This week

On Sunday, Ashlyn was busy in the kitchen arranging a birthday party for Mom. I think this was her fourth one. We have had one every few days since her actual birthday.

Mom went to Kansas City with four other girls this weekend. She left on Friday afternoon at 2 and returned late Saturday night. So we had some quality Daddy-daughter time. And let me tell you, Daddy was worn out by the time Mommy got back.

We started out by finally using a Play-Do gift from Grandma Martinson. I taught Ashlyn how to drill 'n fill. She did great!

The next morning at breakfast I heard Ashlyn say a word I hadn't heard her say before. So I asked her about it.

It wouldn't be a proper daddy-daughter weekend without a tiring trip to the Gardens. Enjoyable as always.

Mommy brought home a surprise gift from IKEA at Kansas city- a brand new glass tea set! Ashlyn was so excited to use it! They accommodated me by doing it in the living room so I didn't have to take my eyes off of the Masters for very long.

I commented on Facebook (which I hardly do any more) about how I don't really follow sports much but I enjoy following golf more than anything else. And the Master's is the most sacred event to me. It always captivates me. It was so enjoyable to follow and watch today. Jordan Spieth (pictured below) is the second youngest person to ever win the Masters (just a few months older than Tiger). I cried as I saw him walk up to the green on the 18th hole. What an amazing experience, with his family and friends watching. Not only did he win, but he broke several records at the Masters.

Easter!

I just love this movie. I could watch it over and over again but Jenny won't have it.

On a more serious note, Jenny really made this a Holy Week for us. She had little activities each day that helped us learn about the last week of Jesus' life.



But before that, let us recognize Grandma Martinson coming to visit us! The girls were so excited and just couldn't wait for her to come! Very first thing when she got here, she wanted to go to California Tacos.

Ashlyn always has fun with her silly faces, so I thought I'd catch her on video making her different faces.

Jenny's Mom has been here enough times that we don't feel the need to drag her all over the place and see all the stuff we like to do so we did a lot of hanging out. It was pretty cold for the first few days when she got here and was warm for the last couple days. The girls loved having her be a part of the nightly routine.

We had a great time with grandma at the zoo too!

Ashlyn had this great idea to throw me a birthday party while grandma was here.  (I think she has thrown about 10 birthday parties for me since my birthday and Brinley continues to tell me Happy Birthday!) So they went to the dollor store and got balloons, party hats, plates, made cupcakes, and we had a party.  Ashlyn is such a sweetheart!

While Grandma was here, she spoiled the girls!  Ashlyn loves to milk it when she is here. Ha Ha.  Grandma took us shopping and the girls got some new spring outfits, dresses, and shoes.  I looked at Ashlyn and said, "Ash, grandma is spoiling you."  Ashlyn got the biggest smile on her face along with the look of "I know" as she was showing me the new Frozen shoes she was getting.  I think one of her major love languages is gifts (which grandma is great at)! Thanks Grandma!!

After we dropped Grandma off at the airport, we went to a boardwalk that is by the airport to wave goodbye to her in the airplane.  

The primary had an activity for Easter. Two of the members of the presidency were sick and Jenny did great to pick up the slack and help all the kids have a good time. This woman came from a homeless shelter organization and helped teach the kids about what it is like to be homeless.

The kids packed candy and a saying about Jesus in eggs for kids at the shelter. They all really enjoyed it.

I had the day off for Good Friday. Wow! It sure was good! I could live with 3 day weekends the rest of my life!

I took the girls to the Children's Museum in the morning while Jenny went grocery shopping. I think everyone else in Omaha had the day off too. I only stayed for an hour because I kept losing the girls and was getting too stressed. It made me rethink how much fun Disneyland would actually be...

After naps we went to Scheels so that we could ride the Ferris Wheel! Ashlyn loved it!

Waiting in line:

 Spirit World Saturday: Jesus was in the spirit world after his death so we got donuts, went to the temple, put down the seats in our van and had ourselves a breakfast picnic! It was so fun! (The connection to the spirit world being that we do temple work for the dead.)

