A LITTLE EASTER AT THE DICKSONS

We don't have a big backyard, but it is big enough for an Easter Egg Hunt for four kids, ages 12 to 21 months. First the dads hide tons of plastic eggs and chocolate rabbits.

Then it is into the hunt--the big kids making sure the younger ones get their fair share.

Bailey treads the narrow path for the prize.

Mackenzie heads off on her own as Adam approves.

Kayla looks through the bushes.

Mom is there to hold the treasure.

Always time for a smile from Bailey.

Ethan really gets into it!

Dad holds the find and encourages him on.

Bailey has a height advantage and bright eyes.

Papa gives a hint...

...and Mackenzie beams at the outcome.

Kayla finds a hard one.

Bailey evens up the take. She is so generous.

Ethan is happy to eat it now. This is his "smile."

Time to enjoy and compare.

Another taste.

Easter is such a nice time for family!

What a nice day! We loved Conference. We had our family for a nice Sunday dinner. We got to enjoy the children having fun looking for candy. We laughed and talked and had a little carrot cake to end the day.

I think that Easter should be the holiday we do the most celebrating, but our ages-old tradition focuses on the birth more than the amazing atonement and resurrection. I don't comprehend all that has been done for us, but I am so grateful to our Savior for his love and sacrifice and that I am privileged in this life to be able to apply it in mine. I am grateful for His life and example. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His application of the Plan than to be with those I want to be with forever. Maybe next year there will be more of us together.

EASTER MESSAGE: STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY

(We definitely felt that earthquake today. We haven't felt one so strongly since the Northridge Earthquake that did so much damage almost 20 years ago. It lasted about a minute which is long, but was very rolling--motion sickness sort of thing, not jerky. We knew it was strong somewhere.)

Kayla, Mackenzie & Ethan in their new Easter clothes.

What an amazing Conference this weekend! I never remember a Conference having such a distinct and timely theme. Elder Neil Andersen, as the last speaker besides President Monson's closing remarks, made reference to this by reminding us that they are not assigned topics nor do they talk amongst themselves about what they plan to speak on. Yet so many talked about how to teach, train and strengthen the family. Elder Andersen himself ended the Conference talking about one way to strengthen this rising generation who live in such troubled times is making sure we teaching them from the stories and messages of Christ's life. I mentioned to Lindsey yesterday that I wish I could now have a "do over" and she reminded me that someone said that these things apply to us no matter our age or circumstances. Start now. I will. There was so much practical advice on how to help our families handle the pressures of this day and withstand the adversary. I can't wait to read and study these talks more deeply. I also loved the spirit of this morning's session. Since it is Easter, the talks were mostly centered on Christ and how to draw close to him. I am writing an action list of the things I was impressed while listening that I should work to accomplish.

Sometimes we do use the time while listening to Conference to also accomplish almost mindless but necessary jobs--like filling Easter eggs with candy for the annual Easter egg hunt later on.

But it is great to have Conference in our home and listen to it in comfort while millions around the world are listening and watching at the same time. Alan felt impressed during Priesthood to tell the Young Adults in our ward what an extra blessing it is to watch live while the Conference is being broadcast. So many people united together, praying for the brethren and seeking the spirit gives an added measure of spiritual reception. I am so grateful for these men who are so inspired with the messages that we need today. I hope we all take advantage of the promptings and direction we received. What was your favorite talk? What did you learn?

A FREE DAY

I have so many unrecorded events I get to catch up on this month. As I anticipated my Saturday filled with the blessing of watching General Conference and also trying to accomplish my normal Saturday errands, I remembered a beautiful day a couple of months ago that had "no hands on it." What could we do with it that would be special? Casey had just had her foot surgery and was totally laid up. So we picked up Mackenzie and Kayla and headed to the newly opened "Mormon Battalion Museum" in San Diego.

They have positioned this covered wagon so the back is open to the big veranda in front of the Mormon Battalion building and you can walk in and imagine that you must live out of this space for months on end.

The first thing we did was visit Old Town in SD which is the area the Battalion building is in. We went quickly through some of the displays and shops and had lunch. Here Mackenzie and Kayla danced on the Fiesta band platform while we waited to eat. Mackenzie is so thoughtful and kind to Kayla--the perfect big sister most of the time.

