Jake & Ashlee's Piano Recital

Saturday was Ashlee & Jake's Spring piano recital. They have been practicing so hard and they have really come a long way. I know they are not big fan's of practicing, when they could be doing something fun, but all their practice has paid off!!! They did such a good job! After the recital we all went to Dairy Queen for lunch. We always love a reason to go out & celebrate. I love my little pianists:)!

Feet for Fundz!!!

Ashlee's school had a fundraiser that she was soooo excited to participate in! It was called "Feet for Fundz", the kids collected money and then had to run(or walk) around the school as many times as they could. Ashlee was trying to earn herself a water bottle....$30.00 or more! Ashlee met her goal and won her water bottle. YEAH!!!

EASTER!

James, Ashlee and Jake before church


Don, Ashlee and Casey


We had such a wonderful Easter!! Don was home all week from work, we had so much fun Easter shopping, and spending time together as a family. Saturday was filled with extended family and lots of fun! Sunday was a day of reflecting on the real reason for Easter. It was such a beautiful day, and our church meetings were all so great, how grateful we are for the blessing the atonement is in our lives. As I was driving to church I was thinking how appropriate it was that the sun was shining and the birds were singing, on the day that symbolizes the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.... a sign of new life.

Easter Festivities continued!

The finished product! Pretty good for amateurs:)

The girl's and I decorated cupcakes, it was so fun .....we used fondant, you can make the cutest cupcakes and it is so fun to use!

Ashlee frosting cupcakes!

James with his "LOOT"

My kids love getting their Easter baskets....
It's like Christmas in April!

Ashlee's basket was soooo full, seriously nothing else would fit, and it was a BIG basket too!

The gang together!

Jake ate more eggs than he colored................

I'm pretty sure James did too!

Sarah's egg!!

James & Sarah

The kids had so much fun dying eggs together...i love that no matter how old they get they still have fun doing things like that. They got pretty creative with their eggs, using rubber bands to make them look tie dyed!

Grandma Smith's Annual Easter Party & Egg Hunt

Sadie , Samantha, mikayla and Ashlee

Showing off their frosted cookies

Sadie, Ashlee and mikayla

Some of the Smith Cousins!

James, Kyle & Jake having fun teenage style!

Kyler, Ashlee And Kylee coloring eggs!

We are so lucky to have such a wonderful Grandma & Mom! She always amazes me with her generosity to her Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren. Saturday was the Smith Cousins annual Easter party & egg hunt. The kids were able to frost & decorate cookies, color Easter eggs, and then find them. Each child got their own basket filled with candy, eggs & some sidewalk chalk! It is also a great opportunity for the little cousins to play with each other & for them to create and strengthen bonds that are so important!! I know my kids look forward to the wonderful parties hosted by grandma Smith, We are so grateful for our grandma and all that she always does for us!!!

"living Planet Aquarium" Spring break day one!

We had to do this......................

Because of this!!!!

Flashback Friday.....Ashlee

Ashlee is such a sweet little girl. Because she is in a family of teenage boys right now who demand a lot of time and attention.....And because she is a pretty laid back kid and just does what she is supposed to do, I feel like she gets pushed in the background. That really isn't my intent, but you know what they say "the squeaky wheel gets the oil"! Any way I have been thinking about all of the things that make Ashlee so special...So Ashlee, this post is for you. Here are just some of the things that I love about Ashlee!!

1. Ashlee is so sweet to everyone. No one is left out when Ashlee is around.

2. She has lots of friends.

3. She is a GREAT example to her family and friends.

4. Ashlee is always thinking of others. Very tenderhearted.

5. She has a very fun personality.

6. She brings a very special spirit into our home.

7. She is a very talented girl in dance, piano, and she is very artistic & creative.

And most important!!!!

8. She is valiant in her testimony of Jesus Christ!

WE LOVE YOU ASH!!!

Casey & Clifford turn "3"!

Happy Birthday Boys!!