2016 ninety-five

We had each of the kids choose a fun thing to do on our Spring Break trip.

Abby and Cade both wanted to go surfing at the Flowrider back in our old stomping grounds, O Town.

We found some good deals online and had a blast trying to catch this wave...

First-instructions, then let's do this!

 His face says it all (like usual)

All business!

 The Surfers!  Right on duuudes!

Our next stop was to this sacred place, Brigger's grave in South Ogden.

Blessed

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-four

Our Holy Week Tradition

I love this week probably more than any other week of the year.  Holy Week is 8 days of celebration and worship that focus on the last week of Christ’s life, beginning the Sunday before Easter.  It is based on the book "God so Loved the World" by Eric Huntsman.  Every day includes events that happened in Christ’s life on that specific day, a small activity, scriptures, videos & songs.  By Easter Sunday, our hearts are prepared in understanding and gratitude for the Savior’s atonement and resurrection.

Tonight we had our Passover Meal (well, snack) on a smaller scale than previous years since life is so packed these days.  It still turned out awesome and boy do I love these guys!

Menu-honeycomb, unleavened bread, olives, raisins, swedish fish, and grape juice 

Dress-Robes (& sandals or bare feet)

2016 sixty-two

Here is a real life shot of the team all together for breakfast this morning-

Cade's hair wasn't done so he quickly put his hood up,

Abby's feeling silly, 

Mick-with the eating action shot,

If you look closely-Cal has Cheerios under his eyes

Bree's still waking up

Bree earned a medal for her big pig & barn!

2016 forty-six

Tonight for FHE we had our Annual Family Valentine's Day Party a day late.  Phew!  We had been wondering when we would be able to fit it in this year our schedule has been so full!

Mini Murph Monday

Our local Papa Murphy's gives out free mini pizzas to all the kids every Monday so dinner was a no-brainer

 Then minute-to-win-it games, as usual

 Fill the cup with as many conversation hearts as you can in 1 minute!

 She was a pro!

 So was he

 I was terrible!  Who knew this was so hard?

 Now for the heart-a-stack competition

How many single hearts can you stack in 1 minute?

The catch-they have to be standing when the time runs out...

 Focusing

 Success!

 Lookin' Good Cally!

After the games, we headed outside for some flashlight tag because that's Valentiney right?  We laughed like crazy maniacs sprinting around the yard dodging the light.  I'd say we definitely burned off a lot of those pizza calories.  

Don't we look tired?

 It's crazy how fast the "annual" traditions we have keep coming around.  Time just HAS to slow down a little!  Love this little team of mine more than words can say.

2016 forty-one

A nightly reward/ritual to read some favorite blogs

Team Thomson

ours

Anny's & Becca's 

& Nienie Dialogues

2016 twenty-four

A Sunday afternoon with no meetings or other responsibilities + sunshine=the perfect day to take a walk along the river.  The days here are dark & long in the winter & we really appreciated/needed this bright, beautiful day outside!

 

I think it's illegal to walk along the river without skipping a rock or two or twenty right?

Keeper!

Sun on the face!!

 Of course this rock was calling their names for jumps, flips, & turns

He's got the moves like Jagger

Gooooo Breezers!

 Beautiful form & wow, that photobomber

 Sorry Abs, your brothers are professional photobombers, what can I say, but that High School Musical jump is the BEST & I'm sorry I cut your right hand off in the picture.

Sunset silhouette on the Spokane River

The fun did NOT stop at the river, but we got to celebrate Snuggles birthday tonight! Oh my heck this girl is going to be an amazing birthday Mom when she grows up.  She had cake, ice cream, candles, gifts, etc. etc.

The supportive siblings

So glad we could celebrate with you today, Snuggles!

What a lucky bear.

2016 ten

Look who came to dinner today!  My niece, Aubrey!  She is living/working in Moscow, Idaho right now.  We had so much fun & bonus-she always makes  incredible creations in the kitchen & shares her latest & greatest books with us.

Sunday night shenanigans with my favorites

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!