We had a great Easter this year because members from both sides of our families traveled to Arizona to meet Madden and take us to do fun things!
Some Earls come to visit 4.11.17
David, Peggy, Kylie & Rory arrived first and spent the day with us. They all got to meet Madden while Owen was busy making Rory laugh.
When Brad got home from school that day, David took us all out to dinner to a restaurant that was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and it did not disappoint!
Shopping with Grandma Peggy 4.12.17
The next day, David & Brad went golfing while Peggy and I took the boys shopping. Owen was clearly over it by the time we hit up Babies R Us but perked up once we met up with the guys for dinner at Cafe Rio.
The next day, David & Brad went golfing while Peggy and I took the boys shopping. Owen was clearly over it by the time we hit up Babies R Us but perked up once we met up with the guys for dinner at Cafe Rio.
Phoenix Zoo 4.14.17
The next day, my mom, dad and sisters Jess and Amanda along with her family arrived. We planned a day at the Phoenix zoo and it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Here are my babies all ready for the zoo!
The next day, my mom, dad and sisters Jess and Amanda along with her family arrived. We planned a day at the Phoenix zoo and it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Here are my babies all ready for the zoo!
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Camel rides!
Here are Ellie, Andrew, Amanda, Mikal, Jess & Owen on their camel rides!
Here are Ellie, Andrew, Amanda, Mikal, Jess & Owen on their camel rides!
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Exploring the zoo
Owen insisted on holding Aunty Amanda's hand anytime we walked around!
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Pop pop handing out cotton candy to the grandkids
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The zoo maps were Owen's favorite and he insisted on carrying them just about everywhere
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Ice cream time!
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Petting zoo!
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Merry-go-round
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Owen hadn't napped all day and what is normally a super exciting experience for him turned into him crying and holding on to me for dear life the.entire.ride.
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Heading out after a fun filled day at the zoo!
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Pizza night at our house! 4.14.17
After we all got home from the zoo, we came back to our house for a pizza night with my family along with David & Peggy.
Aunty Jess and Owen
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Throwing rocks into the lake
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Group picture!
Backyard Easter egg hunt! 4.15.17
The next day, my mom and sister Jess were nice enough to organize and set up an Easter egg hunt in our backyard. The kids loved it and Owen had a blast running around the yard searching for eggs. He was even more excited when he realized they were filled with candy and toys :)
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Pop pop with Madden. Madden loved sleeping on Pop pop
He gained more confidence the further away we were and cried to go back as we were walking to the car.
Recovering from his traumatic encounter with the Easter bunny
L to R: Mom, Amanda, Andrew, Mikal, Brad, Jess
Madden with Aunty Amanda!
Pop pop & Gigi with the grandbabies
Madden, Owen, Ellie & Andrew
Madden with Gigi
Giving goodbye hugs to the Calverts
On Saturday, the Calverts went home and we were so sad to see them go, especially Owen! He loves his Andrew & EE.
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Going to see the Easter bunny! 4.15.17
That night, Brad, Jess and I took the boys to see the Easter bunny. Owen had been so excited but quickly realized how creepy the Easter bunny actually was and wouldn't go near him.
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He gained more confidence the further away we were and cried to go back as we were walking to the car.
EASTER
On Easter morning, Owen woke up to the Easter baskets that my mom and sister put together for the boys. (I just had a baby so they picked up my slack) Owen was so happy and carried his basket around all morning and was so excited to search the house for all of the plastic eggs that my sister hid for him!
Owen & Madden on Easter morning!
Shortly before church, my parents and sister arrived at our house. They had had a really rough morning because my dad had slipped and fell in the shower at their hotel and badly injured himself. I had never seen him so miserable before and it was obvious he was in a lot of pain. He decided to participate in the blessing before heading over to the ER.
Madden's baby blessing in Foothills Ward (Glendale, AZ) 4.16.17
Brad gave Madden a beautiful blessing alongside my dad, David, Madden's Uncle Stephen, Bishop Kurzawski, Dr. Erickson (who delivered Madden), Connor Barnett & Derek Dawson (who are both in Brad's dental class)
Madden was able to wear Brad's baby blessing outfit along with all of the other little Earl boys in our family.
Brad's sister Kylie wrote down some notes during the blessing & some things Brad mentioned were:
Body strong, mind sharp
Ability to learn and receive the gospel
Strengthen testimony
Surround yourself with good people and influence those around you for good
Always rely on the Spirit and rely on your Heavenly Father
Be a good example to your family and look to the example of your grandparents
Always seek opportunities to serve
Bless you to seek your own eternal family
Family pictures after the blessing
Because of my dad's fall earlier that morning, my parents & sister had to immediately go to the Emergency Room following the blessing. I was so grateful my dad still got to participate in the blessing. Even though we weren't able to get family pictures with my side of the family afterwards, we were so grateful they came to support us!
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I'm so grateful for all of the love and support from both sides of our families! We were so happy to share Easter & Madden's blessing day with all of you!
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