Easter 2014

Holidays are fun with a toddler. It's funny to explain to him what it is and why it's a special day. He's often like...another holiday??? Haha and you know we love to celebrate anything and everything. It's interesting as Freddie gets older to figure out which traditions we will focus on and which we will ignore as a family! We also aren't tied down to any specific things though. If we don't get to something...who cares! The most important thing for us on Easter was to consistently talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means to us individually and as a family.

This year we went to the Easter pageant at the Mesa Temple, dyed eggs, and attended church together Sunday morning. That morning the kids got Easter outfits (that was fun for me!!) and got cards and little gifts from grandparents. And I made some delicious Easter cookies. Recipe here: http://cookiesandcups.com/cookie-sticks/#_a5y_p=1312222

After church we had a 3 hour family nap (we were OUT. I haven't slept that well in a while!!!) and then had our favorite meal, Chicken Tikka Massala by Mrs Harding cooks, here: http://mrshardingcooks.blogspot.com/2010/05/chicken-tikka-masala.html?m=1

I was REALLY wanting to be around family or friends that evening. My family was out of town and we were missing them and Collins fam like crazy. So we went over to a friends house with a few other families and had dessert. We got there and only had an hour before everyone was leaving but we had a great time talking with other adults. We are grateful for good and welcoming friends in our ward family. Heavenly Father really takes care of his children. It was a beautiful special family day. Love my so husband and children and kittens so very much. So thankful for the Atonement  and Resurrection of the Savior and for my sweet Mia Maid class. They have strong testimonies and teach me so much. 

I'm SO OBSESSED with these pictures and this happy boy!!!!!!!! He loves life!!!

birthday photos

now for lots and lots and lots of birthday photos.

We had a little birthday party for Frederick on Saturday the 15th. We really enjoyed planning and making this event happen. Collin and I love parties. We love people. This was the biggest party we'd planned thus far but, hey! your first kid only turns one once, right? The weather was perfect. The park was green and beautiful. The food was delicious: Pulled Pork from our favorite BBQ place, Circle H BBQ , a spicy watermelon salad, a grilled corn salad, a vegetable salad, various fruits, cinnamon oatmeal cookies, Peach Lemonade (yum!) and of course, the cakes: one chocolate blackout and one white, made by me. It all turned out SO well. We loved the decorations and had fun making them. There were birthday Madlibs, gift bags, homemade bookmarks, burlap pennants, garland, banners, and all things turquoise, yellow, white, and brown. There was an awesome kids table with coloring sheets printed from Made By Joel and other sweet art stuffs. Collin did all of the graphic design. He's so talented. The best part was seeing so many of our close friends and family (and we missed so many who couldn't be there!) It was a beautiful celebration- for us as much as anything! We made it to a year! And of course, there was my adorable happy Frederick. My best buddy. A one year old!




This photo was taken by Jayna Hedges of Jayna H Photography. Here are some more! We LOVE them and love Jayna. Thank you thank you!






















Here are some shots I got: