Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny didn't come this morning. Were the kids sad and disappointed? No. I'm not sure the kids have ever thought about the Easter Bunny stopping by, they've certainly never talked about it before. He never came when I was growing up, either, but I was certainly never disappointed waking up Easter morning to whatever cute Easter package my mom set out for me. Honestly, I had never given much thought about the Easter Bunny. He's been all over Utah the last few week, though. In the malls with lines of kids waiting to see him and ask him for special gifts. I had no idea this was such a big thing, almost like Christmas! Like my mom, I do get the kids some special things for Easter. It's fun. The kids get so excited about any kind of little thing they get, and then proceed tell me over and over how I'm the best mom ever. Who wouldn't love that? I know that gifts and candy aren't what Easter is all about but I don't think they have to detract from the real meaning. Nick and I teach the 7/8 year old kids in Primary. We've never been in Primary before and I can honestly say it was easier teaching Relief Society than this! This last week I started looking around for a cute Easter treat to bring to class. I asked online for some suggestions and I was somewhat shocked by some of the responses. I was told it would be a shame to bring secular things into church especially on Easter Sunday and how sad it was that I would give the kids something that would turn their attention away from Christ. I know I'm new to this Primary thing and maybe I'm a horrible teacher but I certainly didn't see the harm in bringing something. Is there any 7 year old that spends all of Easter Sunday thinking about Jesus? Or any Sunday, for that matter? Is a fun surprise at church really going to ruin the sacredness of Easter Sunday? I often bring gummy bears to bribe them to be good during class and, still, I often wish I could walk out of class. It's been a hard calling. 

We colored eggs today after church. It was sad to get out all those jars, it just reminded me that I'm out of jam and I hate buying jam at the store. Sad. But the eggs turned out great, partly due to a new little trick I learned! Baked, not boiled. We've tried so many different ways to boil eggs to have them peel nicely and we have never been successful. I baked a few last night to give it a try and have not had trouble peeling a single egg, it's pretty exciting!

It's been a good day but it's also been a long week. It was spring break for the boys and we played a lot and stayed up late a lot and now it's time to go back to school tomorrow and mom is super excited about that :)

Woo Hoo!

We officially have a diaper-free home!

Go Leyla!

Lovey Dovey

We sure do love our holidays around here! And we're sure glad Grandma Ned does, too, since she sends the best packages each and every time! The kids are always so excited to get any kind of mail, almost every day they ask if anything came for them. I need to find them a pen pal or something so they can get mail more often.

We also got a fun pre-Valentine's package from Grandma Jodi. She sent valentine's card and treats for the boys to take to school, and stickers to help decorate their boxes for school. They were both pretty adamant about using valentine colors for their boxes. Owen was especially careful to make sure his stickers were perfect. I remember when I was young, going through all my cards and deciding who to give each one to. The perfect one had to be given to my best friend, the boy I liked, the boy who liked me but I definitely DID NOT like, you get the idea. So much time and effort was taken into what to write! My boys, they scribbled their names and that was that. Maybe they are still a little young? Maybe the boys I liked in elementary didn't look twice at the cards they gave me?

I usually put a little more effort into fun food for the holiday but the red jell-o was just about as festive as it got. Aunt Kenzie actually made the sugar cookies when she was here on Saturday, and you better believe they were gone by Sunday night. They were delish!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

Happy Birthday Nedra!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I love you, I hope you like my picture and I’m sorry I can’t go to your birthday. Today is Friday and we will have a treat and movie, sorry you can’t come. I love you, Bye.

-Jack

Wawa’s Happy to you!

-Leyla

Dear Grandma Ned, Happy Birthday to you! I wish I could go to your birthday, but I can’t because I have school. So, I am sending you a picture and wishing you a happy birthday.

-Owen

I just can't say enough how much we love and appreciate Grandma Ned. From day one she has been completely supportive and interested in our lives. From planning a wedding reception for us to traveling overnight to see our new born babies in the hospital to sending the funnest packages for each and every holiday, she's truly amazing. Although we only see her a couple times a year she has made a point to know her grand kids and to keep up with our lives. I have always appreciated how much she does to keep us (mainly me :) informed on everything happening in the family, as well. Ned, you will always be my favorite mother-in-law!

Nedra and Owen while we were in Oregon for Christmas in 2006

In the Provo NICU

Leyla's blessing

In Rexburg for Jack and Owen's 2nd birthday

Good Luck Santa!

Santa may not come through on these Christmas lists this year!

The boys helped Leyla decide what to put on her list. She finds that dang drum playing Elmo at every single store we go to, sits down in front of it and just stares in amazement!

As you can tell, Owen doesn't like to put much effort into his writing, something we're desperately trying to change. I'll help you out a little. He wants a yellow remote control plane, a pogo stick, a scooter, a skateboard, a computer, and a jet pack (because what little boy doesn't want a jet pack?)

And then we have sweet Jack who actually put some effort into his Christmas list. He wants a rubber T-Rex, a number two Batman castle (he got one for his birthday and now there's another one), a ninja sword (I didn't know they used swords), a remote control shark, and a Crayola glow dome.

Does Santa ever send back the lists stamped "re-do"?

All Smiles

Aunt Kenzie took some really cute shots of all the kids at Brad and Jenn's wedding, love them!

A Bonding Moment

Heather really did pull it out eventually but I didn't get it on camera,

Jack didn't even know it had come out yet, so funny!

Make it Snappy!

We made a quick trip to Utah earlier this week to celebrate some pretty big events!

First, was fireworks at Grandma Murph's house for 4th of July. Aunt Heather even lit some off in the rain for the boys, we love our great aunts!

Next, was Nick's 31st birthday. He came back down to Springville after work Tuesday and we had birthday dinner with Grandma and opened some gifts from the kids. On Wednesday we met him and uncle Brad at Tucanos Brazillian Grill for lunch, which was delicious, as always.

The kids and I hung out at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake while we waited for dad to get off work. We played at the Children's Discovery Center for most of the afternoon then cooled off in the fountains afterwards. It was a really great day.

Scherer Family Reunion

We recently had our Scherer family reunion at the West Piney Girls Camp. It was so much fun seeing all our family that we rarely get to see. It was beautiful the entire time we were there, perfect weather. There was no chance to get bored, either. There was a ton of stuff to do. The cabin is up on a hill and down below is a huge field for baseball and other sports, swings, outdoor bowling lane, hiking trails, and a huge slide to get there! I swear I never saw my boys unless they were hungry or time for bed, it was great!

GO Green Monsters!

This was the first summer we've put the boys in soccer...and it will most likely be the last! For the most part it was miserable. Every single game, except for the last, they would both be in tears at some point.

They couldn't run fast enough, they never got the ball, the other team always got to kick the ball, they were tired, they were cold, it was too windy!

Neither of them were very aggressive in trying to get to the ball and kick it. BUT! They both managed to score a goal at some point during the season, they loved bring treats and drinks when it was our turn, they got trophies, and absolutely no tears during the final game! Yay!

We're not giving up on sports just yet. Maybe they're not soccer players but there's got to be something they'll end up loving! They really want to try baseball next... and karate and gymnastics, and roller skating, and swimming.