Eclipse trip

The 2024 total eclipse was going to be over the Tarkington's home. So, after the last daycare kid left on Friday, we headed out for our 25 hour drive. Mary let us know that the I-80 was closed with storms, so after a prayer, we left over the Colorado pass. It was snowy and slippery, but not the worst time we've been over the pass. We drove as far as we could that night and found a hotel just before Denver.  Saturday there was a severe windstorm warning for Colorado and Kansas. Half the day was nice easy driving.  The other half was fighting a dust storm across Kansas and taking back roads before the freeway was open again.

There was a random alien gas station that we stopped at to use the bathroom. 

I thought that the dust storms in Kansas were beautiful and that the sound of the wind was eerie and definitely sounded like the Wizard of Oz.

Ada's windblown hair.  We'd stopped to switch drivers and this is what we ended up with.

 

Wisdom

Ada had her wisdom teeth out.  She lost all control of her body but kept insisting that she had to stand up and walk on the treadmill. My favorite thing that she said was that after she got the anesthesia she asked the anesthesiologist if he had done a primary assessment. When I told her that I didn't want her walking on the treadmill so she didn't hit her head and end up in the ER she said, "Well I could help them do a primary assessment. I know how..." and the she described each step.  Her healing has gone pretty well. She's taken good care of her mouth.  Seth kept asking how long "the funny" was going to last.

 

random

The Komen's came over for a game night and pointed out that Sam and Jer accidentally matched.

Sam's first parking job.  Not bad. 

 

Manti Temple openhouse

We had one down with something when Margaret, Amy, Jim and Judy went down to the Manti open house.  Luckily Jer got tickets for last week.  After the last daycare kid left, we jetted off. I was still stinky and wearing pants, but we made it and loved it. We had two kids with allergy and bacterial pink eye. They both had antibacterial drops so the doctor said it was okay to go. 

 

Wilcox Family Easter/birthday party

Look at all these cute people!  We were able to have all but 2 of us there.  It was so fun. I always love hearing my Dad's testimony. It was also Thea's birthday.  I can't believe she's 5.

We got to play with resin and coloring easter eggs.  It was so great. 

 

Easter Sunday

Easter we took our yearly Easter picture...These kids are all getting so tall and wonderful. We're truly blessed.

In the morning, Jer arranged our Easter basket hunt. Grandma and Grandpa Wilcox came to sacrament meeting with us.  That was so nice. The Primary sang Easter Hosanna. Seth did great and I cut out palm leaves for the kids to wave during the chorus.  Then I played for the choir while Dad and Ada sang.  Ada had a solo. I know that my Redeemer lives. She did marvelous. She had a sore throat, but you'd never know it.  Then Sam had made LOTS of brownies for the linger longer.  They all got eaten. 

Peep microwave war.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

 

This year, I had Rosie and Peter overnight and it just so happened that it was also our neighborhood easter egg hunt. They had a blast and my kids loved being their helpers. Ada and Sam were at the Stake Trek breakfast.  They told me that it was fun and they met their trek families.