Prom

 Ryan and his good friend from yoga, Emma Knapus, went to prom by mutual agreement.  They had a great time. Friends are the best! Their group played miniature crochet and ate at Zuppas on Friday night. (Because of course it is essential to have a "day date" in addition to going to the dance.)  On Saturday evening we hosted dinner.  We made fettuccine alfredo and the other boys provided salad, breadsticks, sparking cider and lots and lots of dessert.  It was all delicious!

I really enjoyed decorating the tables.

The girls all sat down together as a joke but I guess they enjoyed each others company more than their dates because they stayed that way.  Way to break it up!  Spending all day with someone that you may not know well is way too long...

Bethany, Camille and I loved seeing the girl's beautiful ballgowns.  I have no hope of downsizing Bethany's expectations now. Her sixteenth year is going to be here in no time.

Sweethearts with Peeps

 Ryan went to the Sweethearts dance this year with Julie Ackerson.

We dyed eggs and had an easter egg hunt on Easter as usual.  Even though they are big, the kids love doing our traditional easter activities.  Our dog, Ringo, is getting older and doesn't have the energy he once had, but we sure enjoy him.  I don't think he enjoyed sitting on all the easter eggs the kids put in his crate....

Bethany and Camille participated in our library's annual Peep book diorama contest.  Bethany did The Hunger Games.  Katniss and Peeta are being interviewed by Caesar Flickerman.  Camille did "Lehi's Dream" from The Book of Mormon (very mission appropriate...)  The girls decorated their dioramas this year while we listened to conference.  Bethany won her division and received a $25 certificate to Dairy Keen, a popular shake and hamburger joint in town.

On a more serious note, I'm so grateful for the Easter season. Winter seemed especially long this year.  Our family has been struggling with a variety of problems over the last few months including depression and anxiety.  To see the trees send forth new leaves and the flowers open has given me such hope.  They remind me of why we celebrate spring and the return of life.  Because Jesus died for us, we are not tied down to our mortal bodies and problems. His atonement allows us to overcome sin and the strength to learn from the challenging times we experience in life.  My life in made new in Him!