Happy Easter

Well this is definitely an Easter we will not forget. Before we traveled down to LA for Heather's surprise party they had unfortunately experienced the flu. But everyone was better and it had been enough time, that we didn't even think twice. On the way home Saturday Matt felt pretty awful and spent the rest of the day in bed. He was supposed to speak in Church on Easter and I planned on giving his talk for him if he was not well enough. I was also directing the Ward Choir. Then at 4 a.m. I started in with the flu and so we all ended up missing Church. A wonderful woman in our Ward directed the choir and I heard they were wonderful. How can it be Easter Sunday without going to Church?

Abby is so far still healthy (knock on wood) and has been quite bored with her sick parents today. She did open up her Easter basket this afternoon and immediately put together her puzzles. I am sure we will have to fight with the swords later. A friend of hers left his sword at our home and she has played with it a lot. So I found swords for all of us to enjoy.
Abby is such a wonderful little girl. She keeps asking us if we feel better and just wants to be cuddled with. I can't wait to feel better!
While Abby and I were in Tempe Matt worked so hard on our backyard. He finished as much as he can do on the pond. He is going to get some more professional help to do the electrical wiring and pump and filter so that we know it is done right. But just look at all of the rocks he hauled in and put in place. (The tree in front is our clementine tree--it will not go there when it is planted!)
He also put together our raised garden. What an amazing man I married!

California Party!

After Abby and I returned from Tempe we washed some clothes and all of us headed down to LA. Matt's sister Heather had a birthday on Friday, the 22nd, so her husband Brandon and I planned a fun surprise party for her on Thursday night. She did find out right before coming back to her apartment, but we all had a great time. We had excellent food thanks to Matt's Mom and Dad and the best part was everyone hanging out. I think Heather said it was one of her best birthday parties ever! Abby and Dexter love to play together. They enjoyed jumping off a chair into Brandon's arms. The best part was watching them cheer each other on!

We gave Heather a great new cookbook that I really want too!
Friday morning we went to see our friends Mike and Jenny Wilcox and their very cute family. They have a new 5 week old daughter named Paige and we loved holding her!
Abby likes to flip over on anything and here she is using Matt!
Friday afternoon Abby and Dex died eggs and we hid plastic eggs for them to find. They are so cute.
Abby, Dexter, Grandpa Roger after a spaghetti dinner.
Abby crashed on Grandma after a long and fun day.
Abby and Matt playing on the bed.
Abby and Great Grandma Ruth playing in her room.
Aren't families the greatest?!

Arizona Sunshine

Friday, April 15 Abby and I drove to Tempe, AZ. I was nervous about how she would travel since this is her first trip potty trained. She was unbelievable! She held it for over 5 1/2 hours and finally I stopped and took her to the bathroom even though she did not ask. She was a perfect angel on the drive. We sang, listened to music, she read, played with Mickey, Minnie and the Toy Story characters, colored, did flash cards, etc. We had so much fun.

Our trip was full of fun and friends. We stayed with the Taysom's and Abby was able to play with Natalie's niece, Caely a lot. Here they are reading.
Ready for Church.
Saturday we woke up early and went to the Phoenix Zoo with Natalie, Caely, our friends the Jones' and a friend of Natalie's. We saw tigers, lions. . .
Mandrills
and even rode a camel thanks to Natalie's friend!
After baking in the Arizona sun (I forgot how hot it is!) we drove to Bahama Bucks and had a Bahama Mama Rama. So yummy.
After a brief stop at Natalie's Ward barbecue we drove to her Bishop's beautiful home and played in their amazing but very cold pool. It was cold even on my feet! Abby would shake with cold and then get back in! Crazy girl!
Sunday we went to Church in our old Tempe Ward and it was so wonderful to see so many friends. We do miss our Tempe friends!

Sunday afternoon we ate lunch with Carric and Jenny Smolnik.
Our rental car had a flat tire, so Carric took it off, put on the spare, and helped us switch the car. What a pain! Thanks you guys for lunch and all of your help!
Sunday night I attended a mission fireside and the choir I conducted for two years, the Arizona Deseret Choir performed. It was so good to see all of them. I really miss them. Carric is now conducting the choir and they did a beautiful job. I really want to start my own choir!
After the fireside we stopped to see the Jackson family. I taught Cami and Hannah piano lessons and we all became such good friends. Abby loves them so much and Lynn would always spoil her. Hannah played the piano for us and she is playing so well. It is amazing to think of where she was years ago when we began lessons and how beautifully she plays now. Makes me so happy to be a teacher!
I also attended the Mesa Temple while we were in Arizona. It is difficult for us to get to the LA Temple, so I took advantage of a temple so close. It felt so good to escape from the rest of the world and focus on the most important things in life. I am so grateful to Carric for watching Abby so that I could attend the temple.
I already miss the Arizona sunshine!