We made it to April 15th!

Yay! Now that Jeff is in tax, April 15th has a lot more significance. Not only does it mean getting our own taxes in, but it also brings "busy season". During these hard economic times, I am so grateful that he is still staying busy. We are so blessed. However, it was especially nice that things slowed down a bit and that he was able to take a half day on Friday. After Maylee got in a little nap and Jeff got in a little golf, we went and checked out Papago park. I've always seen people in the hole in the rock whenever we go to the zoo and I've always wanted to do it... so we finally did. It was the perfect hike for us. Maylee was excited to walk and had to go over every rock instead of around the rocks!


When we got to the top, she got a little nervous and wanted Jeff to hold her. There were also some gigantic bumblebees that were a little distracting as the picture shows. :)

After the hike, we went to the park to play on the playground and then we hit up In-n-Out. Yum! Maylee practically ate a whole cup of ketchup as she "dipped" her french fries. Sick.

The weather was too perfect to go back home, so we went and walked around Tempe Marketplace. Maylee was so entertained watching the concert, fountains, fire pits, and people. For a little treat we got some frozen yogurt. I'm so happy when Maylee can enjoy the yummy treats that we enjoy on a regular basis. The yogurt place had a good dairy free yogurt that Maylee obviously enjoyed (apparently one spoon wasn't enough)!

When strawberries go on sale...

it's time to make jam!

Last week, Maylee and I made some homemade strawberry jam! We ran out awhile ago and oh, how I have missed it! PB&Js and toast just aren't the same without it. Only problem, once you make it homemade- you never want to go back. I'm grateful I had a special little helper to make it with me this year. Maylee did a great job dumping in the sugar and water and stirring it all together. She loves to "cook"...

even if she has to occasionally do it on the floor (and just with water)!

Easter

We had a fabulous Easter with my family. It was so nice that it fell on General Conference weekend. We were able to watch the 1st session at home and then headed out to my parents' house to watch the 2nd session and hang out. After conference was over, we had the annual Easter egg hunt. The kiddos went first and then the rest of us got to go and look for eggs. We were able to get a good stash of candy (that is quickly dwindling!) and even scored some gift cards. Thanks mom and dad!


Maylee was so fun this year. She was all over finding those eggs... she figured out fast that they had candy! She would test the egg by shaking it to make sure it had the "goods" and then off she would go to the next one.


I thought Maylee and Halle were helping grandma put the eggs away, but grandma later informed us that the girls were finding leftover candy in some! No wonder they were 'helping' for so long.

Thank heaven for good uncles! Maylee loves getting rides in the little red car and Adam gives the best rides in town! He takes off in a run and Maylee loves screaming with glee as she turns the steering wheel. He's the best- I don't even try to compete; it makes me way too tired. :)


The rest of the day was spent eating a wonderful Easter dinner, blowing bubbles with grandpa, and chillin' with the girls. I love how all the girls are hanging out on the rocker... I think Maylee was wanting a sip of Cailin's soda, what do you think?

General Conference

Although there were many talks that I enjoyed from General Conference this past weekend, one of my absolute favorites is from the Young Womens General Broadcast from the previous week. The whole meeting was great and helped remind me that even in a crazy world our children can be strong and courageous in choosing the right.

My favorite talk was by Pres. Uchtdorf, which was called Your Happily Ever After. Check it out here.

Some of my favorite quotes from the talk:

"Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”

"In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."

"You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your “once upon a time” is now.

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I leave you my blessing and give you a promise that as you accept and live the values and principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, “[you] will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.” And the day will come when you turn the final pages of your own glorious story; there you will read and experience the fulfillment of those blessed and wonderful words: “And they lived happily ever after.”