Pictures from this last weekend that made me laugh

My older kids are quite good at just smiling, letting me click away and getting several

good photos. (At least they are now. This wasn't always the case.) I usually get plenty of 

good pics of the younger kids too. But often, along with the good photos of the young
ones, I get some that make me laugh a lot.  Here are a few that did just that to me:

When this boy laughs, it makes my day. Love it so much.

 If you don't know that this would be Nate's signature look, you might need to get to

know him better. Mischievous would be a good description of Nathan boy.

 This was when I started taking photos of a certain two-year old.

 This was after I offered licorice for a good smile.

(I am most definitely not above bribery when it comes to photos.)

 Something in your mouth there Gracie girl?

I think we'll title this photo "Hairball." No explanation needed I believe.

I love this day...

...just because it reminds me that I am so ridiculously blessed.

My Mother's Day gift to myself

(With lovely cooperation from my kids of course.)

I love these pictures so much. And these kids of mine even more.

Sometimes I don't understand why I am so blessed to be a mother.

But I can honestly say it fills me with gratitude on my hard days

and on my not-so-hard days. My life is truly just good.

Boys and shoes

I have never in my life seen a child that wears out shoes like our Matt. And not even in
duration, but in the way the actual shoes wear out. It is crazy cakes. If you had held one
of the shoes you see below, you would have wondered if a Kleenex had replaced the sole.

(Before his mother threw these sad excuse for footwear away, he wanted to take
the shoelaces out. To remember these particular shoes by. Okay?)

I imagine it is because everything he does in life is happy and joyful and full of energy.

He doesn't slow down for a second. Ever. (Okay, sometimes when he sleeps. Sometimes.)

So if that means his shoes look like the above every few months, I'll take it.

That boy teaches me about how to be truly happy and full of life.

 And in more lovely news, my boys almost always (and I'm not kidding, nearly always) need

new shoes at the same time. Sigh. Oh well, the excitement on their faces when they saw

the shoes above were worth it. I love my kids. And the deprived life they live that makes

them overly grateful for everything. Especially bright, new shoes. With actual soles.

(Two of the above shoes had to be bought in the mens' section. No, I'm not kidding. I wish I was.

Why or why do they constantly mock my age?)

He asked me if he could listen to a conference talk on my phone

And already knew which one he wanted to hear again.

Love this sweet boy so very much.

Can she really be standing already?

 A little wary, as I'm quite positive the standing part was an accident.

Oh, but it quickly turns to being pretty proud of herself.

I love this baby girl so much it is ridiculous.

(In spite of the fact that I am way too old and tired to have my youngest reaching

milestones far ahead of her siblings. Why was sitting and playing so short-lived?)

"Nathan, where are you?"

"I'n in the bafroom. Just playing wif the water."

April sky

All of my April phone pics were limited and lame. Except the one above.

At least to yours truly who will never get over this beautiful world God blessed us with.

Sweet baby girl

Easter Sunday

Because He Lives

Because He Lives.

All photos from this past week found here.

Easter week ~ He lives!

“I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King,

our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. 

He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God.”

~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

Easter week ~ Of Him I am a witness

“I declare to you that I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He lives. 

He was born in the meridian of time. He taught his gospel, was tried,

was crucified. He rose on the third day. He was the first fruits of the resurrection.

He has a body of flesh and bone. Of this I bear testimony. Of Him I am a witness.”

~ Elder Boyd K. Packer

Easter week ~ Even born again

 “I witness the reality and divinity of a living Savior who invites us to come

unto Him and be transformed. Through faith in Christ, we can be spiritually

prepared and cleansed from sin, immersed in and saturated with His gospel,

and purified and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise—even born again.”

~ Elder David A. Bednar

Easter week ~ He will ever be at our side

“I bear my solemn witness that Jesus the Christ lives. He is the Savior 

and Redeemer of the world. He is the promised Messiah. He lived a 

perfect life and atoned for our sins. He will ever be at our side. 

He will fight our battles. He is our hope; He is our salvation; 

He is the way. Of this I testify.”

~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Easter week ~ Let us emulate His example

 "He is our Master. He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. 

He is the Author of Our Salvation. He beckons,'Follow me.'

He instructs, 'Go, and do thou likewise.' He pleads,'Keep my commandments.'

Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words.

By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.”

~ President Thomas S. Monson

Easter week ~ The only lasting joy and happiness

 “I know that God sent His Son to the world, to be an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.

 And those who embrace his gospel and follow Him, will enjoy eternal life, the greatest 

of all gifts of God. I know that the only lasting joy and happiness we will ever find 

during our mortal experience will come by following the Savior, obeying His law

 and keeping his commandments. He lives! This is my witness to you.”

~ Elder L. Tom Perry

Seven months

You would be surprised how often my children leave me speechless

During one of the hymns being sung yesterday, Matt turned to me and said,

"I like the outfits the Mormon Tabernacle Choir wears, 

but maybe next time they could wear t-shirts that say,

 Go President Monson! #generalconference."

I seriously love General Conference

March phone pics

Grace meeting Grandma Dawn for the first time. So sweet.

 Jacob wanted to order Thai take out for his birthday and while we were waiting for

our food, we took a good look at this wood carving in the lobby of the restaurant.

It was honestly incredible! This was a very small portion of the whole thing.

This baby makes me happy. She is growing up so much and so fast.

My March sky photo. I took it one evening as I was out on a walk. I love the desert.

 Matt had an eye appointment for new glasses. And decided to try contacts (so that he

could actually see what was happening on the soccer field). He is an expert already.

The weather is warming up and Annie has started to have some of her riding lessons

in the outdoor arena. She has improved so much. I honestly love watching her ride.

And the view from the arena isn't too bad either. Darling girl, beautiful mountains...I'm a fan.

One of the horses at the equestrian center that I am in love with. If I were

a thiefing person I would find a way to steal this lovely thing. And if I

had a place to keep her. And if I had no conscience. Isn't she a beauty?

We sure miss these guys

Our friends, Kathy and Bryan, were here in Utah visiting family and stopped by 

to say hello. To say that we miss them would be a huge understatement. 

They are so good to us and were one of the best things about Massachusetts.

It took Nate about 42 seconds to decide Bryan was his best friend. It was

absolutely darling and he talked about him for many days after they left. 

He actually was ready to leave with them when they had to go. For real.

We miss you Bryan and Kathy! A lot. 

Thank you so much for coming and please come again soon.