One of the nice touches to the day were little remembrances of her legacy, like the beautiful stockings she knitted for all of her family members. Also, Cindy brought some examples of her delicious Christmas cookies, and we all enjoyed chocolate truffles- one of Grandma's weaknesses! What a wonderful lady! Our children are so lucky to have known her and to have her love as an example.
Mother's Day 2008 we spent in Springfield, IL where we had traveled to participate in Grandma Bryan's Memorial Service. Even though it was an unusual Mother's Day, Will and the kids still worked hard to make me feel special. Will gave me raquet balls and raquet, and a pair of capris (cute! I was impressed). He's going to teach me to play raquet ball. The kid's gave me the movie "Enchanted" and Chicken Soup for the Mother and Daughter's Soul. I have such a wonderful family. They all made me feel very special today with their beautiful homemade cards and hugs and kisses! I love being a wife and mother and wouldn't trade it for the world!!
One very cool thing we did today was to go to the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. It was a powerful experience and I would strongly recommend it to anyone! I was particularly struck with the adversity Abraham Lincoln encountered and the tragedy he suffered, and yet he was strong enough to make extremely hard decisions ruled by his concience. He was not a popular president until after his death and never felt the love and appreciation we all feel for him today. Here we are taking a picture with the life size models of his family.
I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree! Spring has brought me such a nice surprise! Popcorn popping right before my eyes!
Tonight, we had a special Book of Mormon Family Night. We read the Book of Mormon daily as a family, early in the morning, and we have only two chapters left. Since we would be finishing this week, we thought that it would be fun to see how much we had learned. My sister, Amy, sent us a great FHE idea with a Book of Mormon timeline. It was Natalie's turn to give the lesson and so I helped her hang dates along the walls and find the Gospel Art Picture Kit pictures from the Book of Mormon. She gave the pictures to all of us and we had to look up the dates that they occured and then briefly tell the story on the picture. When we were finished, Ashley remarked how it was so cool that we could see how everything related. I think that she had an "Ah-hah!" moment! It was great. Elise loved doing all of the actions to "Book of Mormon" stories so much that we sang it for both opening and closing songs. It was a great review of all the wonderful things that we have learned this year.
Ashley was in charge of the treat and she made cookies all by herself for the first time! She made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and they turned out delicious and very chocolatey! We are proud of how she is growing up!
Zach worked very hard on his 1st Pinewood Derby car, with help from Dad,
Zach had his car's number painted on his face by the Cubmaster. He was so excited for the races. Our goal was that the car stay together on its trip down the track, and that the car wouldn't be the last one. The first part of the goal was met! Zach felt a little disappointed when his car came in last 4 of the 5 runs (the 5th run he tied for 4th), but he was a good sport!
All was well, though, at the end, when his fellow scouts voted his car "Best of Show"! That helped bring a smile to his face! We love our little Scout and are so proud of the great kid he is becoming!
Ashley is all smiles when she gets to hold her tiny new cousin, Jason Scott Roach, born Saturday, April 19th. We were so glad that he decided to be born the weekend that we were visiting in Indianapolis! 
Zach has always had a soft spot for babies and cute/funny toddlers. Holding his new cousin is a real treat.
Natalie was sick and couldn't hold Jason. She was so sad until I promised her that the next time that we were in Indianapolis, she would be the first to hold him and would get to hold him the longest!
Look, he's an old pro!
My wonderful husband of 12 1/2 years turned 39 on April 5. I made him a chocolate peanut butter pie (YUM!). I think that his favorite part of any birthday is getting the butane lighter out to light the candles. Maybe I should have put all 39 on this cake...
Will posed for a shot in his new hooded sweatshirt his parents gave him. It was fun to have them here to celebrate with us. Will celebrated by watching three sessions of General Conference!
Ashley and Natalie organized a little family party for him up in their bedroom, complete with crown and decorated "throne". We had a little show and some very creative games, followed by ice cream floats. It was fun. All of the kids really love their daddy and they all know that they are the most important thing in the world to him. I love him so much and can't believe how lucky I am to have such a wonderful person as a friend and husband!
