Easter 2016

Easter was awesome!

We woke the kids up for a breakfast of blueberry muffins and giant hollow chocolate bunnies. We read the Easter Story and talked about how their bunnies were hollow just like the tomb was empty on Easter because Jesus had risen.

After that we got all dolled up for Easter and went to church. Kevin sang in a few musical numbers and the kids sang The Miracle with the primary. 3/4 of my kids went up to sing so that was lovely :) I think they need to have the kids sing more often in meetings. It is just adorable!

After church we took a few pictures and then once Kevin got home from meetings the kids got to hunt for their Easter baskets that the Easter bunny had left them.

We had a yummy dinner of roast, carrots, potato casserole, and rolls!

Afterwards we went on a family hike to a new-to-us spot on Las Trampas trail that was GORGEOUS!

We finished the night with scriptures, some clean up, and bed!

Donut Falls Hike & Ice Cream

When we were out in Utah we celebrated Grandpa Allen's birthday with a a hike, trip to visit Allen's gravesite, dinner at Dickey's BBQ (where my nephew Rob works), and ice cream. 

We started off the day with a hike at Donut Falls. It was hot but awesome. One of Grandpa Allen's favorite activities was hiking with his grandkids... so it was a fitting way to celebrate his birthday.  

Baby Ryan was a champ and was super easy going and my kiddos were hiking rock stars.

Cousins!

Catie loved walking with the big kids and then getting carried by Kevin when she got tired. Andrew had the best time trying to hike super fast with the boys and basically climb anything he could find. He never complained and never stopped moving. Love that kid!

While Andrew climbed, Catie got dirty and wet in the streams!

All the kids with Grandma Shari!

This was our first visit to Allen's gravesite since his funeral over five years ago. It was sweet to see the kids happy and having fun together while we visited this special place. It just reminded me of the happy reunion we will all have together in heaven someday. I have no doubt that my kids got to spend some time with their Grandpa Allen in heaven before they joined us on earth. We have his photo in our living room and Catie and Andrew talk about him often. They think he is super special!

One of Grandpa Allen's other favorite things was ice cream. At his California funeral there was even an ice cream sundae bar. Our favorite way to celebrate his birthday is with ice cream. All the Buskirks and Johnsons ordered big ice cream cones and sundaes at Baskin & Robbins and we had fun sitting around chatting together.

This trip was such a great way to kick off our summer vacation in Utah!