Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was a fun filled time with family and friends and activities that reminded us of our Savior and the significance of everything that He has done for us...especially His Atonement and Resurrection. 

We took the kids (except Dallin who was gone for acting that day) and visited the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point and their annual tulip festival! Everything was breathtakingly beautiful!!!

 A sea of lavender...

and Kambriella's favorite color, and Clint's...Angels Red.

 So delicate and soft...

 Sitting in the Secret Garden together, Kambriella showed the effects of staying up late EVERY single night of Spring Break! She was EXHAUSTED!!!

 We went to visit our favorite part of the Gardens...the Light of the World Garden.

 Kesslyn had a fond connection with "Jesus." She waved to Him and said "Hello" to Him each time she saw a new statue. There is a sweet reverence there in the garden that I just LOVE.

 With it being Easter weekend, this statue of Christ carrying His cross touched me deeply. I got up under the statue so I could look into His eyes...He WILLINGLY bore this heavy, heavy burden beacause of LOVE...

The Resurrected Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene... 

 Heavenly Father abd His Son Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove and called him by name. He KNOWS each of us and loves us individually...

 This sweet baby LOVES her siblings, and Kierra especially. :) You should see her go running into her arms every time Kierra comes home. This is just kind of like a picture definition of love and joy right here... :)

 There is beauty all around, when you're with those you love. :)

 After we spent time in the gardens we took a lunch break at Zupa's. YUM!!! :)

 Then, we headed home for some cleaning, yard work, and a short nap for a few ;)...

Clint and I then had a date to a special Easter concert later that night up at the U in the Libby Gardner Hall,

We were privileged to hear the Utah Millennial Choir and Orchestra sing and play their hearts out to the most powerful and moving songs about our Savior in honor of this Easter weekend.

We were a part of many standing ovations that were rightly due to this amazing performance...

 ...and my sweetheart was literally moved to tears after many songs. The Spirit was so strong and this touched my heart so much. :)

 My sweet boy. XOXO

 Then, on Easter morning, we attended a neighbor's mission homecoming, and then went with Carew to Patriarch Shelley's home where he received a beautiful and inspired patriarchal blessing.

What an absolutely special gift on such a special day. I love you Carew!

 We attended church and sacrament meeting and then came home to gather our family for a yummy Easter dinner. Kierra and Riley were there to welcome us when we arrived home from church. :)

 I love that they are close enough that they can still come and see us and be with us for these life celebrations! I love them all so much!!! 

(Can you tell Kambriella is still feeling the effects of the late nights of Spring Break??! :)

 AND...my sweet Mom surprised us and decided to drive up from Mesquite to join in the celebration!

She is such a beautiful lady and she has been such a positive role model and example in my life.

 I count her as one of my greatest blessings! :)

 The Easter Bunny did visit our house on Saturday as well, and also left a basket for Kierra and Riley. 

They were happy to get them ...but not as happy as they were just to be together, right? ;)

 When we all sat down to the dinner table together, Clint and I both took a minute to share some thoughts and testimony about our Savior Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ's Atonement, we are blessed to be able to be free of pain, suffering, sadness, and despair...not that those things will not be a part of our mortal experience (because they will) but that WHEN we are experiencing them we can turn those pains over to Him and find lasting peace. I love that we can literally use that power every single day of our lives.

We ate a delicious meal and then headed to the basement where we participated in our

 "3 Days of Darkness" Easter egg hunt.

When Jesus died on the cross there were earthquakes and storms and the earth was in turmoil.

We turn over the furniture in the basement and hide the eggs "among the rubble" to represent what happened in the land when Jesus died. Then, we turn out all of the lights and blindfold everyone to give them a feel of just how dark it would have been for the people then. We were only in the dark for about 15 minutes...and I still heard little children  say that they were "scared."

They all had to feel their way through the darkness to try and find the eggs...just imagine how hard it would have been to actually have been there and feel that deep darkness for 3 whole days!!!

 I think everyone had fun and spirits were high! I LOVE this family of mine!!!

Happy Easter ! :)