Sharpay the Bunny

We have a neighbor who has been selling bunnies. Kirsten has always wanted to have a pet and has begged Gregg and I to get her a kitten. But, much to Kirsten's dismay Gregg has always told her no. So, when our kids found out about these bunnies, they have begged us for a bunny and Gregg has always told them no until they wrote the following letter:

Dear Dad,

Me, Natalie and Jared all want to have a bunny for a pet. Here are 10 reasons why we should have a bunny.

1. It will teach us responsibility.

2. Love (Natalie's reason).

3. It will fertilize our garden.

4. It can eat our old vegetables.

5. We have never had a furry pet (by Jared).

6. We will pay for the bunny.

7. We will stop complaining for a bunny.

8. We will take care of the bunny.

9. It will make us more happy.

10. It is an outside pet that is easy to take care of.

Love, Kirsten, Natalie & Jared.

P.S. After you read this note please respond. Do not respond rudely like: No, whatever, or you don't deserve one, etc.

Needless to say, we gave in and now have a pet bunny. I have to admit she is a cute bunny. I think we better get her fixed because both of our next door neighbors have a bunny and one of them is a male.

Vacation to Nauvoo

Twenty Two years ago, I went on the church history trip with the seminary program. I told myself back then, that someday I wanted to bring my own family to Nauvoo. The desire was fulfilled these first ten days of June. My kids were old enough that they could endure the traveling and remember and appreciate it. We were able to see alot of church history. We went to Independence, Missouri and toured the visitors center and saw the Church of Christ Temple and the temple site where a new temple will someday be built in Missouri. We then went to Liberty, Missouri and toured Liberty Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was in prison for four months. After that, we drove to Adam-ondi-Ahman. Even though this was a huge field you could feel that it is a sacred place. Bruce R. McConkie stated "Sacred indeed is the whole region for what has taken place and what will take place in its environs." (The Millenial Messiah P. 588).

We also went to Hannibal, Missouri which is the birthplace of Mark Twain (author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn). We were able to ride on the Mississippi Riverboat and go on a dinner cruise.

Since Nauvoo was the main destination, we spent 4 days there and were able to tour all of the historical homes and shops. We also went to the Temple where Makel & Kirsten were able to do baptisms for the dead and Gregg and I went through a session. The Temple was beautiful. Makel & Kirsten will tell you that it was their favorite part of the vacation. Even Natalie & Jared will tell you that Nauvoo was their favorite because they participated in pioneer pastimes and fun activities that they had for younger kids.

My personal favorite was Carthage Jail. I loved Nauvoo, but the feeling that I felt while we toured Carthage Jail was undeniable. I have a stronger testimony of what Joseph and Hyrum Smith sacrificed and went through. After leaving Carthage Jail, we picniced along the Missippi River on our way back to Nauvoo.

After we left Nauvoo, we drove to Winter Quarters and then up into South Dakota where we were able to see Mt. Rushmore and go to a lighting ceremony. We also took to the Flintstones Village (which was very lame but Natalie and Jared seemed to enjoy it).

We had a good time and were able to see alot of church history which I hope my kids will remember.

Teenagers

Makel just turned "sweet 16" on April 26 and Kirsten turned "13" on May 1. We had a surprise birthday party for Makel at our house with a group of her friends. Thanks to her friend Ashley, we were able to pull it off nicely without Makel knowing. They had a lot of fun. The following morning they went to the Bountiful Temple to do baptisms for the dead.

When you have two teenage daughters whose birthdays are 5 days apart, you have to do for one what you do for the other. Kirsten was able to invite a group of her friends over and have a party as well. Its hard to believe that I now have two teenagers. They have both have a good group of friends who they like to spend time with quite often. Friends are always welcome at our house to come and hang out.

A weekend in Florida

Gregg left for a business trip to Ordando, FL on Monday, April 7. On Thurdsay, April 10, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale and was able to spend time with Rich & Sharon and Chad & Angie. We had a really fun weekend. It was fun to see where they live and Kiara and Indigo's school that they attend. We went on a fun bike ride, went out to dinner at "Flannigans" and spent most of the day on Saturday on the beach (the pictures that I took of Gregg didn't turn out very well they looked white). I am now hooked on the game "puzzle planet" after playing it with Chad & Angie and Sharon while staying at Rich & Sharon's and I received a new nintendo DS for my birthday from Gregg!!!

On Sunday, we went to church with Rich & Sharon and had a nice birhday dinner at Chad & Angie's. Thank you Rich & Sharon and Chad & Angie for a fun weekend and a good 40th birthday!

Mom's 40th!

Today is my mom's 40th birthday! THE BIG 4-0! wowie! The point of the mountain! (JK) Well, instead of us sharing this wonderful celebration as an imediate family, she is in Florida and left behind her wonderful....spectacular...grateful... not to mention adorable kids here in Utah. So I found a quiz about what her birth date says about her. Hope you enjoy! ~Makel

Your Birthdate: April 13

You're dominant and powerful. You always need to be in charge. While others respect your competence, you can be a bit of a dictator. Hard working and serious, you never let yourself down. You are exact and accurate - and you expect others to be the same way. Your strength: You always get the job done Your weakness: You're a perfectionist to a fault Your power color: Gray Your power symbol: Checkmark Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

7 Wonderful Years

We celebrated Jared's birthday last weekend (March 9). I can't believe he is 7. It has gone by too fast. Jared brings alot of character into our family. I have enjoyed Jared very much, and even though I don't admit this much, it has been good for me to experience having a boy. He really does bring alot of joy into our lives. We Love You Jared!

The Passing of a Prophet

I have a book that sits in my living room entitled "One Bright Shining Hope" messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley. I was thumbing through it and came upon this quote:

"As I look back upon my life and think of the wonder of the companion who walked so long beside me, I cannot get over the tremendous influence that she had on me. She was the mother of my children. She gave them life. She nurtured them. She guided them through their formative years. She loved them and dreamed of them and prayed for them.

She was so wise and good. She just seemed to have present in her all the good qualities of her most sterling forebears. All of those seemed to come together in that one little girl who bewitched me when I was young and in love.

Now a beautiful marker of enduring granite marks her final resting place, and engraved in that stone, beneath her name are the words, "Beloved Eternal Companion."

And so she will be mine and I will be hers through all of the eternities to come."

A few days after reading that, President Hinckley passed away. I thought of the quote that I had just read and it gave me great comfort to know that he is reunited with his wife and many other relatives and friends. During the press conference with President Thomas S. Monson, he said "all is well with President Gordon B. Hinckley. " I am so thankful for the knowlede we have of life after death. Our lives our eternal.

My friend e-mailed the other day with this challenge: Since President Hinckley lived for 97 years, she is challenging people who are interested to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days, either individually or as families.