A Trip to Kansas City

We just returned from a trip to Kansas City. We attended the Kansas City temple open house and visited various church history spots. Here are some highlights:

Car Ride

Rebecah was all smiles because she felt so big holding the DVD player while Kimball was sleeping. She had Dora the Explorer all to herself!


Kimball catching some Zzzzzzs.


Adam-ondi-Ahman

Kimball was all about pictures with Joseph...


And with Rebecah...


And by himself...


Rebecah didn't want to be left out.



Candid shot of Kimball.



Candid shot of Joseph and Kimball talking .


Haun's Mill





Far West. It looks the same as when I visited years ago...maybe 20 years ago...the only difference is a bathroom now. It was a nice addition to the area because Kimball needed to use it!





Liberty Jail




Kansas City Temple Open House.

It's a beautiful temple, like all temples are. The kids were a little grumpy because they were tired of waiting, but on the way home Rebecah kept asking if we could go back to the temple and Kimball said he liked it inside.

Not our best family picture, but it was bright outside.


Group Shot.



We were glad family members could join us for the trip. It was fun to see family again and to meet some family for the first time.

Easter Sunday

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays, but as I get older and understand and appreciate the Atonement and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ I like Easter better each year.

This year we started a new tradition. I had 12 plastic eggs and in each egg was a scripture and token representing different aspects of Christ's last few days on the Earth and then his Resurrection. In conjunction with the eggs each night we would watch one of the new Bible videos that our Church has been making. Kimball loved watching the special movies each night.

Sunday morning we had these for breakfast:

We listened to Easter music throughout the day and enjoyed talking with the children about Easter and how special it is.

We had the missionaries over for dinner and after they left we watched The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd. Kimball closely followed the movie this year and really enjoyed the movie. He asked if he could watch it again. I love it when my kids feel the Spirit and like watching church movies!

I am so grateful for Easter and the joy and comfort that it can bring to each of us as we ponder those who have preceded us in death, our own mortality and physical limitations that we are given. We will all be whole and alive!

Easter Saturday

I know Easter is really on Sunday, but we celebrate the "fun" part of Easter on Saturday so we can enjoy the Spiritual aspect on Sunday and give it the attention it deserves.

Saturday morning we got together with friends for an Easter egg hunt. Joseph hid about 70 eggs and after the kids got tired of hunting it took the adults another 10 minutes of staring at the ground to find the last few eggs. The kids had fun though and were so excited every time they found an egg.

Hunting Pictures:






After our egg hunt we enjoyed playing ping pong in the morning. During nap time Joseph went on a 3 hour bike ride and the kids slept. After everyone was refreshed we gave the kids some Easter presents. Kimball has expressed interest in baseball so he got a t-ball set. Rebecah likes anything outside so we gave her a little golf set. She will soon be ready to take on Uncles Spencer and Jonathan...

Joseph and Kimball golfing. Rebecah was too busy playing t-ball to golf.




Trying out the new baseball equipment.





Rebecah with two of her favorite playmates:

Recognize Anyone?

A few weeks ago at story time a photographer from the newspaper showed up. We don't get the paper, but I hoped if Rebecah or Kimball were in the paper someone would tell us. Rebecah's picture was on the front page of our local paper. They couldn't have picked a cuter girl to be in the picture.

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday Joseph and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. Joseph was able to take the afternoon off from work so he could be home with the kids and me. We had our traditional meal of homemade eggrolls and raspberry white chocolate cheesecake for dessert.

Kimball had the great idea to paint the wrapping paper that my present came in so he could be involved in the festivities.

As you look at the picture, Rebecah painted the left side and Kimball did the right.



It was a good day. Joseph and I plan on going out Friday evening for dinner.

St. Patrick's Day

We are getting into St. Patrick's more each year. This year I decided to decorate and for less than $5 I was able to make a paper garland, the rainbow paper chain and the hanging shamrocks. Kimball especially loved the decorations and it has been fun to see his excitement.

