Easter

We had such an amazing weekend last weekend with Ashton, and to make it especially wonderful it was also Easter.  We decorated easter eggs with the kids on Saturday afternoon, and invited cousins Dane and Bennett to join us.  The kids had lots of fun decorating eggs together and I had a little nap on the couch while their dads helped them.

Cadence covered a few eggs in bubble guppie stickers - along with a few on her hands.

Sunday morning the kids looked for their easter baskets before church.  Cadence found hers before her brothers were even in the room.

We have a later church time of 1 pm. So I was able to get part of easter dinner ready before we left for church and my mom had time to travel from Champion to join us for the day.

My gorgeous kids ready for church.

Church was nice.  Our choir sang the closing song "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" in sacrament meeting and I accompanied them.  Then the YW President had asked me to sing "Gethsemane" in YW.  I had sung it in sacrament meeting last week and it was nice to sing it again.  It has such a beautiful message and I hope the girls enjoyed it.

After church we came home and had dinner.  We had ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, caesar salad, and yummy cheesecake with strawberries for dessert.  It was a relaxing, lovely easter Sunday and I was happy mom was able to come up and spend the day with us.  I am grateful for my Savior and for my knowledge that I know he lives.

Amazing Weekend

Now that Ashton is 12 and has been made a deacon in our church he was able to do a couple of very special things this past weekend.  After getting a recommend from our Bishop last week, we woke up early Saturday morning, dropped off Bowen and Cadence with my cousin Sheri and then headed up to the temple.

Ashton is now able to do baptisms for the dead at the temple and Sheri had 8 family names that he was going to do for her.  We get to the temple and Ashton reaches into his suit coat pocket to pull out his recommend and it was gone.  He checked all his pockets in his coat, then I checked all his pockets.  He had shown it to me before we left so I know he had it at one point.  Luckily President Stonehocker was there and he made a call to our Bishop (sorry for the early morning phone call bishop) and we were able to proceed.  (By the way he found his recommend in the back pocket of his suit pants - the one pocket I didn't check).

It was wonderful to watch Ashton and his dad doing these baptisms and then the confirmations. It was so nice to be in the temple together and I look forward to the day when our entire family can be there together.  Ashton told me he loved it and wants to go once a month.  He would also like to go with his cousins.  We are hoping once Emry turns 12 the older cousins can plan a temple trip together either up here or in Cardston.

On Sunday Ashton was able to pass the sacrament in our sacrament meeting with the other deacons.  I thought it was neat that his very first time was on Easter Sunday.  He'll always be able to remember that.  He was very excited and very nervous and was hoping he wouldn't make a mistake.  He did a great job and I was proud of how seriously he took his responsibilities.  It was a very special weekend with a great young man.  I'm so proud of him.

Happy 12th Birthday Ashton

March has been a very busy month in the Atwood house and somewhere in there we celebrated a very special birthday with Ashton.

Jason was going to be in Vancouver for work on Ashton's actual birthday so we let him open a present the day before.

He got a CD/Radio and he was very excited to have a radio for his room.

Jason left for the airport later that night.  The next day March 17th, Ashton's actual birthday was a super busy day for me.  It was our ward's RS party and I had lots to do for that.  Busy all day making soup, decorating, babysitting, etc.  Then I picked up McDonalds for the kids, grabbed the babysitter and then headed to the church.  It was a nice event and I was happy to have it done.

When Jason got home we finished celebrating for Ashton's birthday.  A couple more presents to open.

He got a CD for his new CD player.  A Doctor Who "Tardis" Lamp, Doctor Who Christmas Special DVD's, with a Sonic Screwdriver.  Notice a theme.

Since this is Ashton's 12 birthday it is a very special birthday.  The Sunday following his birthday Ashton graduated from primary and then was ordained a deacon in our church by his father.  The blessing with his ordination was so special, I wish I could remember more of what Jason said, but it was so beautiful.  It was a very special day and lots of family came to celebrate with us.  After church we had a barbecue at our house for everyone and it was nice to visit.  My only regret is I didn't take any pictures of the day.

The following Monday we took kids out for a birthday dinner.  Ashton chose the cheesecake cafe.  As hard as he tries he still can't finish a whole piece of cheesecake and I think we are now up to Cheesecake 6 / Ashton 0.

Happy 12th Birthday Ashton.  You are becoming an amazing young man.  You are such a big help and a great example to your younger siblings.  We love you so much!