HAPPY EASTER!

It was so nice to have the rain yesterday and then wake up to such a beautiful spring, glorious Easter morning. I enjoyed our family discussion on the atonment with the kids this morning, singing in the choir, teaching the word Res-ur-rec-tion to the nusery kids and seeing my sweet babies looking so pretty today! I am so grateful for the Atonement of my Savior. I know that I am nothing without Him.

THANKS GRANDMA MANN!

Well she did it again! Another AMAZING portriate from Grandma! Mom, this is so beautiful! I told McKenna she will have to have you paint another one for her when she gets married because I am keeping this one! We love you and appreciate you so much! What a wonderful gift!
I included a picture of the painting as well as some others that she did. The one of Ken and I was co-painted by Uncle Steve. Priceless...

We Loved the Easter Pageant!

We took the kids to the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple last night. It's been years since we have gone. I'd forgotten how beautiful it was. It's a good thing we went since Brooklynn asked me if there is candy at the Easter Pageant. It was a good opportunity to remind her what this holiday is really about! I am grateful for all the hard work that goes into this production! We had a lot of friends in it this year! It was so moving. Exactly what I needed. I do know that my Savior lives and loves and knows each one of us. He has provided the way - now we just need to accept his gift and follow him.

"It's gonna be OK Tia" Party!

We had so much fun at the chocolate potluck party Bailey had for Tia. Buddy made sure before he left for his mission that we all care for his Tia while he was away. She really did need some cheering up when he left so Bailey threw her an "It's Gonna Be OK Tia" Party. I think it did the trick. We ate LOTS of chocolate and watched movies. It was a blast. Here are some funny pics from our fun night...

Brooklynn Lost Her First Tooth!!!

She was so excited that her first tooth finally came out! She called me after school to tell me that it didn't even hurt and how cute and tiny it was. The sweetest thing was when she said, "Now we will have all the money we need for clothes and food because the tooth fairy is on her way." What a sweetie! Love you Brooklynn!

Kenna and Mom

McKenna is 15!!

I can't believe how fast the years fly by. I got some good motherly advice from my Mother when she said to enjoy this last year when your heart is not always in your throat once you hand the keys over to the teenagers. I politely agreed then she reminded me of what a horrible driver I was at 16 and I had to stifle a panic attack. McKenna is a wonderful daughter, I have a feeling she will be a better driver than me! I guess the odds are pretty good. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, more beautiful, talented daughter. I don't know what I did to deserve her. I love you Kenna, hope you had a fun day. She got to celebrate with her Uncle Dale on his birthday as well. She missed her aunt Becky whos birthday just passed as well. We always think of Jesse and Brooks around McKenna's birthday since their special day's are all so close! Good company! I love you all!

Return With Honor

Buddy left for his mission to Rome yesterday. We will miss him but we are so proud of his example and know that he will be a great missionary. We took a pre-mission picture of him with my boys so we could see how much they grow in two years. Kyle just happened to have his Return With Honor shirt on and made sure it was visible in the picture!
Love you Buddy!

Happy Birthday Amy!

Grounded From Pocket Knives!

David Archulette Fireside

Nick and Jordan let us know about David speaking at a fireside in our old Stake. I went with Mckenna and Carly and met Nick and Mason and Jordan there. He gave a great talk, sang my three favorite hymns, I AM A CHILD OF GOD, BE STILL MY SOUL AND HOW GREAT THOU ART. Then he stayed to take pictures and shake hands with anyone who wanted to, which was everyone! It was really neat.

New Mexico Zoo with Sheperd's

Last year we went to New Mexico to visit the Sheperds! We had a blast with our cousins! These are some of the pictures from our zoo trip there! We love you Sheperds!!!

In the Navy Now!

I just wanted to tell my nephew Josh, how proud I am of him for serving his family and the Lord all his life. For his faithfull mission in New York and for his decision to serve our Country in the Armed Services. I am grateful for you and your example and for your friendship!
We are all so proud of you and love you so much! We will miss you so much! You will always be in our thoughts and prayers! Here are a few pictures from a party we had in honor of Josh on Saturday....

Hamster Dance!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just playing a little catch-up. Here are some New Year's photos, (better late than never.) We welcomed Nick home from his mission to Montana! Welcome home Nick, we love you!! Buddy leaves for Rome on March 30! I am so proud of these boys! We had a family memorial for Grandma Mash so Sarah and the kids came down for the long weekend. We had a fun Valentine's Day with the Sheperd's. We went to the zoo and then to a funny improv show and dinner with friends. We cracked up for hours afterward sharing funny, embarrasing poop stories and cake for Bailey's 20th birthday. (That just sounds so wrong!) :) We had so much fun!! I love you all!!!

Arizona Winter Fun!

We had fun swimming in Hillary's pool with the cousins. It was heated which was nice. Little Ruthie came to play at my house. I had the hamster in her little ball on the floor. Then she was gone. I was getting worried until I realized that Ruthie decided that Bella would enjoy a little ride in the stroller. Kyle, Elise and I rode the paddle boats at the zoo. Brooks was crying because she thought there were alligator's in the lake. I finally convinced her that she wasn't going to be a reptile snack and she was finally ok and had fun! Don't you love how trusting they are at this age? That water was pretty mucky, who knows what was really in there!

Fun times!