Easter Boys

The boys didn't get new clothes for Easter, but I think they still looked Easter-y and cute.  And all kids must submit to mandatory Easter pictures.

Why is it so difficult to get a picture with two boys in it when they're both being happy???

This is kind of cute - lots of personality in a still picture :)

This was after a lot of bribery

Ward Egg Hunt

Our ward's Elder's Quorum hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for the Primary kids.  Chase was really excited to hunt for eggs.  He talked about it for days before the hunt.  It was a really great event - there were tons of eggs outside and inside.

Heading out for some eggs

Marcus and Ty enjoying some sunshine

Chase realized an egg was hanging from the basketball hoop, and he was really stressed he couldn't reach it

Ty liked shaking the plastic eggs

Checking out what they collected

Ty seemed to enjoy the activity too

Marion realized Ty was a great canvas for all her stickers

3/4 family selfie on the floor in the primary room

Usually I can't go to activities on Saturdays because I teach, but we had this Saturday off.  It was fun to enjoy the activity all together.

Lunch with Sister Marriott

Recently, Sister Janet Nelson, one of the Board Members from the Young Women General Presidency, came to visit our ward.  She attended our Young Women's class with us and talked to our presidency about the struggles we face.  So often the girls complain that those church leaders "off in Utah" have no idea what it's like to grow up in New York City, and then they were able to meet one of the presidency members who actually lives in Brooklyn.  It was a really neat experience.

At the end of church, Sister Nelson invited me to go to a lunch in the temple building two weeks later.  Sister Marriott, 2nd Counselor in the YW General Presidency, was coming, and she wanted to have a lunch with all stake YW presidents and ward YW presidents in the NYC area!  I was really excited to attend.  Living in New York can be so cool! :)

Panera for lunch.  Yum!

Sister Marriott basically did a Q&A. We submitted questions and topics, and she picked a few to discuss. She is an amazing person - so inspiring - and amazingly kind and sincere.

That's Sister Marriott in red, and our stake YW president, Nelly, is on the end, next to me, in polka dots. Sister Nelson was taking the picture.  (This was a quarter of the group at the lunch.)

The Sunday after this lunch, I was released.  It was a bitter sweet moment as YW is very busy and often incredibly stressful.  But I already miss being so involved with the girls on a weekly basis.

Sunbeams

We have an official SUNBEAM! 

Chase was really great going to primary.  I was a little worried he'd have a difficult time not playing in nursery, but he was crazy excited taking the elevator up to the primary room.  He went right in and picked a chair next to one of the other primary kids.

Choosing a Chair

Our Sunbeam!

I anticipated a rambunctious boy who wouldn't sit still, but he did a great job for his first day!  There were amazing great leaders in the room (who really understand energetic children).  Plus, his first day was also the first day for two of his friends, Winnie and Pippa.  I didn't stay in primary, but I did peek in the window a few times.  I had to watch the first little bit of fun, which was singing time with Pippa's mom, Kristy.

Welcoming the new sunbeams

Going back to his chair

Singing Songs

And a short clip of singing time that I took through the window...

And then our little Chase was off to class, just like the big kids.  ***tear***

Chase with his sweet teacher, Remelie Costas

One Sunday down, nine years to go...

Ward Christmas Party

I missed the beginning of the ward party because I was teaching.  I heard there was a cute primary nativity again (where Chase apparently was a sheep) and some choir numbers.  I made it in time for the food.  

Did I mention it was Mexican themed?

At first I thought it was totally bizarre because I only heard that dinner was going to be burritos.  But Mexican themed Christmas parties are awesome!  We obviously had burritos, though I built more of a Cafe Rio type salad, and there were pinatas and karaoke.  Everyone seemed to really have a great time.

Karaoke

Marcus REALLY wanted to sing You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, so he convinced a few other people to sing with him.  They did a great job :)

Cole, Dustin, Madalyne, Yancy, & Marcus

They were funny

They got really into it :)

Maddi helped the kids with a cactus pinata

Chase got a turn too

He didn't have to be blindfolded ;)

It was a great ward party.  Much more low key, but it involved lots of popular activities for our ward -- eating, talking, singing.  Chase had a blast too - his cheeks were so pink from running and playing with the other kids.

5K

Our Stake President is a crazy runner, and he wanted to do a 5k for the annual High Priest Quorum meeting. He asked Marcus - who is the stake's public affairs director - to plan it, along with the public affairs council.

Fernando, Javi, Alex, Sarah, Channing, Marcus and Chase were all there - all (well...not the kids) are a part of the public affairs council.

The race was in Forest Park, a little ways south of us. It was gorgeous. After everything was set up, Marcus manned the finish line with Chase. There were several turn arounds, so Chase and Marcus cheered everyone on a few times.

Everyone got a finisher's shirt, which was fun.

The first finisher

Our Stake Presidency

Our bishop, Steve Smith, and his son Gavin

Everyone at the end.

It was a very successful event. Marcus was glad that it was over! But everyone had a great time and was really happy with how it went.

Ward Halloween Party

Marcus took the boys to the Ward Halloween Party for the Trunk or Treat.  (I teach in Manhattan on Saturdays, so I got there late.)

Chase did not want to get dressed.  No surprise there.

... I can't like it!  :)  haha

But he did it.  And I think he looked great!

Candy Time

The group shot attempt

Too bad there was a sugar distraction :)

Marcus and Curious George - though you can only see one monkey ear here :)

Page family concentration face while desperately trying to open candy

After the trunk or treat, there was a chili cook off and a few other games inside the gym.

And then we walked home along Skillman so Chase could trick or treat some of his favorite places, like the laundromat.

And Ty rode along.

Happy Halloween :)