Easter

The kids getting ready for the hunt.

There's gotta be more!

Recouping after the hunt.

Grandma gave the kids some scented bubbles.

We had our Easter lunch with on Saturday before Easter with Aaron's family, the Coles, the Jared Hales and Grandma and Grandpa Hale. We had a great lunch of soups, salad and bread. Then had a fun Easter egg hunt and of course great conversation. We love to be together just wish more of us were around. The family gatherings seem to be shrinking.

Soon after Aaron's family left. my brother Shale, his wife Carmen and their 6 kids came for Spring Break. We had such a great time. More on that in another post.

We have really been tried to focus on Christ this Easter season. We had several FHE about the reason for Easter and the Easter bunny wasn't spoken of much. One day we were watching Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium. There was talk of dying. Gavin asked, "Are we all going to die." I answered, "Yes." Gavin, but we get to live again right?" Me, "Yes, that's the reason we celebrate Easter because Christ died and was resurrected so we can live with our Heavenly Father again." Gavin, "YES!!"

A Break in the Rain,

Thank goodness for a break in the rain this afternoon. The kids and I were out with the Dezannis(our neighbors) riding bikes, scooters, playing ball, just having a wonderful time. Boy did we need some fresh air, or maybe I needed it.

Harrison is doing such a good job riding his bike. He was so against it previously. When he is riding he thinks he is going super fast, like the big kids. He really has grown up these last couple of months since his birthday. Harrison says the funniest things. On Sunday he was wearing a jacket like Daddies and had a little Book of Mormon with him. To say the least he was adorable. When he walked into nursery, Heather Velarde said he looked so handsome and just like a missionary. Harrison responded proudly, "No I look like my Dad!" He is also very good at contradicting himself. "I'm cold, but I am, but I'm not, but I am," is an example of something he would say. Harrison is at a very fun stage.

Have I mentioned how grateful I am that Hunter is the oldest? Well if not I am. He is such a great helper for me and his siblings. I never have to get on him about his homework, okay almost never. Star Wars, reading, playing any sport are some of his interests as of late. He loves to joke around. I wonder who he gets that from? I know at times I can be a bit more tough on him than the others. And he takes it pretty well. He understands that he is the example for his younger siblings. Countless times I have overheard Hunter apologizing to a sibling for talking mean or not be nice. This is all on his own. What a great kid!!

Gretchen is sure getting older. Every time she is in her room she has music on, mostly High School Musical 2. She is usually sing or dancing around the house. It's quite fun to hear her brothers sing the songs they hear coming from her room. I'm also very grateful she is one of the older kids. She is such a great help and example to her brothers. Her imagination is so great. She can play with any kind or kinds of toys and have a great time. Her 8th birthday is coming up soon and sometime in April she's going to get baptized. She is very excited about this.

Gavin is really doing well with his alphabet. He is starting to figure out how to put the letters together to make words. It's is so fun to see his little mind at work. His art is so amazing. The detail that he puts in his drawings is amazing. I can believe he is only 5 and doing what he is doing. Preschool is fun for him but some days a bit long. It is 3 hours, 3 days a week. He also has such a great imagination. And has some great dance moves. In FHE we have some time when the kids get to share anything they want. Gavin is always wanting to dance. He is rockin' on his bike with no training wheels. He even stands and pedals. You know what I mean. Gavin has such a great sense of humor. I love to hear his giggle.

Graham has not slowed down at all. But I didn't expect him to be any different. He loves to be the center of attention and usually is. He has more bruises and bumps since really walking. He is such a fun little guy. He is really starting to try to talk and says different words already. We are all just in love with him.

This is an update and also some things that have been on my mind. I'm truly blessed with such a great family. We are excited about Spring Break. My brother Shale and his family are coming to spend the week with us. We love hanging out them and always have a great time together. We get to spend a couple of nights at the coast. Fun times.

Happy Anniversary!

Aaron and I had our first date 13 years ago today. Aaron is always so good about remembering the date. He toke me to a German play at U of O. I don't remember the name of the play, but what a great time we had! I don't think I could have pictures our lives the way they are now, on that first date. I couldn't be happier and feel more blessed.

* I'm adding this to a question Sara asked- We were engaged 2 months later. Then 3 months after that we were married. So in total 5 months from this first date.

Our Kid's Names

So my friend Kara along with many other people have realized that our children's names all begin with G and H. Yes and no this is a coincidence. I always want to have a son who's names was Hunter. It was my mom' s maiden name. Thus how Hunter got his name. When growing up my family the Garrison's as friends. They have a daughter named Gretchen. I thought it was a great name, thus Gretchen's name. Now Gavin was a name we came across in a baby names book. We weren't looking for a G or H. That is just how it happened. Harrison is one of Aaron's great, great grandfather's names and we liked it. Can I just say it was getting harder to find boy names that we both agreed on. By the time Graham came along we knew, he or she had to be a G or H. We wouldn't want to make a child feel let out, right.

A Little playtime and storytime

Gavin loves so dress up as almost anything

Gretchen trying to see how high she can get this building. Yes, she is standing on the train table.

Hunter also likes to dress up.

Harrison and Maya enjoying a little trampoline time without the big kids.

And when the playing is done the pjs and stories come out and it's time for bed.

He's 1!

One week old, at birth he weighed 9lbs 5 oz.
One year and enjoying some birthday cake!

March 4, we celebrated Graham's 1st birthday. We had a great time with lots of family. Graham an official walker. He would walk when we weren't watching, but now will walk anytime he wants. He really is a fun little guy. Graham knows how to soften his siblings hearts quickly. Gavin got hurt at school when we went to pick him up one day. Graham got right in his face and smiled and said Ga ga ( Gavin's name in Graham talk). He loves balls and can get side tracked with them so easily. We absolutely love having him in our family.