Update

Another week and weekend have flown by. We had a great spring break, although I'm a little worried about the girls remembering how to wake up early tomorrow for school.


Friday we had such a fun outing at the old historic farm.

My nieces, Molly and Belle, darling toddler babies

some cute animal babies

Feeding the geese


Christian is having more fun that it looks like...until Anna dumped her bird seed all over him.

The kiddies getting ready to milk a cow

Abby's up

Ben is fine to let Brennan do the touching
Anna's turn


and Natey

Lots of cute little cousins.

It was perfect weather and the setting was beautiful. We all had such a great time. Afterwards we met at a burger shop and ate together. With that many kids, it was an adventure, but actually went surprisingly well. These days make me so happy.

Saturday we got the house whipped into shape, well as good as it gets, and had all my family over for a bbq. Davis and Melissa got home from their honeymoon that afternoon and so we were able to gather one last time before they and Chris and Rebecca had to go home. It was fun times. We're kind of shocked at how quickly we've amassed an army of little ones. There were kids everywhere. Our baby due in July will be grandchild #17. The most exciting part of the evening though is that we finally initiated our beautiful grill my parents gave us 1 1/2 years ago for Christmas. Yeah!!! I'm so excited to have propane and my Dad be willing to show Brennan how to use it.

I mentioned that we've had our unused grill for 1 1/2 years. Well, yesterday Brennan was having second thoughts about having the barbecue at our house. I think he knows he'll be doing a lot more cooking once we have it up and running. Anyway, I told him I would take care of everything, I'd go get the propane etc and that I really wanted to take advantage of having my Dad here so he could show us how to use it. He said in all seriousness, "I know, I know, I just don't want to rush it." We love Brennan.

When we got to church today, we looked at the ward bulletin to find that both Anna and Nate were scheduled to give talks in primary (the kid's classes). She pulled her little homemade binder (fabric covering cut up cereal box cardboard) out and immediately began writing her talk all by herself.

Here's the text of her talk:

"I am going to tell a story. A few months ago, I went with my family to the Twin Falls temple open house in Idaho. Afterwards, we went outside to take a picture in front of the temple. There were two men there and one of them, (the one closest to us,) was shouting things that I knew weren't true. It upset me and later I realized that it helped me know how strong a testimony I have. It's important to have a a testimony of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and the things you know are true. So don't think that Easter is all about Easter egg hunts, and candy and that stuff. Think about Jesus and how much he loves us even so much to die for us. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Happy Easter !!"

She did such a great job. We love Anna.

As we drove to Davis and Melissa's wedding dinner Abby suddenly asked if Davis invited people from New York (where they live). I told her that yes, there were lots of friends from New York invited. She immediately and worriedly asked, "Do you think there will be gangsters there?" Evidently, I had told the kids a long time ago that there were usually gangs in big cities. She remembers everything. I have got to remember that Abigail makes a mental record of everything any of us says. We love Abby.

For Nate's talk today I was so proud of how he was totally willing to stand up in front of that big group as long as I helped him. I whispered some help and he confidently stood and delivered the message. He's really growing up and old. He has had so much fun playing with his visiting cousin, Oliver. Oliver just loves Nate. When we walked into my parents' house Oliver yelled, "My Natey!" So cute. We love Nathan.

Ben is learning all too quickly that by saying a few words, he can unlock all sorts of privileges and power. For instance, he found Brennan's stash of gum and helped himself and benevolently even passed some out to the other kids. When one of the kids asked if Dad had said, he quickly assured them that "Dad said." Or if Brennan calls him out on something he'll confidently tell him that I told him he could. One night he had crawled into our bed and the next morning Brennan said, "Benny, remember you have to sleep in your own bed." Ben smiled condescendingly and said, "Mom said I could get in your bed in furty (30) minutes." We love Benjamin.