Jack's 2nd Birthday and the Family Eggstravaganza!!!!

Jack's birthday was filled to the brim with fun and excitement and friends and family and food and treats and love and laughter! Jack is a lucky boy and is loved by so many! It's hard to believe he's 2! He's so big and such a smarty pants. He brings so much joy into our lives!

I busted out all of our Easter eggs and Rayleigh had fun playing with them one day while Jack was asleep. She's so smart and creative! I love seeing what she comes up with!

She also found Parker's old "Doctor Kit" and knew just what to do to check on the baby in my tummy. Maybe she will grow up to be a doctor too! She is so compassionate and ambitious- I know this girl is going to grow up to be anything in the world she wants to be!

On Friday we dyed eggs! I wouldn't let the babies do it because I wasn't inviting THAT mess into my house, but Parker had fun!

Jack is always the last one up so on Saturday (his actual birthday) we all went into his bedroom and surprised him with balloons and gifts while singing Happy Birthday! He was NOT happy about it. ha ha Poor Jack just likes to snuggle and drink some milk when he wakes up. It was too much excitement for him. But that didn't stop us. We kept singing and cheering for him until that million watt smile flashed across his face! Doesn't take much to see that gorgeous smile of his!

Tanner giving Parker the stink eye but also looking kinda like a GQ model.....

Sleepy eyes all around! 

We all got ready and headed to the park for the Primary Easter Egg hunt! 2 years ago I was huge and pregnant with Jack when we had this party- now here I am again pregnant! My fervent prayers sure have been answered 100 fold. Rayleigh was adorable wearing her cute little pink hat, running around finding all the eggs. She loved every single moment! Jack found 1 or 2 and was content to just run around and play. Parker, of course, dominated and tried his best to find the golden egg with his buddies.

Katie is such a babe. She does such a good job working in the primary!

Rayleigh and Mable- someday maybe Rayleigh will learn to look and smile at the camera....

Hunting!!!!

SHARING!

The Easter Bunny came!!!!! Mia was a little nervous to hop on his lap until Rayleigh joined her. These 2 are too cute together! Rayleigh LOVED the Easter Bunny!! Jack... not so much. 

The primary president sent these to me. Apparently when Rayleigh first saw the Easter Bunny she ran up to him and shared her eggs with him!

After egg hunting we ran home to make a yummy breakfast and get ready for phase 2 of the day! Tanner, sadly, had to go to work but I took the kids to Ladera for our annual family Easter Egg-stravaganza! I thought I was going to be late but I was actually the first one there and alone for an hour before anyone showed up! ha ha Bullock standard time....

Ladera is so beautiful this time of year. It's so green and there are TONS of flowers everywhere! The kids and I had fun enjoying the sunshine and exploring the little park while we waited for everyone to show up. We came prepared with all kinds of snacks and supplies so we were happy! I love the way Jack wants to hold my hand as we walk around. He always wants to hold hands when we walk down the stairs. Always. 

Huggies for Mommy! This boy never runs short on hugs and kisses!

I let Rayleigh get away with dying eggs at the park because, hey, not my mess! She loved it!!! She loves mixing things (cups of water together and making "potions") so that did not go over well with the more OCD cousins who prefer order... but ohhhhh well!!!

Jack got in on the action too!!!!

Then Rayleigh discovered you could PEEL the eggs and she was in heaven! She probably peeled a dozen eggs which I happily ate for her. 

Ready set go!!! The much anticipated egg hunt was a huge success! A few golden eggs were hidden and no tears were shed! Each kid scored a good amount of eggs and they were so adorable running around searching everywhere!

The pool is the perfect cap to the perfect Easter Spring time day! Everyone loves the pool! Especially MY kids! And lucky for me, Tanner showed up shortly after we got in and was able to help me keep an eye on my 2 littest fishes. All Jack wanted to do was be thrown up in the air or jump to me over and over! So that's what we did!

Tanner forgot his swimming suit but Jon was kind enough to let him borrow one of his.

After nothing but donuts, candy, and sugar all day, it was finally time to sit down and eat some REAL food! Picnic pool side!

They loved the boogie board that Uncle Jon brought! He's the best!!!!

My studly TWO year old boy!!!!!

I love my sisters! There's nothing better than being together! Someday I will be able to carry a conversation with them again... ha ha

Jessi and Kimmie make any small conversations possible. They are the BEST little 8 year old helpers!!!

Da boyz. They found my stash of juice boxes and chips. ha ha

Cousin Nicole was able to join us too with her 2 little girls! It's always fun when we can see our cousins!

After swimming in Ladera we decided to come home and swim some more! Cuz that's what we do!!!

We were able to sing to Jack a few times and shower him with love and attention all day! Jack can do puzzles, sing his ABCs, count to 10 or more, listens and obeys like a pro, plays with "racing cars", can swim with no floatie, loves Nanny's house, loves his blanket and milk, loves broccoli, watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse like it's his job, is a Daddy's boy, laughs a ton, is tough, is sensitive to the spirit, and is the biggest brightest light in my life. Heavenly Father saved someone truly wondrous and special for me when He sent me Jack after so many years of yearning and so shortly after having Rayleigh. I didn't know if I could handle 2 babies. I didn't know if my heart could handle the load of love required for Jack- but my heart has burst open and my love and joy is unparalleled. There is something unique and poignantly special about Jack. I know he is destined for greatness. I am surrounded by friends and family who are part of that network to build and sustain Jack in his earthly calling. It is paramount for me and a duty I certainly don't take lightly to rear and raise Jack in the light and truth of the gospel. Somehow I know, that even if I screw up, he's going to be ok because he has a divine destiny. But all my might, mind, and strength every moment of every day goes into creating a Christ centered home for my family. And Jack does nothing but add to that special spirit. He blows me away and not a day goes by that he doesn't make me smile with pride. I love you, Jack Tanner!!!!