The Museum itself has been totally redone to resemble the old government building the Battalion helped to construct once they reached San Diego. Inside we were so pleased to see that besides the interesting displays and artifacts, they had a wonderful presentation that looked like they had borrowed some Disney Imagineers to help them use technology to make the show interactive. It was very good and entertaining. We have a real interest in the Mormon Battalion because two of our ancestors that we know of participated in this march: Philander Colton and his young son, Charles, who stowed away to become the youngest member in the Battalion. To our surprise, these two were specifically highlighted and part of the true story told during the presentation. It made it all the more special for us.

Kayla is trying to figure out how you pump your own water. It was a very warm February day and a little splashing felt good.

Mackenzie is trying to get water in another way from a well. The Battalion members helped dig wells that were used for years by the settlers here.

Battalion members were dismissed in San Diego and made their way north eventually meeting with the Saints in Salt Lake or going all the way back to Winter Quarters as Philander Colton did to get their families. Some of the men stopped at Sutter's Mill to work and earn their way home. A few of them participated in the discovery of gold. The Museum has its own stream to pan for gold. We even found a couple of nuggets. Mackenzie's bright eyes mostly found the tiny bits among pebbles and rocks.

Here is an observation tower where once they observed who was approaching their building, friend or foe. Now you can look out on Old Town and see the different landmarks on all sides.

Kayla pans for gold. The apron helped a little.

She liked this little gold rock better than any of the other stones. Who cares what it is worth!

Papa gives Mackenzie a hand. Once she found gold she was quite persistent.

The statue honors these hardy men who made this long march under terrible conditions. We would recommend a trip to this place to anyone who has a free day or wants to combine it with other sights in the San Diego area. Allow about 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the full museum experience.

At the end of the day, we couldn't resist buying the girls the thing they had begged for at the very start of the day. They were so good and so fun to take on our little trip.

Mom had a less stressful day and was all smiles when we got home.

Ethan didn't know that he had missed out on a fun day and we brought him a little present, too. We are very grateful to our ancestors, that sacrificed so much that the church could prosper and that we could have the gospel such a strength in our day.

Good Morning!

We have been morning walkers for many years. It has always been good exercise, but I haven't noticed either of us losing much weight by doing so. As good as the fitness is for us, the walking time is of greater value. We start our day with a time to talk, plan our day, discuss our problems, philosophize, and just be together. It has worked wonders for our marriage. It is a safe time to share. I recommend it at whatever time of the day couples could work it in.

I love the early morning hours, sometimes with the sun just coming up over the hills. The day stretches out clear and promising.

I will quickly tire of pictures of me, so I better find some other subjects. The end of the walk in our neighborhood is the hardest by far...

...the first mile is downhill, the mile back is uphill, and the last quarter is steep. Anyone that has run our neighborhood hates this hill. Walking is bad enough for an old couple with bad knees! Luckily, it is beautiful most mornings in San Clemente, and never cold enough for more than a sweatshirt.Mornings are extra bright because we come home to this cute Bailey just in time for breakfast . Her dad drives her and a couple of neighbors to middle school. She is another bright ray of sunshine to start our day!

MY NUMBER ONE!

So I told Sam I would follow Lindsay's excellent example and do a post a day for all of April. So this is my first. Unfortunately, I am not clever or funny and I don't have a houseful of cute and humorous little kids to blog about. So I am going to have to be as creative as I can get at night, seeing as how I am totally a morning person. I know, I know: do it in the morning. Mornings are so busy.

Well, I decided I should do my first post on my Number One: my husband, my best friend, my constant companion, Alan.

We met on an airplane and nine months later were married. What an adventure! He has kept my life, that would have been boring, filled with variety and interesting adventures. Little did I know what being both a cowboy and a hunter (to quote our grandson, Toby) would mean in our lives.

We have lived in three states, but traveled through much of the US together. He's been a wise and loving father. He's honored his priesthood and magnified his callings. Like my father, Alan has had the gift of healing which has blessed our family in so many ways.

Alan loves his grandchildren and shows it in so many ways. I think they love him back, too.

Alan is definitely a little quirky. He loves to hunt and seldom misses an opportunity to traipse through the wilderness to shoot something. He prefers to go bird hunting. I have never had to worry about his success since he is a natural marksman. I finally had to give him his own room to put all his trophies on display.

We have had more breeds of dogs over our 41 years than most people have even heard of. I have been trying to keep our number at 2, but no one can imagine how many times a month he finds another dog he just can't live without. I finally gave in to a third, a Wheaten Terrier. I am not happy about it, but he committed to me he would walk the other dogs daily and spend a half hour each morning just playing with all of them. I have a few other deals, but they will come out later. I actually surprised him with this dog. I can't believe we have a house dog. He will be tired of it soon, but it is really a sweetheart, so far, as much as a dog can be a sweetheart. I am sure the honeymoon will be over soon. At least this one doesn't shed and seems to be housebroken.

