Our Journey to Forever - Private: April 2011

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Getting Ready For Easter

The boys were so excited to color eggs. They were bouncing off the walls with excitement. Peter spilled the green dye. Fortunately Daddy had gone overboard and bought TWO sets of dye and the spilled color was easily replaced.

After the eggs were finished, and the boys went to bed, the Easter Bunny came. Having kids sure makes holidays fun!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Bath Time

Picture taken February 28, 2011

I suspect that I don't have many years left where I will be able to get away with taking pictures of my children bathing, so this may be one of the last of these. Peter went through a phase of gearing up for bath time with his goggles. I'm guessing he might enjoy a lot of time in the pool this summer. In the mean time, Ammon almost never gives me such a great grin for a picture, so this one is a definite keeper. Those two boys are great! I love that they can pretty much get themselves in and out of the bath and have a good time while getting clean.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Bounce House Fun

Pictures taken February 26, 2011

My brother has a friend who runs a business renting bounce houses. This, for him, translated into free use of a bounce house for his one year old daughter's birthday party. Members of both sides of the family as well as some friends, mingled together at the church where the adults visited while the children bounced.

My sister-in-law is amazing and made a cute cake and adorable little lady bug cake bites.

These pictures are also a rare look at Ammon in his glasses. He had them for about two weeks. In that time he lost or broke three cases. Then, his glasses disappeared. After about two more weeks his glasses were found on the bus. He promptly put them in his backpack - which he lost later that day. We haven't seen the glasses or the back pack since.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Playing With the Camera

Pictures taken February 27, 2011

Peter and I recently found ourselves hanging out with nothing better to do than play with the camera.

And so we have these pictures.

For most of Peter's three year old existence, he was pretty sure he was four.

For months it drove Andy crazy.

Finally, in talking with his preschool teachers, we discovered the problem.

She kept telling him he was four.

She explained that he was physically, intellectually and behaviorally up to snuff with the older kids.

And she kept forgetting that he was only three.

We were glad to get that one figured out before his birthday celebration.

It was going to get messy to have him insisting on five candles for his fourth birthday.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Oakley Boy

Picture taken February 21, 2011

This is how I found Peter.

In the dead of winter.

In the middle of the night.

Asleep.

Eyes closed and in the dark, but wearing the shades.

His Daddy, Mr. Oakley Obsessed himself, was proud.

The Ramp

Pictures taken February 21, 2011

In preparation for my Grandparents move to Salt Lake, my mom took on the project of building a ramp in her garage so that my Grandpa, who rides a scooter, would be able to get into her house.

Andrew was happy to join in the effort and help when he was available.

They were literally working on it until my Grandparents pulled into the driveway.

But Grandpa was able to come right in.

Peter always love to shadow his daddy, but especially show when there are tools involved.

He was excited to also be part of the project.

Dinner Guests

Pictures taken February 20, 2011

One Sunday in February, we had Andrew's brother Tim and his family join us for dinner. They had invited us over the month before, so we thought we'd reciprocate. After church, Andy and I worked to get things ready, and the boys went about their own activities.

Ammon spent the time waiting for our guests playing the wii.

Peter spent his time napping on the table...

Both boys stopped what they were doing and joined their cousins when they arrived.

I think they enjoyed being at their own kid table.

(I know the adults enjoyed having our own table...)

Dinner guests are always fun: especially family.

Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.