Annual Egg Hunt

My brother Adam and his family, 

Sister Bridgette and husband Corey, and recent BYU graduate Chad, 

made it all home this Easter weekend. 

 It was great to see Jack's kids

Clay and Heather, the Cooleys, Duffins, & Garrett and Jesse.

Mega- phone toting Jack probably put on the best egg hunt to date.

He puts a lot of effort into making this a fun event.  

We had the hunt, egg dive,

 balloon pop, great food, and games.

He loves his mega-phone

If it wouldn't scare Cavan....I would munch on his cute face.

Egg Dive

Rules:

1. One representative from each family

2.  No goggles

3.  One dive and grab

 It think Ethan is on the left and Wyatt is on the right...or vice-versa

Wowza....

we need some lessons in diving

Ike's dollar bill was torn in half

My sister Bridgett and Corey are expecting a baby boy in September.

Heather, Clay, Kippy, and Shelly (with camera)

 My brother, Adam, trying to explain to Noah that this is his Great Grandpa B.

He wasn't really buying it.

 My favorite part of the whole day was when the kids played Red Rover.

There is something that feels so right about watching kids play together outside.

There is nothing I like more than a well thought out family tradition....thanks Jack and Nana.

Easter Sunday

(If you love the Easter Bunny you may want to skip this post.)

When these guys were young (before Ike was born) we celebrated the Easter bunny.

One year, I made huge powdered sugar paw prints all over the house. It seemed like a good idea---- no.  Huge mistake.  I spent days trying to get the cloudy, sticky, coating off my floors.  For a few years, I would be searching for little toys and candy to fill their baskets from the Easter Bunny.  I would get the ole eye roll from Tom.  He didn't grow up with an Easter bunny---he had no appreciation for the fun he brings!

One year, Tom had enough--- he was done with the Easter Bunny.  Oh, he was definitely the killer of childhood fun.  However,  I let his suggestion marinate.

We scrapped Easter Bunny.  He wasn't even missed.  We even scrapped baskets...except those used to collect Jack's egg hunt.  Those may have been missed....especially the year our little neighbors came over on vespa scooters for Easter.  Wow, that bunny has favorites.

As time marches on I have realized--less is sometimes more.  Less commercial, less expectations, less stuff....made Easter Sunday more fulfilling.

I do like to get the boys new ties and the girls a new Sunday dress.  I like to try to get a picture.  I like to have a nice Easter dinner.  We like to color eggs (although I totally dropped the ball this year....sorry Meg)  

I am so thankful for what our Savior did for each of us individually and collectively.  I hope that I will be accepting of His gift, the Atonement, and put it to use in my life.

Bad News Bears

I love these cute fresh faces.

Summer just finished her first year of Club Volleyball.  

My cousins Hallie (black shirt) and Ashley (yellow) coached....

 and I am sure it was a test in patience.  

After watching them play in their first tournament in Buckeye, AZ..., we called them the 

"Bad News Bears of Buckeye."

It was a rough go... you have to lighten it up with gentle teasing, right?

On the long ride home from Buckeye, Summer and I had a long talk on playing through defeat.   

By the end of the ride, the tears were dried and the woes of Buckeye fading.....Summer got over it too.

As the season progressed, we still faced more defeat than victory---sigh---

 but they were steadily improving.  

They even won all their games in the last tournament...which Tom and I missed  ): 

(We were at a wedding in San Diego)

Despite a rough start, the season was a success--

Summer got to know some great girls,

she got pushed and worked hard,

and loves volleyball even more.  

Ike's First Piano Recital

We thought we would hold Ike's first piano recital in our home.

We invited a few family members over for a "short and sweet" event.

His great teacher brought over a list of the songs he would be playing...

I was thinking it would be like 3 songs.....nope.

 But 20 minutes before the guests arrived.....

(I know that because of the clock)

....Isaac thought the floors needed a little attention.

He mopped everything.

O.K. the floors are clean, the guests are seated and we could begin.

Many of these songs have the ole D.C. at the end--  

(that means you get to hear them twice)

This is my baby, so I can listen to them twice, but I don't know about our guests.

Only 10 more songs to go...hang in there Sophie.

did you say 10 more to go??

The final number was a duet and audience sing- along.

"Take me out to the ball game"

I got the giggles watching Isaac get the giggles.

He could hardly keep playing.

It must have been our beautiful rendition.

These unsuspecting folks don't realize that Ike is going to make the most of a captive audience.

He had a little speech prepared.

With no end in sight, Tom and I both tried to cut it short and were completely ignored.

He had a to let his teacher know

 that they are" just beginning this journey together."

I really hope that didn't scare her off.

Tom manned the post recital/speech refreshments

We appreciated Nana and Grandpa Jack, Mama and Papa, Sampsons, Watts, and Shills 

for their love and support of a 7 year old- floor mopping-piano playing- speech making boy.

During our tuck-in tonight, Ike kept saying how grateful he was 

that they would all come to see him play the piano.