Easter

We had quite the group over at our house for Easter.... Suzi, Julie, TJ, Brody, Joyce, Scott, Kelli, Logan, Victoria, Kassandra, Trent and Lily! We loved every moment of it.

Julie and Joyce in the kitchen. Julie made Strawberry Chantilly, Easter dream cake and cookies!
Hayden going thru his eggs.
Logan
TJ and Brody
Victoria
The boys
Brody, Logan, Hayden and Victoria - ready to go for round 2 outside.
Suzi trying to help them find the last of the eggs.
Silly easter bunny must have run out of eggs because not only were there a couple hundred eggs, there was also random treats, candy and surprises hidden around the yard.
Lily led the pack and loved the candy in the eggs.
Joyce, Julie, me, Suzi and Kassandra sitting around talking before our yummy meal!
It was a great Easter celebration. Lots of family, lots of food, lots of treats and we felt so much love! It was a great weekend with lasting memories made.

It happened.....

I had my own Easter blessing. I remember sitting in church listening to the Primary children sing and thinking that someday Hayden would be old enough to be on the stand and sing in Primary. We tried to have him participate a couple of times, only to end in a fiasco each time. Most times we couldn't get him up to the pulpit, when we did, screaming, crying and yelling, "Mom".

But, this year was different. I talked to Hayden and tried consoling him as he wiggled and squirmed throught he sacrament. He wrestled and struggled with his desire to do "hard things" and staying comfortably sitting by me. I wanted him to go up but honestly didn't think he ever would. I was struggling with how much to push or was this just something I needed.

When they announced for the Primary children to get up, Hayden took a really deep breath and stood up. My heart felt like it would stop. As I watched him walk up on the stand, Thomas grabbed my hand and I think both of us were scared to even breathe. We didn't know if he would stay, face his fears or run back defeated. I was praying so hard for my son that he would have the courage to do this hard thing so that I could teach him the joy that comes from overcoming something that we fear so much.

As Hayden stayed on the stand and the music started, I saw my dear sweet son, open his mouth and he sang. He sang the entire song. He stood up straight. He stood and even smiled when it was over.

I looked over at Thomas and he had tears in his eyes. He gripped my hand tighter and tighter as Hayden sang and relaxed.

I was so proud of Hayden! He overcame one of his greatest fears. I was such a proud mom sitting by a very touched and proud dad. And, yes, all three of us had an amazing talk about overcoming "hard things".

And, all those years of imagining what it would be like having my own son up there singing... it was even better than I ever imagined! It was my own Easter blessing!

Easter Morning

Easter Morning was wonderful. The Easter Bunny came and had a special egg hunt for Hayden, since he would have to wait for his cousins in the afternoon. Lucky boy received an Easter basket from the Easter bunny and one from mom and dad. His favorite gift was a statue of the Nauvoo temple and his scripture hero cards. He also got 2 kites, silly straws, whoppie cushion, Nerf guns, shovels for the beach and new summer clothes.
Hayden loved finding the "big eggs" and ones he could tell had money in them.

The Easter bunny did not disappoint... gold dollars, dollar bills, change, golden coins and airheads. $19.81 in all. It was an early, good morning!

Swimming... Crazy Kids

I love this shot of Hayden. He loves being in the water and could care a less if it is cold. Definitely my water boy! The rope swing is always a hit. I sure love all these girls... Brigham, too!

Austin has no fear and the kids love him climbing to the top of the tope swing and jumping off!

All of us adults sitting and chatting and relaxing. It was so much fun! I am a lucky girl to be related to all these incredible people!

Jodi, Jake and me! (Don't know where Josh was) Happy Easter! And, another successful and fun Simonton Easter!

The Hunt

The line up: youngest to oldest.
The kids so excited to start the hunt.

Hayden and Katelyn
Thomas and Hayden with the loot!

I had a hard time keeping up with Hayden to even get a picture.

Josh's house is the perfect backyard for a wonderful egg hunt!

Coloring Eggs

What would Easter be without messy hands and colored eggs? The kiddos had a ball coloring eggs. Hayden's were all camouflage eggs.

Kiley & Hayden

Brigham's cute green Hulk hands!

Katelyn, Layla, Brinley

All the kiddos

Me and my bug!

Simonton Easter Party

Saturday, we had our annual Simonton Easter Party. We went to Josh's and ate dinner, colored eggs, had an egg hunt and then the crazy kiddos went swimming. We sure love getting together with everyone and Hayden sure loves his cousins.

Hayden with Grandpa.
Dinner by the pool- Katie came and played and we had a great time with her, too!

Easter Dinner---Yummy!

Dad and Bonnie

Jodi and Troy

Jake & Rosie

Jodi Lewis, Jerlyn & Talmage