Easters Gone By...

My Dad emailed a few of the classic Kelley girl  Easter dress pictures.

I'd say 1982 or '83 (2-yrs-old), Washington. Leah, Becky, Regan. I look just like Luke when Luke cries!

1986 (Five), Arizona. Regan, Leah, Becky, Annie. I remember thinking I was so special that I got to wear a hat and gloves to church. I also remember a little girl named Missy that stole my gloves in primary. I remember that she hid them in her underwear and wouldn't give them back! I told my Mom and she said that I don't want them back now and she could get me another pair. So funny! 

1987 (six), Arizona. Love it, especially that Annie is rockin' blue shoes. 

I think 1991 (10-yrs-old), La Canada. One with Laura and Chelsea! I remember that my Mom ran out of fabric so Becky and my dresses were white on the bottom. I loved that we had matching headbands. I also remember that we were swimming for hours the day before that that is why we are so rosy-cheeked. 

Playgroup Easter Egg Hunt

I started a Tuesday morning playgroup a few years ago. We did a fun Easter egg hunt this week at the Rice's home.

Carson with his best bud from pre-school, Carl

Making silly faces with his other best bud, Dane

Big Girl Living Room Furniture

I decided I was ready to grow up and get real big kid living room furniture. I found the chairs first and bought the rest to match. Thank you wealthy lady from La Fayette who decided you wanted something new after only a few months!.

Chairs: Crate & Barrel (craigslist for me!)

Sofa: Macy's

Side table/cube: TJ Maxx (I love it because it opens from the top and I store all the board games in there.)

Rug: Target

Bookshelf: We've had for a few years now, Costco. 

A 4-yr-old's prayer

I let Carson do his own prayer tonight with no help from me. I reminded him beforehand to really think of what he is thankful for and what blessings he would like from Heavenly Father. Here it is:

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Scooby Doo and Scooby Snacks. Please bless Mom and Dad feel better. Please bless that we can have a new baby. Please bless we can swim in the Gorning's pool. Please bless that my train table can be out of my room. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

(Apparently this train table thing has been weighing heavily on his mind...That one was news to me.)

Tender Mercies

I have been ridiculously sick the last couple of days and still am unfortunately. There is nothing like the absence in health to humble a girl into reflecting on her blessings. These are a couple of the little things that I have been grateful for lately.

Tender Mercy #1
Being able to breath through one nostril last night! Two nights ago my nose was completely stuffed and I had to breath through my mouth all night. Last night the Lord blessed me with one clear nostril and it made a huge difference.

Tender Mercy #2
That Luke is such an easy boy to put to bed and that he still sleeps in his crib without climbing out.

Tender Mercy #3
Carson wanting to color (well, more like he is not refusing to anymore.) He has fine motor issues and it's hard for him to write, but lately he has wanted to more.

Tender Mercy #4
The blessing of reliable primary teachers and presidency. I am so blessed in my calling to have a primary full of teachers and leaders who do their jobs and do them well.

Tender Mercy #5
Satellite Radio. It makes me happy every time I get into my car.

Tender Mercy #6
Carson is pooping in the toilet the majority of the time. This one is huge! We had 6 months of poop in the underwear 8 out of 10 times. Multiple accidents daily. To make a long story short; doctor appointments, x-rays, chronic constipation, yucky medicine, clean-out, "re-training his bowels", Miralax daily for 4 months, problem solved, hopefully. It's been about a month now and things are so much better.

Chelsea and Patrick Francom 3-9-13

Chelsea and Patrick got married March 9, 2013 in the Newport Beach Temple. Chelsea had the PERFECT WEDDING DAY. The weather was perfect, she looked perfect and there wasn't a single problem. It was so fun to share this beautiful day with the baby of our family and her wonderful new husband (who has dethroned Steve from tallest brother-in-law at 6'4"...) The sealing was very special and I was blessed to be a part of it.

It was a quick trip, but we made the best of it. All of my siblings, their spouses, and kiddos came. Nothing is quite as wonderful then spending time with family, especially when we are all so spread out. It was also fun to spend some time in La Canada, where I grew-up. Ever since my parents moved to Orange County two years ago I haven't been back. I was great to visit with some dear friends from the old days. =)

I am totally bummed that I forgot my camera so I had to use my phone, ughh! Here are a few pictures that I was able to take.

Everyone who was waiting outside of the temple for the happy married couple.

 The Kelley side.

My parents and all my siblings. (Becky, Regan, Laura, Chelsea, Annie, Leah, Brian)

Just the sisters.

The newlyweds with all of their nieces and nephews. Notice my two kids refused to be in the picture. It was 2pm by this point and no naps had been taken. Needless to say grumpy kids!

Like I said, grumpy kids! (My Mom made all the little boys vests. They looked so cute.)

 This was the boys literally after 15 seconds of being buckled into their carseats.

The reception was at the La Canada Country Club. It was absolutely beautiful!

I was given the task of doing the candy bar for the party favors. It was fun to do and turned out great!

A picture with our boys before we took them to the babysitter's. (The reception was much more enjoyable without them!)

Leaving the reception through a tunnel of sparklers, so magical!

CHEESE!!

Carson and I were picking up Luke from speech and Carson had Luke come sit on his lap. He then asked Nicole (Luke's speech therapist) to take a picture. Carson never wants his picture taken so this was extra hilarious  I love the way it turned out.