We've had more...

Birthdays!

Kyler turned 13!  I'm glad he still has that big ole' grin!!!

We had a fun family get together with a "Cafe Rio" dinner and an eclair cake!  Yummy!

Then on his actual birthday, he went to dinner at Red Lobster and saw "The Avengers" with Layne, Uncle Kirk, Collin and his good friend Keaton.  When they got home, he opened some gifts from us and we had some chocolate raspberry cheesecake!  So fun! :)  What a great birthday!  And what a great kid!

Kenzie turned 15!!!  Oh my!  

I had to work on her birthday, so Layne took off from work early to take her to get her driving permit!  She passed - missing only 2 questions!  So, they headed to a church parking lot to work on some "real driving."  After about an hour of "driving practice" they went for ice cream and a shopping trip.  They had a lot of fun and Kenz was so excited about her permit!

Side note:  This past Sunday Kenzie drove us home from church.  Layne was in North Augusta so it was just me and the kids!  It was the most quiet car ride we have ever had.  The kids were a little nervous about Kenzie driving.  She did really pretty well - for her first real drive - until we got to the left turn to our road.  I told her to start braking so she could slow down for the turn.  Our conversation went something like this...

"Okay, start braking when you get to the yellow signs."

"Okay."

"You need to start braking."

"I am."

"You need to slow down."

"I am."

"Please put your foot on the brake."

"I am."

"Please push on the brake."

"I am."

"Braaaaaaaaaaaaake!"   -  "Mailbox on the right!"

As Kenzie goes into the left turn very fast, Karlee yells, "We're gonna dieeeeeeeeee!"

Thankfully all turned out okay.  The mailbox will still be on the right as Kenzie gets better at taking that left turn!

When I got home from work, we had pizza and gifts before the kids headed to their church activity.

After church, we had ice cream cake!! :)

Then we had a friends and family day at the lake!  It was a lot of fun!  Great weather, yummy food, and good company!

Still no luck getting the candles lit at the lake!  But, I bet we'll try again!  Kenzie did get bonus singing as I was determined to have at least one candle lit!  :)

Yummy cupcakes!

Mmmmmmm!

So cute!

Fun gifts!

362 kisses until she turns 16!  :)

And fun on the water!

Two teenagers in the house... I'm glad they're still best friends!  We love them!  :)

Layne is how old!?!

So, Layne celebrated his 42nd birthday this year - and we celebrated by leaving the kids with my mom and dad and heading to St. Augustine, Florida!  We had the best time ever - so fun, so relaxing - and have decided that it should probably become a birthday tradition!  :)

I don't think the kids missed us at all...

The school's Spring Carnival.

Kavan and his friend and classmate.



Karlee checking out the treats that her teacher was selling!

Nice Hair!

Kavan and Karlee climbing the wall.

When Layne and I got home, the kids surprised him with birthday decorations, dinner, and a cake!

German Chocolate - his favorite!

Still blows them all out with one little puff - I still can't figure it out!

What a fun weekend!

Thanks mom and dad! :)

...Easter!

I love Easter!  It's such a beautiful time of year!  I love the scripture - Moses 6:63 - where it says, "...all things bear record of me."  Easter time is such a testament of Jesus Christ.  Not only because I know of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for each one of us and the blessing of resurrection, but also because of the beauty and the "newness" that surrounds us during this beautiful time of year!

I also love the fun family time we spend together!

We weren't able to get together our "traditional egg decorating" with family and friends this year, but we were bound and determined to color our eggs...just the six of us...at o'dark thirty...the night before Easter. 

Layne was in charge of  the "egg covers" this year!

I love this look...hmmm - this color or that color?!?

Silly boy!

It was a beautiful night!

Kyler's favorite!

On Easter morning the kids successfully found their baskets.  Then, we were off to church.  It was Fast and Testimony meeting which I thought might be interesting for Easter, but we had a beautiful musical number and the testimonies that were given about Jesus Christ made for a wonderful meeting!

After church, I needed pictures.

Silly Kenzie!  Did you notice she's not wearing glasses?
She has successfully been wearing contacts - much to her excitement!  

Karlee insisted we have a picture, too!  :)

Later, we went to Tyler and April's for our annual family dinner and Easter egg hunt.

I love that G'pa Mitchell is trying to scoot out of the way
before the kids are off and searching!

So cute!

Ryan found the last of Kyler's eggs...and struck the pose for a big hint! :)

And Kyler came running!

Sophia just chillin'!  She's pretty!

What a great day!