Easter Weekend

We spent a wonderful Easter weekend in Utah with family and apart from the weather not being what we hoped it would be, everyone had a good time.
We missed Uncle Scott and his family coming up so the little ones could do the egg hunt, but grandpa decided to go out and hide 60 eggs for Nik and Austin to find.



After searching high and low and coming to the table to count, they realized they were still short some eggs, so off they went again....
finding some more, there were only two left out there somewhere, so they decided to call in the "big guns"! Here came Nash and Brad to search.

Brad came up with the first one and then it was a race to find the last egg.....

Okay, maybe it was just a race between the little boys to find that last egg, as you can tell, the big boys weren't moving too quickly!
With a little help from Grandpa, Nik snatched the last egg and declared himself winner!

WARNING! If you still believe in the Easter Bunny skip this next part!
The boys were asking me when I was going to hide their easter sacks filled with candy. So just for fun I asked them if they wanted to hide each others sacks. They all jumped on that idea and decided that the big boys would hide Nik and Austins' sacks and the little boys would hide Brad, Nash and Seans' sacks.
With help from mom, Nik and Austin got the sacks hidden really well and started teasing the big boys that they were going to cry because they wouldn't be able to find their sacks.
After the Priesthood session of Conference, the boys couldn't stand it and asked if they could go find their sacks......yes I'm a sucker for those puppy dog eyes and gave in!
Nik and Austin found their sacks within the first 20 minutes, okay.... they also got a couple hints from mom...
Brad, Nash and Sean looked room to room and then room to room again... after 30 minutes Austin couldn't stand it and started giving hints....



Sean's was found first, then Brad's.....

After a few distractions from toys being found in the closet Nash finally found his own sack and they all dug into the candy!

The boys are all still enjoying their Spring Break, as they are staying at Grandma's for a few extra days.
We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter as well!

Austin turns 12

Austin's birthday was last month on the 21st. He turned twelve which means he is old enough to receive the Priesthood. On Sunday January 24th Nash ordained Austin with the Aaronic Priesthood and Austin is so excited to be able to go to Young Mens now!

Our Christmas 2009

For Christmas this year the boys and I went to Utah to spend the holiday with my family. We hit the slopes Thursday the 24th for some snowboarding/skiing. I forgot to take my camera but the snow was great and we had alot of fun. We went back to my parents for a Christmas Eve dinner, the nativity, and a movie. After the boys opened their Xmas Eve pajamas, we went to bed. Arising early the next morning we opened presents, then went to my brother, Scott's home for breakfast. While there Brad called from his mission in Ohio! I was able to talk to him for an hour and he is doing great! We then went to my older brother's home for yet more food! Later that afternoon we headed up to my mother-in-law, Paulene's for a visit with family.



On Saturday 26th we had our Annual Pounder Family Christmas Party. I was in charge this year. We all met up a Bert's Cafe for breakfast, then headed back to my parent's to regroup.


We divided into 4 teams and went on a picture scavenger hunt. This is where you have a list of items from around town. You race to get pictures of as many items as possible, along with members of your team in the pictures. You have 1 hour to complete the hunt. Below are items #1: a vanity plate and #2 a nativity scene


After arriving back at my parents with much laughter and fun, we showed everyone our pictures, then decided we need to make this game an annual event at our party! We then ate more food! We have a crazy dinner that consists of everything from chips and dip, to fried mozzarella sticks, to shrimp and crawdads :) Yuck! Then we had a White Elephant BINGO game where we exchanged presents.

We then headed to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, to see the lights. It was beautiful as always, although a bit crowded and cold!!



After freezing our toes, we headed back to Scott's for hot cocoa and cookies.
I was exhausted! But we had a great time!
Here's to a New Year! I hope it's better than the last!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From my family to yours,
We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
May you be blessed in all you do!
Love,
Vicki

Nash's Sadie Hawkins Dance

I am slow getting this posted... This was Nash's Sadie Hawkins Date

Whitney asked me to set anice table for their dinner and her and the other girls would provide the food...

Here is Nash and Whitney...


The whole group....


They wouldn't let the boys see what they were serving for dinner, so here are the boys covering their eyes...

and the girls getting the food out...yum...McDonalds!!


The group eating their food...


They all had a great time. They sat around the table talking for an hour and half, then went to the dance for a while. After the dance they came back over to watch a movie. They were a great group of kids!

It's been awhile.....

Yes I know it's been a long while since I have updated my blog, for those of you close to me you know why, but with Thanksgiving just past and the Christmas season coming upon us I decided I had better get back in gear and start posting again. Thanksgiving was wonderful. It was so nice to spend time with family and be surrounded by their love. For an update: Brad is really doing well! He is enjoying his mission and spent Thanksgiving with some members and is really loving the Columbus Ohio. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

It's the Simple Things

Truly it's the simple things in life that we enjoy the most....
This morning we received a phone call from Brad while he was at the airport waiting for his plane to leave. He has been in the MTC for three weeks now, and today he is leaving for Ohio. What a wonderful blessing it is just to hear his voice! He is really doing well! So if a simple phone call can bring me happiness, let it ring!

Our Missionary

We now have a missionary son!
We went to the Stake Center last night and met with President Shumway. After another interview, and a discussion Brad was set apart as a missionary. What a spiritual experience! I know it's not a sad time, but many tears flowed. Tomorrow we head to the MTC!

Our 4th of July

For the last few years it has been tradition to head to Rye Patch Reservoir for a weekend of camping and boating with the Stocking's and Marin's. This year we had to change our plans for a couple of reasons; one- two of our boys were at Scout camp in Idaho and were heading home on the 4th, and reason number two- the Stocking's moved the weekend of the 4th to St. Anthony,Idaho. (I am already missing you Trulee!)
So we had to stay close by and decided to go camp in Lamoille canyon. We had a great time, even though we made many trips back to town for work, and to help with the Stocking's move. Here are some pictures of the canyon and our hike with the boys and dogs up Thomas Creek.

Getting Our Missionary Ready...

I am really glad that we have a couple more weeks to spend with Brad before he leaves. This month has already flown by! There is a lot of preparation to do to get a missionary ready...
I took Brad to Mr. Mac to shop for suits....



amid the thousands of styles, colors, etc. we found some we liked...

On June 20th we took Brad to the Ogden Temple to take out his endowements. We first met up with family at the Olive Garden's for lunch...

Here Brad is wearing his new suit...




Then we went to the temple for the 6:20 session...

It was nice to have family join us on this special day...

The weather wasn't great and it was getting dark, but if you look close, Brad is on the right hand side...

I am going to have to photo shop this picture!
But we had a wonderful day. I am still shopping for all the stuff he needs, but am almost to the end of the list.
PS. Brad will give his farewell address on July 26th