Spring things

We been up to a handful of other things over the past month and a half. Here's just a few! 

It's been a a pretty chilly spring, so we haven't been able to do too much outside, but there have been a couple trips to the park. 

And some fun in the rain.

And some snuggles inside. 

The first warmish Sunday we took a long walk around Layton Park in the afternoon and found some new places. 

And later that day all the girls got their fingers and toes painted!

Lots of yard work. We rented a chipper to take care of all our trimmed branches and get some extra mulch for our garden. The girls thought it was great fun throwing branches in!

Cousins at dance class are so much fun!

Sweet little bedtime prayers.

Tiny Super Baby!

Daryn had her birthday Walk Around the Sun at preschool a month early because school gets out the week before her birthday. It was so cute and she loved giving out treats to her friends. 

Speaking of school, on Role Model day, Reagan chose Joy Brunson as someone she wanted to be like. Can't say I blame her!

Lance and I were able to go on a date last week when the girls had a gymnastics fundraiser open gym to attend and we got a babysitter for Maddie. We loved the Prarie Schooner in Ogden! We ate dinner in a covered wagon!

Saturday Lance had Stake Conference in the afternoon so I did a campfire with the girls and we roasted peeps and hot dogs. Made possible through my friend Lighter Fluid. 

Sunday, after a very spiritual and wonderful Stake Conference with Elder Salinas of the 70, we drove up to the Ogden temple. The flowers there were very beautiful and we were able to feel a special spirit with the kids. It was chilly by the end, though. We are definitely ready for warmer weather!

Easter

Because the Brunsons were here for Easter this year, we were able to have a big family celebration! 

Madelyn had her first encounter with the Easter Bunny at Smiths and handled it pretty well. She was content with the plastic egg her gave her to chew on and didn't even miss the candy inside. 

Daryn had an egg hunt at school on Friday and it was predictably adorable. 

Saturday we really kicked things into high gear. Meagan and Grace came down for the day, too, and we had oodles of fun. 

Joy brought sugar cookies for the girls to frost. I was impressed with how many different colors of frosting she was willing to make and also by how un-messy it was. 

While we were frosting Daddy was hiding eggs, and soon it was time to go find them!

How cute are these girls??

Maddie ricked her first egg hunt!

She was happy enough just with the eggs...

But what joy to discover there were puffs inside!

The other girls were extremely successful in their search, too.

And then it was time to color eggs! No major disasters this year and we didn't even break any!

After all that excitement we had a fairly quiet dinner at Cracker Barrel, then we had to hurry home to put out our baskets for the Easter Bunny!

Easter morning we were all up early. 

Time to go find where he hid the baskets!

The only picture of the girls before church- with 9 am church there just isn't time!

 I was speaking in Sacrament Meeting so I couldn't be late. I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk about serving others as we celebrated Christ's resurrection. And I was glad Lance's parents were there to help keep the girls quiet. Maddie started yelling for me when she saw me on the stand and Joy had to take her out for most of the meeting. 

Quick family pictures after church. 

My beautiful centerpiece tulips that I cut from my flower beds! They were especially gorgeous this year. 

After church Stuart and Genevieve's family and Meagan and Grace joined us for Easter dinner- a delicious feast featuring prime rib a la Lance. The kids went a little crazy in the backyard while the adults got to talk in the kitchen. I love being able to spend holidays with family!