Easter Sunday was one of those reward days for a parent. Somehow J managed to get out of bed without being pestered over and over, K only had a few tears (her new shoes were just too tight), and we actually got to church early enough to practice with the choir. Surely things were going well because Mom was out of town for the weekend and the Lord knew Dad would need help...
All this was capped by T and S coming through big on a song in Sacrament meeting. T has never performed a solo in his life, let alone in front of hundreds of people. And of course, there were even more there because it is Easter (so you get the folks that come to church only on Easter and Christmas Eve). Anyway, he seemed a bit shaken by the prospect when he stood at the mike just before the meeting started, to get the feel of it. Both S and Dad could tell he was scared. Testosterone rules, however, and he would not admit his fear. Dad talked with him and offered to stand with him, sing with him, or whatever. At the last minute, T said "No, I'm ok" and went up on his own. With his sister playing the piano for him, he sang this great song with a great message about Christ's life and example for us all. It is about 4:30 long and I will post it tonight if you want to see it.
It left an impression on many of us. In true teenage boy fashion, when asked afterward what he thought of his performance, he simply said "I made some people cry, it was weird."
We sure are blessed with some great and talented kids....
Here they are in their "Easter clothes." For those that know these kids, you see their personality coming through in the photo.
We made some treats courtesy of the kit sent by Elder and Sister Grama and Grampa. They were fun to decorate. We reviewed the true meaning of Easter, and reviewed in the Book of Mormon where there is discussion of what happened in the Americas during the original "Easter" weekend.
As far as the less spiritual aspects of the holiday, Dad in his typical quirky ways, managed to put together some baskets from the Easter Pig. Mom is out of town, and S had a volleyball tournament in another city. We all drove together, along with a couple of the other volleyball players, and the other coaches, and spent the night in a hotel. Dad brought along some work papers to cut and make into little Easter baskets for each of the kids/coaches and filled them with the candy that mom had arranged previously. It was fun, but explaining to the other kids about the Easter Pig is always a bit challenging. When K saw the basket, she said "Grama sent another box?" Such great perspective!
We hope Easter was a time for family for you. The most impressive thought I heard over the weekend was from Elder Holland, suggesting that at the time when the Father "abandoned" Christ during the atonement, this was perhaps when he was actually closest to His Son.
Here are up to date today pictures of opening presents and the birthday cake.... snickerdoodle cake...
S got her haircut today and I thought only boys looked older with a haircut.... My little girl is growing up!! She looks great for being sick and barfing for 2 days....
I can't believe that T is 14.. Where has the time gone!!! He is a great kid and loves to help us all with our ease at getting frustrated.... He love to annoy and tease yet in the same moment he is very helpful and willing to do all that is asked!! He is a great cook and loves to bake things!!! He is in a walking boot right now as he likes to try to jump and come down on the edge of any sidewalk and try to not roll his ankle!!!! He is definately a sports man and tries any and every sport there is!!! we love him and we are glad that he is a part of our family!!! 
We sure are blessed with some great and talented kids....
