Motivavation to Move

     I'm blaming this all on my brother Kerry.  He is a very hard worker.  He is someone you want to know.  He is one of those people you know you can call day or night with any situation, and he will be there for you.  For example, he called us to find out when the big move was going to be.  I hemmed and hawed because we just weren't sure.  Well, he was like "Let's do this sister.  What's the hold up?"  When I realized he was available the very next Saturday,  but not the two Saturday's after that, I thought "We have to do it.  We have to have Kerry."
     I began packing and cleaning like a mad woman.  (I had been doing those things....just not like a mad woman.)  My sister-in-law Angelique came over to help me clean the new house.  (Bless you Angelique!)  I called two of my friends, who had offered on numerous occasions to help, and they helped me vacuum, clean floors and wipe out cabinets.  (Thank you Kelly and Martha!)  Brian texted a group of our friends and family, and they helped move everything we had ready: packed boxes, food storage, bookshelves, couches, tables etc...  Beds were put together.  Windows were cleaned.  Food was brought.  The lawn was mowed.   It was all very exciting and helpful and tiring and chaotic and wonderful, and.......we are now split between two houses.  Kerry, I'm blaming you.
     Brinley and Tanner woke up Monday morning to practice the piano.  The piano is at one house and the bench (and the kids) are at the other.  Brian has been driving over to the new house at 6:15 each morning to help the kids get their practice in.  Our bedroom furniture is at one house but all of our couches and chairs (except for one loveseat) is at the other house.  We left our kitchen table at our "old' house, but somehow we only kept four chairs behind.  It is all kind of humerous.  And really, we can't complain.  We needed that motivation from Kerry saying "Let's get this done!  What's the hold up?"  Thanks Kerry, and if wait one more week, will you be available to help us finish the move? 



Brinley enjoying reading a few minutes  before school in an itty bitty primary chair.

Seriously, this one little loveseat for the six of us.  I like it when three of the kids will sit shoulder to shoulder on it to watch a show.





 

    

Conference

      I decided to try a new activity at conference.  Well, actually I was forced to.   I was scrambling at the last minute because we were in the middle of moving chaos.  Coloring books and conference tents were packed.  I hadn't printed any fun conference packets that tend to pop up on Facebook and Pinterest.  Brian was running the boys to a Saturday morning batting thing and baseball pictures.  Anyway, candy and chip bowls with possible conference topics were the quick solution.  When the topics were discussed in the the talks, the kids could get a treat from that bowl. (prayer, missionary work, repentance etc...)
     I think in October we might do this only for one session.  The kids were a bit too focused on the candy and less on just enjoying the conference talks as a family.  Overall, we had a wonderful two days listening to counsel from our leaders.

Especially when each session started the kids (not Brinley) were RIGHT next to the treats. They would eventually relax a bit and just enjoy. You'd think they never got a candy in their life. (Actually, I had ALL of these treats on hand... so they are obviously not deprived....mostly clearance from Valentine's Day and Easter.) 

  Legos, coloring sheets, and candy bowls kept everyone in the room and pretty happy!



Lauron spent the night with Aubrey and then joined us for conference while her big sister had a gymnastics meet.

 

Apparently the talk by Elder Falabella where he challenged his granddaughter who was just learning to read, to read The Book of Mormon, made an impression on Aubrey. The next night she brought me a copy of The Book of Mormon and said, "I am ready to start." I was a little confused and it was past her bedtime. I thought she just wanted me to help her read personal scriptures for the night. I just read her a random verse and tried to send her off to bed. She was NOT pleased and burst into tears. I felt horrible. Now, in addition to family scriptures each night, she brings the scripture to me or Brian, and she reads one verse. She is in 1st Nephi 1:7 now.  Pretty adorable. 



Camera Time

Aubrey has (re?)discovered the camera.  I have been finding all sorts of pictures like these on my phone and on the camera. 

 

She loves wearing Bryn's old glasses that don't have any lenses. 

Love this silly girl!
 

Easter Baskets and Decorating Eggs

The loot!

A Hello Kitty Hat,a stuffed animal and more:)

A coveted purple shirt, blue and white polo
shirt, candy etc....

Suction ball game + Easter candy = A happy boy

New church shoes (heels!), smelly markers, and candy!

Monday night FHE activity



 



Tan being goofy.
 

Concentration!

 

We had a nice spread out Easter weekend.  The week leading up to Easter Sunday we just happened to be  studying in Third Nephi (in The Book of Mormon) about Christ's death. It was perfect timing to read about the earthquakes and destruction when He died and then the peace and calmness when Jesus spoke to those on the American continent.  We are just know getting to Third Nephi 11 when Christ visits those in America.  We had the cousin Easter Egg hunt on Friday, baskets on Saturday, a beautiful Sacrament meeting and Primary sharing time/lessons on Sunday.  To cap it off, Parker shared a great lesson on Christ's death and resurrection on Sunday night followed by egg decorating on Monday.  I felt like it was a good balance of the true meaning of Easter mixed with the fun traditions in our culture.

Cousin Easter Egg Hunt

     Angelique was on top of things this year and organized a cousin Easter Egg hunt for Friday morning.  We did this several times together when our kiddos were younger, but it's been a few years.  It was fun to watch all of the kids together.  They were happy and excited but also very generous with each other.  They were all quick to share candy and eggs with anyone who might be lacking.  Afterwards a group of us trickled over to the petting zoo at Tractor Supply. 

 



The group!
Turquoise and Orange seem to be the colors of the season!

 

Aubrey and Lauron

Uncle Chris!

Silly Stevie

Braddock, Joseph and Hudson

Erin and Ang

Brit and Charlotte

Erin, Emily and Isaiah 

Aub willing to pose for half a second so I could get this shot!

Parker, Holden and Tanner

Lovely pink basket Parker!

Charity scored w/ a huge Warhead egg...and a $50 egg!

Park, Benja and Bryn checking out their loot.