Birthdays, Birthdays, Easter, and more Birthdays

Brennan's 17th fell on a Wednesday this year, which happens to be the evenings Nate has class this term. So, he opted to celebrate officially on Thursday. Instead, he got to be in charge of siblings in the morning - waking them up, having them get ready for school, and getting littles on the bus - while I headed out early to work in Corvallis at Dad's dental office. I covered a bit for the receptionist there.

Then that evening, his tennis match or pratice was cancelled, (rain), so he got to attend Asher's band concert much to his dissapointment. Haha. Happy 17th.

The next day, celebration day, I again worked at Dad's office, so I rushed hom to start the clam chowder, focaccia bread, and cholocate lava cake he'd requested. I hurried my butt off before Nate, Ky, Hollyn and I hurried out to catch Asher's track meet. In the meantime, Brennan took Kieran to the latter's first soccer practice. The weather was pretty miserable, and Asher's meet was not held at a great location. The track was just surrounded by (long, wet, super muddy) grass. In my rush, I was still in my work clothes, including very flat "flats" shoes. Haha. Asher got 2nd place in the hurdles and middle of the pack in the 2 running races. We were quite cold by the end.

We picked up a grocery order on the way home, then finally all arrived to enjoy the belated birthday celebration. I can't believe this kid is SEVENTEEN now. He's in his last year of legal childhood. 🤯

Starting Saturday I got cookin' for Easter. Orignally Mom and Dad were slated to head to Kennewick, so we invited our friends the Hanson's. Then Mom and Dad cancelled their drive, so they were re-invited to join us. In the end, Mom wasn't feel up for it, but Dad came. I hope he had a good time. Later, Nate and I both regretted very much that we hadn't packed up any of the crab dip leftovers which Dad had brought but we didn't get a chance to delve into much. 😢

On the Eve of Easter Sunday, we made Resurrection Rolls with the kids, including our neighbor friend Rylar who was over playing with Kieran. I love the object lesson of wrapping and annointing the savior, putting him in the tomb, and then finding the tomb empty.

After, Rylar also joined us for egg-dying, which he'd expressed earlier he REALLY wanted to do.

We had a better pic of the adults - because Paige was being even sillyer, but that photo somehow got corrupted during upload to Google photos, and managed to get corrupted in both google AND on my phone gallergy. <shrug>

#EasterFeastPrep

What the?!?! How did the Easter Bunny get an egg on the ceiling???

Baskets were simple this year. One church-related outfit item (dress, pants, shoes). The little's each recieved a church-related activity/coloring book, and the older boys a belt. And candy and a hostess treat. The end. #Bunnyonabudget

After a quick egg-hunt and checking out baskets, Nate and I headed to church early for bishopric/choir rehearsal, then a little later Brennan brought all the kiddos, also early so Asher could prep the sacrament.

In choir, we sang an acappella version of I Stand All Amazed. I wish so bad I could have heard us as apparently, we sounded amazingly great. We were a small group of 4 men and about 6 women, but we pulled it off since those who did participate can all sing well. (Present author excluded. But at least I can stay in tune.)

Gen. Conf. Choir

Miss Hollyn turned 11! (See previous post). Her birthday was also busy. She went easy on my at least by requesting Pasta Salad for dinner and Chocolate Cream Pie for dessert, both of which can be made ahead! Wahoo! On this day, Brennan's tennis match was cancelled, but an hour after the last person got home, Asher headed to a band competition, then Brennan, Kieran, and Hollyn had YM/Activity Days. So we partied hard in that hour.