When Aunt Christina comes to town

Do the boys love their Aunt Christina?? 

 

 

 

Yep, they pretty much can't wait until she comes back again!  For that matter, The Big Guy Lowe and I are looking forward to that time too!  Love you Christina!!

The Life of Christ

This Easter we had a special opportunity to be intimately involved in the planning and production of The Life of Christ event that took place during the three days before Easter.  This was a beautiful collection of artwork, music, and depictions from the Savior's life as found in The New Testament.

The Big Guy Lowe has been serving on the High Council of our stake for the past few years.  This year his assignments have focused on stake events.  We knew being involved in The Life of Christ event would require a great deal of time because of what we have observed in years past, but we truly had no idea as to how much!  While we were often without our fearless leader while he was in meetings, on the phone, running errands, trouble-shooting, reassuring, setting up, taking down, responding to needs/requests, trying to figure out needs/challenges before they occurred, and recognizing the amazing talent that was involved in this amazing event that focuses on our Savior's life, we were also greatly blessed through his service.

While the preparation for these three days began months in advance, the week prior had great impact on our family...in so many wonderful ways.  Our family was blessed with the ability to use greater patience, kindness and love to each other--something that I observed so clearly.  My heart swells with this tender mercy imparted to our family during this time.

The Big Guy Lowe needed to be over at the church to help with the very preliminary points of setting up.  In order to see this man that we love so much, we often would need to go over to the church.  We had fun as a family playing kickball one evening after items had been unloaded onto the stage!  The boys began including their dad specifically in their prayers by asking Heavenly Father to "please bless Daddy while he's at the church".  This had always been said before, but it had been while Daddy was at work.  :)  When the actual set up of each of the areas began, the boys and I would go over at the end of the day and see the progress that had been made.  There was such a wonderful feeling of love throughout those visits.  The gym was beautifully transformed into a flowing depiction of the Savior's life--beginning at his birth, progressing through childhood, entering his mortal ministry including accounts and depictions of many of the miracles He performed, through the trial and crucifixion and ending in the eternal-reaching resurrection--all referenced to The New Testament.  We were able to walk around with the boys and talk about the different paintings that stood out to them.  We talked about the miracles Jesus performed while He was on the Earth, we talked about the love that He has for each of us and the obedience He showed by following our Heavenly Father's plan which included teaching principles of His gospel, living an example for us, performing miracles as well as suffering in the Garden of Gethsemene which ended in His crucifixion on Golgotha and ultimately overcoming death three days later as He was resurrected.  There was such a sweet spirit present as our boys asked questions, shared their thoughts and comments.  We were able to strengthen our family's testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ; the Son of God.

I wish I would have taken pictures the evening we walked through as a family.  I have them in my heart and I'm grateful for that.  The Big Guy Lowe brought the two older boys over the final day of the event before it opened.  He took a few pictures that follow:

 The area depicting Christ's birth. (The boys wouldn't have been able to be in the display during the day--one of the benefits of The Big Guy Lowe being so involved).  :)

 

I love how the boys are looking at the baby.

Some scenes from different miracles the Savior performed.

(Taken from the blog)

D was especially touched by the picture of Christ with the crown of thorns on His head.  Often people ask why we, as a church, don't have crosses in our church.  I like to respond by explaining that  we don't see the crucifixion as the end, but focus on the fact that our Savior overcame death and was resurrected.  We strive to have our lives be examples of how He would want us to act, as imperfect as we are.  We definitely need the blessings of repentance and forgiveness.

The boys were so interested in seeing the inside of the Garden Tomb where Christ's body was laid following His death.  This was a beautiful depiction of that area with the round stone rolled to the side of the entrance showing that "He has risen".

I was so grateful The Big Guy Lowe thought of taking these pictures.  It touches my heart as I think back to this wonderful Easter.  Truly, the sacrifice of having The Big Guy Lowe so busy the months and weeks before Easter was worth the blessings our family recieved as our knowledge of who our Savior Jesus Christ is to each of us continued to grow. 

He lives.

He truly lives.

First Lacrosse game as a family!

A few years ago, The Big Guy Lowe was the head coach for King's Way Lacrosse.

He's a great coach, and the team was so disappointed when he determined that he wouldn't be able to take that much time out of his other responsibilities.  While he's been extremely busy in all areas of his life, he has tried to maintain his relationship with the team.

After the wonderful day of Lacrosse yesterday, The Big Guy Lowe was ecstatic when he found out King's Way had a home game that night!!  We knew what we were doing as a family!

I wish I would have taken more pictures.  It was the cutest thing watching each of the boys walk up to the game holding their sticks.  J even had his little stick!  We brought warm blankets and were bundled up.  I brought secret treats just in case the younger boys started to lose interest before the game ended.

We found our seats and immediately The Big Guy Lowe went to talk with some parents that he knew.  They immediately made room for him and started catching up.  It made me so happy to see him amongst all the families.  He is such a great coach and an even better example.  No, he's not perfect, but he is wonderful and I love him dearly!

It was getting dark pretty fast, but I tried to get a picture of him when he took J across the field to talk with the current head coach and team.