Another quirky thing about him reminds me of my dad. He gets "car fever" less frequently than "dog fever" but he can't have a car too long. Car payments are a way of life. This is his latest. He did make an awesome deal with his car dealer client, so I guess it could have been worse.

Alan was born a century late. He should have been a cowboy or a pioneer crossing the plains. I have coerced him into the city life, but the cowboy inside keeps showing himself. He had our niece, Brooke Smart Sadler paint him in all his regalia. She caught him, don't you think?

Marriage is never simple and easy, but it is wonderful when we help each other grow, see another side of things and bring out the best in each other. I am so grateful to have Alan as my Number One.

MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES

Even though I have missed seven months of events on this blog, I am just going to update on our most recent event right now. My apologies to all thos whose pictures I have taken and then not shown on my blog. I hope to da a quick recap of all that soon.

Since Sam and Lindsay's precious new baby, Ruby, was blessed in Fuquay-Varina (the actual blessing was in nearby Garner), NC, we made a quick trip back there to witness and participate in this special occasion. Ruby Marie Dickson is a darling baby and won our hearts completely. I could get her to smile and coo at me every time I picked her up! We are thrilled to have her in the family, even if she lives a continent away from us.

Sam pronounced a beautiful blessing on this loved little girl. She did her best to distract him by wailing periodically throughout, but he was unruffled and the blessed her with empathy, compassion, spirituality, intelligence, temple marriage and many other wonderful attributes. She will fit in well with her very blessed family.

Papa and Ruby after the blessing.

Sam and Lindsay's ward has just been divided and they have their church at 2:30 about 35 minutes away. Since it was fast Sunday, we were so concerned with getting home and putting dinner on the table, that Ruby was about the only one left in her Sunday best--in her case in her beautiful blessing dress--one that all her girl cousins on the Evelyn side have shared. So we failed to get the traditional family group pictures we meant to, but here are a few of our weekend to give you a flavor of what that beautiful little girl looks like and what we did together:

I especially love this picture of Ruby getting to know her dad. Does he love her!

I surprised Lindsay here. She is such a wonderful, loving Mom.

Ruby knows when her mom has her and calms right down.

Reed & Papa with Reed's shelf project.

On Saturday, Alan and I took Reed to Home Depot, while the Evelyns' took Max to soccer practice. They have a great little program at Home Depot once a month where kids can do a craft project that helps them learn basic skills like hammering, gluing things together, and following directions. He made a little shelf for his cars. Sam was speaking at a baptism and Lindsay and Ruby needed a little home time.

This is the face Max makes when you tell him to smile. He has a treat following his soccer practice.

Reed at soccer practice.

Reed had a drill where they put all these hoops on the ground and the children were to run around until told to find a hoop and then sit down in it. Gradually, they removed the hoops until it was a little like musical chairs. Reed quickly learned just to run around and around one hoop and therefore, always have a hoop with a minimum of effort.
Here is Lindsey with Ruby getting her first look at a bowling alley.

From soccer we went bowling, a great activity on a cold and wet day. Of course, many others had the same idea. We had to wait a while. But it was worth the wait.

Max cheered and jumped up and down each time his ball hit the pins. He really loved bowling. He even got a couple of spares. His ball went so slowly sometimes, though, we weren't sure it would make it all the way. He often laid down on the alley to wait for it to get there.

Reed gets a strike and strikes an appropriate pose.

Gutters aren't so bad for Max. A good place to relax while you wait for your ball to roll down the alley. Bumpers are a great invention. Nana appreciated them as well. Sometimes it felt more like pool as the bowling ball ricocheted off the bumpers.

Sam gets to take a turn with Ruby so Lindsay could bowl. He just can't resist kissing her, can he? I see I raised him right.

This picture should be a video. Max loved Wii sword fighting more than anything. He would stand in front of the TV and run his legs off waiving the controller madly. He often won. He definitely got his exercise!

Lindsay's sister Whitney with her little Olivia came Saturday night after being delayed in the NY airport about 6 or 7 hours. Olivia was such a cutie!

Last day with this little family. (Reed was already at school.) When will we get to see them again?

We leave Ruby in loving capable hands.

Precious Ruby, you are loved!