Hunting for Eggs

Grandma Jane does an awesome Easter Egg hunt each year in Utah for all her grandkids and her nieces and nephews kids too.  She is amazing.  Those of us who don't live there are sad to miss all the fun, so it was so exciting that she was going to be coming to see us so close to Easter this year!  She and Ali prepared tons of eggs so the kids could have their own flippin' awesome hunt!  Thanks so much!  We did one for the little kids first...

Amelia had a lot of fun prancing about the backyard finding the eggs.  She was quick!

Eliza was funny, making sure that Bolton found some.  She is such a sweetheart and little mother.  Amazing how girls really do come out different than boys.

Showing their spoils.  Eliza was doing this weird pose a lot over spring break, no idea where it came from...

Cute girls.

Now onto the big boys, trying to get a good before picture was so funny.

I think this one is my favorite. Ha!  Funny boys!

We told them to make sure everyone found 15, so once they found that many they had to stop until everyone had that many.

Conrad didn't quite make it as quickly as the others, so they all helped him find more eggs.  Bryant ended up going inside but there were still plenty of eggs left to be found.

Then this egg thief came out!  Eliza and Amelia thought it was so fun "helping" Ethan find the eggs that remained.  The boys had to hurry to beat this monster to the eggs.  Man, I got lucky in love!  Love him.

The kids all had such a nice time and the candy disappeared within minutes!  If only I could make trash vanish as quickly!

Springtime for Woodys in Kentucky

What a perfect time of year for a baptism, spring is the rebirth of the earth! Its exciting to watch the plants spring back to life and beauty!  We were blessed to have some great times with family here this spring.  Grandma and Grandpa Hoss, Grandma Jane, Ali and all her kids were all able to be here!  Here are a few random bits of our weekend that didn't fit in another themed post.

Baby Abe hit the big 4 month mark this spring.  Time is sure flying by, but we are enjoying each and every moment with this big guy.  He is such a sweet heart.

When I took him in for his appointment he was around 17 lb. 11 oz.  The scale wasn't working really well, so its not a great measurement, but I was thinking he was about 18 lb. so its pretty close.  He is following the 90-95% in weight and height (25.5").

He spends his days laying on the floor, flapping his arms and legs, cooing and laughing.  Occasionally he gets overwhelmed by all the attention he gets from his adoring siblings (Eliza, Bolton, and Bryant just can't get enough of him).

I don't know why the Lord blessed us so abundantly with such a perfect baby again, but I am certainly thankful that he did.  There are no words for how much I love this sweet little guy.  I mean, seriously, how could I not?!  Look at him!

This grandma was smitten with him as well.  He has changed a lot since he was 9 days old and we last saw her.

Spring also brings soccer!  The big boys are all playing this year.  Jonas spends much of the game like this...

...you can bet his momma is yelling the whole time, "Get your hands out of your pockets!"  like a crazy person. :)  Actually, this was the first game and since then I don't think he's had that problem.  He really surprised me by being hesitant on the field, though.  When we play at home he is quite aggressive and good, but he's scared playing for real.  Hopefully he'll gain some confidence and show us what he's really made of soon.

Bryant is surprisingly a lot more aggressive than Jonas.  He has been doing such a great job and he is fast.  As in, he can beat a majority of the kids on the field to the ball if he tries.  Its exciting to watch him play and get better.  I hope that he wants to continue with it because I think he will do really well!  Incidentally, the best picture I got of him in action is actually a picture of his foot connecting with the ball with a whole bunch of others around him,  but the ref is totally blocking the rest of him! Arg! I was sad when I was unable to capture the awesomeness.

Bolton and Ruby thought this sliver ridden ramp was a perfect slide, made me cringe watching them.

The boys miss our awesome climbing tree in Texas.  These trees just don't hold a candle to it.  But monkeys got to climb no matter how un-awesome a tree is.

What could be better than mud and an old tire to play with for any little girl?  She is such a pretty little girl.  We are so happy that we've been able to see cousins as often as we have while we are so relatively close to them!  Thanks again Ali for coming!

I Can't Wait Until I'm 8

If you were wondering why all the family was in town, maybe this will help you out...

I cannot believe that Jonas is already an eight year old!  He has been eagerly awaiting the day of his baptism for a long time.  He was baptized on April 6, 2013, he thought it was really neat that he was baptized on the anniversary of the church being organized as well as the day Christ came to earth.

Before he had his baptismal interview I told him a little of what they might ask him.  I said, "He might ask if you believe that this is His true church."  To which Jonas replied, "Why would I go every week if I didn't think it was true?!?!?"  (As in, 'Hello?!')

I offered a few other questions and then, "He might also ask if you believe the Book of Mormon."  Jonas said, "Doesn't he know the 8th Article of Faith?!?!  'We believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.'"

I told him that I'm glad he knows these things so obviously, but to try to be respectful when he was in his interview and left it at that.  Kind of made me giggle, silly boy.

