the wizard of oz

After a wonderful experience with last year's school play, Slade auditioned for the Wizard of Oz this year. In this play, he was one of the Munchkins. I also helped with choreography and photography again.

We still feel so lucky that our children get to participate in such a fantastic production. Slade's only regret was choosing a role that wasn't on stage as much as he would have liked. Next year, he says he will even audition for a speaking part, which for him is pretty huge deal.

More pictures here.
Even more pictures here.

spring break in st. george

We joined the masses that fled south to St. George for Spring Break. We stayed in a 3 bedroom condo which gave us plenty of room to sleep, a kitchen to prepare meals, 2 TVs, and a beautiful view from a large balcony. We drove down on Wednesday. I think 4 hour drives are just about perfect!

On Thursday we went to Zion National Park to meet up with Heather, Katie and Grandma and Grandpa at their campsite. We did the Riverwalk at the Temple of Sinawava which was a good "hike" for our large group of varying ages. Sitting at their campground afterwards, watching the kids dig in the dirt, just solidified my feeling that I am not a camper! I was quite happy to go back to my condo with running water and technology.

We did a lot of screen-watching--TV, movies, computer games, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. I read a few books. And then we (well, everybody but me) did a whole lot of swimming.

We saw lots of familiar faces from home including our neighbors across the street. We met up with them at the pools a few times, traded kids for movie watching, and had a BBQ with them and another family who lives up the street from us. They were even generous enough to let us take out their ATV for a ride. Dave feared for his life but Emma loved driving.

We left for home on Sunday morning. We listened to General Conference on the radio on the way. In between sessions, we stopped at Cove Fort to appease me, the history-lover.

Annie dancing with her reflection

It was a really nice week and I was definitely not ready for the break to be over.

Happy Easter

Our Easter celebrations and sugar overload began with a egg hunt at Aunt Katie's house on Saturday afternoon. Dave took the kids while I was at a solar cooking class. Saturday night, Emma and I went to the Young Women's Broadcast at the Conference Center in Salt Lake. We got stuck in some traffic on the way up which left us in a hurry to get there. Consequently, I left my camera in the car. What a disappointment. As I watched so many others around me taking pictures with their phones, I decided that I really need to upgrade. It was a beautiful evening with my beautiful daughter and I didn't get a single picture to capture it.

Sunday morning, we were ready for church early enough to get some photos. I love 11:00 church!

We feasted with most of the Daniel clan over at Katie's on Sunday evening. I was in charge of making delicious desserts. I brought Cheesecake for a Crowd, Key Lime Mousse Cake, and chocolate cupcakes with candy carrots.

When we came home, we watched the Bible video about Easter on lds.org and also The Lamb of God.

I was tempted not to go get candy this morning like I usually do but its tradition! I told myself I would only get a little. $30 and three bags later...

Candy for breakfast! This week is Spring Break so we enjoyed Dave being home. We worked hard to get the basement cleaned. Nathan and Sawyer's room was truly awful. Dave directed their cleaning efforts while I worked on the playroom. Nearly all the toys had been taken out of the playroom closet when the kitchen leak was being dried. It took a solid two hours for me to put it back together.

Once the play time could begin, the kids played with friends. I worked on tagging and deleting photos on my computer. Dave played a computer game for a while too. While Ben was napping, we dyed eggs. It is obvious that Emma is a teenager now. She was reluctant to give up her electronics to dye eggs. Later, she was off with a friend instead of home for the egg hunt.

We had our egg hunt in the drizzling rain this evening but the kids didn't mind one bit.

I love Easter. The candy and the eggs are fun but what is most wonderful of all is celebrating the Atonement and Resurrection of the Savior. How grateful I am for the enabling power of the Atonement. I wish I chose to use it more often.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

february

I started making almond milk.

 Dave got Sawyer and Emma doing soccer drills.

Keri and I went to the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake together.
I went to our stake Women's Conference where Susan Easton Black and Liz Lemon Swindle spoke.
Dave and I went to Dreamgirls with Keri and Michael.

 Slade and Nathan both went to classes at Thanksgiving Point.
We had a wonderful family dinner on Valentine's Day.

We went to see Rapunzel, A Very Hair Fairy Tale at the SCERA theater.
We went to the Scouts Blue and Gold banquet where Slade received his Webelos award.

Sawyer participated in the Suzuki Twinkle graduation. Emma and Sawyer also played duets together a few times. Music to my ears!

The kids spent a lot of time in front of screens. As usual.

our little ballet star

Anne had her first dance recital this month. She danced to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and was totally adorable.