After being stopped by more parents and some returning players that he had coached, he spent the remainder of the game sharing the ins and outs of the game with G, who loved every minute of it!

Unfortunately, King's Way lost that game, but I don't think that either The Big Guy Lowe or G could have been any happier!  G decided that he really wants to play lacrosse and The Big Guy Lowe can't wait to coach him!

It doesnt' get better than this...

Somedays are perfect! 

Perfect!  Really! 

Nothing I would change!  I love those days!!

Today was one of those days!!  :)

We started out with plans of spending time at the coast!  We were excited about it, but when the day came, The Big Guy Lowe had some important things he needed to do that morning.  Because the weather was freakishly amazing, the boys and I headed outside.  After awhile, we realized we wouldn't be able to head out to the ocean, but we weren't too disappointed.  This day just felt like it was going to be wonderful...and it was!!

We started out doing some yard work!  Boy does that feel good--especially when it's been months and months since the last time getting dirt in your fingernails!!  J and I worked in the front yard while The Big Guy Lowe took the other two boys over to the church to paint a sign frame.  The temperature was in the 60s and sunny--warm enough to make everything enjoyable!

Now that it was time to play, the Lacrosse sticks were the first thing brought out!  The Big Guy Lowe and G worked on their skills throughout the morning.  It was so fun to see how much G loved playing!

 

 

Big D was loving riding his bike...

and J did a little bit of everything!!

Take a look at some of these moves!

and then, somehow, we knew it was time for lunch.  Hmmmm.  :)

After a good lunch, we headed out to the soccer fields with the rockets!!  YAY!!

First things first though.  We played a quick game of tag!

 

Then it was time for set up.

Big D was first up to launch!

BLAST-OFF!

There was a bit of wind which took the rocket over towards the school!

You have to look carefully, but you can see the red parachute toward the top of the picture.

The troops went to investigate!

But they came back empty-handed.  We need to remember to tell the school janitor about our rocket.  We've learned how to handle when we misplace things on the school's roof.  This isn't our first rodeo you know.  ;)

Next was setup for G's turn.  Don't try this at home people, these are trained professionals.  :)

BLAST-OFF! 

The boys love to catch the rockets before they hit the ground whenever possible.

Nice!

J was ready for his turn too!

BLAST-OFF! 

We all took turns blasting the rockets off.  I don't think we had any idea how much we would love these rockets when we first got them for Christmas!  They're the best!!

We then played for a bit on the swings before heading back to the house.

Now it was time to try something new...for big D!

The Big Guy Lowe wanted to see how he would do riding his bike without training wheels!

Truthfully, he was a bit skeptical...

but still gave it a try.

The Big Guy Lowe ran...

and ran, while Big D pedalled and balanced... 

and got up after falling... 

Until HE DID IT!!! 

YAHOO!!  Congrats D!  You kept working at it until you did it!  Good job!!

He did ask The Big Guy Lowe to put the training wheels back on the bike a few days later when there wasn't a parent to help him ride!  We'll keep working at it!

To top the day off, we had a fun dinner, the boys got haircuts and we all went to be tired...and happy.

I'm so grateful our plans didn't work out making today possible.  :)

Happy Birthday J!!

It always amazes me when our boys have birthdays.  How is it that another year has gone by??  Didn't we just celebrate a short time ago?  Well, this birthday was no different.  My heart somehow couldn't believe that our youngest son was turning 3!  He was so excited!!

We started out the day with our traditional birthday-breakfast festivities; a sugar cereal and fun drink!

Later in the day we had family and friends come over for the party!  J currently loves all things that have wheels.  I had been planning on making some sort of car-themed cake.  While browsing online, I asked J to show me cakes he liked.  I happened to come across these cupcakes and he loved them!  Because they weren't car-themed I thought he would forget them, but he continued asking for them.  So cute!!

This is what J saw and loved!

And this is what I was able to produce...

in large numbers!

 

Did you catch that there was an adult cake in there too?  Couldn't help but make one of our favorite vanilla caramel bundt cakes too.  :)

After a yummy dinner, it was time for cake!  A little cajoling brought out the beginning of a smile.  :)

Then time to blow out the candles.

 

After everyone had their fill of cake it was time to start with presents!

This was the first year that J understood what to do with those nicely wrapped packages and bags! 

 

As a "thank you", J gave hugs.  They were quick, so I didn't catch them all, but I tried!  So cute!

Hugging G. 

 

Hugging D! 

Having fun with Daddy as he read Grammie Lowe's card outloud.  Where are pictures of the hugs Grammie received??  Thank you Grammie Lowe!! 

 

Hugging cousins Amanda and Ethan and...

Ivy! 

 

Listening to a card that played a fun song about fish from Grammy and Grandpa HB. 

Hugs to Grammy HB 

and Grandpa.  Uncle Jonathan was visiting from AZ and we loved having him there too!! 

More fun with toys!  Obviously the photographer didn't do a great job getting lots of shots because we don't have any pictures of Sue and Gary here either!  Sorry!  We just documented the present they gave that has been a HUGE hit! 

Last toy and a happy boy! 

We had a wonderful day.  We love our new 3-year-old.  We're so grateful we are blessed to have J in our family!  Love you sweetheart!