{April 2016: Springtime Blossoms, Soccer, Birthday, Dance}

Came the Spring with all its Splendor.  All its Birds, and all its Blossoms.  All its Flowers and Leaves and Grasses.  ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Sweet, Sleepy Baby H.  Springtime Blossoms on our Plum trees.  I adore these springtime blossoms.  So lovely.  Big Brother E playing soccer, on his Springtime League (Big Sister R & Little Miss K played on their teams, as well).  They loved every minute!

Mark & Elizabeth eating at a restaurant with their kiddos.  Little Man C {Big Sister R, helping}, practicing giving his talk for Church, in Primary.  Beautiful Springtime Blossoms on our Apple Trees.  Little Miss K playing soccer.  Admiring my Sweet Kiddos {Baby Girl H & Little Man C} through the Plum Blossoms {Playing in their Sandbox}.

Little Man C's Talk:
Jesus Christ was Resurrected, and I Will Be Too.
We came to earth to get a body and see if we would choose the right.  We don't always choose the right so, Jesus Christ said that he would come down to earth and help us by paying for our sins.  He gave up his life for us and then overcame death.  Now because of Jesus Christ, we can be resurrected and be saved from our sins when we repent.  This allows us to return and live with Heavenly Father again.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I will post links to other events that happened this month, after I post them on 

my photography blog:

{R's 10th Birthday}

{R's Dance Competition}

   

{December 2015: Christmas Festivities, Family Visits, Snow, Perform Talents}

Christmas Festivities.  Love Our Kiddos, Christmas Eve Matching Pajamas.  Baby Girl H's {turn} putting the Star, on the top of our Advent Calendar.  Baby Boy D's First Christmas.

 Lovely White Christmas. Our Girls Opening Presents.  Snacks for Santa & Reindeer.

 Our Sweet Kiddos Opening Presents, together.

Special Christmas Breakfast.  Baby D Snuggling with Daddy and Standing Up.

Opening Christmas Presents together, as a Family.

 Nativity Play on Christmas Day.

 Girl Band Practice.  Curling Our Girls' Hair.  Creating Art.  Big Sister R & Little Miss K, Entering & Winning Awards at their School Art Contest.  Little Miss K Singing at her School Christmas Concert.  So Proud of our Kiddos! :)

 Our Kids had So Much Fun; Making a Ginger Bread House and Christmas Sugar Cookies.  Little Miss K did an Amazing job on her talk in Primary {at Church}: "I know that my Redeemer Lives". Her talk that she said was, "President Gordon B. Hinckley shared his testimony: 'Jesus is my friend. He is my exemplar. He is my teacher. He is my healer. He is my leader. He is my Savior and my Redeemer. He is my God and my King. Gratefully, and with love, I bear witness of these things.'  Jesus is my Savior, for He rescues me from me. I'll try to explain just how to you. It's very clear to see. Heavenly Father sent me here, to learn to choose the right. I can't get back to live with him, unless I win the fight. Each day I have to make a choice. Some days I seem to choose the path that's leads away from Christ, and that's the way I lose. But God knew that I'd need some help, so Jesus said he'd come, and be my Savior so I can try to be the best I can become. And when I try to change my ways, a better person be, I can succeed because of Christ, who gave His life for me. I know that Jesus is my Savior, because He died for my sins. I want to do all I can, to follow His example and be worthy to live with Him again, someday. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Baby D Adorably Sleeping.  I LOVE that he sucks his thumb!  It is Super Cute! :)  Our Christmas Cards & Baby Announcements, ready to send out.  

   Mark's brother Glen, his wife Summer, and their 4 kiddos {our nieces & nephews} came to visit us at our place, for a few days.  It was so lovely to spend time with them.  

We had a wonderful time, visiting the Cheney side of the family, up in Washington, a few days after Christmas, through New Years.  We also celebrated Baby Girl H's Birthday, this month, which I will be posting about on my photog blog, very soon.

