emily

Emily and I got to go to the General YW Meeting in the conference center last night. It was really great to be there. We rode trax in and made it through the metal dectors safely into the building. We had tried to be on time which was in seats by 5:30 but with all the lines to get in the building and the wonderful crowds our seat section was full. Off we raced to the next level up to try and find a seat. We did find our seats with about 10 minutes to spare but even after they began people were walking around looking for seats. The crowd itself was inspiring to us. It was great to see so many young women from all over making this meeting a priority, listening to their leaders and to President Eyring.

spring break

In the un-leafy treetops we find Isaac. This is the way we all felt going home, good time but time to rest.

Spring break was a little mixed up this year. Emily, Elise and John were off one week and then the rest of the kids were off the next so we didn't get to do anything all together but we still had fun. Those that had it off this last week headed up to Grandma and Grandpa P.'s home to help get it ready for their return from Denmark. I should have taken pictures of all their hard work. The boys worked outside cleanin up the yards, rebuilding grow boxes and filling them and making everything look as nice as possible. Things had been neglected so there was lots to do to keep them busy.

Isaac, Sim, Nat, Peter, and Dane (Debbie stayed with Amber)

The pictures here are of a little bit of fun. We went to the Mayan Restuarant where we enjoyed fire dancers, cliff divers, and Mexican food. It was a lot of fun and Simeon wants to go back. Mark and Jen and their family joined us. It was great to spend some time with them, especially since they will be moving away soon. We do enjoy family and having fun with cousins.

Easter surprise

Chloe surprised us with 4 new puppies when we came home from church. By the time we had our Easter dinner of lamb, asparagus, orange fluff, baked potatoes, rolls, and Natalie's cheesecake we had 5 puppies! We had been reading about whelping and what we might need to do but Chloe did it all just fine. She is a great little mom and we are proud of her. I do wish we had a least one yellow lab like Chloe but they are all black. Her father was a black lab but we are not sure yet what the father was of these puppies, maybe boarder collie.

easter egg hunts at home and park

Easter eggs

We had great fun dyeing Easter eggs. I cooked a large pot full. It looked like tons but once you start it always goes so fast and everyone wants to do a few more. Don't they look great. We will enjoy a lot of deviled eggs (or are they angel eggs for Easter?)

Debbie's driving and other Spring fun

Debbie loves being outside and one of her favorite things is riding with Simeon in this green truck. Well he had gone inside so she decided to do it herself. Luckily we were outside also and just enjoyed her first driving experience. She is a natural. (We missed doing her hair this day, sorry.)

The taste of Spring weather is causing a bit of cabin fever. As you can tell Spring is a little slow this year but the signs are there--it will come. Emily and Evan have been doing lots of outdoor stuff together and John has recruited Dane to help him with his mechanical expertise on John's motorcycle (dirt bike). It's for sale if anyone is in the market.

Evan and Emily taking a break from playing.

there's the motorcycle

John and Dane taking a break from the motorcycle fix up.

We have also been doing some kite flying. Dane's got stuck in a tree at the park so the boys went over to save it. They took the big truck and stood the tall extension ladder in it. While Dad held the ladder, Peter climbed up with a long pole and got it down. SCARY. I didn't watch. Dane had lost the string in the "accident" so I bought a couple of kinds for him not knowing which he would want. He put them all together and had 500 feet of kite string. He got the kite way up there and had a great time. It took a good 45 minutes just to reel it back in. He and Peter said next time they will take the cordless drill to help them reel it in. Great Spring fun.

Gone to Prison, my first time was great!

Milt and I were able to speak at the Gunnison prison on Sunday. What an amazing and interesting experience. I was nervous. I am always nervous when I have to talk but it was compounded by speaking to a room full of prisoners. We went through security checks, metal detectors, locking doors, giving up our ID for a guest pass and then finding peace in the middle recesses of a prison. We stood outside the chapel door and were greeted by nearly every prisoner attending the service. They were kind, welcoming and grateful that we would come. I felt more comfortable and safe with each handshake. They were a thoughtful audience, attentive and participating with their own scriptures. They provided the music, a choir number and the prayers. They are not given the sacrament and Milt and I were the only speakers. I talked about Palm Sunday and President Eyring's last conference talk. I learned so much and promised them that I would do better at righting down the simple blessings of the day and hoped they would too. I have been doing better and I am amazed at how much it has affected my days. I am recognizing little tender mercies through out my day each day. It is wonderful and I feel loved and blessed. I am looking forward to conference coming in a couple of weeks where once again I can be feed and motivated in following the example of the disciples of Christ. I love my Savior!