April

In April we:

*enjoyed cousin Audrey's mission homecoming talk, then hung out with all the Andersons at the Boise Train Depot for it's 90th birthday.

*celebrated my sister's wedding! Lora married Brady and it was wonderful. Lisa and Katie Jo threw a bridal shower at my house the night before.

At one point I noticed a Halloween-themed gift bag sitting among the gifts and thought that was weird...yah, it was from my Sassy Kassie. She had written her name on some princess books and told Lora they were more for when she has kids. Which is exactly what Lora wanted to talk about at her bridal shower.

Saturday was the big day.

Trying to get 22 of the nieces and nephews to look at the camera

At the luncheon, these chickadees were hangry

So Keira entertained them with selfies

And then all was well

The reception was sweet, and then Lora and Brady were off to Finland for a study abroad program for BYU. Oh to be "carefree" newlyweds again.

In April, Ed:

*had a layover in beautiful Boston, among other locations.

This is where he went to church. One of Mitt Romney's sons happened to be the bishop, and the stake president sat next to Ed for sacrament meeting to make him feel welcome.

*got a little anxious to be out on the water, so got his boat all clean and pretty again

*helped his brother Spencer move into his first house on Thursday, helped Nancy move into their new home on Friday, went to the wedding Saturday morning, then skipped the luncheon to help with the rest of Nancy's move that afternoon. Then spent all of Sunday with the Laws as well. Best Brother/Husband/In-law award right there.

In April, I:

*made it to Book Club! This is a big deal, I can't ever seem to get there.

*helped with decorations for our Ward Talent Show. Not sure why this was the particular task assigned to me, but I agonized over it all month. In the end, the silver streamers hung from the stage were a big hit with the primary kids who were sitting on the floor in front of the stage (our ward is HUGE and there weren't nearly enough chairs for everyone). When they would get bored, they'd pull them off and hit each other with them. It turned out well.

*gave blood. Right before the wedding. And it knocked me out. I guess I'm not 20 anymore.

In April, Kimberlee:

*finished and presented her PACE project, a semester-long project done in 5th, 8th and 12th grade. Kimberlee's focused on Newton's 2nd Law of Motion and included an experiment, an essay and a powerpoint presentation. We are all so glad that stupid thing is done - so many tears and frustrations. BUT, she worked hard, finished well, and most importantly, PASSED.

*after last month's braces fiasco, she was super surprised (and very excited) when her orthodontist told her she could get her braces off 2 weeks earlier than she planned. 3 1/2 years (almost to the day), 3 orthodontists, too many painful canker sores to count...happy day!

In April, Keira:

*ran track!

Track meets were long, but Keira gave it her all. She ran the 100 and 200, and did long jump. Her first meet she was dead last in her heats and her goal for every other meet was to not end up there again. And she didn't. She never found the courage to do hurdles, but her last meet she PR'd in all her events. Now she's off to try something new - she just wants to do it all.

*helped Kimberlee and Grandma A make dinner for 17 people staying at the Ronald McDonald house. The girls are loving these service opportunities with Grandma.

In April, Krista:

*had her school Art Gallery night, where the students get to show off all of their masterpieces from the year.

 (top right)

(bottom middle that she's pointing to)

*went on a field trip to Melba's Celebration Park - a hopeful geologist's dream. Maybe we can go back this summer and she can show us around.

In April, Kassie:

*also participated in Art Gallery night.

*was the only one of my kids who participated in our Ward Talent Show. She played a piano duet with me. She was the 3rd performer of the night (there were probably 25-30 acts, plus a live auction at intermission), and spent the rest of the evening asking if she could go again and whining that it was so boring. Sigh. It's like she doesn't get enough attention or something.

*wanted to be matchers with Karoline every day

In April, Karoline:

*overcame her nursery fears, hopefully for good.

*loved any time spent with grandmas and grandpas.

*became very difficult about naps, especially if anyone else is in the house. Even if her sisters are exceptionally quiet, she knows they're there and can't miss out.