Easter at the Lightens

Can I just start by saying, I love Easter?  The candy, eggs, egg hunts, dressy clothes, spring-time, and of course the true reason, reflecting on the Resurrection of our Savior.  I just love the feelings this holiday brings.  This year was no different.

We hung around here mostly, but had a couple fun Easter Egg Hunts with extended family and neighbors.  Sunday morning we woke up to filled Easter baskets, had a delicious bacon, egg, and hashbrown breakfast...then hunted for Easter eggs in the backyard.  

Not thinking, we put Daisy outside during breakfast. She decided to get a "head start" on hunting eggs.  We later looked out there and saw about 7 or 8 plastic eggs all opened and empty, laying in a little pile on the grass.  Hmmm... Rascal!  The kids got the rest.  Sorry guys. :)  They didn't seem to notice.  Afterward, I took some pics of them in their super-cute dressy clothes my sweet Aunt Vicky and her family sent in one of their great care packages!  They turned out darling!  

To close out this post, I just want to take a moment and share some of the beliefs I hold dear about my Savior.  I know that He lives.  I feel and see His hand in my life constantly.  I am who I am, and have the ability to become who I am meant to be, because of His selfless sacrifice long ago.  I love my Savior, and would feel ungrateful if I did not mention Him.  Especially at this time of the year.  I feel His love, and just wish to publicly express my love for Him this morning.  If you don't currently know Him, I encourage you to seek Him.  I would be honored to assist you in anyway I can on your journey to find Him.  He's there waiting for you.  You just have to start looking.  I share these thoughts with you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Traverse "TRY"athlon!

On Friday, Morgan participated in her very first "Try"athlon!  The FAB PTA for our school put this on for the kids.  During the entire week leading up to the event, each day had a theme based around fitness and nutrition.  There was "Moving Monday" (all kids were challenged to exercise for a whole hour), Tuesday was No Tube Tuesday (no tv watching all day), etc.  Then on Friday they would have their event.  Morgan talked about this NON-STOP all week!  She was so excited, and she did AWE-SOME!  Here's how it went down...

Lining up and getting pumped!

First section: Jump Rope 50 times

Next part: Scooter around a course on a wiggle scooter

Lastly, 2 laps around the baseball field and a foot race to the finish!

All the amazing finishers recieved a new water bottle and their very own jump rope (the NICE ones)!

So proud of my little finisher!  She did great!  Also, so glad to have her in a school that promotes fitness, nutrition, and healthy, fun lifestyles.  Can't wait until next year!  Go TIGERS!

Jake's BIG accomplishment!

Jake learns to swing all by himself!

Over the last few weeks, when the weather started to get a little warmer, my girls have fallen in love with swinging!  They love it, and want to do it all day long...especially Abby.  The only problem is...I have to push them.  Constantly.  For massive periods of time.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it.  But they don't particularly like it when I have to stop. :)  That's putting it lightly.  But who can blame them...it is fun. :)

Once swinging became a major hit in our house, I suddenly realized that Jake still didn't know how to swing on his own.  Try pushing a 45 lb. kid, in addition to 2 little girls.  You get quite a workout.  So I started working with Jake trying to help him learn how to pump his legs.  It took a couple weeks, but I am proud to say that HE GOT IT!  He is very good and doesn't even need a push to get started anymmore either!  Wahoo!!!  Great job bud!

Getting started...fully determined.

Gaining momentum...

Happy, grown-up boy!

This is a big moment.



Spaghetti Faces...

This last week I got brave.  I decided it was time for my girls to experience the joy of spaghetti!  Morgan and Jake were introduced to this much earlier on - back when I was more of a "first-time mom" and thought the mess was adorable.  That was before I realized how long it takes to clean them up after. :)

So for my little girls, I waited.  Double kids, double spaghetti mess - no thanks. :)  But last week, I caved.  It's was just like you would imagine...super adorable, but also super messy.  Just the way I remember it was with my older kids.  Memories worth the mess.

They LOVED it by the way... :) (Abby's in white/pink shirt, Claire in Red)