EASTER!!

EASTER

Easter in Oregon was awesome!! We had a fun time all to ourselves.  Church was very uplifting and the choir was able to perform.  Conducting the choir the last year has been such a blessing.  I know that musically I have been trained to do a calling like this, but it really pushed me spiritually more than I thought it would.  I love Easter in more ways than one.  Here in Oregon there are not a lot of members and I have learned to treasure more than anything my testimony of the Gospel and during this time the resurrection.  Sometimes I felt in the past I complicated the gospel and if someone asked me questions about what I believed it was hard to explain.  Being out here has changed all that, I have been asked multiple times about what I believe or why.  I have been approached at work, while with the missionaries and just in my day to day life.  I can firmly say I know that Christ died and was resurrected for me.  I know that by those two acts alone, I am able to live with my family forever.  This is something I hold dear, especially working in the ER and seeing the tragedies that can happen to people and families.  Our gospel is about happiness and hope, and I believe because of Christ we are able to have both of those, by using the atonement with repentance and looking forward for the one day we will be Resurrected.

Here are some pictures from that day after church.  Olivia loved her basket which was hanging from the door.  Daddy's basket was looped around the high chair and Asia's was in her bouncer.  The Easter bunny decided to be funny and put Mommy's basket in the dishwasher.  All the worldliness aside I hope I can teach my children how to apply the Atonement and Resurrection in their own personal lives.  I hope I can show them how much they are loved from not only their earthly parents, but by Heavenly Parents and Christ as well.

BASKET TIME!!!

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Playin around like we always do:)

I just love this face!!!

Adam's Race in Portland

ADAM is da BOMB!!!

Yeah that is right, Adam rocks!! We drove and stayed the weekend in Portland so that Adam could run a 15 k for ST. Patricks Day.  He is such a "Go-Getter" and now "Big Thinker" going to school and all:)  No, All jokes aside I am very proud of my Man, when he puts his mind to something he is going to finish it.  It just so happened that Amy was able to come with us because it fell right on her spring break in school.  She was such a joy to have and lifted my spirits, because I have been still going through multiple procedures.  We were so excited Amy decided to come visit us during her spring break!!! I was in real need of some sister time and we just had a blast.  We did a lot of stuff while she was here and even got to take a trip to Portland.  Olivia and Asia adores Amy!!! Amy helped me out a lot with the house, but it was just so fun to talk to her and be together! Here are some great pics from the trip:)

We started out the trip with an almost all day trip to the NIKE Employee store.  Adam had lunch with some big wigs and got us a one time ticket. The kiddos did great and it was really nice having Amy there with us.  While we were shopping the Detroit Pistons basketball team were shopping as well.  I can honestly say this was one of Adam's best days here in Oregon!!  After the store we went to campus and got to look at the nike training facilities.  

We kind of splurged and stayed at the Marriot-downtown, which was right across the street from the Waterfront park-starting and finish line for the race. The day before the race we were able to hang out around the big city and see all the sites.  We got to go to the Saturday market and shop and enjoyed some yummy hamburgers at a local joint there as well.  That night we enjoyed swimming and ordering pizza that was delivered right to the hotel.  

Adam did great in the race the next morning and we were able to just walk across the street and actually got to see him finish.  We ate breakfast at the hotel and went to the Portland Temple Visitors center, which was so fun! They have a lot of different fun interactive games and a great video.  After the temple we had to say goodbye to AMY :( We dropped her off at the airport and little did we know her plane had difficulties and she had to stay the night in Portland.  But overall, it was a great trip to Portland!!!

Shopping made us tired so we went to the best All you can eat Salad buffet, Sweet Tomatoes!!

VOODOO DONUTS

MARRIOT!!!

PORTLAND

Saturday Market and Around town

FACE PAINTING

ST. Patricks Day morning!!

An amazing all you can eat breakfast at the hotel after the race!!!

Bye Bye Aunt Amy, see you again on our next adventure!!!