More Easter Pics

Hoppy Easter

We had the best Ogden family reunion this last weekend. It has been a while since we have all been together. It was one of our favorite times together so far. Here's a picture of the grandkids getting ready to hunt for eggs.

Grandma had the greatest idea: pairing a big kid with a little one. The kids really enjoyed that and it was super cute to see them working together!

Jenn had a great activity for the kids: sugar cookie decorating! I don't know if I have ever tasted better cookies...I ate three...in a row! They turned out so well and the kids loved eating one and then saving one for the cookie contest.


Megan was Grandma's little helper and kept things nice and tidy.

Our weather could not have been better!


Avery got to be Neal's partner. He is the oldest and she thought that was very special. He even shared a dollar that they found together!

Grandpa played ball with the boys-memories they will never forget!

We had such a great time chatting, playing games, cooking, taking family photos (I will post them when I get them!) and just being together. I was sad when it had to end. Thanks for the best ever family reunion everyone. We sure are lucky to be a part of such a sweet family!

I Tried to Warn Them

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

Jay and I were married eleven years ago today! It has been the best eleven years of my life and I don't know how I ever did without him before that. I scanned these photos in from our scrapbook today and I can't believe how young we were! I never imagined we would ever look any different from what we did then. We may look older, but he just keeps getting more and more handsome with each anniversary we share.

Each day has been great, but here is a list of eleven highlights from our eleven wonderful years together:

1. Our wedding day, of course...happiest day of my life to that point!

2. Moving to and living in Syracuse, New York...what an adventure!

3. Arrival of our first son, Zachary, in 1999...he was the epitome of bouncing baby boy.

4. Edible car contests at ISU...(memorable because I beat all the engineering students. Jay was so proud!)

5. Arrival of our second son, Owen, in 2002...sweetest, smiliest baby boy.

6. Graduating from ISU, buying our first house, and moving to Wyoming...brrrrr...

7. Arrival of our last child and first daughter, Avery, in 2004...our family never felt so complete and soft...and full of PINK!

8. Remodeling our home, selling it, and moving to Boise...much warmer!

9. Our kids getting older and enjoying time with them.

10. Our ten year anniversary cruise last year...best date ever!!!

11. The previous items took time to think about and they are just events, but the best part of our eleven years together is the feelings that accompany those thoughts. We have had our ups and downs but one things is always constant in my mind...Jeremy's love and tender heart. He is always there beside me steadfast and sure. I am one lucky wifey!

Happy Anniversary, my love! I can't wait for our date (he is planning the whole thing...and I love surprises!)

BYU and Slime

The kids each get to have a big birthday party once every other year...and 2009 is the year of the parties! We all love BYU football so Owen picked his party theme to match. Here is one of the invites we came up with. He LOVED giving them to his friends!

Nonna got this Slime project for the kids to do with Dad. He really got into it with them!

They mixed the correct compound and waited patiently until it was just right. This "slime" is actually pretty cool stuff. It feels wet but you can bounce it, break it, mush it, and then it all congeals back together when you let it rest. Each kid got a piece to play with for a while and found lots of gross things to do with it.

The joys of being boys (or so they say!) Avery and I are going to go shopping now.

M'lis Detox

I have had lots of requests for information on the detoxification program I have been on since last week. This really has been amazing and I feel great! Here is the link:

http://www.mlis.com/nu_detoxification.html

Flowers or Weeds?

Sometimes life is a lot like Dandelions.

Every single one of us goes through trials and times of lengthy hardship. When those little trials end, we think to ourselves and may even say out loud, "I am so glad that is over!" When those little trials turn to big trials that seem to never want to finish, we feel to cry, "When is this going to end?"

Trials remain sometimes with seemingly no signs of letting up and it is tempting to allow the feelings of weariness take over. There is no desire to give in to such temptation but it appears to be just too heavy to carry anymore.

There is strength beyond momentary weakness that begins to whisper to that soul in need of desperate hope. It reminds of a simple truth, "There is a purpose in your strugglings." Knowing that other trials along the path have created the witness and testimony now held dear only brings more hope to which to cling.

We are not alone as we journey through our lives. There is great purpose in all we do, in all we experience. There is One who knows beginning to end and He has great things in store for those who follow Him.

How grateful I am that when I think I have been handed a bunch of weeds, the Lord shows me instead a lovely bunch of flowers.