Easter!

Unlike most LDS families in the States we go to church on Easter instead of staying home to watch General Conference. It is on in the middle of the night here. Ever since Kade was little and continuing after each of the boys were born I have made sure we get a picture with Santa and the Easter Bunny. I really thought this year was going to end the annual Easter Bunny picture. However, the Clubhouse was having and Easter party and the Easter Bunny was there. We didn't have our pictures end here!!

 



Here are the boys with Sister Josephine and Sister Anna. Sister Josephine is one of Cam's nursery leaders and Sister Anna has come over a few times to watch the boys when Eric and I have gone out on a date. Both of these sisters are incredible ladies and have really strong testimonies of the gospel of our Savior. Sister Josephine works long hard hours and only has Sundays off. Usually on Sunday if somebody is looking for her they can find her downstairs in the church working on family history.

 



Over the last couple of weeks I have had to prepare lessons for YW about the atonement and resurrection. I know Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and made it possible for us to not have to die, spiritually or physically. That because of Him and His sacrifice, which He could have pulled out of, was for us because He loves us and wants each of us to come back to our Heavenly Father. Because of Him we can live in eternal happiness instead of eternal damnation with that "awful monster" known as Satan. Because of Him we can seek forgiveness of everything we have done wrong, regardless of how bad we think the sin is. Because of Him we have the power to forgive others for the things that cause us harm or sadness. Because of Him we can be sealed to our families for forever. How grateful I am for this knowledge. If there is anything I really want our boys to learn and to know is for them to have their very own testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. That they know they are our Heavenly Father's sons and He has a special purpose for them here on Earth. I know these things are true and we need to have the courage to testify and stand for the right because we are living in last days before the coming of our perfect and resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Limo ride, Brotherly Love and parts of Macau

We thought we were going to be in Hong Kong for Easter Sunday but we found out that weekend is also a Chinese holiday so it was going to be really busy. We decided to stay here and not leave until Monday. Before we knew this we told our driver we wouldn't need rides that on Easter. So, the Sunday before Easter he gave us an Easter surprise by driving us home in a limo. The boys thought that was the coolest thing ever. Kade, Kyle and Connor loved every second of  it. Cam, however, was so tired and mad at us for not letting him jump around in it that he cried the ENTIRE way home. Nothing would help him stop. It was not a very fun ride for Eric and I, but it should have been. These are pictures before Cam decided to scream and cry.

 

Speaking of Cam....because he is the youngest of 4 boys his life can be kind of difficult, especially this particular day. While I was cleaning up after dinner the boys were messing around. All of a sudden I heard Cam screaming. Come to find out Connor had pushed him to the couch. Here are the results. Poor Cam Cam! He is going to grow up to be one strong little boy.

 



I was finally able to go have my hair done again. On my way there I really noticed this super tell, but nice building going up. This is part of mainland China. If we wanted to go over there we have to make sure we have a visa.

 



This is one of the streets I walk down to go to the building where the salon is. Looking both ways.

 



New Yoahan is the big department store on the left. It is really expensive. They sell shoes there for around $8000 MOP which would be around $1000 US. Crazy!

 



Bubbles, books and a birthday.

Eric didn't have to preside over Saturday sacrament last month which gave us a chance to enjoy more family time. One Saturday morning we walked through the park that is near us. This little kiosk was selling bubbles so we bought some for the boys. They LOVED blowing bubbles! Even Cam can blow bubbles now. All of the other kids who saw all of the bubbles would come up and start playing with the boys and the bubbles. There was one little girl who was absolutely adorable. One of the great, and surprising things about living here is how many people really do know how to speak English. People need to watch what they say because you never know who will be able to understand you and who won't. The parents of this little girl spoke English. They were so nice to talk to.

 

Cam reading/listening to his Mickey book.

 



One Saturday morning I had to go to church to practice with Elder Hui. He plays the violin so we were playing a musical number for sacrament. I took Connor and Cam with me while Eric took Kade and Kyle to AFL. On our way home, while waiting for the bus, we saw this purple Ferrari. Even though the boys really think these cars are awesome, Connor thought it was really awesome because it was my favorite color, purple. Also while standing there we had two groups of students come up to us and ask if they could take their picture with us. Usually they only want to take a picture with Cam or the boys, but these students wanted with Cam, Connor and I and also all of them. Soon after the missionaries came and we told them what happened. They think it is so crazy that happens to us.

 



Connor was invited to a classmate's birthday party. He was really excited to go. In this first picture is a view of the Macau side of Macau. That is a pretty good view, especially on a clear, sunny day.

 



 

 

Playing "Pin the Tail" on the dog,

 



Hitting the piñata.

 



 

Overall, Connor had a really good time at the party.

 

The first Saturday of this month Eric did need to preside over sacrament so I went with him. During his testimony he talked about  our day at the park just blowing bubbles. He talked about how on this morning we didn;t have to anything big or expensive to have a good time with our family. It was just a little, small moment but a really happy and relaxing one. These are the kind of moments we wish we had more of and what really matters.

Carnivale 2015

There seems to be something always going on at the Venetian. Soon after Chinese New Year they have "Carnivale". I think it is a Portuguese holiday. The Venetian had this going for two weeks. The boys had so much fun! We met Eric there and stayed for at least two hours.

 

There was a band playing and there was an incredible flutist playing.

 



There was a kids area. They had an giant blow up gondola. All of the boys loved jumping in it, especially Cam. He stayed in it for most of the night.

 



Coloring their Masquerade mask!

 



More jumping! Sands Cotai Central is across the street. The Holiday Inn is the brown building where Roy and Starr stayed when they came.

 



Trying to get out of the blow up gondola.

 



The performers had awesome costumes.

 



This guy was incredible and was so good with all of the kids. Since there were not very many kids watching he was able to give each of the boys a turn to see if they could get the plate on the stick.

 



Kyle's turn.

 



Connor's turn.

 



Kade's turn. I love the little mask he put on Kade. The lips would move up and down to look like it was talking. Everyone was laughing!

 



Cam, however, was more interested in the bubbles.

 



 

 Cam's turn.

 

When we walked up the stairs this guy was walking down them on his hands.

 



When he was done Kyle asked him if he could "walk" back up the stairs and he DID! That is one talented guy.

 



 

 A juggler. He wasn't as entertaining as the other guy, but was still fun to watch.

 

A view of our place at almost night time.

 



The juggler did put a coin on Kade's ear and flipped something at the coin without the other object even touching Kade. Pretty impressive!

 



When we were walking back home we ran into a friend. He told us the light show was amazing. We had to wait a half hour for it, but it was fun to see.

 



 

Another fun event we get to look forward to for next year!! It was a great family night out! One thing Eric and I won't forget is how incredibly delicious the nachos were. Too bad the restaurant doesn't serve them all the time.