Easter 2016

We kept it simple for Easter this year. Mom sent an Easter package (wasn't expecting it, but it gave the girls some extra stuff to look for) and re-used some of the Easter prizes they'd found at the hunt from Utah, and we added a couple of our gifts: the book "Gethsemane, Jesus Loves Me," some crayons, and Easter socks. They loved looking for eggs in our own home. Grandma had included their names on some and Azucena and Adelaide loved figuring out who got which colors. :D

At church, the choir was able to sing two different pieces: "Testimony: A Hymn Medley" and "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands" while the Primary sang both "the Miracle" and "Gethsemane, Jesus Loves Me." Although Azucena was still too shy to go up, Adelaide ran to join the other children and sang both songs loudly. It was so cute to see her looking at us and smiling and sharing something she loves.

As per tradition, we also got the girls new Easter dresses (even Aurora, despite having two older sisters). They looked so cute in their bright yellow outfits! Aurora's dress and coat combo reminds me of Jackie O.

 Azucena was very, very upset about taking a picture. I got one of her covering her face and this one. She was happy at church, and she was happy after taking pictures, but not when I was trying to get one of just her and her dress. Oh well.

Also, Azucena was asked to give a talk in Primary! The subject was "our church is led by a living prophet." Even though she didn't want to practice during the week. As soon as we got in the Primary room, though, she was so excited to sit at the front and when it was her turn, she said the talk perfectly into the microphone. I was so happy for her!

 Adelaide was so funny. She was really excited to take pictures and was giving me all these ridiculous poses. Then Aurora saw Adelaide standing next to the wall and ran up to her and held her hand. She ADORES Adelaide. She follows anything she does.

 About twenty minutes later (when Azucena had started to calm down) Clark had the girls in the living room lying down and I realized that I might have a shot at getting a group picture. I hurriedly opened the curtains, pushed the girls' heads closer together, and started snapping pictures. Unfortunately, Clark's foot is in most of the shots, but since he was the one making them smile, he's forgiven. ;)

Fantastic Geek Moment

Awkward hands. Full hearts. :D Thanks, Emily, for including me in this photo awesomeness! (For those unfamiliar, these folks play Assistant Director Skinner, Scully, and Cigarette Smoking Man in the X-FILES show.)

St. Patrick's Day

I had fun getting the girls dressed up in green for the holiday. We ate a rainbow breakfast (which both girls picked and chose from rather than enjoying all of it) and earned some gold coins in the afternoon. Other than that, it was a low-key holiday in our home!

 (The older girls wanted to make glasses with their coins. Azucena kept covering her face with her hands rather than holding them up with her fingers, lol.)

Teddy Bear Clinic

Our local hospital hosts a teddy bear clinic each year. This is the first time we've been in town for it and we asked the girls if they wanted to take their friends to the hospital and they immediately said yes! (Azucena LOVES the hospital and always asks to visit. Go figure.)

After checking in, we visited each of the stations. Their friends were weighed, measured, had their vision and hearing tested, were given shots, and were also healed. They received casts and had x-rays taken before going into surgery. Mickey and the giraffe even had real stitches given (they both had holes that were fixed). The girls really liked going through each station and helping their friends feel better.

 At the end, we found out the girls could visit the "air ambulance" and they were very happy to see a helicopter up close. It was a quick visit, but they really liked being inside and Azucena mentions it every so often. :)

 

Idaho Falls Symphony: Let's Meet Mozart

The Idaho Falls Symphony holds a kids concert every year. Clark and I heard about it in time to get tickets for the family to go and check it out. They have an "instrument petting zoo" beforehand, where the children get to see, hear, and play some of the instruments used in the ensemble. We went straight for the strings and percussion, since that's what we own the least of. Adelaide loved touching all the instruments and got to play the violin, cello, and xylophone.

The concert itself was so fun! They played some of Mozart's best known music and even had a guy dressed up as Mozart, speaking with the conductor about some of the history and stories behind the pieces. They included the audience by doing things like "raise your hand when the band plays loudly and lower it when they play softly." That was Azucena's favorite part. :D

I hope we can make it next year!