Enjoying General Conference April 2014

  The kids sure enjoy our tradition of watching Conference with a bunch of treats/snacks labeled with topics to listen for from the pulpit.  The adults don't mind it either, for the treats and also that it keeps the kids listening thru pretty much the whole thing.  The colored marshmallows that I bought were labeled with the topic "Jesus Christ" and now Wyatt thinks that colored marshmallows are actually called Jesus Christ.  It's pretty awesome!  I'm thankful for leaders on the earth who lead and guide this church.  We are blessed.

A quick trip to Vegas

Michael and I at Hash House A Go Go



The portions are really huge at this restaurant.

 

Michael really liked his waffles that had bacon in them.

At a buffet with our friends, Jesse and Mackenzie Olsen, that came with us on the trip.

Enjoying some time at the pool with my babe.

At the top of the Stratosphere Hotel where we rode the Big Shot that shoots you way high up in the air on top of the building!

 

Enjoying the water show at the Bellagio.

  We went down to Las Vegas with some of our friends for a long weekend in April 2014.  It was fun to get away and play for a few days without the kids.  We spent our time eating, riding a few rides, shopping and just chillin.  The weather wasn't even too hot yet.  We walked everywhere and enjoyed seeing the sights.  As always, we missed the kids and it was fun to get back home to them. 

Kayleigh's field trip

Kayleigh with the group of kids I was in charge of for the day at the zoo.

Kayleigh by the tiger

Kayleigh by the elephants

Kayleigh and a girl named Darby from her class sitting on an elephant trunk.

Kayleigh looking out of a hole in a ship in the play area of the zoo.

Kayleigh hugging a baby metal tiger.

Kayleigh and I on the bus ride home from the zoo.

  In April of 2014 I was able to go on a field trip with Kayleigh's second grade class to Utah's Hogle Zoo.  This was something that Kayleigh was SO excited for!  Any time her class does something where a parent can volunteer to help with it she is dying for me to come.  I usually try to make it to all the things that I can.  With Michael's job being flexible and my mom nearby to help as well, I have the privilege of doing these things. 
  The day at the zoo was a little cold with the windy weather, but we stayed warm in our jackets.  The one problem with the whole day was that a big part of the zoo was shut down due to them reconstructing the African Savannah as they call it.  This meant that the giraffes were not on display anywhere.  Many kids in my group, as well as Kayleigh, were so hugely sad/mad about this.  I felt so bad for all of them but it was frustrating because there was nothing I could do.  We saw pretty much all the other animals at the zoo and enjoyed a nice lunch with her class there. 
  I promised Kayleigh that I would take her and her brothers to the zoo once the African Savannah was complete.  This cheered her up a little since neither of her brothers have been to the zoo.  She is now excited to be there for their first experience.

Easter 2014

Kayleighm Erika and Landon dying eggs.

Many color choices!

Sami, Marie, Phoebe, Nana, Grace, Landon and Kayleigh

The whole gang ready to begin the annual flashlight Easter egg hunt

Wyatt finding his first egg.

Landon sporting a nice headlamp.

Kayleigh loving every minute of the hunt.

Sick kids, Landon, Wyatt and Kayleigh on Thanksgiving.

Landon, Kayleigh and Wyatt

Princess Kayleigh posing in Nana and Grandpa's yard in her Easter dress.

Awesome flowers around the sunken patio.

  The actual day of Easter was a little rough for our family.  The boys, especially Wyatt, were sick with colds.  I stayed home with Wyatt from church as not to spread any germs.  It's one of those Sundays when you really want to attend church but know that it's best to stay home and not spread the germs.
  In the afternoon I did force everyone outside to take a couple pictures so we could remember the day.  This Easter was during our 3 month stay at Nana and Grandpa's house while we were house hunting.  As I look back on our time staying with them, it was pretty fun!  I'm glad we had the chance to do that.
  On Easter night Michael was able to participate in the stake's Easter Cantata.  He enjoyed being able to use his singing talent and even auditioned for a solo and got the part.  Because of the kid's sicknesses, I also didn't attend this but I heard it was pretty amazing.  I think Dad enjoyed having a singing partner to go to rehearsal every week with, too.
  Prior to the actual day of Easter we did celebrate the holiday with the typical egg dying and egg hunting.  Marie came up with her family for the occasion and we had a blast dying eggs in lots of colors!  The Easter Bunny did a great job, as always, at hiding all the eggs.  So good that we seldom find them all.  Our kids look forward to this event with much enthusiasm every year!  I'm grateful for parents who enjoy holding events like this for their grandchildren and helping to create memories, it's great!

Thinking of Omi

Landon and Kayleigh by Omi's casket.

Samantha and Wyatt trying to stay entertained while waiting for the funeral to start.

Kayleigh Erika, Michael, Wyatt and Landon by the graveside.

Wyatt quite happy to be outside.

Erika at the graveside service.

  This Christmas as I sat down to address my Christmas cards to send to family and friends my heart sank as I came across Omi's name and realized I wouldn't be sending her a card this year.  Since I hadn't written about her funeral yet I thought now would be a great time. 
  Although I am so sad that she is gone, I really enjoyed the day of her funeral.  I loved the weather that day, it was beautiful. I think she maybe had something to do with that.  I thoroughly enjoyed being able to take part in a musical number with Marie and Chris. I don't often play the piano too much any more because I've let life get in the way of practicing but when I do prepare to play for something I get great enjoyment out of it.  Hearing all of her children talk, especially my dad, was really cool.  I loved hearing the stories about her, good and bad.  Tony read a few sentences that each grandchild had written about Omi and I loved hearing those memories as well.  This might sound funny but I liked that John and Katerina were able to take part in the funeral via Skype.  Technology is amazing these days.  It was neat to think we were all "there" together that day.
  My kids were fairly well behaved that day which was nice, it made it that much more enjoyable for me.  I'm thankful for Omi and that she's my grandmother.  I have so many fond memories from growing up around her, staying at her house and visiting often.  I'm grateful for her love for me, my husband and each of my children as they've joined my little family.  Until we meet again...