Family Shirts

We went for a walk to take pictures in our "family shirts" as Vanessa has coined them.  It didn't go as planned.  I got these two shots that I love....

 But the family pic ended up something like this.  We had some nice scenery picked out that was down the street but Vanessa fell and that was the end of her happiness.  And then the sidewalk ended and the street suddenly got busy....basically we gave up.  This bench was convenient.  Although someone was crying or grimacing in each shot.  At least they're cute little stinkers.

 And this little stinker is lucky he hasn't been sold to the gypsies.  I tell him as much everyday; every time he steals food from the kids or drinks from the toilet bowl.

Kansas City or Bust

We finally made it.  Being far from a temple and having little kids makes it really really hard to get to the temple.  Let's be honest here.  Who wants to watch your kids for an entire day?  So when it finally worked out for us to go with another family and do a kid swap, we were so excited!  It was crazy, don't get me wrong.  But the blessings of the temple are always worth it.  Jon and I were both head bobbing on the drive home, which is never a good thing.  We had to make a pit stop and load up with some goodies to make that 3 1/2 hour drive.  Three and a half hours feels really long when you're really tired.  We didn't get the temple pictures I was hoping for.  But I am sure we will have more opportunities.  We had to do something fun for the kids so we took them to a special lunch place where a train delivers the food.  And we also went to Kaleidoscope, which is basically a very cutely decorated giant craft room for kids.  We also stopped at the fountains for a few minutes.

 These are the kids sleeping at the hotel.  It must be genetic because they HAVE to be touching someone while they sleep.  And all of them do this.

 Kaleidoscope.

 Fritzs, You can't see how the train delivers the food in the pic, but it has a track around the ceiling and drops it down onto a tray that lowers to your table.  Brig thought it was awesome, that boy never lacks enthusiasm.

Easter

It's hard to believe this, but this was our first Easter with just our family.  We were in Florida by ourselves one year but Vanessa was so young, we did egg hunts with friends but not much else.  This year we did the whole shebang but I took video of the hunt so we don't have pictures.  We started our own family tradition of doing the holiday festivities on Saturday and keeping Sunday focused on the Savior.  I loved doing it this way.  I felt like it kept Sunday special and stuck with the precedent we are trying to establish that Sunday is a "different" day.
When we talked to the kids about the resurrection, we told them that Benson would be able to walk because he wouldn't have SMA anymore.  Because said, "OK!  Let's do it!"  He was okay with having to wait until the Lord decided it was time though.  He also told us all the things he would do if he could walk.  They all included things that he can already do in his power chair.  I know he would like to walk, but I don't think it is as painful for him as I sometimes worry it is.  I think it helps that this is the way it has always been.  He seems pretty good with how life is and has no problem telling kids he can't walk because he has SMA.
Vanessa never ceases to amaze me with her love for learning about Jesus.  I know she is already gaining a strong testimony of the Savior and has a sincere love and eagerness to learn about Him.
Brigham is still crazy.  He has a very dynamic personality.  But at the tiny age of two, he is very tender.  He gives hugs and kisses whenever someone is hurt.  He is very concerned for people when they are sad.  And he always picks things up off the floor for Benson.  Considering he is only two, he is amazing at sharing.
I feel so inadequate and lucky to have these kiddos.  They teach me more and more all the time.  Being a mom has made me a better person and keeps me trying harder and harder to improve myself, for them.