Easter Madness!

On Saturday night during Priesthood session - the girls bypassed shopping (thats what happens when there is a lack of moolah) for an evening of egg decorating. Alayna loved it and dyed two and a half dozen eggs for an hour and a half. I couldn't believe it kept her occupied for so long.

It is a good thing we didn't have to go to church on Sunday - Alayna was covered in dye - it was on her feet, hands, and face...

Easter was a great day - it was so funny when Alayna got up - we were sitting in bed awake with Benson waiting for her to get up - and she ran as fast as she could to see what the Easter Bunny brought for her. She had left the remains of her binkies (they had all been snipped) in her Easter Basket with some carrots for the Easter Bunny the night before and the Easter Bunny made good on his promise of bringing her treats and prizes!
I really enjoyed talking to Alayna about Easter - she seemed to understand. We talked about how Jesus was resurrected and we will be resurrected someday. We used her glove to illustrate about our bodies and spirits and what happens at birth and resurrection. Then I asked her where her spirit was and she said, "My spirit is in my belly mom."

An Easter tubby at Grandma's - Benson has only had a tubby in the sink and he was laughing and so excited to watch Alayna in the tub - we figured he wanted in too.

My Singing Sweetheart

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We have been learning Nephi's Courage - these last couple of weeks and I love it when she sings this song. She also learned the 1st Article of Faith in nursery and we have been practing it too - so here they are!!

Taste the Rainbow

I made these rainbow cupcakes for New Beginnings this last week. They were a huge hit! Since I didn't like the frosting shown here - it didn't work like I wanted it to. We put whipped cream on them instead and they were delicious. I got the idea here .

My baby sister Kali went to Prom last weekend and looked absolutely beautiful!!

Kali and the lucky guy Pat.

Coby found this worm and I can't believe that Alayna actually held it...I thought she would have freaked out as scared of spiders as she is...

All dolled up in a new Easter outfit!

Hehe - just a funny little picture of Benson. I had the flash on the camera and it totally caught him off guard. By the way - I love those chubby cheeks! (You can just say it - he looks real healthy...)

Almost a Disaster!

Monday night for FHE - we had a lesson and then decided to make play dough...well apparently I can't read a recipe because I put twice as much water as we needed in the playdough...

Which meant a really sticky mess....

We salvaged it and Alayna wanted nothing to do with it - it took some major convincing for her to even touch it.

Then she decided it was cool to do a "face print".

Alayna licking her ice cream bowl.

I found this cute little dress for a really good deal - and I was just getting it for Alayna to wear as a summer dress and over her swimming suit, but it was so cute on - I let her wear it to church.

Benson got a new church shirt too - since he is growing so fast - he is busting out of all his clothes...

I love this picture - Benson is so cute!

He thinks that he is big enough to roll over - just from his stomach onto his back...I think he is still to little, but he just does it anyways. (Maybe I just want him to stay little forever - but I love how much he is growing and changing too.)

Today I loved...

Today I loved it when you sang songs to Benson when he was crying.

Today I loved it when you told me, "Its a real shiny day!"

Today I loved it when you asked me if you could watch Baby Einstein with Benson.

Today I loved it when we walked down the ice cream aisle at the grocery store - and you had to have the Spumoni ice cream (chocolate, cherry, and pistachio).

Today I loved when we went on a walk together and you kept asking Dad to stop and share his soda with you or stop so we could see the dogs.

Today I loved it when we had FHE and you listened so good about how to follow the prophet and then had so much fun as we played "following" games like "Simon Says" and "Red Light, Green Light".

Today I loved it when you ate your ice cream with your hands then licked the bowl.

Today I loved it when we read scriptures before bed and you wanted to talk about the "dirty water" (from Lehi's Dream).

Today I loved it when you got out of bed to sneak "Dos Besos" (two kisses - which really means ten kisses for you) and a hug.

I love you and sweet dreams!

Benson's Blessing Day

Today we blessed Benson - and we were so blessed to be surrounded by our families. Coby was able to bless Benson - the blessing was beautiful and I cried through the whole thing (let's be honest - what mother doesn't?)

Benson and Mom

Uncle Preston - shaved his aweful beard for Benson's special day - thanks Pres!

Five Generations - times three (almost four!!)

Grandpa Lloyd enjoyed the party after church a lot!

Kadin is getting practiced up!

Mom and Son - Benson's Great Grandpa and Great-Great Grandma.

Benson being loved by Great-Great Grandma Richards.

Cute kids, here, there, and everywhere!

This weekend was we had lots of family in town for Benson's Blessing - Alayna loved having her cousins Brayden and Karter to play with and have tubbies.

Alayna and Dad giving Jazz lots of loves.

Alayna got a little computer game from Grandma and loves it - when it gets hard she sticks her tongue out (it must be an inherited trait because I do it and my dad does it when we are concentrating on something.)

Alayna got to eat a forest for lunch the other day and loved it, but she would rather eat broccoli cooked.

I feel like a bad mother because I don't take pictures of Benson as often as I did Alayna when she was little...but that doesn't mean he isn't cute and that we don't love him because he really is spoiled rotten.

Benson has really started talking and laughing and I can't get enough of it - he melts my heart over and over again everyday. He really is a Momma's boy - which I love!!

Benson and Alayna bonding time in their bouncy chairs...