  

{Family Fun, Mother's Day, R's Baptism, Talks, School: May 2014}

In the month of May, with our Family, there were a lot of awesome things happening.  We went to the Family BBQ {Picnic}, at Mark and the Kid's School, we Celebrated Cinco De Mayo, by eating Yummy Mexican food.  Our son E, was Principal's Pride in his class {Student of the Month}.  We were so proud of him!  Our daughter K gave a talk in Primary, on Easter Sunday {April 20th}   K's "Easter Talk":  {K did a Wonderful Job!}

"Jesus Has Risen.  Jesus Our Brother.  Jesus Our Friend.  Joy Fills Our Hearts.  He Lives Again. "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven..." (Joseph Smith Teachings) I am thankful that Jesus was resurrected, so I can be resurrected too someday, and be with my family forever.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Our son E, also gave a talk in Primary "God Speaks Through Prophets" E's Talk:  {E did a Wonderful job!} "There are many ways that Heavenly Father can talk to you. He can speak to you through the Holy Ghost. He can speak to you through the scriptures. One very important way that Heavenly Father talks to His children is through His living prophets. When the prophet speaks, he tells us things that Heavenly Father wants us to know.
In the Book of Mormon the people of King Noah were very wicked. Heavenly Father sent His prophet Abinadi to preach to them.  Alma, one of the priests, believed Abinadi’s words and learned the way to obtain God’s promised blessings.
In the Bible we read of God’s promises to the children of Israel. Through Moses, His prophet, the Lord delivered them from Egypt. Moses taught the children of Israel the way to obtain God’s promises and blessings.
There was not a prophet on the earth when Joseph Smith prayed to find out which church to join. He became God’s prophet and restored the true Church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith taught the people what they needed to do to obtain God’s promises and blessings.
 If you knew that Jesus Christ was coming to speak to you, would you take time out from your playing to go and listen to
Him? Each April and October, the prophet and other General Authorities speak to us in special meetings called general conference. They tell us the things the Savior would tell us if He were here. Their words are like the scriptures and will guide us in our lives.
Today PresidentThomas S. Monson tells us what God wants us to know and do. When we listen to general conference, it is as if God Himself is speaking to us. We can learn the way to obtain God’s promised blessings when we listen to our prophet.
Our prophet loves us just as the Savior loves us. If we do the things he teaches, we can be happier in this life. We can learn how to live again with Father in Heaven and the Savior, Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to know that through our prophet, the Savior is speaking to each of us!  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"
Sources:
Elizabeth Ricks, “Sharing Time: I Will Follow the Prophet Today,” Friend, Oct 2006, 14–16
Diane S. Nichols, “Sharing Time: Listen to a Prophet’s Voice!,” Friend, Apr 2001, 13

We celebrated Mother's Day.  The Kids and Mark spoiled me, with Breakfast in Bed, a Wonderful Lunch and Dinner, Flowers, and Special handmade gifts from the Kiddos.  We also called and sent cards to our Mothers.  It was a great day!

Our Daughter R had her Baptism in the month of May.  We were so proud of her.  I did a Photo Shoot of her in her Baptism dress, {that my Mom made for her--it's so beautiful!}  To view more of her Session, click here.  

Our Daughter R, had her Baptism, up in Oregon, with her Best Friend, L.  They had a wonderful experience together.  They sang "When I am Baptized" together, and they also sang "I am a Child of God" with their siblings {they have siblings who are all the same ages as our first 4 kids, and they are all best friends}.  I also played the descant on my violin, for that one too.

It was so fun to have a combined Baptism, with our great friends, the Smith family.  The program was all done by both of our families.  Mark's Dad {R's grandpa} gave the talk on The Holy Ghost, and Nette's Mom {L's grandma} gave the talk on Baptism.  Both R and L's Dad's Baptized them.  It was a Beautiful Baptismal service.  Mark confirmed R.  It was such a wonderful day!

 We went back to Mark's parent's home, with both sides of our family, and took some lovely pictures {thanks Riana!} with our family.

Our Daughter R, with her Grandparents, Parents, and Siblings.

R and L had such an Amazing Baptism day!  R with her Cousins, at her Baptism Luncheon.

Our Kids had such a Blast playing with Cousins from both sides of our Family.  It was a wonderful Baptism day!  We all had a great time spending time together.  We are so glad that so many of our Family and Friends could be there for R's special day!{Thanks to my awesome sister, Angela for taking care of our sick Baby H {without being asked!}, during the Baptism!}

{Sweet Family Love Adventures! Feb. 2014}

My Kids have a Wonderful Daddy!  He is Amazing with them!  Here Little Man C, is Reading a Story with his Daddy.  Little Miss K is Playing with Sweet Baby H.

Little Miss R and K with Little Man E, playing on the Computer together.  Sweet Baby H Smiling Lovingly at her Treasured Baby Doll.

Our Adorable Messy Baby H.  Little Man C Lookin' Handsome in his Church Clothes.

Little Misses R, K and I, went and had a Girls Day together, and all of us got our HairCut at a Salon.  It was So much Fun!  We were so Happy, with how they turned out!  Little Miss K and our Darling Baby H playing together. 

