Egg champ

Sunday afternoon we relaxed and then did the traditional egg champ with everyone to see who would come out victorious! 

It's been a long time since I claimed the title of "champ", but this little pink/orange egg did the trick this year!

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter! Cooper got to enjoy TWO baths before everyone even woke up because he kept finding chocolate easter eggs laying around the house. He had half a foil egg in one hand and chocolate all over his face and belly.

After breakfast Oliver kindly helped me finish getting him ready after all of the chocolate was found and put out of reach!

 

My very favorite moment though was watching him surrounded by older siblings saying, "CHEEEEEEEESE"!

Just before we left for church, we moved the entire dining table out of the way and gathered in front of the fireplace for a quick family picture (thanks Grampa). Cooper kept running out of the picture and chucking his hat off, so it was a bit chaotic. Sure love this crew of ours!

I had Camilla snap a Sunday picture of Mr. Stannix and I since he didn't have to go in early for meetings this morning. It feels as though we will never catch up on lost sleep as we juggle eight children, busy church callings, serving in the community, activities, and whatever else pops up, but these are the very best days of our lives! So grateful to be married to this guy forever and ever!

Then someone fell asleep in Grampa's arms at church...

After church we gathered everyone together on our way out the door for a picture in front of this living Christ image from the display that took place this week. 

"Peace is found in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When He suffered for our sins and weaknesses, died on the cross, and rose again, the Savior rewrote humanity's history. Because of Him, we do not have to deal with our frailties, sins, and fears alone. Because of Him, death is not the end. Resurrection will come to all who have ever lived. Because of Him, families can be together forever. Because of Jesus Christ, we can celebrate Easter. And Easter is all about peace and hope." 

~Russell M. Nelson

Egg Decorating

Today I woke up early after being up most of the night. I worked hard getting the house in order all day and then hardboiled eggs to dye. The kids always look forward to the tradition and love to create different kinds of eggs each year.

We are at the point where they need less and less help and direction and are so creative with what they come up with! The one's who do need help are usually helped by an older sibling, and I just got to have fun taking pictures and doing the little helps that were asked of me.

By the time evening rolled around, I was exhausted. No one sees the mom behind the scenes, picking up the pieces, trying desperately to be the sunshine and magic maker. The egg dye and crayons still sit across the kitchen table. The island is a mess again despite staying up until 11pm last night to put the house to rights. I haven't slept well in over a week and my body feels ever so weary. 

Tears began to fall as I finished things up for the evening alone, carrying everyone's emotional load without anywhere to put it down. My phone buzzed as I was doing the last of the prep and it was a quote and note from my ministering sister. She must have been prompted, because it came at the ideal moment in time, and made me feel noticed and cared for in a time of desperate need. 

I slowly made my way to bed knowing that Cooper will be up at 6:00am ready for the day. Hopefully the children will still feel the magic and enjoy their day tomorrow!

Personal Chauffeur

This girl is getting all practised up for her drivers test! She pretty much drives me everywhere now. For the most part I just chill in the passenger seat and I’m using my imaginary brake less and less these days. Tonight she drove to basketball practise and then I hopped into the drivers seat after she left. She is so grown up lately, and in just a couple of months she will take her drivers test and enjoy even more independence. I love hearing about all of the fun things that happen in her day, I love hearing her unique perspective on everything, and I adore the young lady she is becoming. She is wise and wonderful. Be still my mother heart! 

 

Running, Running, Running

It was a slow Monday morning. I was so tired from the weekend, but didn't get a good sleep last night. Of course Cooper had a great morning nap after I dropped Camilla at school this morning. I finally woke him so that I could take Lily into swimming. After changing his bum and getting a bottle, we made it to the pool with 30 seconds to spare. Lily came prepared with her swim suit under her clothes, so she was able to whip her pants off, toss them in a locker just as her instructor called out "swordfish!"

I have a few more basketball items to take care of this week for the position I'm filling on the board and then I'm hoping things slow down a bit and it's smooth sailing until the end of the season. I've put a lot of work into scheduling and organizing these past few weeks.

I am so tired and drained today. Mike is still pretty sick with aches and chills so I've been taking over all of the stuff that he usually does (like driving Camilla to Seminary and then to school) while also juggling getting the other kids fed and on the bus. I'm exhausted!

 

The Wings

This morning Joe asked me to take a picture of him and his wings to make sure they looked ok. The boys have been using the blow dryer every morning before school to perfect their wings, and they're getting pretty good at it if I do say so myself. 

Tonight I dropped them at the high school for the postponed Winter Blues jazz concert. 

I was able to snatch this picture from the facebook page since I couldn't be there in person this year. Hyrum is in the background on the piano and Joe is up front on the Alto.  

Love these boys making music!!

Fresh Spring Air

Today the sun was out and it was much enjoyed! Cooper loves being outside and is constantly screeching to get out the door. He had fun on the deck with Sonny. Lily played fetch with Sonny and Cooper was belly laughing the entire time. Whenever Cooper wandered onto the lawn, so did Sonny. He would lie down and chew his bone until Cooper wandered back to the deck, and then he would follow. 

While I kept an eye on them, I also spent most of the morning soaking and rinsing beans. I've been wanting to try my own canned beans for a while now, and today I finally got around to it. I made the sauce after a quick snooze with Cooper, and got them into the canner shortly before the kids got home from school. They came out just as we finished dinner. I'm so proud of myself for figuring out how to do it and glad my mamma was close by to help me remember how to pressure can. 

Ollie asked to take Cooper for a walk when he got home from school. Cooper was so excited to put on his shoes and coat. They stayed out for quite a while. After coming back in, Cooper brought Ollie his shoes again and asked to go out. They jumped on the trampoline and laughed at Coopers wild hair!

The evening was quiet with everyone away at youth activities. The little ones were in bed by 7:30pm and I enjoyed the open living room window, fresh Spring air, and gelato.

 

April Showers

It's raining outside, so we spent the day playing inside. The windows are all cracked open and the smell of a fresh Spring rain coupled with the homemade bagels I whipped up this morning is a pretty great smell.

 

Thirty-Six

Today I turned thirty-six. Some of the highlights included a birthday lunch with a friend, flowers in a joyful yellow vase from a friend who lives far away, dinner and cake with my family, and some beautiful tear drop shaped earrings that Mike bought back when we were on the cruise.

 

 

 

Spring Sunshine

After a long, cold Winter, the sun on our faces feels pretty great! The kids have loved spending time outside together! Looking out this afternoon and happening upon this sight made my heart happy.