Week #15: MTC Companion in the Tabernacle Choir

This week...

...we saw my MTC companion in the Tabernacle Choir on Sunday. It's always such a fun game to find Hermana Wilcock among the singers. Second row, second in from the right.

I still can't believe that I get to watch conference like this. Just look at that built-in! That is amazing workmanship. I just cant believe it's in my house. Thank you Handy Man Jason.

Me and my kiddos cuddling up for conference. Emma stayed the night at Aunt Shawnee's with Grace.

...the kiddos found their Easter baskets in the play room. They were super excited for the treats. These early morning, crazy hair, photos are part of the tradition. :) I'm sure they'll thank me later.

Lainey found two M&Ms in one.

...Lainey and Claire enjoyed the macaroni Salad I made. I always make too much. These girls are my sauce girls. This salad is right up their ally.

I also made my sister's Cabbage Chicken salad. Yummy!

...I packed Lainey in tight on a trip to Winco. She was more than ready to be done when we hit the checkout line.

...we watched Lambert the Sheepish Lion and related the video to being kind. The kids do really well with these kinds of application activities. I'm amazed at how well their little brains are already working to be able to relate  things to the gospel and then to our own lives.

...the Cub Scouts played games in the back yard-Kickball, Bocce Ball, and Horse Shoes. They had a great time.

...we had some cubing done in the front yard. From grass to curbing in about 45 minutes. They worked fast. It was fun to see the transformation and a relief that all the kids were gone at school. I didn't have to worry about any of them playing around the curbing while it dried.

This must have been hard work because their cigarettes were never far from their lips.

...Paul helped Jason mow the lawn. It's so fun to watch Paul as he learns. He wants to do it just right.

...I caught Ben monkeying around out front.

...our friend, John Hamilton, got his sign hung on his store. It looks so great from the road! So glad we could be part of John's success.

...Jason and I went on a date. We ate at El Sazon. It's authentic Mexican food sold in a restaurant fast food format. I also got a glass of Horchata. I was in heaven. The food featured below are called Huaraches, tasty but a little dry.

We then headed to Kohl's to see what kind of clothing we could find for Jason. He's always spending money on clothes for me. I was determined to spend money on him. We ran into our new friend Amie Hull with her son Tate. They were church shirt shopping. Once we had several good laughs, they departed and we found some clothes for Jason. Boo-yah!

...we made a trip to Job's nursery to find some bushes for the yard. Much like our trip to Costco, the kids were all over the place. But it was great to have them with us and a good opportunity to discuss being respectful, etc.

Some of the kids were trying to get warm by sitting with Grandma Zirker. It helped for a little bit.

Here's a look at our spoils.

It was a cold day to decide to work outside. But we toughed it out and got most everything planted.

Week #14: Root Beer on the Doorstep

This week...

...This was the surprise we found on our doorstep this morning. It was a thank you from Jason's work buddy for applying the vinyl on his truck. Hey, I can handle that. Yum-my!

...we hiked Badger Mountain. The kids were pretty excited for Spring Break and this was our first family outing. It was Family Home Evening as well.

Before the hike, when we're all still in good spirits.

Starting up the killer steps at the beginning.

We did have to take some breaks along the way.

We made it!

...we went to Twigs for our annual celebration of my sister's birthday. Twigs is Cherice's favorite restaurant. We've gone there for the last four years in a row. The sticky cookie is delicious!

...We met up with some friends at the park. Claire was right by Moose the whole time.

...we played a riveting game of Headbandz. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves so much. Playing with Lainey is always interesting. If you listen to the questions she asks, you can find out what your own card is every time. She will ask a few yes or no questions, but then asks if she is what is shown on all of the other cards. It makes me laugh because she doesn't realize that she can't be what is shown on the other cards because we all have those cards. 

...we cut the vinyl for our friend's store front. Doesn't it look great? John Hamilton brought us the design; we cut and applied the vinyl. We're so proud of John and all he has accomplished by starting his own business.

...we played with Ivy for a couple of hours. We just love this girl. She has the cutest voice and sweetest disposition. All of my kids are captivated by her when she comes.

Ivy loves Cinderella and Prince Charming.  

...we had some we ice. They were running the "buy one large, get one free" deal. Only, larges are way too big for all of us. Even a small is kinda too much. The we ice ladies totally hooked us up...and then we had to get in the car because everyone was too cold.

...we made a trip to Costco, with everyone but Emma. The kids were having a blast. Jason and I, not so much. The kids were hyped, but there are just so many people that frequent Costco for that to ever end well. I did take some pictures though... 

"Turn Back Now!" might be an appropriate caption for this one. Haha!

The quietest part of the whole experience-watching Big Hero 6 on the big screen.

At the checkout

...we celebrated Easter. At our house. With the cousins. We hosted Jason's family for the celebration - Wade and Stephanie came, his mom and dad, Heidi and Sam came with their two kids, and Lara and Travis came. We had great food and visiting. Travis set up the Easter egg hunt for the kids. They had a blast finding the eggs and then eating the goodies inside.

These brothers together at last. They sure have a great time together.

(Ben, Warren, Paul, Emma, Grace, Lainey, Peyton, Aubrey, Claire)

And they're off!

...we watched conference and worked in the back yard. Ok, I started out watching conference with the kids, but that didn't last long. Once they saw Jason working outside, they were gone. Jason turned on conference through his phone and speaker so he could listen while he worked. He took out the sprinklers on the side where we took out the sod, fixing the lines so we could get our other sprinklers turned on.

The kids were hard workers for dad.