Orchestra

The boys had their final orchestra concert at the end of May.  We have had mixed feelings about how orchestra went.  On one hand the boys say they liked it and want to keep doing it.  On the other they all but refused to practice - but it didn't seem like they were taught very much and didn't have a lot to practice.  So I don't know.  Brock signed up for orchestra in Middle School - so I guess he is going to do it again.  I think Noah might go back to piano.

The kids were very eager to remind me that it was at the boys' last orchestra concert that I went into labor. 

Brock is always so cute to want to wear his suit to all of his concerts.

Noah regretted picking such a large instrument - but in the end I think he liked it.

Cute boys!

daily adventures

Dane and I often ran errands twice a week in the afternoon before we picked up the kids from work.  Sometimes he would be awake and other times he would fall asleep.  

One day at Desert Book he fell asleep holding onto his toy.  He just melts my heart.

One day we met Jason for lunch

Dane often prefers to put himself to sleep.  He just wants to be laid down awake.  SOmetimes we wants to be held until he is almost asleep.   BUT if we are doing this he doesn't want me messing with him or looking at him.  He falls asleep best when I am not paying any attention to him and am distracted.  I learned that if I am on the computer he falls asleep in like 5 minutes.  So in 5 minute increments all day I have been working on turning my blog into a book.  I just got my first one it the mail.  By small and simple...

and just a random picture Jason took one day of our kids reading.

All is right with the world

I spent about 7 hours on my front garden.  I got out the fairy garden and put new sand in the sandbox.  I have had my children and neighborhood children playing out there ever since.  I love looking out my window and seeing them play.  All is right with the world.

This is my favorite baby swing.  We let someone borrow it and they assumed we were done having children so when they were done with it they gave it away!  Then when Dane was 4 months old Krista offered to let us borrow hers.  It warms mine and Jason's heart to see another baby in this swing.  He loves it and we love it.  Having a baby in our home truly makes everything right in the world.

Easter

We have a busy Easter full of Easter egg hunts and our special focus on the Savior's last week of His life through the Come Follow Me manual.  I have never really focused a lot on Easter as a holiday - either on the spiritual or worldly side.  I don't have any decorations, we don't do anything special leading up to it - I usually pull out baskets Saturday night and I run to the store to get the candy.  Some years we have even forgotten to dye Easter eggs.  This year I decided that from now on I want to make a big deal about Easter - not the bunny and egg part - but focus on Jesus - even more that I do for Christmas.  I want decorations about Christ, the resurrection, and spring.  I want our house to be cleaned and be renewed and have my family FEEL a difference in our home and lives the weeks preceding Easter.  I want all things I do to point to our Savior and my testimony that He lives.  I did a little bit this year - but it will take years to have get the decorations I want.  I will just try to get 2 or 3 things a year.

Our first egg hunt was the ward one on Saturday morning.  Brock stayed home in bed - I guess 8:30 am was too early for a 12 year old to go on a hunt.

Then we had a glow in the dark egg hint in the neighborhood.  It was really cool.  First we hing out all afternoon and evening.

Then the adults hid glow in the dark eggs.

Then the kids found them.

Earlier in the day we DID dye eggs.

And made resurrection rolls and ate them while we watched the Tabernacle Choir's Easter concert.  This tradition was a first for us.

Sunday morning (we had to be to church by 8 am) we found our candy, eggs, and baskets.

Dane even got a basket.

Happy Easter

This is what I posted on Facebook with our family picture:

This year Easter felt different. Maybe it is because I just finished an intense, year-long, study of every scripture that talks about Jesus, maybe it is becasue we prepared for it this year by really studying as a family about the holy week, maybe it's because I have come to rely on my Savior, Jesus Christ every single day of my life for forgiveness, strength, and hope - literally. He is my everything. I am who I am becasue of Him. He lives. He is real. Today in my church choir I couldn't hold the tears back as I sang:
"Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations, Son of God and Son of Man."

He is King of King and Lord of Lords and also my very best friend. He knows me. One day I will see Him and He will call me by name. I work everyday to help my kids come unto Him and learn these truths for themselves.

Focused Dane

Dane is a very focused baby.  He reminds us so much of Brock with his faces of inquiry and attention.  He loves playing with his toys and just recently (these pictures are from beginning of April and I am now writing in the end of May) talking too, laughing at, and yelling at his toys - we all just love it.

The kids like to give him books to read (not children's books - "real" books) and he loves it!

We sure love him!