2016 ninety-four

We used all of our data and then some streaming 4 hours of General Conference 
on 4 different devices while driving to Utah today!

It was definitely worth it though.

Elder Holland's talk was incredible to finish this amazing conference.

Our favorite quote-

"Keep loving, keep trying, keep believing, keep growing.  
Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

2016 eighty-six

Saturday Easter Celebrations

We had an awesome time at a neighborhood Easter egg hunt put on by our Bishop's family, the Julians.

How cool that the Easter bunny came hopping down the trail right before the hunt began.

Cal's new BFF ha ha

Bree loved it!

This cutie started hunting in the wrong age group area, so I told her to head out to the older kid's section.  She stopped right there & dumped out all of the eggs she had found before heading to the right spot.  I had not expected her to get rid of the eggs she already had, & that made it so her basket was less than full at the end, but she was such a good sport & didn't seem to mind at all.

He scored!

I can't get enough of this guy.  I love everything about him.

Here is the whole hunting crew with the famous Easter Bunny!

In the evening, we had pizza & decorated eggs with the Carters before heading to the local Seventh Day Adventist Church's "Journey to the Cross" production.  It was pretty incredible.

Coloring Eggs!!

Cal, Easton, Breezers

This is very serious business

Abs loves anything artistic or creative so this was right up her alley

Cal's proud of his purple!

While we were waiting for our tour to start, we sat in the chapel and were treated to some upbeat religious music by this band.  The kids were so enthusiastic they really got the performers going.  It was pretty funny.

The last supper reenactment

And...that's all the pictures I took, but it was a great experience and really brought things to life for the kids. Many from the community and other church's step up to volunteer & it is an amazing production.

2016 fifty-nine

And here is the whole crew after church!

Thanks for hosting such a great weekend, Becca!  
Now for the 7 hour drive home...
Totally worth it!  I can't wait until next time. 

Anny, Becca, Kass, Abby, Aliza, Brooklyn, Brynn, Bree, Elle, Rhonda, & Maren

2016 thirty-three

Tonight we decorated Valentine's Mailboxes to secretly deliver treats/love notes to each other this month.  We multitasked & finished watching the rest of the latest youth Face to Face event with Elder Rasband at the same time. It was a great night!

2016 twenty-one

Sweetest night with my Webelos at the Guardian Angels Nursing Home

BINGO Mania & Great Conversation

I have the best cub scouts!

Being the caller was their favorite job! 

(It did take them a few times to realize they had to YELL or no one was going to hear haha)

 I'm glad these two got to come!

BINGO!

2015 three hundred sixty-one

Farewell for Elder Ryan Sutch
Buenos Aires, Argentina Mission

His talk sounded more like a Homecoming one...
He really is special & we LOVE this guy! (he's the one in the back right corner)

 These creative cousins worked on a melodrama all afternoon.
They always manage to end up wrapped in Grandma Margaret's fabric/dress ups when we're there.

After coming up with an original plot & filming every scene until it was perfect, they finally sat down to watch the final version.

 One big bonus about visiting the Sutch's is they're bound to have puppies around since they breed dogs.  This works out well for our Puppy Lover!

2015 three hundred one

This morning at the crack of the crack of dawn Cade conned me into a trip to the Skate Park.  I know, right, but he had so much fun for those 15 minutes I must say it was worth it.

After school it was off to the church for the Ward

TRUNK OR TREAT!!

Da Boyz

 Cade's surfer costume would not be complete without these one-of-a-kind shark slippers Grandma Margaret whipped up!

Breezerella

The Thomsons provide the entertainment year after year with the doodle bug.

I lost count of how many turns the littles had, but they loved every minute

 Everyone and their dog has been gone for a long time, but we are still here of course!  We're always the last ones to leave.

 

Shepherds/Tomanys

We love these friends and neighbors so much!

 Besties

2015 two hundred ninety-eight

These gals make all the wild, exciting, and memorable moments in primary the best!  We are ready for the annual Primary Program Sacrament Meeting today and then can we collapse please??

  Serene Ward Primary Presidency

Melissa Rust (secretary)-me-Toya Cardenas (secretary #2)-Amy James (1st Counselor)-Kristi Taylor (2nd Counselor)

2015 two hundred ninety-seven

Saturday is a special day it's the day we practice for the primary program!  They are going to be so awesome!  I can't wait!

2015 two hundred seventy-eight

Back to Life!

Preparing for their Concert Tomorrow Night!

I can't wait to hear this duet!

We all had major chills watching Ryan open his mission call via FaceTime.  He is going to the Buenos Aires, Argentina Mission-Spanish Speaking!  We love this guy and know he will be an exceptional Elder!

2015 two hundred seventy-six

Bishopric Retreat/General Conference Weekend
Duck Creek, UT
Leavitt Family Cabin

We were so lucky to escape city life & the rat race for a weekend with some of the greatest families around.  Look at these accommodations! 

After the Sat. morning session of Conference, we went exploring in and around Mammoth Caves.  Very Cool!

The colors were breathtaking & all of these nature-deprived kids were in heaven!

I'm not sure what Abs was going for here...
She was yelling Yeet or something like that?

Serene Ward Bishopric
Cameron Clark-1st Counselor, Doug Taylor-Bishop, Mick Tomany-2nd Counselor, Jason Leavitt-Executive Secretary  
These four work tirelessly fulfilling their regular Bishopric duties, and so many more unseen acts.  Love them and their examples!

I don't think much sleeping happened last night but surely those afternoon conference talks are seeping in there somehow.

 

Some more favorites from the day...

During priesthood session, the girls and littles went exploring to more places Michelle knew about.  We kept wanting to stop and capture the incredible beauty everywhere!

The Road Less Traveled

Wow!  Just Wow!

On Top of the World!

Just Lovin' Life!

There is Beauty All Around!

 We ended this perfect day with treats and games and lots and lots of fantastic conversation.  None of us wanted it to end!