Ouick Get Away- Oklahoma City

The kids had a long weekend due to the end of term and Good Friday.

I convinced Peter to let me take the kids to Oklahoma City for the two days.

He had to stay home and work which was sad but we had so much fun the kids have asked when we will get to go back.  I hope sooner rather than later because there was a lot to do.

 We left early on Thursday morning and drove to a train museum first.

Joseph will always love trains and due to that, I will too. 

It is like he is a little boy spouting all of the Thomas names and types of engines to me all over again. 

 Then we went to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

At first, it reminded me of the old Hogle Zoo, with exhibits that reminded me of my childhood.

Then as we traveled further/deeper into the zoo we found some amazing habitats. 

This zoo was impressive. And they had a baby elephant that was absolutely adorable- like the baby girl below!

 Memories anyone?!

 It was a beautifully warm day almost hot!

After the zoo, we hit Sonic for a drink, a little swimming in the pool and then dinner at Cici's pizza.

 Friday morning, we played at the Children's Science Museum and it was awesome!

 There were so, so many hands one exhibits that even though there were a lot of school kids there my kids still had a chance to get in on the action. 

 Imagine brushing those bad boys?!

 The space section was really neat but proved a bit much for Samantha. 

 We lost Lily just before this photo and gratefully a worker found her though the boys went one way and me and the other girls went the other.  The worker was impressed that Lily knew my name and what I was wearing. 

 More trains at the museum. 

 We ended our visit to Oklahoma City by visiting the memorial of the Oklahoma City bombing. 

It is a beautiful monument and it was just the 20th anniversary of the bombing last weekend (April 19th). I still remember this happening; such a tragedy. 

For the kids the trip was made complete by a stop at a Braum's for ice cream on the way home. 

Oklahoma City we had a great time and will certainly be visiting again. 

Samantha Turns ONE!

I can't believe she is one!

20 lbs 15.8 oz and 29 inches = perfect!

It was actually last Sunday but this week has been busy and I have not had a chance to post these pictures from her special day!

An after church picture.

 Oh such loving brothers and sisters! 

They were so excited for her to have her special day!

They are each so kind and loving towards Samantha. 

She is a lucky girl!

 She enjoyed the singing but I did not capture it- she was waving her arm as if she were leading us!

 Those ended up out of order but she loved it and made a big mess with her cake.

Oh they look so much alike! 

This is a significant picture becuase each of our kids has one of these banks. 

Now, that Samantha is one, she will get an allowance too (25 cents a week per year of age is what they get paid). The kids were excited for her.

She also got a wagon of which I will post some pictures of her and Lily in at the zoo. 

Samantha you are so sweet! You love me more than anyone else and though it is a bit tiring at times I am secretly grateful that my last baby loves me to hold her best. You are becoming a bit more of a daddy's girl though. All that really matters is that throughout your life you know that you are loved and safe in our arms and home. I pray that you will have a close and loving relationship with your brothers and sisters. You are a joy in our home and I feel so blessed to have you!

Love,

Mom

March Phone Photos

Arabella made this beautiful place setting for me for my birthday! 

 Samantha felt waiting to buy the asparagus was just too long to wait to eat some.

 Peter- my camping champion! He is in his element in hiking boots, building a fire, chopping wood, setting up camp.

 Joseph made it in the April Friend- I was so excited I could hardly stand it.

He took our copy to school and shared it with his whole class. 

 These next three our from our night out!

Dinner: Twisted Root Burger- delicious!!

 The King and I at Dallas Fair Park Music Hall- amazing! The costumes, the music, the actors/actresses, and the scenery were all fabulous!

But spending the night with this man was priceless!

 Easter clothes for church last Sunday. 

I made the girls' dresses. I am happy with how the turned out. I learned I am not very good at putting in zippers and if you are distracted you may skip the step where you are supposed to add the sleeves to one of the dresses and so it becomes more of a summer dress than it was supposed to be. 

 We have entered that fun stage where Samantha must try each food to see how it works as a hair care product. 

 Finally, Arabella and Jon had artwork on display at the district office building. I was so proud of them. The art teacher (who was arriving to take it down just as we got there - so glad we made it in time) only selected 4-5 pieces from each grade. They both did a great job and I am proud of them. 

Jon has some great detail! Arabella's piece shows some imagination. 

Happy Easter everyone!

Callings and Releases

Since moving to Texas I have served as president of two different auxillaries: Primary and Relief Society. I loved both and learned so much from both. This past Sunday I was released as Primary president. Our ward got a new bishop at the end of February and has been making a lot of changes. I had served for 2 years almost exactly.  I did not feel like I was done or needed a break. I know there were plenty of things I could do better but I had amazing counselors and a great secretary. We functioned well, actually I would say above average, and amongst us there was no drama. 

I am really excited for the new presidency that was called and I think they will do an amazing job. They each have great divine gifts and talents that will bless the primary kids. Oh, those kids, my heart starts to ache just thinking about not being with them each Sunday. I have spent a lot of time trying to not cry or to not think about it. Their love, their light, their voices, their purity, their innocence, their honesty, their righteous desires- all of it I will miss so much! 

I know I have 5 children of my own but there is a difference. I will just have to try harder to enjoy all of those gospel moments in our home that much more because my 5 kids will need to make up for the 55 kids I am missing. I told all of the teachers on Sunday to call if they needed a sub. 

I know I am not in charge and that things run on the Lord's time but that knowledge does not always make these things easier. 

As for my new calling, I am quite excited and feel this is something the Lord really wants me to grow in and become better at, missionary work- Ward Missionary to be exact. 

There is so much potential for growth in our ward and we have some great missionaries serving in our ward so it is time to get to work and be member missionaries and members of action.
I feel that I will have to make a concerted effort to magnify this calling. I will have to seek out and find ways to take the initiative on making some things happen. I am going to have to go outside of my comfort zone. Heavenly Father has asked this of me and I want to serve him and show my love to Him by serving others through this calling. I am ready, I am willing and I am available- I will serve. It has taken quite a few years but I think I am finally getting to a point where I can be bold in asking people to join in the blessings of living the gospel and not be so worried that they might say no or become offended. There is a lot of opportunity for reactivation and working with part member families in our ward; to this I say - Let's lengthen our stride and do it! 

My birthday cake

I love german chocolate cake!

Peter has made me some beautiful and oh so delicious from scratch german chocolate cakes. 

This year, I found a recipe on a cake mix box that was called upside down german chocolate cake. 

 I agree that it may not look like much but it was sooooooooo good!

We all loved it! It will definitely be made again around our parts.

The Perot Museum

The older kids are always asking to go to the Perot Museum so I decided to go ahead and buy a pass.

The two youngest and I headed down to buy said pass and have some fun. 

 The campsite area was a hit!

 Good thing that is not a real fire- yikes!

We are going to have so much fun with this pass. 

We are already planning to use it's reciprocal benefits this weekend and take a trip to Oklahoma city and visit the museum and the zoo there. 

Camping

We had planned a camping trip with several families a few months ago. 

It was going to be great and then we had rain and more rain and more rain. 

It was raining when we left our house.

It was raining as we drove to the campground.

It was raining as we drove to our campsite.

And then.....

it stopped.

And it did not rain again until we were finishing packing up our tent the next morning.

It could not have been a more beautiful time! 

 Throwing rocks

 Eating egg shaped marshmallows

We had yummy dutch oven tater tot casserole and then 2 dutch oven desserts!

 We did have a few friends that decided to come for some dessert but did not stay the night.

 Cooking breakfast- just like home- well pretty close anyway

 Samantha did really pretty well.

 We did a little fishing but no luck!

Oh how I love my family!