Easter Egg Coloring 2011

The two older boys have kind of lost interest, but the two younger ones still like to color Easter Eggs
Luke being silly

Eating the cracked eggs is fun too

Luke and Nicholas

Nicholas coloring his Easter Egg

True blue Nicholas! He is such a character :D

Easter Morning

Nicholas with his Easter Basket Findings
Luke

Kyle

Dylan

Now we are off to church to celebrate the true meaning of Easter

We are so grateful for the Atonement and Resurrection and what they mean to us in our lives

Seminary Trip to Kirtland

This year the Seminary class studied the Doctrine and Covenants

It seemed appropriate for them to take a field trip to Kirtland, OH

Brother Harvey Miller taught them the majority of the year.

Back row: Dylan Simons, Steven Klepacz, Brother Miller, Devin Jastal, and Kyle Simons

Middle row: Sam Marco, Kaylyn Johnston, Laura Klepacz

Front row: Genevieve Ostler and Amanda Kasch

Kyle sitting in the School of Prophets

Emma Smith's Hymnal

Temple Key

Dylan and Kyle were able to solidify their testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith and his experiences, the value of the scriptures and the importance in feasting upon the words of Christ.

We are so grateful for the blessing of seminary.

It may seem difficult to get up early before school and attend, but the blesssings you receive as a result are exponential.

Dylan's trip to Disney World

Dylan had the great opportunity to travel with Northview Orchestra and perform at Walt Disney World over Spring Break
Dylan's best buddy, Danny

Dylan plays with his light saber



Dylan having fun in the sun

Dylan, Sam, and Danny

Jayla and Dylan

at EpcotDanny, Jayla, Dylan and Patrick inside of Chinese Epcot

We had initially planned on taking a family vacation down to Disney World, but I was unable to get the time off of work and then we decided that we would need to buy a house this year. We knew the saved money would be better served going toward a house.

It was a nerve wracking experience sending Dylan across the country on his own. I got him a cell phone. We checked and double checked that he had all he needed. We sent him with money and had lengthy conversations regarding the budgeting of his money. He would need to pay for about half of his meals and could use the rest of the money for souvenirs.

A couple of days before he was to arrive home, Dylan texted me and informed me that he only had $40 left. The last couple of days, he was primarily responsible for his meals. I initially panicked, and began looking for ways to get more money to Dylan. But the more I thought about it, the more I began to realize that my bailing Dylan out would not teach him anything. Dylan needed to suffer the natural consequences of his choices. I counselled with him and instructed him on stretching his money out the best he could.

The next day he texted me and informed me that he had lost the remainder of the money. They were then on their way home. It was agony to stand firm, but I knew he wouldn't starve in one day. He was certainly hungry when he returned, but learned a great lesson.

By the way...Dylan did find the lost money when he returned home inside of his wallet.

That Boy!

Birthday message for Jonathan

Today is a very special day! Today is my sweetheart's birthday! I must confess I have received the greatest gift in having you, Jonathan! May all of your birthday wishes come true

My heart walking around on the outside of my body

There is no doubt, my child, that I gave you life; but you, my darling, returned the favor.

My life was good. I was happy, successful, and thriving; but there was a part of me that has always known the richness and magic I was missing without you. It felt like I was living only a half-life. The things I held so dear, in which I invested so much time and effort and belief – those things were important and still exist, but they have been voluntarily relegated to a much lesser place in my heart.

How could they ever compete with you, my child? You who can make me laugh, and make me sing? You show me the world in bright new colors, arrayed in all its impossible possibilities. In your mind and heart there are no barriers, no shackles. The world is your oyster, and so it is mine as well. With my hand in yours, my eyes can suddenly see that all doors are open.

Each moment of wonder that you experience gives me back some of my own wonder. And wonder is love – humble and awe-inspiring love. We drink in the world together – each blade of grass, each butterfly, each unbroken dream. You restore my faith in all that is good in the world. You bring hope and love surging through my heart in a tidal wave of emotion that feels like euphoria.

Everything is new and exciting and holds the potential for joy.

You have no prejudices and no preconceptions. You have this unwavering faith not only in God, but in mankind. You take the world as it comes to you, embracing each moment and each experience with open arms and an open mind. You find joy in the simplest of things – a puddle, a shiny stone, a pile of leaves. And your joy is contagious. It infects me. It infects everyone around you. It gathers strength like a tornado spinning, spiraling, bringing smiles and laughter.

You are not afraid to sing out loud or dance in broad daylight. You do cartwheels for no reason and giggle ceaselessly when you fall. You give me the courage to be myself, to try new things, to open my heart to all the possibilities in my own life. You remind me what it feels like to be truly young at heart, believing that the world was made just for me and I was made to bring magic into it.

My child, my life. We have given each other so much already. I can hardly wait to see what the future holds in store for us. I love you with all of my heart <3

Dylan leaves for Disney

Dylan is traveling to Disney World with the Northview Orchestra
There is excitement in the air

We're gonna miss him

Have fun!