{catch up}

I have not been good about keeping up with this blog for quit some time now and I'm starting to feel guilty about it. (Guilt is a feeling that runs deep in my veins so this is nothing to be alarmed about.) I should really be better about documenting this time of our lives. This past year has been full of so many wonderful things, that often get lost in the shadow of this seemingly never ending trial we are also facing.

I wish I had pictures to document all of it. (I probably have more than I can find at this moment on the laptop.)

So here is my jump-start effort at a catch up:

Ethan has had many visits from the Tooth Fairy, further developed his love for basketball and football by playing everyday after school, continues to enjoy reading, has started taking more and more time in doing his hair before leaving the house, and has recently gotten glasses. He is turning 8 this Saturday and will be baptized in May. He was also able to participate in his first Space Derby as a Cub Scout.

Oh...as you can see Jason & Ethan's dream of having a dog finally came true last month. His name is Diego.

My sweet Lauren got glasses too. (She got hers first which made E so jealous.) She learned how to read, is attempting to ride her bike without training wheels, took a cheerleading class & rocked it out like a super star, and she has really worked hard to not be so shy. She has become a little mommy to Diego, and Katelyn (whenever Kate allows it).

And Katelyn....well, she'll be three in two months and that pretty much sums up Miss Kate lately. She is exercising her Independence in a very loud, body flailing way. She potty trained herself about 5 months ago, she loves to sing and dance and has many songs memorized. Whenever she hears a song she likes, she says, "Mom! It's MY song!", even in the middle of Sacrament meeting. She is too cute for words. She was afraid of Diego when he first arrived, but now she can't stop giving him hugs (which look more like choke holds).

The girls have become such great friends. Katelyn is getting her big-girl bed this week and soon they will be roomies. It's so fun to see their relationship develop. When E is around he feels a little left out at times, which is sad for me to see....but maybe Diego can help.

{easter fun}

I love Easter. It's always been a very special holiday for our family. We love it so much we stretch it out into a couple of days. The Easter Bunny comes to our house the day before Easter to hide eggs and the kid's baskets while we're busy coloring eggs. Then on Easter morning we have a special egg hunt. Each egg we find has a special reminder of Jesus and his crucifixion and resurrection. It's our time to remember our Savior and His great sacrifice for us.

In recent years, the holiday has become even more special because of my bestest big sis . It started about two years ago when I was in the hospital with pneumonia and dehydration right before Easter. My sister called and asked what she could do for me. Since I did not have the time or energy to prepare for Easter, I asked her if she could please help me with our family's Easter celebration. She happily took over and made that Easter a very special treat for my children. And so a new tradition was born. We all love having her as part of our Easter fun! My kids ADORE their Aunt Sunny. coloring eggs

Kate is missing in this pic because the Easter bunny freaks her out. This Easter bunny freaked all my kids until they were 4 years old. (That's my mom under there!)

Honestly, this bunny even scared me this year....I saw her standing on my patio as I was walking by my front window and actually let out a little girly scream.



This year we added another day to our celebration by having Aunt Sunny over to decorate Easter cookies. Did I mention we love hanging out with Aunt Sunny?
Crazy glasses Aunt Sunny made from play-doh

This Easter Lauren's dreams came true with this blue "guitar". She's wanted one since Christmas.....yes, specifically a blue guitar. And Aunt Sunny, I mean the Easter Bunny, found this Ukulele in Mexico while vacationing there a few months ago.

She hasn't put it down. Ethan claims he knows how to play the guitar because he learned how to play the recorder in school this year (you can see how easily these two instruments would cross over, right?) So, every day he comes home from school to give Lauren a 10 minute lesson on the guitar. It's so darn cute!

I am so grateful for this time of year to celebrate Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Nothing makes me happier than to teach my children of this truth and create fun memories with family.

I am also grateful for my big sis who is still taking care of me like she did when we were kids (minus the Easter-bonnet-elastic-snapping...huge welt....I'll blog about that later). My kids love, love, love their Aunt Sunny. I love watching them all play together. I feel very blessed to not only have the best sister in the world, but that we live close and can be involved in each others lives.