and at Jenny's place too.

Birthdays

For Beckah and Andrew's birthdays the kids had a pinata and they got to try out Grandpa and Grandma's chocolate fountain!  

The men had time to discuss and make plans for saving the world..

Grandma H. had a birthday and turned a year younger. :)

Abby and Beth celebrated birthdays this spring also!  

Derek had a super party.
Jared managed to evade photos on his birthday.
So many fun folks to celebrate!  

All Together

That's a darn cute family :)

Remember Easter

Easter is special every year, but this time we enjoyed studying more of the last week of Christ's life with our neighbors and the website remembereaster.com.  We are so grateful for His Life and the gift of His sacrifice to us.  Having a new baby is also a celebration of life.  The Plan of Happiness provides a clear vision to help us navigate our way in this life.  What a blessing to know where this baby came from and where we are going.  It's wonderful to be able to teach our children Christ's teachings and how to follow His example.   

This is Grandma's amazing egg shell craft!  

Inez sent a cake fund for the kids to pick a treat from the bakery!

We squeezed in some egg decorating and egg eating. :)

playing and watching general conference before the Easter egg hunt  

Grandma's latest home improvement project turned out so well.

the perfect backyard for hiding and hunting