Orthodontics!

Wow!  The next phase of life has begun, orthodontics.  Nicole is our first to get started.  She is now sporting an expander to widen her upper jaw along with braces to straighten those front teeth as we get more room and the lovely reverse headgear to bring her upper jaw out and correct her underbite.  She will be wearing these appliances for 12-15 months.  It's going to help her so much!  She is being a really good sport about it all and had to rush back to school after her appointment so she could show her class and teacher.  Show and Tell!

Took Nicole after school to get pampered a little.  She deserved some TLC after all that trauma in the Orthodontist's office.  She loved her mani/pedi!  Love Joseph's face as he sat through this with us girls.  But he got to go to game stop afterward so don't feel too badly for him!

Of course Emme had to join in the girly fun!  How cute are those toes!  Love it!

Cast Members from the Easter Pageant

Every Easter the Mesa Arizona Temple hosts the Easter Pageant.  A huge stage is built on the grounds and a cast of hundreds of people are assembled of all ages.  Nicole wants her and I to try out for it next year.  The pageant begins by showing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, discussing our beginning and need for a Savior.  We then are taken to a simple manger watching the shepherds and wise men come to visit.  There are live animals also.  The kids loved seeing the sheep and the doves fly over our heards.  We follow Jesus through his life, ministry, choosing apostles, miracles, parables.  This is all done through words, music and dancing.  It is beautiful!  As we watched Jesus' last week of His life with the Garden of Gethsemane, the trial and crucifixion it was humbling and very moving to really see first hand what it was like.  Although it was actors, I could feel the spirit of the Lord letting me know that these events actually occurred.  We heard the nails being driven into His hands and saw Him on the cross.  But the beautiful finale was Jesus resurrected in all His glory and the angels singing praises.

HE IS RISEN!

True Grit

Joseph had a project for school where he chose to read a book from the pioneer era they have been studying.  He chose to read the book True Grit then had to write write interview questions from the book.  He went to class as Rooster Cogburn and did his interview.   He even had a cowboy accent! 

He did great and got a perfect score!