It's April!

These two little cousin guys are so precious. The older cousins walked to get everyone sodas while we were hanging at Cash's and these two were just standing like this- not even trying to be photo ready, enjoying their sodas and each other. So sweet. I had to take a photo.

I began pulling pictures to freshen up some photos in the family room. I love having all of these together to look at our life. I love these people so much my heart bursts a little when I look at them. 

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Paisley and I spent a full day shopping for an Easter dress. Good thing she was with me, I thought, because I know I would have bought her something she didn't love. I just can't figure out these kids styles, and it makes me feel out of sorts. Also, we wouldn't have had so much fun shopping and lunching together.

And she loves this one! She looks so pretty in it.

And then we found these darling bell-bottom jeans for her. Darling.

Easter Sunday~ The kids remembered it was Easter as they made their way downstairs. I guess this was a low-key year. I even filled and hid eggs that they would go on to discover throughout the month. 

They each got a jumbo bag full of their favorite snacks. (It has gotten to the point that I cannot be troubled to go down to the crawl space to fetch the easter baskets.) Most of these bags will go on to be used as poster board, signs, paint swatches and templates. It's real handy to have four large white bags on hand!

Jonny made us a delicious ham Easter dinner. We had the missionaries over to dine with us. One let us know that morning he was a vegetarian, which worried Jon. I told him the salad and potatoes and jello and rolls etc. would be just fine. And they were! We watched the other missionary as he loaded his plate so full of ham. I wondered if he was meat-deprived because of his companions diet. He ate it all and jumped right back up when I told them to feel free to get seconds and more. He asked if he could have the ham bone. Jon got him a steak knife and we watched him clean that bone while we chatted. They stayed and stayed! One showed us his yo-yo tricks, they told us their life stories and all about their families. We didn't mind, I thought it sweet to see them stretched out on the couch so comfortable, eating pie. They shared a sweet message and I imagined their mothers would be both touched and cringe a little at their darling boys that day. 

Because of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I can be with these people I love the most throughout all Eternity. What a gift!

One night I wondered where my big boys had gone off to. I checked the doorbell cam and smiled, seeing them chatting and laughing with neighborhood friends on this warm spring night. 

Have you seen Cash's cat???

Ashely invited Paisley to join her, her mom, Mariella, Violet with Callie and Scarlette on a volleyball trip to Reno. It was so kind of Ashley and her mom, and Paisley had a ball. This kind of stuff is right up her alley, and the timing couldn't have been better for her. A fun little getaway was just what she needed. 

But this cat!

I tidied her room before she got home, and appreciated all the little things she's done in there to make it hers. Paisley loves to create, and it shows! She sure gets on Zeke to keep his stuff picked up, and I don't blame her.

Push pin picture art.

Zeke's area with all of his pre-teen treasures:

Paisley's prints and souveniers collected on family trips:

The wonky wands.

I'd like to remember these crazy rooms- right?

PROM is coming. As a mom of boys, here's how we get ready: Bleach, starch, spritz with smell-good.

Boom. Done.

Eli asked if I'd make his date as well as his friends date corsages. I really don't know what I am doing, and corsages are tricky! But they worked out ok.

Adren really wanted a new suit, so Jon took him out shopping. The bonus of going with dad is that he got a real suit tailored just for him- and Jon got himself one, too! Paisley and I happened to be at the mall that same day while hunting for her easter dress, so I got to help them decide. They both look so handsome.

Eli did not want a suit. He said he was happy with his church pants and the suitcoat of Jon's we had dry-cleaned. Ok! I took him for a haircut for some re-shaping, and he looked so handsome. I especially like that his tie matches his Doc Martin's.

Friend and neighbor, Connley came by to get his corsage and get in on the pics. Funny guy!

Eli and Connley were in the same group date. I heard all three boys discussing the car situation, Adren insisting he was taking the red car on his date. I heard Eli say, "I do not want to take my moms dumb van to Prom!" 

Here they are walking to get Connley's moms less dumb car. 

I sent what I had to Connley's mom, and she sent these gems:

Diana sent me these of Adren picking up Sam:

The Promenade was such a feeling of celebration! It was held out on the grand steps of the Provo Library. It was fun to celebrate and cheer on all of our kiddos together!

This is one of those photos where I said, "I looked like THAT??"

Adren's group didn't know what to do after the dance so I suggested they come back here for treats and games. It was fun for me to set up the downstairs for them. It turned out so pretty!

These baby boys of mine!

I've loved the three minutes I get with Adren every-other day to take him to school this year. His senior year. Easy-peasy. Here is probably the last time I'll see him walk into the building. 

Adren asked me if I had any pictures of him and Pedro because it was his 18th birthday, and Pedro has been around since kindergarten. We love Pedro! It sure has been fun watching him grow up into the best young man over the years. 

With how I am feeling in April, I know May will bring all the feels even stronger. I sure love these kids, their friends, and all of their milestones!

One final activity this month is the big Stake FSY Kick-off BBQ! We started it off with a fireside for the older group that will be attending FSY, and moved out to the park pavillion for burgers and games. We figured we served 300+ youth that night. Plus the one missionary with a triple-stacked burger:) 

We were thrilled with the turnout and all those burgers we had the bishoprics help grill. We get bigger numbers the more stake activities we throw, and we love it! As we all pitched in and cleaned up, packed up our cars and drove away, I smiled at the groups still lingering and chatting. It makes me happy to see things getting back to normal!