Millie update

 This girlie still loves to wear pigtails every day and requests "normal pigtails, mom, not fancy!"

Sometimes I mix up the pigtails by braiding them if allowed.

Sometimes she wears fake plastic glasses.

She has been bringing home some of her artwork from school.

In May, one of her friends had a princess tea party for her birthday party and she was thrilled.

A weird -- but funny -- thing she likes to do is pick dead skin. This was a Sunday afternoon after church when she had begged to wear my watch and then begged Andrew to be allowed to see his feet.

Millie took back the pink eyemask she gave me for Christmas and wears it every night (with her closet light burning). In the mornings, she often comes to cuddle in our bed and watch a show but on this morning below, she and James surprisingly watched the same show.

On Mother's Day, she wore the dress Pauline made for her and when we went to cousin Alice's baby blessing, she was excited to see her cousin Millie in the same dress!

I love how she sometimes falls asleep on me. This was in California at church there.

And this was at the stake youth trek kickoff meeting one Sunday evening.

Andrew update

 Andrew's last year of elementary school is wrapping up! He had his last orchestra performance on Thursday. They were bussed over to the middle school.

For the last song, they all put on fake mustaches. So we had to grab a picture.

On Friday his class had a Greek mythology fair, where they showed the posters they created. His scenes depicted a lot of blood.

He's preparing for the egg drop with this cushioned box he created.

Andrew has been Millie's outside buddy, trying to teach her how to use the longboard and pennyboard or riding around on bikes.

I need to get a picture of him mowing the lawn! Andrew has started taking a turn mowing our lawn this spring. He also made cookies this weekend by himself (mostly) and is perfecting his grilled sandwich and egg-in-the-hole techniques. 

Women's Conference and Mother's Day

I was assigned to be one of the main Church News writers for BYU Women's Conference in early May, so I went down every day and stayed busy with articles -- but I was glad I also had time to go to lunch with these two darling sisters, Autumn and Jasmine, and I laughed and laughed and talked and talked.

I ended up in an album for one of the speakers in a session I wrote about.

I had some pinch me moments when I was sitting on the floor of the Marriott Center watching some of our Church leaders give their talks. They poured so much time and prayer into their messages. And I knew from my trip to Europe with Irene Caso of Church communications how much she was working on her keynote address.

Mother's Day was so sweet. JB is always so thoughtful in bringing breakfast and sweet gifts with the kids. Max gave me a candle and gift card. Everyone wanted a sniff. 

Before church started, JB took these photos. It looks like I am shrinking as my children grow! My heart is just so full of each of them, they are each so funny, smart, clever and cute.

Max took one with me and I fought down some tears about how he will be leaving us soon. We have a few more months til his mission.

JB bought this delicious cake from Costco and invited his parents over for dinner. I am so grateful we live close to John and Pauline! I learn so much from my mother-in-law and love talking to her.

I was also really glad for the chance to FaceTime with my mom. I was outside with her while the kids ran around in what really was a beautiful evening.

Easter and the Tabernacle experience

April 9 was Easter Sunday. Our ward program was beautiful and poignant -- the music made me feel "a beautiful ache" as Anne Shirley used to say. And the talks were very promising and uplifting, yet also acknowledging mortal sorrows many feel. Our ward has seen sicknesses and sudden passing of dear friends.

Meanwhile, Millie and I wore complementary pink and white flowery dresses. 

The Saturday before I took Andrew, James and Millie to a neighborhood Easter egg hunt. 

And here's a easter bunny tail bun hair style.

A year ago, I wrote a story for Church News about the amazing replica of the Old Testament tabernacle that had been drawing huge crowds in northern Utah. JB and the three younger kids came with me for the interviews and you can see them in the photos for the story (click here).

The experience was so successful, the tabernacle has been going around the whole state this spring. On Monday, April 24, our stake was assigned to provide volunteers as it stopped in Salt Lake City. 

The full-size model was set up on a field by one of our chapels. JB and Andrew stood by the outer gate to explain to people its significance. Andrew got really good at the part.

Millie and James and I were inside the church building and talked to visitors about the brazen serpent.

James grew more confident the more he talked to people.

Max and Ben had tennis practice that afternoon and came to meet us but it started raining and the outdoor portion ended up closing. So Monday, May 8, we went to see the whole thing together in Holladay, a few minutes south of us.

I am our ward's temple prep teacher and just finished teaching the course to Max and two others who should be going through the temple this year. This tabernacle experience really showed me more of how all things ancient have been restored and how the tabernacle and the temple point to Jesus Christ.

James update

Jamesy has had a busy month! He had a special daddy-son outing to go see the Mario Bros movie after school one day.

He finished his Jr Jazz basketball season with a lot more confidence, and I could tell how much his skills had improved.

He was with a few friends from 4th grade and enjoyed their practices and games together.

His class is learning about pioneers, and they get points if they dress like a pioneer each day during the unit.

He's been bringing home some of his artwork from the year. We love this owl he drew.

The fourth grade concert was very sweet. James did fight a smile while singing when he caught our eye, and he sang every word of the fun songs they had learned.

He loves to hang out with his friend Emma. They talk Pokemon and Legos most of the time. I snuck this photo of them chatting on the grass from my window.

And JB took this photo of them smelling the lilac bush. Right after this James said he also loved to "smell roses" as he went over to our tulips.

And JB took this photo after we went to cousin Alice's baby blessing in Bountiful.

James is counting down to his birthday coming up soon!