Spring Break Summary and Surprises

We had plans.  Actually, we all had a lot of great plans of different ways we each wanted to spend our first spring break living stateside.  Parker's idea was to immediately head off to spend time with family in Utah, which left just the two little guys with mom and dad.  We were excited to explore our new city of San Francisco and surrounding areas, see the newest movies out in theaters, and just enjoy the perfectly beautiful California weather.

 

 

However, completely unexpectedly, unfortunately our dad started feeling a highly uncomfortable amount of pain.  After a trip to the emergency room, the doctors again found blood clots in his lungs, and he ended up spending several days of his spring break hospital bound.  Being the great dad he is, he remained calm and optimistic that the new doctors he had just found here would help him to recover quickly.  So while he rested under great care, we made visits back and forth to the hospital.  Needless to say, we started our spring break out very quietly.  Until..............our great friend Sandy (a family friend for years and years and years) showed up for a visit, and our spring break turned into anything but QUIET!

In fact, it was only a matter of minutes after her arrival, that her laughter ABRUPTED.....who knew making brownies could be THIS hilarious?!!

 

Sandy's non-stop laughter continued......sometimes with no reason at all.  Sometimes we found it contagious......and just joined in :).......

 

Gratefully, John was released from the hospital and was able to come home and rest in his QUIET?

home.  We decided the only way he would get some much needed quiet time, was for us to take our traveling circus on the road for a day trip to Monterey, while he stayed home to rest. 

 

 

Nothing says road trip like brief stops at truck joints and lots of junk.  Sandy made the boys very happy at these stops.......



 

 

After miles of traffic, with loads of cars and people with the same destination idea as us, we made it to the beautiful small town of Monterey, and headed to the aquarium.

 

 

 

Preston was thrilled with our visit, and made sure the camera was ready at all times. The following pictures were upon his request.  Ironically, his kindergarten class was studying the ocean, and he wanted to share EVERY detail and picture upon his return.

 

A real-life wave washes over Preston's head....

 



 

Like Preston, Tyson was not, (if I may) completely "happy as a clam" to spend his entire day at the aquarium, but it looks like Sandy was........



 

 





 

And with a little promise of ice cream at the end of a long day at the aquarium, everyone becomes happy!!



 

 

The next day was filled with Easter preparations.  Of course our traditional bunny cake was on the agenda, but for the FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS, we actually dyed Easter eggs.  France and China don't even have white chicken eggs, which makes dying a bit difficult. This was no doubt a huge hit, and a great first!

 

 

Of course Preston's egg dying consisted of anything "Warrior basketball"  I'm quite sure this kid is obsessed.......



 

 

Looks like Easter Bunny was pleased with our preparations, and so were a few boys.  Luckily Easter Bunny knew where Bracken was attending school, and his Easter basket with goods had been sent via mail, and received with a smile and a sweet thank you text to mom.

 





 

Easter Bunny even knew Sandy was staying with us, and delivered her Easter basket to our home..  Sandy shared lots of Easter love with Rosco and Roxy, a reminder of how much she loved Lady (my dog I grew up with for 16 sweet years.)

 

 

 

Easter Bunny definitely brought fun, but it was even greater to remember and remind each other what our Easter celebration's were really all about.  We were grateful to attend church and show gratitude for a loving Savior, Jesus Christ.  Wishing all four boys were in this picture......but how grateful I am for these handsome little two!

 

 

Lucky for Parker, he arrived home just before the long awaited Easter Egg hunt.  Proper time was first given to those he missed the most.......

 

And then......let the games begin!  It's amazing how boys of all ages are eager for our Easter egg hunt each year.  Could it possibly be that it involves money??

Easter Bunny was clever in his hiding, and even used our pool under construction for perfect hiding places......

 

 

Rosco was even in on the hunt....

 

Tyson was the winner of the grand egg......

 

Parker ONLY interested in the money....Preston ONLY interested in the candy contents.....

Hundreds of eggs hidden inside and outside.  Could we have possibly found them all?  Tyson was convinced we couldn't and continues in his search.  Minutes later, with a more thorough search, Tyson's perseverance pays off, and a dozen or more eggs were added to his stash.....

 





 

 

As our Easter celebrations came to a close, we were most grateful our dad was home, and on the mend.  We were grateful we were able to rememer and celebrate the true reason of Easter, that of Jesus Christ's resurrection.  We were grateful our long-time friend Sandy had come for a visit, and we were grateful for so many reasons to laugh. 

 

Before Sandy left, she helped finish a project in our home.  This favorite saying is placed over our family magnet collection of our journeys all over the world we have visited together as a family....

 

 

 

"Find Joy in the Journey", A reminder that no matter what trials might come into our lives each day, that we might see the joy, and enjoy the journey that we are blessed to have together as a forever family.  How incredibly grateful I am for my family!  Happy Easter 2013.