Usually when we do things its just Ashlyn and Brinley, and Claire is held by someone or lays down. It was kind of a neat experience for me to push all of them at the same time together. I sure love my girls!

Our Family Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Mad Monday

Jesus cleans the temples

 Our Holy Week Wall

Sadly we didn't take picture everyday, but here is what we did.  

On Tuesday Grandma gave an awesome lesson about the parable of the talents (Ashlyn really liked it because she learned about sharing the chocolates and getting more because she shared).

Spy Wednesday we learned about Jesus was denied by 30 coins.

Passover Thursday we went to the church with 7 other families and had a Passover dinner.  We ate delicious lamb, salads, fruits, veggies and of course drank lots of wine (grape juice).  It was so much fun to learn about the tradition of it!

Good Friday we watched a Jesus Movie to learn about the sacrifice that Jesus died for us that day. Ashlyn found that perfect stick that looks like the cross that Christ died on.

Spirit World Saturday (pictures above)

Then we have Easter.

How grateful we are to have this great gift of family.  We are grateful for our Savior so that we can be sealed as a family forever.

Happy Easter!!

Spring Fun

Children's Museum! Ashlyn used to always want a picture on this wave at the beginning of the museum. 

Grandpa and Nana Williams came to visit us! We had so much fun with them and are so glad they came! Here we are at Mudpies at the Fontanelle Forest.

And at our favorite zoo!

Ashlyn singing in the bathroom at Church. I was just praying that no women walked by and saw me recording with my phone in the women's bathroom. Ashlyn goes to the bathroom by herself and sometimes I go check on her.

"Larry the Leprechaun" came and visited our house on St. Patrick's day. He left some surprises for the girls.

I took the girls to the Gardens so Mom could take a nap. I always cherish those experiences.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Grandma Martinson is HERE! Ashlyn, Brinley and Claire are so spoiled with grandparents! Grandma requested we go to "California Taco's". We took Steve there when he came and Grandma was jealous she didn't get to experience it.

I can't believe how fast my little "chunkmin" is growing!  She is just so sweet.  I wish you all could see her and her personality bloom.  She has been such a good baby.  To share a bit about her:

-very patient for having to put up with her sisters who like to kiss, hug, and tickle her

-she loves one on one time with mom and dad after the girls are down for the night

- she loves to giggle

-when she giggles or smiles, she pulls up her arms to her chest

-she is a beautiful baby with the prettiest blue eyes

- she enjoys playing (grabbing/pulling) Grandma Martinson's sesame street swing gym (I don't know what to call it). 

While Ashlyn was at gymnastics, Brinley and I spent a little one on one time and I discovered how much she enjoys puzzles (Thanks Grandma Martinson).  Every time she would finish she would say with pride "I did it!"

I absolutely love Ashlyn's imagination!  After we got back from the Children's museum (that is where she painted her face), she found this jolly rancher cap and said that she was a pirate fairy.  

Please read when you are not eating...

Brinley loves to sit on the toilet!  Every time I change her diaper, she asks if she can sit on the potty.  I decided I should bring out the Minnie Potty for her to sit on for fun.  She was so excited and actually went #2.  (which isn't the first time she went potty in the toilet).  She is probably ready, but her mama isn't. haha.

I needed to clean the shower and I wanted these two to be my helpers.  They were so excited, but wore off after 5 minutes.  When we were done I told them that we could go swimming.  This is our concept of swimming in the winter.

Some of you may know that we have been doing a weight loss program with my family. Derek and I have been very motivated, changed our eating habits, and exercised daily.  It has been fun to do it as a couple and together we have lost 62 lbs. 

It has been so great for me!  I have been want to get healthier for awhile now.  I am currently taking healthy eating classes online and  enjoying what I am learning.  Derek and I plan to continue to eat well and exercise regularly

Sadly Derek and I didn't take before pictures because we weren't expecting to do as well as we did, but here are some after pictures.
I hate posting my picture