Little Miss R, feeding her Baby Sister H.  Little Miss K, playing with her Baby Sister H.

Little Man C Adores his Sleepy Baby Sister H!

I LOVE when my Darling Babies' Fall asleep on Me!  Little Miss K, Little Man C, and Sweet Baby H having Fun, Playing together.  

 I LOVE how Sweet my Kids are when they are Sleeping!  Big Brother E and Little Brother C, snuggling together, while Sleeping.  So Adorable!

Little Miss R and Little Man E, getting ready to go with Mama to have a Fun Day redeeming their "Being Good" School Coupons!  We had a Blast!

Big Sister R, Reading a Story to Little Brother C, and Little Sister K.  Big Sister K, with Little Baby Sister H, Snuggling together.

I Adore Our Darling Sleeping Babies!  It's moments like these, that I am in Awe, at what Amazing Kids we have; and that they are Ours.  We are So Blessed!

 In the tradition of Our Kids, Little Miss K, started losing her teeth at Age 4 {now 5}.  She was Excited to Lose another one, and for the Tooth Fairy to make a Visit to Our House!   
Little Miss R was asked to give a Talk in Primary at Church.  She did an Amazing job!  She Loves the Spotlight! 

{Heavenly Father's Plan is a Plan of Happiness}. 

Little Miss R's Talk: Feb. 9th 2014

Before we came to earth, our spirits lived with Heavenly Father who created us. We knew Him, and He knew and loved us. It was a happy time during which we were taught God's plan of happiness and the path to true joy. But just as most of us leave our home and parents when we grow up, God knew we needed to do the same. He knew we couldn't progress unless we left for a while. So he allowed us to come to earth to experience the joy -- as well as pain -- of a physical body.

Each time we make a poor choice with painful consequences, that decision leads to unhappiness -- sometimes immediately, sometimes much later. Likewise, choosing good eventually leads to happiness and helps us become more like Heavenly Father.

I hope we can all make good choices, so that we can be happy in this life and live with Heavenly Father again someday.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

 We LOVE our Sweet, Darling Kiddos!

Baby H is Such a Happy, Sweet Baby!

{Family Fun: October 2013}

We enjoy taking our children to the park.  I love the Fall colors in these pictures.

Our children love to play at the park. 

We have so much fun together.

 I love Baby H's pretty long eyelashes. Such a lovely day at the park.

It's so fun to watch our children learn and grow.  Princess R and Little Man E have been becoming better at reading, and it's so fun to watch them reading to us, themselves and to their siblings.

Our apartment is smaller than our home, and as we are patiently waiting for our home to sell in Oregon (so we can build here), we have to do some unconventional things.  Such as Baby H sleeping in one of her cribs in Daddy's closet in our room (we also have a crib in one of the kid's rooms, but we like to have her close to us at night).  Our sweet little princess, snuggling with her amazing Daddy.

 Little Man E snuggling with Mama, and the kids making chocolate chip cookies together.

I had the privilege recently of meeting up with one of my awesome friends {Emily} from college, (that I haven't seen in years) at this fun place with tons of bouncy houses in our town.  We all had such a fun time together.  It was such a great day!

My husband Mark loves to map out, new places to explore together.  We went for a drive and enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful Fall colors together and seeing fun new places.

 The kids enjoyed building a rock fire pit, and we all enjoyed the beautiful views and lovely day together.

 Our 3 older Children {who are in Primary} had their first {in our new ward} Primary Program {ages 3 to 12} at Church.  A Primary Program is when all of the Children of the Ward at Church, get together and sing all of the songs that they have learned that year, and each have a speaking part in front of the whole Ward (congregation).  Our Ward that we recently moved into, has a HUGE Primary.  It was so amazing to listen to all of the Children sing together {of course I get emotional watching my Children performing so well up there}.  Each of them had speaking parts, and they were: {Little Man E}: "Prophets teach us to live the restored gospel.  The living prophet leads the Church under the direction of Jesus Christ."  {Princess R}: "From the scriptures we learn that the Lord wants us to pray to Him always and about anything.  He loves to hear from us."  {Princess K}: "Because of Christ's Atonement, I can repent and live with God again."  They all did such an amazing job on their parts and songs!  We were so proud of them.  {We had been practicing the parts with the kids, in the weeks before, and Little Man C learned Princess K's part so well, that he was able to recite it by heart. It was super cute, that when the other kids were practicing their parts, he recited "his" part too.}