Conference weekend = Our very 1st "CONFERENCE STORE"

ITS FINALLY HERE!! The weekend we've been talking about all week!!:) I thought I was fully prepared for this years conference sessions, but after the Saturday morning session I new I needed to make some changes before the Sunday sessions. The kids weren't necessarily bad during the first session but they didn't really listen either. My goal was to help find ways to motivate the kids to listen to the speakers not just to be quiet.

Last year we came up with a few words we wanted to listen for during the talks.. Whenever you heard one of the word we chose you got to eat the correlating treat.. (we used starbursts, M&M's, skittles, and tootsie rolls... .BAD IDEA).. As you can imagine feeding the kids a CRAZY amount of sugar and then asking them to sit still for 2 hours just didn't go over very well. So this year I decided to use fruit in our baskets instead of candy and it went ok but the kids still weren't overly excited about it.. I knew I needed to do SOMETHING to get them PUMPED for the Sunday sessions:)

Since Kaj had to go to the store to pick up a few items for Sunday nights dinner, I had him stop off and pick up a few things to create our very 1st "CONFERENCE STORE" ;) I didn't know if this would work but thanks to the WONDERFUL Tonii Johnson, I thought it would be worth a try! and YEP.... IT WAS A TOTAL HIT!!! We set up 3 baskets (i felt like if I did any more than that the kids get to overwhelmed),  each filled with "tickets" and then we thought of 3 new words we wanted to listen for during the morning session... Briyler chose Family, Dad chose Missionaries, and Ryker chose Jesus. The words were perfect for the morning session and the kids heard them quite a bit! It took Bri a little while to warm up to the "ticket, idea" but once he did, him and Ryker would get SOO EXCITED when they heard their words and they couldn't wait to get there tickets and put them in their baskets. At the end of the 1st session the kids got to buy some items out of the "conference store" and they couldn't have been MORE EXCITED!! It was soo nice to be able to listen to conference and to see the boys get excited about listening to the speakers (even if it was so they could earn there tickets) .. :)

The afternoon session was EVEN BETTER since all 3 younger kids were down for nap, we got to sit and snuggle with the older boys. I asked the boys if they wanted to pick new words for the afternoon session but they wanted to stick with the same words (probably cause they were such a big hit during the 1st session.. To add a little more excitement we played conference bingo (and because its a little easier to play those games without the babies stealing the "game pieces, aka M&M's)... For the most part the boys did really well. By the second half of the afternoon session the boys were getting a little tired, Ryker asked if he could take a nap and I told him if he did he would miss out on more tickets and he'd have to pay me 5 tickets of the ones he had already earned as a consequence, poor kid hung on as long as he could and ended up falling asleep only for the last few talks.. I was tempted to not take away any tickets since he tried so hard but I wanted to stick to my guns and when all was said and done he actually was able to buy the 2 toys he wanted anyway:) 

With the kids being so good Kaj and I were actually able to listen to most of the talks (more so during the afternoon sessions) but we caught bits and pieces of the morning sessions too... I feel like I have so many favorite talks right now!! There was something in almost every talk that was "meant" for me or at least for someone in our home.. I am soo grateful for a Modern day Prophet and for the restored gospel on the earth. I feel so lucky to know who I am, where I'm going, and what my purpose is on this earth. I cant imagine going through life and not KNOWING the answers to those questions...... Yay for having my spiritual cup filled today:)

our Ticket baskets

this is how the boys started off the morning.. (we thought for sure it wasn't going to work)

Ryker wasn't to happy about it either

But after they started listening.....

it quickly changed into excitement every time they got to go get a ticket

Ryker helping Dugi get his tickets

YAY I got one!

Kynlie didn't care one bit about the tickets :)

If you cant tell Bri's favorite color is still GREEN :)

Ryker being silly and enjoying his little snack.

