Easter

We had a fun Easter celebration this year. When we are in town, we go to Mickey's Aunt Ann's house. There is an abundance of food and fun. The kids have a great time at the Easter egg hunt. We had a fantastic time!

On Sunday, we headed to church where I sang with the ward choir and heard some wonderful talks/testimonies about the life of Christ and His resurrection. How grateful I am for this time of year! We love this time to remember what our Savior has done for us. He has made it possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father one day. It is important to us that the kids know the real meaning of Easter. I don't know why but I am always amazed at their gospel knowledge. As we were quizzing them at dinner, they rattled off what Easter meant to them. Oh they make me so proud! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

After church.

Crazy Weather Day

On Friday we had some exciting weather in the South. I had gone to visit my friend at the hospital. I knew that there was some bad weather coming but the kids didn't have an early dismissal from school so I thought it would be okay. As I got closer to the school, I realized I just needed to get home and pick up the kids when the storm passed. Emma and I got home during the first hail storm. It was amazing. I didn't take a picture of the hail but we had about quarter sized hail. We had about 4 sessions of hail and watched it pile on the trampoline. My friend called to make sure that all was well out here and just as we were talking, I saw the trampoline fly up towards the house. I quickly got Emma in the closet and prepared for whatever was going on outside. A little more hail and the storm passed. I went outside to find the trampoline and couldn't find it. I thought it was on the roof or in the front yard but it was no where to be found. I packed Emma in the car to pick up the older kids and finally found the trampoline. It had flown over the house, across the street and landed atop a fence at the back of the neighbor's property line. I am grateful that no one was injured and that it avoided anyone's property. I definitely feel blessed. Of course the kids are sad that the trampoline is ruined...I don't know if I feel the same way. :)

Jacob's Opening Day

Jacob chose to play baseball again this year. I hope for a fun season for him this year. We went to the Opening Day festivities and got to cheer Jacob at the exhibition game. (We were rained out last year.)

Beth's Piano Solo

Beth amazes me. Her 4th grade from school was assigned to sing at the PTO meeting. The music teacher asked for volunteers to sing a solo or play an instrumental solo. She tried out for a piano solo and got accepted. She wanted to play her piece called Largo from the New World Symphony. Mickey and I were so proud of her. I think she get her nerves of steel from her dad!
As a warning, she started before I was ready, but I only missed a few notes.

Spring Break in Michigan

We got to go to my parent's house for Spring Break this year. Since Beth had Space Camp, we couldn't leave until Sunday afternoon. This necessitated us staying in a hotel about half way. The kids loved the room and really didn't understand why we didn't stay there on the way home.

The kids had a special treat when we got there. Their cousin, Kevin, and Uncle Ken were visiting too. They played and I didn't hear to much from them the entire time.

We got to eat at our new favorite place, Louis. Mickey found this place in a Golf magazine and had to try it. We were happy with the results. The have deep dish pizza and the best anti pasta salad that you can imagine. YUMMMM!

We took a trip to the Henry Ford Museum. I haven't been in a while and was pleasantly surprised to see two new exhibits that were fantastic. They have an American history exhibit and it even displays the chair that Lincoln was shot. Then they had a new airplane exhibit where the kids could make their own paper airplanes and then test them out. I think that was my favorite.

My parents have season passes to the Detroit Symphony's Pops Series. I lucked out and came on the right week. So my mom took Beth and me to the concert. We had a great time.

I love to visit my parents and I am happy that we got to go there since this summer will be a wash for me. I hated to come back to "real" life. :)

Space Camp

Beth got to attend Space Camp with her ACE group from school. She has looked forward to this since last year. We got phone calls at night and you could tell that Beth was having the time of her life. They spent Friday and Saturday learning about space exploration. They even ran the space shuttle simulation. Beth served as Cap-com or cab-com...not sure what it was called. But she said it was an important role. Then they had a jeopardy type competition between the two teams. Her team won and got a special award at the graduation. Mickey and I were proud of her. We got to tour the space center museum after graduation. Beth showed everything that they learned during her stay.

It's a......

GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are happy to announce that we are having a healthy baby girl. I am still trying to get over the shock a little since I really thought we were going to have a boy. Jacob is disappointed to say the least. (He saw this sentence and asked me to remove it..he says he really is happy it is girl.) Emma was the only one of us that guessed correctly. Beth is at space camp this weekend and I am waiting for her to call so I can tell her the news. She will be excited. Thanks for all the well wishes! I have been feeling super cautious about this pregnancy and I am starting to get excited.