The Canyon

One of the things I have loved about being in Utah is all the family time we have had.  We love to head the canyon and hang out.  Sometimes we have dinner, sometimes we roast marshmallows, but mostly we just love to sit and visit.  There isn't any cell reception, so there aren't any distractions.  Just good old fashion fun.

The kids like to throw rocks in the river or practice skipping them if they can find a calm area where the water isn't rushing.

I thought I'd try to get a picture of the kids all together even though everyone had just been lounging around the house all afternoon and not "picture ready".  Haha!  Good thing I wasn't serious about getting a great picture!  I actually love the realness of these.

Brynne's Baptism

Still playing catch up!  I keep putting off this post because it is so close to my heart. 

I had been back and forth to California so much in the Spring, that I didn't think I could make the quick trip back for my niece's baptism.  I had another trip planned just 2 weeks later for a wedding.  

Wednesday night, before Brynne's baptism, Jen sent me pictures she had taken of Brynne for her baptism announcement.   I sat looking at the pictures on my computer and couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my cheeks.  I looked at her in her white dress and wondered if I would ever get to see her all grown up in another white dress? 

  My heart was broken as I sat looking at all that sass and spunk packed into her tiny little body and hated the idea of not knowing how long she would be here with us.  I hated being so far away and missing out on her life.  

I wished there was a way I could be there.  Lauren had play try outs on Saturday and we had promised some kids in our ward that we would take them to prom in the bus Saturday night.  I couldn't sleep thinking about it.

Thursday morning Jason said he would stay home with Lauren and take the kids on Saturday if I wanted to go.  He said if it was something that I would regret missing, then I should be there.  The other stuff didn't matter.  He was right.  I packed up that morning and texted the kids at school to let them know to come straight home after school because we were heading to California!  We slept in Vegas Thursday night and got to Clovis on Friday.

I was so excited when I heard that Brynne also had her dance recital Saturday morning!  I miss having my girls in that recital. :(  It was so fun to watch Brynne and catch up with old friends.

My Grandparents, Sterling and Katie and Nan were all in town for Brynne's baptism too.

After the recital, we had lunch at Dog House Grill.  Austin was so excited to have tri tip again!  I love that place too!

That afternoon, was Brynne's baptism.

The baptism was beautiful.  We sang a few primary songs while we waited for Brynne to get changed after her baptism.  One of the songs was "Families Can Be Together Forever".  I got a little teary as I thought how grateful I am for that knowledge.  I was so touched by all the people that came to support Brynne.  She is so loved by many!!  Here she is with some of her cute friends that came.

I love how tender hearted Haley is.  She was obviously touched too.  I caught her in the hall wiping away tears and gave her a hug.  I am so glad she is still there with Jen and loves Brynne too.  Ah, I miss my Clovis friends...

The day was filled with more good eats and good friends.  Brynne wanted to go to The Habbit burger for dinner, so we did!

We woke up early Sunday to drive back home.  Super short trip, but worth ever minute.

Other Pieces of April

My darling nephew Miles was born. Ashlyn was so excited to hold him.

Jen drove out with my mom to squeeze in one last ski day in Utah and have a shopping day with me!  Janelle met us at Orange Leaf for a little sister time.  I love my sisters!

We got to spend some time with my parents while they were in town.  My kids were thrilled to get to hang out with Grandpa.

I have decided that Paige is either super organized or a little OCD!  When she gets out of the bath she lines up her rubber duckies and makes sure they are with their matching color.

She even organizes her snacks.

She is getting so big!  She found fairy wings in the dress up and wore them all afternoon! 

It did warm up for a minute.  Lauren didn't waste any time pulling out her capri's and short sleeves!

She was disappointed when it snowed a few says later.

My Grandparents came to visit and took my and the little girls to a movie and lunch while the big kids were at school.

It was Paige's first time to the movie theater.  It actually went really well!

I love that my grandparents make such a huge effort to stay close to us and the kids!  They are awesome and I love them so much!  I hope I am like that when I am a grandparent.

Hope of America

I was so touched by Lauren's Hope of America performance with her elementary school.  It was held at the Marriott Center at BYU.  It could not have come at a better time in light of the tragedy in Boston.  We started the program with an opening prayer and then recited the pledge of allegiance, including the words "once nation under God".  I got teary eyed as we sang the National Anthem.   I'm so grateful for the country that we live in and this state that is not constantly trying to take God out of schools.  These kids truly are the hope of America.

Lauren is in the light pink skirt in the middle.

I loved the look on everyone's faces while they watched the performance.

Lauren is in the back row in the middle.

Lauren- back row under the "A".

 Lauren wanted to go to Denny's after the performance.  It was a feel good night!