Easter Week

Monday, April 11th

We spent some time at A&B's house doing some babysitting.

Tuesday, April 12th

Shirleen had a medical appointment; Melody was transported to & from preschool; and Lizzie was transported to & from a violin lesson.

Wednesday, April 13th

Paul transported Melody to & from preschool.  And on this day we learned of the passing of one of Shirleen's cousins, Laura Harris Hale.

Thursday, April 14th

Shirleen had an appointment at a dermatology office.  Melody was transported to & from preschool.

Friday, April 15th

We served on our usual first shift at the Mesa Temple.  In the afternoon Paul and Fred H. (one of LeAnn's uncles) went to the Banner Gateway Hospital, and gave a Priesthood blessing to a sister in the ward.  That evening we enjoyed a BBQ and Easter egg hunt at our home.  In attendance:  All seven Gs, Michael & LeAnn, and the two of us.  And here are some photographs, etc.:

Gifts Shirleen had prepared for the children

LeAnn's Deviled Eggs

LeAnn's Cupcake Bunnies

Amy's Potato Salad

Easter Eggs were placed in various locations:

And, of course, there were those collecting the eggs:

Melody

James

James getting a helping hand from LeAnn

Maylee

Karsten

Lizzie

Melody

And there was fun with bubbles!

 Maylee                              Lizzie
                                Melody
James                  

Lizzie

We had a good time!

Bryce, Amelia, Paul, Michael
Karsten, Maylee, Melody
Lizzie, James, LeAnn
(Shirleen took the photo, so she's not in it!)

Saturday, April 16th

We attended the neighborhood Easter Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt at Emerald Park, sponsored by our ward.  Here are a couple of representative photographs:

Sunday, April 17th

We enjoyed a special stake conference, with Elder Carlos A. Godoy (of the Presidency of the Seventy) as our visiting General Authority.

That evening the Gs hosted us and Michael & LeAnn for dinner.  Here we all are (except for Paul, who took the photograph):

Clockwise (at the table):  LeAnn, Michael, Shirleen, Karsten, Bryce, Amelia
Left-to-right (in front):  Lizzie, Maylee, Melody

After dinner there were two enactments:

• In the first (an enactment of "The Mediator", by Boyd K. Packer), Lizzie has borrowed money, cannot pay it back, and asks for mercy.  She borrowed from Amelia who demands payment, because it is only just that she should be repaid.  Well, a mediator is needed [someone who will pay the debt (providing mercy for the one in debt, and satisfying the demands of justice for the one who is owed money)].  Through the Atonement, Jesus Christ satisfies both mercy and justice.

Lizzie                             Amelia

• In the second, we were reminded of the New Testament account of finding the tomb [where Jesus (portrayed by Melody) was placed following his death] empty.

The kids then got in some trampoline time.  And then there were some games:  Wackee Six and Apples to Apples.

A pretty good week!