Time

Isaac (7 yrs.)  has become aware that time brings about change.

This week he started to carry around a worry --

A worry that Cole won't be around forever

He broke down a few times:

"Cole's branch on our family tree is growing way too fast and my 

branch can't keep up with his."

"I only have 3 1/2 good years left with him and then he is gone,

college, mission, a girl, married....nowhere for me in all that!"

"I am going to be sitting on the coach
 just stupid and bored because I don't have a brother."

"Everyone thinks being the youngest is all fun and games, 

but you are the last and left alone with no brother or sisters!"

At first I found it a little humorous....

and then I started thinking

about time 

and the song "Sunrise, Sunset" 
from Fiddler on the Roof
came to mind

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

and then a well of tears and this little ache began. 

Celebrating 57 years

57 years 

12 children

62 grandchildren

Later...

 We celebrated over lunch

 Ross took a moment to express the importance of 

family love and connection.

He doesn't pass up on an opportunity to express his love and share his testimony.

One of my greatest blessings is having

 Ross and Anita in my life and

as the grandparents of my children.

Happy Anniversary.

Spring Break

We spent the first half of Spring Break up in the mountains with this fun bunch of cousins

Interesting to watch all these "little chiefs" try to agree on capture the flag rules

The rules and teams were finally agreed on and the game could be played

Some other highlights

....because we never share the low lights on blogs (:

2- day Gimme 5 card tournament (Like Sequence)

9 holes of Frisbee Golf through the trees

Pride and Prejudice marathon

March Madness!

Everyone had to get their own Monday paper with the special team bracket insert

 We held  FHE all together and had a great lesson by Carol.  

She is a great teacher.
I always come away learning something new from her.

 Everyone memorized a paragraph from the Proclamation on the Family

In the midst of all the fun....

someone hit the wall from late nights and long play days

He was absolutely convinced that memorizing the paragraph was impossible

And then.....success 

awarded with a giant jawbreaker (yuck!)

and off to bed for some much needed rest.

He had a green mouth for the next 2 days!

{Back to the fun}

Played Pop Pop Pop! 

Fun game for a large crowd of all ages

Horseshoe Tournament

Disappointingly,  Ike's lucky purple mustache and....

this amazing throwing form

did not bring our team a victory.

I think Ike will pick a different partner next time.

Game

The JV volleyball season has begun.... 

Not easy watching your kids play sports....fun and nerve racking.

Cole did a great job setting...first time.

My nephew Rock is on the varsity team.  

I have loved watching

him grow up...great kid!

It is nice to have the family come out and support.

Griff supports a lot of games and his mom,

 Molly, is prepared for everything....

an amazing diaper bag full of tricks

and this is my little fire fightin nephew, Luke

I have to admit I was a little conflicted during the game.  

 I had one son setting the ball...

And another son doing "thriller" moves in the back court.....

Resulting in one of them being benched....and it wasn't Cole

I had to draw the line when he went on the

 court during a time-out and began break-dancing...