March 31, 2013

Sunday

Happy Easter! It was a beautiful Sunday.  Ellen and Mike were home and came to church with us.  Chris's family came over in the afternoon and we had the Sister Missionaries over to our Easter Dinner at 5:00.

Zander says, "Hi"

Noelle, Mallory, and Mike coloring eggs Sunday afternoon.

Just before we are ready to make deviled eggs.

Noelle wanted to set a 'perfect' table for the Sister Missionaries

Monday

We went to Salt Lake City to the Family History Library to help John Barnsley, my cousin Colleen Clifford's friend that we met when we spent 2 weeks in England with them while they were on their mission.  We had a great day and found a lot for him.  Then we had a late lunch at the Blue Iguana with 2 for 1 coupons.

John, friend of Colleen's, Colleen, Ken and me.  Dad is on my right but didn't get in the picture.

When we got home, David and family were here for the week. It was wonderful to have them here.

Matthew, Alaina, and Robert with his new glasses.

Tuesday

It's a beautiful day outside. Dad and David pruning the grapes.  They look so good and not overgrown any more.  

Time for Easter candy from Grandpa!

We also bottled pork with David.

Wednesday

The weather was colder today.  Dad and I went to Logan to find out about insurance for people on medicare.  We really learned a lot and got signed up with a good suplimental program.  The best part is that when dad gets his card, he can take it in to Groll Family Fitness and get a free membership. Yeah!

We brought Tesha and boys home with us and the kids played all afternoon.  Chris' family came over also as it was spring break here. 

David and Matthew

Matthew and Zach at the piano

We went to Mike's Social Dance program in the evening.  

He looked like he had a lot of fun!

Thursday
Today was babysitting day.  David and Amanda went to the 8 o'clock session in Brigham City and then ran some errands.  I was worried about Matthew, but like so many others, if mom and dad aren't around he's happy with us.  He didn't cry at all.  It was a beautiful day outside and that is where we spent most of the time.  While outside we sanded the table getting it ready to paint that afternoon.

Alaina, Robert, and Mallory helping to paint.

That afternoon we pruned the raspberry and blackberry patch.  We sure have a lot of starts if anyone want some.
We then watched Chris & Colleen's kids at 4:30 while they went to the temple.
Dress-ups are so much fun, why not dress-up the stuffed animals also?  Little Alaina

Friday

It was a rainy day and we were glad we did most of the pruning earlier in the week.  We went to the Family History library & David and fmaily went to Corrine. Joe & Tesha came in afternoon.  We picked up 2 cases of strawberries and David picked up 4 cases.  So we were in the fruit production.  Dad went to Logan to work for Ellen and Mike so they could go to their Mission Reunions.  While David & Amanda did strawberries, I emptied cupboard of 6 big pans and began the process to fill them all with: 1 large and 1 cake pan of enchiladas, 3 pans of breadsticks, 2 pans of cake for Strawberry shortcake.  Tesha helped me with the food preparations & then helped David finish their strawberries.  We all just finished in time when Paul’s family came at 7:15.  It was so wonderful to see everyone.  I have been so homesick for them all. We had dinner and then called Chris’ family to come down. Of course, we all had lots of Strawberry Shortcake with fresh strawberries and whip cream!

I had such a good visit with Paul, Chris, and David 

Of course, it is always skit time! Mallory and Nikki

Finally, Levi and Zander are together!

 Too many cute pictures to choose from.

We finally retired for bed, I'm sure later than they all wanted to go, but it was so fun to spend time together.  The picture I missed taking was the rousing renditions from Les Miserables from the family room with Amanda playing and the kids singing.  I wish I had it on video.
Robert reading from his 'big' Book of Mormon that he can see better.

Saturday
I woke up early to feed Paul, Audrey, Elise, and Nikki before they went to Salt Lake for conference.  We had French Toast with more strawberry topping and whip cream.  Later that morning we decided to make lots of strawberry jam for Paul's family to take home.  It was just like old times with the kids helping.  I honestly wouldn't be able to can without help from kids.

Robert, Chloe, and Sammi with prize strawberries

They loved the different shapes and sizes.

Sammi mixing up the jam.

I just love this strawberry!

Oh, this jam is good.

 It is hard to give conference highlights because there were so many wonderful talks, but here are a few random notes I took as we listened while making the jam: Yeah! a temple in Cedar City, Pres. Packer – We will not always be safe, even in our own home.  We live in a very dangerous world.  Family is under attack and it is the adversary.  He can weaken and destroy the family.  All virtues, carried too far, become a vice. Then from Elder Davies – We MUST build on a sure foundation.  Build upon the rock of the Savior. Prayer and scripture study.  (I have come to learn how very important this is.) Then from President Eyring I loved the promises he made to our families as we serve Him.  So, when we go on a lot of missions, you will know it is because we want the blessings for you!
In the afternoon we went over to Logan to get Mike and leave a card for Ellen to come home that night. 
Some highlights from conference in the afternoon: Quinton L. Cook - Peace comes from knowing the Savior knows you. We knew there would be pain when we chose, but we also knew the Savior’s Atonement would compensate for it all through the Atonement. Sources for peace: The Savior, who is the source and author of peace.  Stay close to Him, repent, baptism, become true disciples. (I am really trying to work on this) I also loved Elder Bednar's but we missed some of it getting Mike.  I really like this quote from the beginning: Guilt is to our spirit what pain is to our body. It is a warning to us of further danger. 
  
We made donuts during Priesthood session. They were gone that night. 

 Chris's family came down and we were all waiting for the return of Paul's family from the Bingham's.  It is so hard to wait.  About 10:00 p.m. Colleen came to get Noelle and Mallory to take them home, but they walked in the door.  We debated on whether it would be too late to do much, but let them stay.  Oh, it was so worth it.  They had so much fun clear until midnight.  Hopefully they slept on the way to conference the next day.
Ellen reading to Chloe and Ben while Nikki plays the piano that night.

Elise and Noelle in my nightgowns ready for a sleep (?) over.

Ready for bed activities including singing and maybe a game of warewolf.  They played that a lot.

 

The rest of the story will be in next week's blog as we finish up conference and activities on Sunday.

I want you to know I love you all.  In my reading this week one of the definitions I looked up was 'founder': – “One that founds, establishes and erects; one that lays a foundation;. . . One who begins; an author; one from whom any thing originates;" I looked it up because of this I read: Mosiah 15:18 (speaking of Christ) “founder of peace, yea, even the Lord” that is why we can only find peace in Him because he originated it, He didn’t ‘find’ it – 

without His peace there is no real peace.  

May you all have true peace in your life.