Little does she know its almost time for NAP :)

YAYAY FOR THE CONFERENCE STORE

the boys loved the CTR rings and bracelets

                                    
                                      one of my favorite talks and LOVE this printable
get this printable here: http://www.mormonmommyblogs.com/2013/04/saturday-morning-general-conference.html

                 
                       Love that these amazing women share there talents with everyone else ;)
get these printables here: http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2013/04/lds-conference-printables-saturday.html

Conference prep FHE, and an answer to my prayers! :)

                                     

Is anyone else as EXCITED as I am about conference this weekend. :) I remember complaining about conference weekends when I was a kid and now it is my FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!! How lucky are we to have a modern day Prophet to help lead and guide us along our journey?!?! This week I have been trying to get the kids excited about conference, we've been having special treats and talking about it all week! Ryker is genuinely excited and it feels like maybe all of (our hard work, with FHE's, church lessons and just trying to teach them the gospel in general) is starting to pay off. There is no better feeling IN THE WORLD than seeing your child "choose the right" or "seek whats good" all on there own!! Tonight's FHE was FUN FUN FUN!!!

opening song- Follow the prophet

Lesson- The kids and dad built the annual tent (facing East, like they did in Jesus' time) and dad told the story of King Benjamin. I love hearing Kaj tell the scripture stories to the kids. I think I end up learning just as much as they do by the end of the night:)

Activity- After the lesson we played "follow the prophet", pretty much follow the leader and the line leader gets to hold a picture of the prophet and everyone has to follow them.. The kids LOVE THIS GAME (Dugi especially)

Dessert- cookies. During dessert time I had each of the kids think of a question they wanted to be answered during conference. Ryker was really excited about this and I LOVED that he came up with soo many questions!!

This week was a little bitter sweet for me.. I was trying to get the kids super excited about conference and hearing from the prophet and IT WAS WORKING!! Ryker has never seemed so interested and everyday he would tell me he "couldn't wait, to listen to conference" I was SOOO EXCITED but the thought kept lingering, its Rykers dads weekend to have him:( :( I have been feeling sooo sad knowing in the back of my mind that Ryker isn't going to be able to participate in conference with us this year. Recently (probably after a VERY LONG rant from me about how worried I get when Ryker goes with his dad) my mom told me that I need to just pray for Ryker. Pray that he will be safe, pray that he will be able to handle the things that he sees and hears while he's with his dad, and just pray that Heavenly Father will watch over him. Since I knew I couldn't change the fact that its his dads weekend, all I could do was pray that Ryker will keep the "desire to know and listen to the words of the Prophet". SO that's what I did, I have been praying and praying and last night (right before FHE) Rick text Kaj and said he isn't sure if he is going to make it to pick up Ryker this weekend and this morning he confirmed that he wont be picking Ryker up this weekend!!!  WHAAATTT,  SOMEBODY PINCH ME!! Is this for REAL?!?!?! It may not seem like a big deal to anyone else but this is HUGE FOR ME!! I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, no matter how big or small the desires of our heart our he listens to them ALL!! This small little wish of mine was just as important to Heavenly Father as it was to me. It is so nice to know that if something is important to me it is important to Him, no matter what it is... I'm sure there will be years that Ryker will miss conference weekends with us but I am soo grateful that he will be here this year. :) I couldn't be more excited for the fun family weekend we have planned!!

Tent built! :)

Love this happy baby!

who would have guessed, more silly faces:)

those 2 jokesters

I could seriously just EAT HIM UP!!

This little girl was ALL SMILES during FHE

couldn't be any cuter!!

Dugi reading while everyone else is discussing the questions we want to be answered during conference

 

 

Listening to dad tell the King Benjamin story.. At least Kynlie and Dugi are being quiet!

Ryker wondered how loud Jesus had to talk so EVERYONE could hear him:)

Follow the prophet game!

Happy little bunch!

Except for when Dugi tries to take Tui's turn to hold the prophet picture.. Tui didnt like that:)

DESSERT TIME!!! YUMMM cookies in the tent!

Happy Easter Weekend!! :)

                                    
                                                                      HE LIVES!!!


