Happy Easter

 The kids had plenty of practice this year hunting for eggs. They enjoyed a hunt at my mom's house. (along with their friend Ethan)

 Kayla and her Joyschool friends (Buddy, Talmage, & Josh) enjoying their easter egg goodies!

At school, Austin had 6 eggs hidden with his name on them. I think he was the first kid in his class to find all 6 of his eggs. Notice his cute painted easter basket he made in class. 

 Opening his eggs with his classmates.

 It was a busy Easter weekend with our trip to Kansas City but luckily the Easter Bunny didn't forget about us. Sunday morning the kids found their baskets on the couch.

 Austin was excited about his bubble gum machine.

 Kayla was thrilled about her Dora the Explorer purse.

 Time for church......I love this picture of the 2 of them!!

 After church we went to Craig's mom's house to find our easter baskets filled with candy.

Then we went to my parents house for a yummy Easter dinner.

 Next was the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Papa Dave's house. These boys are getting excited.

 And their off......

 To the front yard.....

 These kids found plenty of eggs.

 And the big kids managed to find a few themselves.

 

Like I said...plenty of eggs.....and candy....the kids were in heaven.

 Happy Easter!!

Kansas City Day 2

On Saturday we woke up and enjoyed the hotel's continental breakfast. We didn't have to leave the hotel early which was nice. Here are the little girls passing the time by coloring. At 10:00 am we left and headed to Crown Center.

There were lots of stores but the Crayola Store was pretty cool. There was a giant color wheel made up of thousands of crayons.

Pretty impressive.

There was also color pads for the kids to draw on.

As well as a large chalkboard.

It looks like the boys are comparing their chalk to see whose has the biggest one.

We found a train conductor built entirely out of legos.

The kids also enjoyed look at the blue water fountains.

For lunch we ate at Fritz Railroad cafe.

Table #1

Table #2

Table #3

And here we are with our train conductor hats on.

Kelsey putting in the order for our lunch

The fun part about this place are the trains that ride around on tracks above the tables to bring your your food.

Lunch is served.

Next we stopped at an exhibit called Animal Tales and Trails.

It was a super colorful playland and the kids could have stayed here all afternoon long. It was a great place for them to get their wiggles out.

 Going down the slide

 Some camel riders 

 Kambria the baby kangaroo

Austin on the monkey bars 

Kayla moving the elephants trunk back and forth

Our last stop at Crown Center was at the Kaleidoscope. Hallmark sends all of their left-over materials to this place for kids to come and create artwork (and its all for free!)

 Austin and Kayla painting butterflies

 One the things the kids loved most was making puzzles....Kayla coloring her soon-to-be puzzle 

 Kayla turning the puzzle maker

 Austin turning the puzzle maker

The finished product

 As soon as Austin made his puzzle he immediately found a place to sit down and put it together.

 Even the adults made some puzzles

 Very nice!!

We had a great time at the Kaleidoscope.

So far it has been the "purrrfect day".

One last stop.......

The whole reason we took this trip was to go to the Kansas City Temple open house. After temples are completed there is a open house which allows anyone who wants to go inside and tour the temple. For the last year I have been watching the internet excited for its completion because I thought it would be a great opportunity for my kids to go inside the temple and hopefully leave knowing that the temple is beautiful, peaceful, and that it is important. 

From the words of the primary song:  "I love to see the temple I'm going there someday.

To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen, and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God. A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young, this is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday.

I'll covenant with my Father, I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together.

As a child of God I've learned this truth--a family is forever!!"

I do love to see the temple. When I see the temple it always reminds me that I am truely loved by a Father in Heaven and that I am here on earth for a purpose that is far greater than I could ever image. When I go to the temple I feel peace and I feel joy.

Peace because I know that Heavenly Father is in charge, He answers my prayers, and He will help me always. And Joy because temples make it possible for me to be together forever with my family!

And surely there is nothing more joyous than that!!