Easter

On the Sunday night, the week before Easter, it was my turn for the lesson for Family Home Evening.  I found the idea last year, about taking time each night during the week leading up to Easter, to talk about what happened to Jesus on each of the days.  So, I made the effort to do that during the week.  Since we're not perfect, and have things going on some nights, we didn't get to talk about the events every day, like I had hoped.  But, what I loved was that the kids would ask me every day if we were going to learn about Jesus that night.  I felt bad when we couldn't make it happen, but at least they were enjoying it and learning about Jesus' final week.  I hung up the pictures that we talked about on the wall in our family room, so that they could be reminded about it during the day.  Between stuff I found online and watching the new Bible videos that the church put out, I know that I learned new things and I felt the spirit as we taught about Christ in our home.  I know it made my Easter more meaningful and I plan on making it a tradition each Easter. 

Kenny and Cassie

On Saturday (the day before Easter) we had Maggie babysit for a big chunk of the day.  We went to the temple to witness the sealing of one of Garrett's young men from when Garrett was YM president.  After the sealing, Garrett and I stayed and went through a session together, since it has been WAY too long since our last session together.  It was so nice, something I really needed.  We stopped and got some lunch on the way home. 

While we were gone, Maggie let the kids play out back and took some fun pictures of them playing and having a picnic.  I guess it was a little cool in the morning, but ended up being a beautiful, warm spring day. 

Lydia helping Noah swing.

I love this picture that Lydia took of a pretty flower.

Noah loves to say "CHEESE" for the camera now.

Their picnic

Playing in the yard

When we got back, it was like 3 in the afternoon, so we got busy with Easter festivities.  First we had a few egg hunts...

Then we dyed eggs, but brought it outside so we could enjoy the nice weather. 

The Easter Bunny either forgot to buy or didn't want to buy jelly beans for the traditional jelly bean trail.  When the girls came out of their rooms in the morning, they were worried that the Easter Bunny hadn't come because there wasn't a trail of jelly beans.  (He, he)

When we were all ready to go downstairs, we told them they better start searching for their baskets.  This is what they found in the morning (the above picture).  I guess he left a small trail with plastic eggs instead. 

The Easter Loot

 All the girls got pretty flower headbands--yellow is Bella's favorite color

 Going for the chocolate first!!  Candy, candy, candy!!!

 Maggie got a new purse

 His expressions crack me up!  Who is this kid?!

 Lyd's goodies

 After they went through their baskets, then we opened the Easter package from Grandma Hansen and found these fun bunny glasses! 

 He liked looking at them but didn't want them on. 

 Frantically trying to take pictures before church because we were late.  Sorry I know the lighting sucks.   

After church, getting ready to eat our ham dinner.  I found these cute little black frames at JoAnn's in the $ section and bought them, but didn't have a purpose in mind for them.  Then, when I was planning for Easter, I thought that it would be perfect to find pictures of Christ from the Ensign that pertained to Easter week and display them on our table for centerpieces.  Each picture had something to do with what we learned about in the past week.  There was one of the Triumphal Entry, one from the Last Supper, one of Christ praying in the garden, and two different ones of the Resurrected Christ showing himself to Mary and his apostles.  When Easter was over, I let each of the kids pick one to keep in their rooms.   

Spring Break

For Spring Break, Garrett was able to take a few days off of work. We wanted to go somewhere, but waterparks and hotels were just too expensive. So, we decided to take the trailer out and go camping.  I just wanted to be able to relax and have fun.  I don't feel like I can do that at home because there's always something that needs to be done or cleaned or cooked.  So, we headed down to Beverly Beach which is in between Newport and Lincoln City.  We knew the weather wasn't going to be very nice, but that is why we have a trailer.  So, we headed out Monday morning.  Since we decided this so late in the game, I didn't have much time to plan for a menu for the week.  So, we decided to just eat out for lunch or dinner and have breakfast/lunch in the trailer.  I didn't even have time to get to the store before we left though, so we had to stop and get a few things when we got there. 

After we got set up, we went and got some lunch at Abby's Legendary Pizza which is a pretty good little pizza place.  They have a few arcade games there and is a really family friendly place.  I had taken some pictures on my phone there, but somehow they got lost.  Then we got some groceries and came back to "camp".  Garrett bought these fishing poles for our first sabbatical.  The kids love playing with them, although they've never done any real fishing.  Noah got such a kick out of playing with them.   

Maggie trying to stay warm by the fire.  She's such a good girl.  She's working on her Faith in God booklet, so she can finish before she turns 12 soon!

Bella fishing

The weather wasn't so bad on Monday night, so we were able to have a fire and cook s'mores.  Yay!

Tuesday morning....eating breakfast.  We don't have Noah in any kind of booster seat when we go camping, so he loves the freedom of standing up and down at meal times. 

Hanging out in the morning and coloring.  Noah likes to be involved with whatever the girls are doing. 

Love his expression!

Garrett decided to tak the girls down to the beach to play before it started raining.  I stayed behind to give Noah a nap and catch up on my reading. 

It was raining and pretty cold while they were at the beach.  They played for awhile though. 

When they got back, Noah woke up soon after, so we decided to get in the car and find some linner and walk around Depoe Bay.  We went into one or two stores, but they were just souveneir junk, so didn't want to waste our time.  So we watched the waves spraying up on the rocks because it was really stormy outside.  We were pretty much soaked and cold so we went and had some food at this yummy bbq place called Bonepile BBQ.  It's a pretty small joint and there was only one guy working--I think he was the owner; we were the only customers, I think because we were there at such a weird time.  The guy was really nice and the food was really good.  I love pulled pork sandwiches!   

So, then we came back to camp and it was pouring rain, but Noah did not want to go back inside.  He LOVES being outside.  Since we got him some boy camo rainboots at the store the previous day, we decided to go and walk through all the puddles and splash.  He loved every minute of it. 

Then we went inside and did a puzzle and played Clue.  Then we fed the kids dinner and got them in bed.  Garrett and I usually stay up reading or watching movies. 

The next morning, we just hung out and played until it was time to pack up and check out.  The kids played outside some more while I packed up everything inside. 

When we got back home and after we ate lunch Maggie and I cleaned the trailer to get it ready for the next trip.  I always do this the day we get home, because if I put it off, then I won't get it done.  Maggie has been helping me the last few trips and it sure does help and make it go faster. 

Thursday we didn't go anywhere.  It's always nice to have one day at home to catch up on laundry and everything else and just take it easy. 

On Friday, our good friends the Nelsons were going to Safari Sam's so we went too.  It's a pizza place with lots of climbing tunnels and slides and stuff.  They have an arcade area and a glow in the dark mini-golf area, but that costs more.  They also have a little kid area which is nice.  When Noah finally got warmed up, he played like crazy.  He quite enjoyed it.  We had lunch and then spent some time in the arcade.  By then, it was crazy full of kids and I had had enough, so we left. 

Loving the slide (Sorry the pictures aren't very good--they are from my phone.)

Bella, Brooke, Sarya and Paige

When we got back and Garrett got off of work, we took the kids to see The Lorax, which was a pretty good movie.  Intel gives out 4 free tickets to Intel employees for the theater that is right next to our house, which is pretty darn cool. 

Then Saturday and Sunday we watched General Conference.  All the talks were amazing.  I have to say though that President Uchtdorf and Elder Holland are my most favorite speakers. 

This picture was taken during conference...so cute to see Noah snuggling up to his daddy.