General Conf.

General conference was quite enjoyable this year. We all gathered in the living room and it seemed quite idealistic in the beginning.

 

 

The boys sat quietly listening to the hymns and waited with anticipation to see the Prophet.

Donaven even listened along to the talks and played his conference square game that his primary leaders gave him. I felt the spirit strongly and felt that the talks were extra pertinent to things I was going through or needed help with. Emerson could only last so long though and the sitting quietly was quickly replaced with loud giggles and jumpy boys trying to get attention. They lasted much longer than I thought they would.

I really am looking forward to getting my Ensign and going back and studying the talks that were given. I think we will use them as our FHE lessons for the remainder of the year. I love the renewed feeling I get after conference. The since of unity and closeness to my Heavenly Father seems stronger. A lot of things stood out to me this year but the two most important in my opinion were one; Family time is sacred and should be respected & two; that Donaven picks up a lot more than I think he does. Even if he appears to not be listening. I need to use my everyday situations and teach him and Emerson the gospel in unplanned natural ways that invite the spirit. I hope you also felt uplifted and strengthened during General Conference!

Rootin' Tootin' Party

The whole family had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at a ranch celebrating a friends birthday. It was quite the event jam-packed with a bouncy house, playground fun, horse rides, cotton candy, stick horse races, hay rides, and much more fun.

 

Donaven's expression at seeing the cute baby horse Valentino.

 

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 The boy's weren't to sure about the horse rides. They instead enjoyed watching securely from the other side of the gate.

Cowboy Donaven

 Here Emerson is enjoying his cotton candy. Isn't he to stinking cute!

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(I can not take credit for those last two beautiful shots though. Or the earlier ones of the horse. My very talented friend took them. You should go check out her photography blog here. Seriously click on the link she is amazing!)

To say we had a good time would be the under-statement of the century. Happy 4th Birthday Kayelea, thanks for letting us be apart of your special day!

Getting Creative

Sometimes the boys start to get a little restless and I have to get creative to help break things up a bit. Its amazing how a comforter and four chairs can suddenly transport you on an adventure. This particular excursion we happen to be preparing for an upcoming camp out. I tried to show Donaven how fun it could be to play inside a tent. He loved it! So did Emerson, take a look.

Happy Hunting

 On Thursday our playgroup friends gathered at Amy's house for an Easter Party.

 

Her back yard was perfect for our annual egg hunt.

  

Good food, good friends

 and Easter eggs what more could you ask for?

"No more pictures please Mom!"

 

 

The boys checking out their stash-o-candy.

 

Of-course, Donaven being Donaven can't be outside without finding some living creature and excitedly bringing it to me to show off. He told me that his caterpillar was going to make a chrysalis and then become a monarch butterfly!

An Easter Haiku

by. Mark Nielson

The hunt. It’s not the
keeping but the finding, not
finding but being found.

Happy Hunting!

Change of plans

Our day was all planned. We were going to stay at home during the morning. After lunch Emersons ECI Speech Therapist was coming out at 1:30. I was kind of bummed about missing playgroup again, but told myself that since we had gone out yesterday for a party, we would just have to stay at home today. A few minutes later my friend Jana texted me asking if were going to playgroup. She was really sweet and wanted to let us know that she would love to see us at the park today. ... Then the thought came, why not! Your friends want you there, you want to go, it is a beautiful day, your boys would love it, you SHOULD go. So we did! 

   

And I'm so glad we did.

 

 

It was exactly what we needed. Some fresh air, friends and unscheduled time just to play and not be cooped up in the house. It may seem silly but it is a nice thing to know that someone wants to hang around you. It made my day. I am so thankful for all our friends who were at the park it was a lot of fun. I learned today that it is ok to reschedule things, to do something fun just because and also that a simple act can make a big difference.

Self Portrait : Emerson

Look out Picasso.