Another visit!

A few weeks back we traveled to the Hales' house for another visit.  They are our dear friends who live in Colfax, just below Lake Tahoe.  They have nine acres and so many fun things to do!  The newest thing was the quad.  The kids loved it and rode it around the property, taking turns all day long.  

Adrienne's birthday happened to be on one of the days we were visiting.  Part of her birthday present was a trip to the country feed store to pick out 14 baby chicks to raise up.  Both of our families went and they are so nice to have let our kids pick out some of the chicks too.

Adrienne buys Otter Pops.  My kids try to have ten a day when they visit.  Naughty.  :)

They boys are climbing up the side of this slide they put in.  It's so fun and steep.  As a matter of fact Adrienne put in an entire "park" on part of their property for the kids to play on.  It has swings, ladders, slides, climbers, and all the rest of the things you see at a park.  She did it with the help of her kids, mainly Sammy Jr.  

The kids were in heaven as a couple of their dogs had recently had pups.  They were everywhere.  Adrienne also happens to raise these dogs, called Bichons.  She has about 10 females and 2 studs.  And she sells these puppies for a lot of money.  She also has nine kids, and she is an incredible mother.  How she does it, I do not know.  But, she's amazing.

More puppies...

Onto the birthday dinner.  

I'm just glad my kids aren't the only ones who stand on tables and islands.  

I helped gather all of the children to make a big birthday card for Adrienne.  Here she is reading it.  

Sam and Adrienne Hales.

Singing "Happy Birthday to you".....

We had another wonderful visit with the Hales.  We love them so much, like we love our own family.  They are some of the best people we know.  We always learn from them and we admire them for their dedication to their children, to the gospel and to each other.  Thank you for all you do for us, we love, love, love you all.  Be back soon!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxxoxoxxo

Happy Easter, 2014

 Happy Easter!  We had a wonderful day starting with excited children jumping into our bed telling us where the bunny hid their baskets.  We got ready for church and were making good time...that is until Summer's new Easter dress went up and missing.  We searched the house high and low for her dress.  Finally, her dad found it stuffed back into her pajama drawer.  Go figure.  I looked in there twice.  :)  After church, we took the kids to the park to get some pictures.  Seven kids, a camera and a baby that needs a nap is a tough recipe.  Here were the best group pictures.  

I'll take what I can get.  Summer has chocolate in her hands, she took off her cute shoes, Shane insisted on wearing his crocks and Will, well, he's tired.  I've learned to roll with the punches.  :)

I teach the 7/8 year old Sunday School class at church.  They are getting baptized this year and I love being their teacher.  I gave the Easter lesson today and it was filled with the spirit.  

What stood out to me most in my lesson was the difference in reaction with regard to seeing the angel at Christ's tomb between the guards and Mary.  For Family Home Evening tonight I went back over the Easter lesson with my family and had the younger kids place in order, the events of the Resurrection.  

Georgia pointed out that the guards, upon seeing the angel fell to the earth in fright because they had not been taught and weren't prepared.  But, Mary had been taught, she knew Jesus and Heavenly Father, she was prepared, and so her faith was great.  So to see an angel was not frightening to her.  

I feel one of my biggest blessings is the knowledge my children have of their Savior.  They are thoughtful about their faith and their religion and it never ceases to amaze me.  

For FHE we also showed our family the Easter video found on www.lds.org.  

Christ is our Savior.  He died for us.  He somehow bares all of our burdens and each one of us may progress, be happy, and be forgiven through him.  

I love the Savior.  I haven't always known him.  But he's always known me and for this I am eternally grateful.  Easter is a miracle because Christ showed us that each one of us may live again.  We may live with Him again and we may live with our blessed families.  

Families are Forever.  Christ is the Savior of this world, and happiness, while not without it's burdens, is always within reach...through Christ, our Savior.  

Happy Easter. 

On the Hunt...

Our church held it's traditional Easter Egg Hunt this last Saturday.  Life is so busy.  That morning Kirk and I were up at 6am to volunteer at a swim meet for Quicksilver, the team our older kids swim for.  Kalen was on a Boy Scout backpacking trip, and Kirk and I had to get back by 9am to get Reece off to his baseball game at 9:30am and I had to get the other kids off to the egg hunt.  Yikes, my life is a leeetle crazy these days.  

 Below is Kate, Georgia and Ava.

When people saw Will only had to eggs in his basket, they kept telling me where I could find more eggs for him.  I thought he was just fine with his two eggs.  Consuming three Star Bursts, with the wrappers on, no less, is about all he needs.  :)

This was the last year Gwyneth and Lily got to "hunt" for eggs.  Lindsey is older, in the middle.  She came to help her little sister.

Summer and Brooklyn going through their candy.  

 We have sister missionaries!!!!  I love them.  

Sam, Georgia, Ava, and Isabel doing a service project after hunting for eggs.  Tying baby blankets for the community hospital.  

Shane and a good friend named Isaac.  So dang cute.

Happy Easter Week!!!