Loaves of Love

I loved having my parents here and celebrating Chinese New Year and Valentines with them.  It was great to have them on an especially busy week for Brant church, work and basketball.  We went to phoenix for a Dr. apt and my parents did the pick up and run around with the kids.  Attending Heath and Rianne’s basketball games and even got to watch Rianne in a sand volleyball tournament.  Bennett brought home loads of sand!   

My parents always ask what we need I usually tell them whatever is fine, well this year I gave them some ideas, they brought EVERYTHING I suggested and more!  I guess that is just like Heavenly Father we ask even after He has given us so much and then he blesses us with more than we deserve!   Loaves and fishes I suppose my meager offerings He thanks me for and makes it more. 

My mom taught Rianne how to make Bread they had too much fun!   

And we got homemade bread! 

 Dad stayed busy with projects too!  I am sure enjoying the fixed gate!   

Not sure how I would have survived the week without them and they even took us out for Pizza lunch with these super kids! 

 

Zoram into the Wilderness

We are reading the book of Mormon as a family this year and just finished 1Nephi so to celebrate…

 We let our kids choose a Zoram (friend) to take to the wilderness (Grand Canyon) and have a picnic 

Bennett was a good sport being a daughter of Ishmael  and although it was windy and cold we didn’t have too much murmuring!     

Four More

Today is his GOTCHA day! 

 

Bennett was born and Four days later he placed in our arms.  I think throughout the whole process I felt every emotion, he turned our world inside out and we love it!  He has really been into the movie inside out which has been great as he is getting better at expressing emotions verbally.   

We love having his birthday party in Kanab with family.  Kristi did an amazing job on his cake as usual!  Grandma & Grandpa always give the best personal touch cards too!    

Four more things He loves… being a sunbeam especially singing time, the wii, trains and still loves all girly things!    Four more things we love… his Laugh, the way he does jumping jacks, says orange and that he still loves tummy rubs.  Every year I kiss is belly button and remind him, that it is his love button, proof that his birth mom loved him very much she gave him life and he has blessing ours for 4 years and we look forward to more!  Every year I am even more grateful for his birthmother for the courage to go through even more emotions than I can imagine. I love her more every year too!            

New Stew

New year’s is always interesting usually so much anticipation.  This Year I anticipated getting to Ring in the new year in Kanab, much like New Years of my past they seem to be anticlimactic.  Brant ended up being a chaperone at the dance here in Flagstaff.  Ria had a blast with friends who new Brant would have fun too!  His favorite part about serving in the bishopric is working with the youth!  Heath even went to a little mini party and I went to bed. 

2016 started off right, on new year’s day the sounds of football filled the home and I made some New stew! The snowman must have thought we needed snow after one day of school after Christmas break then delayed start and gave us 3 new days of snow break!  New for us too we used the driveway for sledding!  

        

Only way to do Easter

For me Kanab is the only place to go on Easter I love all the family from sitting around laughing decorating eggs and of course the highlight is rolling them.   

The first time I really thought weird but now it is the only way!   

This year it was awesome having it coincide with LDS General Conference!  The kids loved staying at McKay's Condo the big eggs were a hit!  Now I will need to hunt for some more of them.   

 For Mary the only place to go was the tomb,

When we face that emptiness He is still the only place to turn He is way the truth and the light!  He is the Only way! 

 

Snap Fools

April first is one of Ria’s favorites so we started her with a shrinking breakfast

 

I have to say the Gatorade in dish soap bottles was quite a hit

They openly let them take into the theater so I guess we really fooled them!  

With our Family we are always foolin' aroung and snappin’ fun pictures!

Don't Worry the boys got into the foolishness too! 

Out of Gold and Luck!

Bennett had to go under for all the work he needed done, on his teeth and for what it costs you’d think they were gold fillings ;) it was a little nerve racking to go through all medical history stuff, with the risk of anesthesia, when the doctor was trying to reassure me he said in the 20 years he’s been here he has only had one, I ask was it a Native American he said actually yes, well that was real reassuring!    Bennett was so quick he avoided the first attempt but he was out of Luck he went under and it went well. 

Our annual Pot of Luck was out of luck this year I just wasn’t feeling up for it, really makes me blue luckily we have friends with hearts of Gold, Kept it simple but didn’t have to miss out completely and Rianne is a fabulous Leprechaun for her brothers! 

Even though he wrote GO IRISH on all our brackets!  Just like Notre Dame we are out of Luck in our picks!   

So lucky to have this kid (I am getting old College students are kids) as my assistant coach.   

He is a great balance for me and one of the Best I’ve ever worked with!  Look at how good he is with Bennett! 

Before the tournament we were lucky enough to go to the train park Bennett lovin’ every bridge (he doesn’t say that quite right) and tunnel it was pure gold!

 

You would think being Lucky enough to go to so many sporting events this kid could figure it I wish I could have captured his face when were cheering on NAU he was so perplexed at why we were yelling but happy they were lucky enough to pull off the BIG win!   

Heath also tried his Luck at the pinewood derby and had fun he did get a golden ticket advancing him to districts.      

 I feel pretty Lucky to have spent so much time together as a Family this month and that is worth more than Gold!