This year my family decided to head to Cali for Easter weekend (Seriously, who wouldn't want to be in the warm sunshine hangin out at the beach:).... so that meant Easter weekend was ALL UP TO ME:) I've never had to make Easter dinner by myself (and that was made totally clear when my MIL asked me if I had gutted the bird before I cooked it.. GUTTED? HUH, EEEWWWW?!?! Who knew:) , nor be the HOST for Easter dinner, I've never hid my own eggs (for a cousin egg hunt), or told the Story of Easter all by myself.. But i guess there is a first for everything and I have to say this was a VERY SPECIAL Easter year for me. I feel like I learn SOOO much about motherhood as the years pass, and this year has been no exception.. I can honestly say I am sooo thankful to have such a wonderful family. I never realised how much time and preparation goes into the holiday's but I'm starting to learn for myself, its not easy:)The kids had a pretty rough day today but I think it was because we have had such a busy weekend they were/are just SOOO TIRED from all the activities. We made sure to talk as often as we could about the Savior and the resurrection this week, and especially the last 2 days while they were having so much fun with all of our activities. The craziness of the weekend got to all of us this afternoon, and after listening to Dugi scream and cry for literally 30 min while we were trying to finish up dinner, I was pretty much done.. Luckily they all sat down and ate the yummy dinner without to much of a fight and after that they were off to play with there new Easter toys:)

I am soo glad that I was able to teach my children about the Savior this week, it was wonderful to be able to share my testimony of Jesus Christ with them. I know that he LIVES, I know that he was put on this earth to atone for our sins and I know that HE bled and died for me personally (along with everyone else) ... The atonement has always had a special place in my heart. There were times in my life that I felt like maybe I couldn't be forgiven for the mistakes that I had made and learning about the atonement and knowing of assurity that the Savior shed blood for MY SINS is soo humbling. and Knowing that I can and have been forgiven is the greatest gift anyone has ever given to me. I want my children to know that because of Our Savior Jesus Christ, they can and will be able to live with there Father in Heaven again, and that we will be able to be together, as a family, for eternity if we choose to follow His teachings. I am soo grateful for my faith and for the knowledge that it has given me. I hope and pray that my children will one day have there very own testimony of the Savior and The Atonement. It is a wonderful feeling to know that "Someone" loves you "that much" :) 

These boys were soo excited for the 1st Easter Egg Hunt of the weekend:)

Ryker the photographer:) he was proud of his work.

Donuts for breakfast, YUMM!!

 

                                     
                             The boys giving loves to there GREAT GREAT Grandma :) how cool is that!!!

                                        
                                                        What a cute little guy!!! My 1st Easter.

Dugi sharing his donut with dad, now that's TRUE LOVE:)

Kids picture with Mom

Kids picture with Dad, Dad wins!!!

Dugi and Kynlie getting ready for Easter Egg Hunt #2... During hunt #1 Dugi found an egg with a 5$ bill in it and he made sure to throw that "worthless" egg back on the ground :) who wants paper over candy!!

Kynlie had a blast!!

Briyler wasn't scared this time around, he made sure to run out there and get all the eggs he could!

Ryker is ready for his turn!

there was no waiting to eat the candy from this girls eggs

Briyler showing Dugi how to open his Eggs:) what a nice brother

Daddy on "baby duty"

LOVE this little girl!

Briyler wanted to say cheese for the camera:) what a good looking little guy!!

Who decided to give these kids ice cream!! MESSY MESSY!!

it's sooo good mom!

Cheese

Ice cream for lunch, best lunch they've ever eaten:)

What a happy little guy

The boys were nice to share there eggs with Tui.. :)

Kynlie girl and her grandma Trish

Ohh how I love my "not so little" baby!!

Easter Sunday pictures, this is what happens when you tell a group of small children they can not have there Easter baskets until after 9am church:).. Kids group picture TAKE 1:- cant help but laugh at poor little Bri, he took the news the hardest:)

Kids group picture TAKE 2: still not having it

 

Family picture TAKE (like 10)- ok fine scratch the family picture idea

Kids group picture TAKE 12- SUCCESS, that's as good as it gets around here:)

Happy Easter from this little Doll :)

 

The kids had a great time playing with there Easter toys from grandma and eating way to much candy!! We did another Egg hunt Easter night (only because mom bought and pre filled a TON of eggs for the cousin egg hunt on my side, (that ended up not happening), so I had no other choice than to let them do 1 last hunt) we couldn't possibly let those eggs go to waste...