Easter 2013

Our Easter started in Utah. Teresa made eggs benedict for our breakfast, kids searched for hidden baskets (amidst getting ready) and then we headed to church for sacrament meeting. After sacrament meeting our family went back to Jared/Teresa's to pack up and get on the road.

Thank you Jared and Teresa for being such wonderful hosts. We were well taken care of and had lots of fun with you. So glad we're not only family... but friends. :)

When we were home and settled, we did our traditional Jerusalem dinner. This year we ate our "fish" on folded flatbread. It was softer and tastier than other things we have tried in the past.

Instead of doing our "Easter in an Egg" we tried something new. We started before leaving on our trip (I had originally wanted to do it for the whole week leading up to Easter) continued on our car ride home and finished after our Jerusalem dinner. 

We studied the "Betrayal, Trial and Crucifixion of Christ", that I got from here. It was awesome! It gave so many details and I learned so much. My kids did some eye-rolling about the time it took, but also had their moments of complete engagement too. 

I would like to study this again next year, but would do it slightly different. I would be more prepared to talk about the resurrection. This study guide lead us up to that, but didn't address the resurrection. In the moment,   when I realized we were leaving off at the the crucifixion, we quickly found some scriptures to read about the resurrection.

We had a different, but lovely, Easter. 

Hope you did too.

It's Great to be 8!

Abree turned 8 years old on October 5th. Because of General Conference, our stake baptisms were moved to October 13th. So instead of having to wait until the first Saturday of November, she was able to be baptized the week after her birthday. We thought that was pretty cool.

Powdered doughnuts and pumpkin/cream cheese bundt cake. Yum.
It's GREAT to be 8! (get it?)
I had to spell it out for many of my family members. :)

 Taylee and Abree washed and braided Piper's hair (doll) and Abree put her white dress on.. so they could be "twins".

 Abree's dress was made by Grandma Smullin. Isn't is pretty? Thank you Grandma Smullin!

 Months before Abree's birthday..at least 6, Abree told me she wanted "high heels" for a gift. I found these "high heels" brand new at Goodwill. They were a little big, but fit ok with socks. She'll be able to wear them for a while. :)

 Taylee braided Abree's hair and we put her flower headband on that she got for her birthday.

 Abree is ready to get baptized.

This year, Abree's Primary teacher Sister Morrison, asked me (as Primary president) if their class could attend each baptism. I thought that sounded like a great idea (if parents supported it).
Each month, as Abree would go to her classmate's baptisms, she would get more and more excited for her own. She and Catherine Chandler were the LAST ones to be baptized (in our ward) for the year...finally. Abree also had a school classmate (Tyler) and a friend from another ward (Allie Brown) get baptized the same day..kinda cool.

After the baptism, we gathered in a classroom for her confirmation, so family and friends could participate.
Family pictures followed.

 Sweet cousins... a.k.a. the "princess posse" (in part).

 Julia-Christian-J.C.-Me-Jason-Lexie-Tyrel-Tim-Dad Waite-Dad Smullin

Treyson-Amber-Rylee-Taylee-Mom McKinley-Karen-Mom Smullin-Baby Savannah

Cameron-Audrey-Katelyn-Sydney-Abree-Lizzy-Micaela

Joshua-Adam-Matthew-Jackson

 We gathered back at our home to have homemade soup and bread. I made a potato soup and chicken vegetable noodle soup. Karen made whole wheat and french bread.

Thanks Karen! Yumm-o.

Grandpa Smullin-Grandma Smullin-Lizzy-Amber

Lexie-Tyrel-Tim

 We took turns holding sweet Baby Savannah, J.C.and Julia's newest addition. Isn't she cute?!

 Christian

 Cameron-Jackson

 Matthew

 Daisylyn

 Joshua

Grandpa Waite-boys-J.C.-Jason-Audrey

Katelyn-Taylee-Micaela

Julia-Savannah

Amber-Tim-Karen

Grandpa Waite-J.C.-Grandpa Smullin-Julia-Savannah-Rylee-Grandma Smullin

Tyrel-Lexie

Family, thanks for being with us on Abree's special day.

It was lovely.

Abree turns 8!

Abree requested a princess cake for her birthday. She said she wanted it to be a "regular princess", which I interpreted as not a Disney character???

I borrowed a Barbie from the girl's stash, but had to take the legs off to make her fit into her "dress". Little did I know, but I picked Taylee's beloved "first Barbie" and she was upset and heart-broken I had taken the legs off (one of them might not be able to be repaired). Sorry Taylee.

The "princess" turned out a little squatty. She kind of sunk into the cake as I was frosting it. Abree didn't seem to mind. I used a new frosting technique I saw on Pinterest. I liked that part of it at least. :)

We invited Grandma McKinley and Grandpa Waite over for dinner, gifts and dessert.

Abree's requested birthday meal was nachos. So I made "deluxe nachos", which included black beans, taco meat, olives, salsa, sour cream and avocados. Yum.

Abree was very excited to open gifts. After dinner, it was FINALLY time. She wondered why this gift was so heavy...it was her own set of scriptures! An 8-year-old gift tradition.

Funny story: Taylee and I were recently talking about buying scriptures. When she found out how much they cost, she was shocked. She said, "You mean to tell me that you trust 8-year-olds to not loose them or ruin them, when they cost that much?! Wow!" Then I reminded her that's why I was so upset when Treyson lost his promptly after receiving them. Thankfully they turned up later..whew. :)

Abree was spoiled with gifts.

She received; scriptures with a purse-type holder, a journal, pink sheets, a dress, socks and DS game (from Jason and I), pens, stickers, journal and crafty masks (from Grandma McKinley), Sunday shoes (from Rylee), a picture of Jesus (from Treyson), a homemade CUTE doll bed for Piper (from Taylee), a kite, a potholder craft set, a ball, beads and much, much more (from Grandpa Waite).

Happy Birthday sweet Abree!

Can't believe you're so grown up... my baby is 8!!!

4th of July

We started our 4th of July celebrating by going down to the car wash for a BBQ. Jason provided the burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks, while the employees contributed salads and desserts. It was a yummy lunch.

I saw this star braid on Pinterest and had to try it on Abree for the 4th of July. 

It turned out so cute she asked if I would give her doll, Piper the same hair-do. 

Later Taylee and Rylee joined the star club when they asked if I would braid their hair also.

That evening, we went to Grandma McKinley's neighborhood park for a family BBQ and fireworks.

Micaela

Lizzy-Taylee-Dean

Dean brought some little known facts about the United States that he shared with us.

Tyrel and Lexie.. the newly engaged couple.

Treyson and Sterling wrestling.

After a great dinner, we gathered for a firework display by Dean. You could say that some of us may have been a little nervous about how close the LIT fireworks were to the UNLIT fireworks.
We had at least one exciting moment, that had the kids and adults moving back a few more feet. I don't remember the details, but I do know that Chanel ended up with a welt on her cheek and Taylee got something in her eye. :)

Dean-Grandpa Waite

Candice-Jason

Treyson-(Brinton)-Jackson

Taylee-Micaela-Jackson-Treyson-Abree-Lexie

Jackson-Levi-Dean

The kids liked the POPS.

Abree-Lizzy-Rylee-Micaela-Taylee-Daisylyn-Amber

And they took turns with the roman candles. 

I was NOT put in charge of any sparklers this year...I think I may never have that job again...I have a bad reputation. :)

Happy Birthday America!