Shamrock Garland



Hanging Shamrocks in our kitchen.



An up-close shamrock that I made for my sister, Heather.



At story time this week the kids did a St. Patrick's Day craft. I thought it was super cute and the kids were excited about them. They made little leprechaun hats and beards.

Leprechaun Kimball



Leprechaun Rebecah



They were so proud of their little beards and hats that we made at the library.


The leprechauns came while we were sleeping and left a rainbow with some Rolo gold and shamrocks by our front door. The kids went on a little leprechaun hunt and were excited about the edible gold. They dressed up in their story time crafts for the hunt.



Our green dinner of pulled pork, Irish soda bread, pistachio salad, broccoli and avocado.



And for dessert...our annual green coconut cake.



I think each year we have a better St. Patrick's day.

Vacation--St. Louis & Denver

We just returned from vacation and it was nice to get away. Joseph attended his annual medical conference and this year he chose Denver, CO for his destination. While Joseph was gone I decided to spend the week with my mom so the kids and I would have more excitement.

While Joseph was in Denver he went snow shoeing at Rocky Mountain National Park. I'll admit I was nervous having him go snow shoeing in the mountains by himself but he did take all of the "Boy Scout" precautions i.e. --water, food, bright orange vest, whistle, compass, lighter, etc. He had a great time at RMNP and he said it was a perfect day for the trip. Joseph also decided that he loves Estes Park, CO and is ready to move there...probably won't happen.




Elk Crossing! Joseph said there were about 20 of them.


There is a black and white bird on this tree. It was Joseph's little friend that followed him looking for a snack. At one point, Joseph took off his glove and the bird landed on Joseph's hand. Cool!


The rest of the week Joseph attended 24 hours of class and the temple twice. He called us multiple times a day so we could stay up on the events of each day.

The kids and I had a great time at my mom's house. Rebecah and Kimball really warmed up to Heather. Most mornings my kids got up early...6:00ish...and the first thing Rebecah would say was "Kiss Heather?" I had to tell her that Heather was still sleeping.

We were lucky to be in town for David's baby blessing and it was fun to see him again. He is cute and Rebecah enjoyed being able to hold him.

Playing with Amy.



Rebecah and me with David.


Holding David.

Heather and I worked on crafts while I was there. I had made her 10 shamrocks to hang on her curtain rod. I also made about 12 Christmas tree ornaments for her and about 40 ball lantern ornaments. The ball lanterns were made with pastel colors so they are perfect for Easter. Heather shared her bounty with me and now I have some decorations all ready for Easter and the supplies to make a few of the ribbon trees.

Making the ribbon ornaments.



Christmas Tree ribbon ornaments


The shamrocks had different green fabrics on them and different buttons. They turned out really cute! If I do say so myself.



Post-craft pictures



Kimball doing a craft of his own. He wanted in on the crafting action so we found stickers, colored pencils and paper for him.


Kimball really missed his Legos while we were gone. Next time we'll probably have to bring them with us. To help ease his separation anxiety my mom broke out the K'nex and Kimball was much happier.

Kimball sleeping in Heather's new recliner. He LOVED that chair. Anytime Heather wasn't in it, he was.


One of the best parts of the week was sitting with my mom and Heather each night at our respective computers and we would all Index together helping each other as needed. It sounds a little boring, but we all enjoyed it.

The vacation ended a little rocky with Kimball and Rebecah getting a little sick. It was Rebecah's first time throwing up...I'm still sorry about the carpet. Kimball didn't have his first vomiting episode until he was 4 so it he could always make it to the designated bowl...not so with Rebecah. She had been complaining about her tummy hurting, but I just thought she wanted Tylenol because I had given some to Kimball. I'll now pay more attention to her in the future. On the way home we were on some windy roads and she complained about her stomach hurting so we got out ASAP so her stomach could rest and we made it home without incident.