Easter 2013

We kept our Easter festivities simple this year. Still, it was sweet. Here are some highlights:

My little cottontail. - Thanks to Annie for picking out the outfit!



Coloring Eggs.



Bunny tastes new treats. - Hooray for being 6 months old! - Mommy usually introduces one new pureed baby food at a time. Daddy has his own approach.



Easter morning


Happy Easter!

March 2013 and Visitors!

Here are a few pics of the kids.

This is a cool wintery tree that Eve made at school and a poster for an oral book report she gave.


All dressed up,


or not dressed up.


March 23rd was a wonderful day! We had family come into town for a visit and we celebrated Matt's birthday. Here we are with cake.


I made an Italian creme cake (dairy free) and I gave Matt some flowers for our front yard, which arrived later.

We spent the next few days enjoying our company- catching up, seeing some sights, and just being together.

The cute baby cousins


At the Mormon Trail Center on Monday

My Mother helping with little Christian.


On Tuesday we went to see Oz at the theatres. It was a special treat for my family since we usually wait for the movies to go to the Redbox. It was a fun one to see in 3D!

Wednesday, we went out to lunch at a German restaurant downtown after the kids got out early. It was a half day of school and the beginning of their spring break. I must admit that it is fun to try new restaurant experiences, especially as you seek out the lesser known gems. It can be a bit daring though with little ones. We definitely got a unique experience. Some dishes were a hit, others just ok. However, none of us left hungry and we avoided meltdown with the kids, so I guess you can say- All is well that ends well.:) I appreciate Catherine and Aaron's attempts to mix it up and keep us on our toes! After lunch, we went to the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs.


Thursday Annie and I (with our kids) went to the zoo and Cat, Aaron, and my mom went downtown. We decided to split up because everyone wanted to do different things. It can be hard when we are all in different phases of life to make everyone happy doing one thing. :) I really do love our zoo! If you ever get a chance to visit Omaha it is a great place to go. Fortunately we finally got some sunshine and warmer temperatures for the day. Annie and I sure enjoy being mothers at the same time. I sort of feel like we are playing dolls or "house" like when we were little. We love to share ideas and give each other advice. We love to talk!

Friday, everyone loaded up and headed back to Colorado. I admit that I felt a bit limited in all that I could do and wanted to do with them. I guess with a new baby that is just the way it goes. I appreciated all the help my family gave me, holding or playing with my kids as well as dishes and other tidying that was done! I couldn't have hosted very well without all the help! Thank you to my wonderful family for making the HUGE effort to come out and see me! It was so nice to connect with you all again. Thanks Mom and Cat for playing the piano! I enjoyed it so much! I sure do love my family and I am glad they put up with me. :)

Visiting Illinois

We were happy to be able to return to Illinois this month. The Owen's son, Andrew, turned 8 years old and made the decision to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Isn't that a beautiful and monumental thing to say? I have been studying the restoration of the church lately and realizing what a miraculous and truly joyful thing it was! I have so much joy in my life because I have the teachings of Christ, and the church to bless me with the ordinances that prepare me to return to live with God.

It was wonderful to see Andrew take this step as he exercised his faith in Christ. It was also SO beautiful to see how the choices his parents have made have blessed him to have the happiness that he has.

Matt was scheduled to work in Alton for the end of the week and so we drove out as a family on Wednesday night, March 6th and stayed through the weekend. It was great to see our former neighbors, teachers, and of course our ward friends!

Here are some pics of Andrew's special day.



We had a great time at Andrew's Birthday party, swimming, hanging out, and talking!

I think Sterling was more excited than Andrew about the gift he was giving to him! :)


Thanks to the Owens for their hospitality, and friendship! We are excited to see you all again soon!