With so much family around, Easter is again one of those holidays where we try to fit in as much time with both sides of the family as possible. This year, Randy was gone for Easter so it was all on my shoulders. I made the best of it though and I think the kids had a great holiday... and hopefully learned more about the Savior in the midst of everything else that was going on.
Our first Easter event was over my grandmothers house to dye eggs. My mom always provides all the entertainment which is great for me because I don't have to worry about all the mess!
We spent the evening with my mom, grandma, sister and her girls. Here is Austin and Sora dying some of their eggs. My mom let them each do 6, and of course they wanted them all so we brought home 2 dozen hard-boiled eggs... and I'm still trying to get them all eaten!
After dying eggs, we had dinner. After dinner, the kids did an Easter Egg Hunt. Mika was being very sweet and helping Ashton find some eggs.
I think they hid the eggs 3 times before we finally had to call it quits because it was getting dark! The kids had a blast! Thanks, Nana!
And then there was Easter Sunday. We just changed wards since we moved in with Randy's parents and now attend church at 9am. I'm not complaining! This is our favorite time for church... but when you are trying to get 5 people ready all by yourself it definitely got stressful! How did I do? :)
Randy's mom goes above and beyond for Easter! The kids really enjoy her Easter Egg Hunts, and here's a little glimpse as to why! She and I were up til midnight one night filling these eggs with candy and money! Sadly, Easter was a very rainy day here this year... but it didn't stop our fun!
Here are all the John cousins who attended the Easter Egg Hunt this year... which we did inside the house. I told them they couldn't have their baskets until they took a picture. They didn't seem to mind... look at those happy faces. :)
Ashton and Logan were the first released from Grandma's bedroom to start hunting eggs. No time for pictures, mom! I have eggs to find!
Addie and Hannah took off next. We had so many eggs it was hard to find places to hide them! Addie found a lot under the table.
Next of course were the older kids, and they did a great job finding all the eggs. Here's Avery after the madness. The most fun was opening the eggs and finding the prizes within!
Austin's showing me his full basket, which included a Braums gift card, $5 bill, a Pez Dispenser, and lots and lots of candy!!
This is my nephew, Logan. I just had to get a picture of this cute little man who took it upon himself to give everyone sacks for their candy so Grandma John could have her baskets back! It was a very important and serious job!
Spring Soccer '11 is getting ready to come to an end. It's been a great season and as always we have loved watching the kids play and grow as individuals and as a team. 
This year Avery was on the Ladybugs. She's been with a great group of girls and a great coach, Woody Morgan, this year which has really helped her focus and learn more of the skills needed to be a good soccer player.
She has mainly been playing forward this year, and we've been witnessing some beautiful shots at goal! This kick she is getting ready to take turns into one of her goals. I love watching her play. This year I have really noticed how focused she is and also how long her legs have gotten!
Austin is still on his original team, the Storm. They mainly have the same group of boys with a few changes here and there.
Russ Vaclaw is there coach again, and has really gotten the boys to work harder at spreading out and passing.
I've really noticed Austin's speed and determination improving. He seems to be more defensively minded and doesn't score as many goals but he has gotten some great assists and has also stopped a lot of goals from occurring in his goal!
My kids are growing up!! This year was Addie's first year to play soccer! She was so ready! I think Randy and I were a little nervous, so he volunteered to coach her for her first year with help from our friend Brian Christiansen. Addie was excited because her friend, Ellie, was on her team too. Randy was also assistant coach for both Avery and Austin's teams so he has been quite busy. Not to mention that he joined the Soccer Board!
Addie did start off very timid, but it didn't last too long. She has had two games where she has scored 5 goals! What I'm really amazed at is that she actually keeps the ball close and dribbles it around people.
I'm really proud of this little girl! She's always ready to go to soccer and get in her uniform. She loves soccer and is sad that it's over. Her team doesn't have a name, but she named her team the Lightning. :)
With three kids playing, we spend pretty much all day Saturdays at the fields. Ashton has been a great sport! She is just as much into it as everyone else! She grabbed Avery's socks, shin guards, and shoes after her game and put them on herself!
And here she is cheering on Addie! There were a couple of games that overlapped so we would have to spend half of a game at one field and then switch to another field. But for the most part they were mainly one right after the other.
My kids have been very fortunate to have many "fans" at each of their games. This particular day Ashton ran over to Gum-Gum to get catch a "ride" on her walker. I'm so glad that my mom is still able to bring my grandma out to watch the kids play. Randy's parents were also at most of the games cheering on their grandchildren. I hope my kids know how lucky they are to have so much support and love so close to them! Great season guys!! We had a blast!!
Yes, I do realize I already posted this picture... but they're just so darn cute!! 
I had these big plans to take the kids after church somewhere to take pictures, but the rain decided I didn't need to do that this year. 
So we just took pictures inside the house! 
The kids really enjoyed the church service, especially primary. They all seem to love their new primary teachers.
Ashton made me stay with her in nursery where she learned all about the tomb and an angel coming to move the stone after Jesus had been dead for 3 days. And then he rose from the dead! It's so fun hearing her tell the story!
I also took a few pictures of my nephew, Tanner, who also goes to church at the same time as us.
Wow, my little boy is eight years old! In our church, when you turn eight, you have the choice to be baptized by immersion by someone holding the priesthood. We were so proud of Austin that he was willing and anxious to make a covenant with his Father in Heaven, promising to take upon him the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.
It seemed like just yesterday that is was Avery making these great choices. We are grateful for her example, and so many of our friends and family who have been such great examples to Austin. We are especially grateful that Austin is following in our Savior's footsteps to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
Randy and I are two proud parents! We are so blessed to have such great kids. Austin's baptismal program was super special. We are so lucky to have so much family around. Randy's dad and my mom both gave talks, Avery and our Aunt Jen gave the prayers. And I feel so blessed to have my wonderful husband be able to perform the baptism.
Austin and Avery have been such great examples for their little sisters, who were very proud of their brother and couldn't wait to see him get baptized. They still talk about it! Avery sat by me and teared up a couple of times... she has my sensitivity.
Our very last party in our old house!! Our house was in complete disarray, but we wanted Austin to be able to have a little get together, so Friday night we had a few friends over. Luckily is was a group of boys and they can find plenty to do outside to entertain themselves!
After playing, opening presents, and eating some cookie cake, we took the boys to go see Diary of a Whimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules. It just so happened that it was opening night so for us it worked out great as an alternative to a "party". Austin had a blast. This is his big year... turning 8 years old! We had this party on Friday because Saturday was going to be very busy with him getting baptized! 
Avery's birthday fell on a Thursday. This year was Avery's toughest year to realize that life doesn't stop just because it's your birthday! At first she didn't want to go to soccer practice, but in the end I think she was glad she went. Her soccer friends bought her these flowers and balloon. It made her feel very special.