Our ward just started doing ward baptism day, rather than individual baptisms for each child.  So Jonas was joined by a friend, Evelyn.  Jonas got to choose the opening song, prayer, and baptism talk.  Evenly chose the Holy Ghost talk, closing song, and prayer.  Jonas chose "I am a Child of God."  He asked his Aunt Ali to say the opening prayer and he wanted Ethan to speak on baptism.  Then the baptism took place and Jonas' foot came right up and out of the water, he had to be dunked twice so that he could be fully immersed in the water!  I think that was the first time I've ever witnessed that!

After the baptisms and the kids and dads had a chance to get dry clothes on Evelyn had asked her grandparents to each share their testimonies, so the bishop then asked Jonas' grandmas (both!) to share their testimonies.  I'm so glad he did, it was a very special spirit they brought to the meeting.  They both know that Heavenly Father loves them and loves each of us.  They also know that we can make it back to live with Him again, and that baptism is the gate to get us on that road back.

A good opportunity for a family photo shoot.  This one of us jumping is so perfect to demonstrate what life's really like around here.

Jonas was super excited to receive his gift from his grandparents as well, his own set of scriptures and a scripture case!

Scripture Power!

We are all so proud of Jonas.  He is becoming such a great young man.  It was really interesting how the adversary was working on all of us before the baptism and then after, Jonas was just as nice and helpful as could be.  Things that would have sent him into a mighty tail spin a week prior, just rolled nicely off his back.  The power of the adversary is real and we have to be mindful and vigilant to overcome him, but the power of the Holy Ghost is also real and more powerful and such a blessing!

Love you Jonas!

Spring Break 2013 Part 2: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace

On our way back to home, we stopped at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park.  It was such a great little stop.  And a highlight of our trip, for sure!  

The memorial is like a mini Lincoln Memorial built around a similar cabin to the one where Abraham Lincoln was born.

Fifty-six steps to represent the 56 years of Abraham Lincoln's life.

The cute family who went to visit the memorial. 

Sinking Spring the water source for the farm at his birth home.

The very best vacations include lots of outside time where the kids can run, jump, shout... you know, be kids.

I'll never guess where the kids get their craziness...

They have a great Junior Ranger program at this park (and lots of others!) that JOnas was really exited to participate in.  He worked hard and (with some help and lots of encouragement from Grandpa) he earned his Junior Ranger badge.  We were all pretty proud of him for working toward a goal and following through and achieving it!  

Blogiversary Winner

Memory Lane is sure a fun place to visit every now and again.  Thanks for humoring me.  And for the comment love.  I really do love to hear from those of you who read this ole blog.  So thanks.  Big time.

And, as promised, a winner was selected and a prize is being delivered to Laurie!  Laurie happens to be a great friend, but funnily enough, we wouldn't even have a relationship at all if it weren't for the blog.  So it seems fitting that she would be the winner of a giveaway celebrating blogging.

Anyway, thanks again for all your comments and friendship! I am so blessed to have you all!  Have a flippin' awesome day!

Blogiversary Blast from the Past #3: Date Nights: Rock On!

I love going on dates with my husband.  I love coming up with creative and sometimes crazy things to do on said dates.  This one is among the very tip top of my date ideas yet.  I have such a cool family that they all played along!  It was such a blast!

For the original post with comment, click here.
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I guess I better just get started posting about our Utah trip. So here goes nothing...

We planned a date night with my brothers and their wives (and my parents). We decided to dress up like rock stars (no direction on what type of rock star) and do a photo scavenger hunt with a little twist.

We met at my parent's house and everyone contributed at least 3 ideas for things to capture in our photo scavenger hunt. We were divided into 3 teams, each team had a list of all the ideas. The list was divided into 3 groups/rounds (Round 1:1-10, Round 2:11-20, Round 3:21-30). Each team had to get at least 5 things from the list for that round. When they had successfully photographed at least 5 things from the list they could open a clue. The clue was a coded message to direct them to a meeting place.

Once everyone got to the meeting place the team that had arrived first got a prize and then we switched the teams around so we could interact with different people during different rounds. Here are some pictures from the meeting places...

As you can see we had a lot of fun getting into character. But my sister in law Heather was just exceptional! If you know her, you know how far this is from her norm. She totally rocks!
It was so much fun! At the last meeting place we all went into the grocery store and everyone had $3 to buy something we would use to make a dessert with all the $3 items. We went back to my parents, made the treat and looked at everyone's photos.

Some of the photos listed included:

• A theme picture with someone in your group
• A candid shot of someone looking at you like "what on earth?!"
• Your team on a slide
• Someone on your team hula hooping
• A sign in a foreign language
• Your team on a crosswalk
• Someone on your team running through sprinklers

If you're looking for an extra super fun date, this sure worked for us!
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Some other fun dates we've done and recorded on this ole blog are:

• Three Brother's Bistro 2011
• 10 Year Anniversary 2011~Enjoying the outdoors
• Minute to Win It Spring Break 2011
• Date Night In 2009
• Here's Your Sign 2009
• Lethal Luau 2008 ~Woodys & Hosses

Extra entry in the drawing for the goody gift if you leave a comment with your favorite *cheap* date idea!