Easter Weekend

John, Katrina, Travis, Karen, Shasta, Owen, Shawnte' and Cameron

The Thorn Bunch:)

Travis and Karen

Mom and Jayden at the Columbia River temple

*****
Easter weekend was especially wonderful as Travis went through the temple for the first time on Saturday. Shasta, Owen and the kids came, as well as Shawnte' and Cameron and their two beautiful kids. While waiting for the session to start, we sat outside on the grounds. A photographer asked Jayden and I to help him set up shots for a wedding group that was just coming out. That was a little weird:)

We had use of the nursery at the chapel so Karen's crew, Jayden, and a couple of his friends helped watch all the kids while we went in. They did an amazing job with all those kids. How many teenagers does it take to change Colson's diaper? Four!! ha...

" The Babysitters"

The endowment session was a powerful experience and Travis digested everything. You could see it in his countenance. He grasps the gospel and embraces all of the Lord's doctrines. It's such a blessing to Karen and her family. Afterward, Shawnte' and Cameron had to go home but Shasta and crew met us over at Travis and Karen's for brunch. We had a wonderful day. Shasta and Owen left to go visit his sister so we had to say goodbye. Or did we?

Later that evening we got a call from Shasta saying that Owen gave her the option to go home for conference or come to our house for Easter. Duh! To Grandma's house they came. Shasta and I took off to do a little grocery shopping before bed. We were up early and spent a wonderful Easter together. The spirit was very strong in church and we were able to bring that home as we shared a meal of chicken gravy over potatoes, strawberry salad and topped it off with an oreo cake for Colson's first birthday!! We were able to share our traditional Easter story while the kids each opened the eggs filled with symbols of the Savior's death and resurrection; helping them to embrace the meaning of the Atonement a little.

Braden and Jayden playing "go fish"

Kaelynn reading from the Easter egg

Colson's 1st Birthday

Our beautiful Makenna

I love our family; our children and grandchildren. What a powerful blessing the eternal perspective is.

Hanging out with grandkids

Jayden (holding Tracen) with Shyane, Mackenzie, and Colby Tracen loving Grandpa's tractor

"Lookin' good, aren't I?"

Is that Shyane on her IPod? always...

Does life get any better? I love having the grandkids here. They just came to hang out while Travis took Karen out for dinner. It was her 35th birthday. Jayden kept them busy planning outside. Love it!

Running Start

Jayden's concert Driving (mom crazy:)

It's official! This morning Jayden tested for the Running Start program at the community college and Aced it--exceeding his expectations. So, he'll be finishing up his high school years at the college. By the time he graduates in 2013, he'll have his AA degree and be ahead of the game. Looks like he's aiming for a Liberal Arts Degree; wants to teach music, I think. I'm such a proud mom.

New Floor

BEFORE

AFTER

After ten years of this horrendous kitchen/dining room carpet--it's outta here!!! Jayden pulled it up and mom laid the floor (with the help of Sam cutting the hard pieces). Yeah!!!!

Seattle Trip

Jayden at Pike Street Market

March 14th and 15th was spent driving over to Seattle so John could have some further medical tests done at Virginia Mason. His physician, nor anyone else here knows enough about the pancreas. We drove up early morning and arrived in time to check into our hotel; the Ramada downtown. They even charge for parking at the hotel!! Incredible:) We met with the doctor for an initial consultation and liked him immediately. For the first time in years, we felt a little hopeful.

Afterwards, we had the rest of the day to play so, after lunch we took Jayden to Pike Street Market. The guys at the fish market were so impressed to see a teenage kid hanging out with his parents that they invited him to come behind the counter so they could throw him so fish:)! He was thrilled and it was hoot to watch. Jayden had his first insight into the life of transients as we passed one on every corner. He did get a kick out of the street side musicians.

Later that evening, we walked over to Seattle Center to see the Space Needle. Everything was closed up but it was fun just to walk and hang out!

Tuesday we were at the hospital by 7:30 so dad could have his procedure. Jayden and I hung out for 5 hours waiting. We got a little bored and took the elevator up to the 17th floor so we could have our own rendition of the space needle. :) And it saved us $18. a person for a quick peek. Outrageous!!

They released John by early afternoon so we started for home. The doctor promised we'd here from him by Monday. We made a pit stop at the temple (tradition of sorts) and showed Jayden the Seattle Temple. While there we struck up a conversation with the grounds keeper. End result was, we loaded a beautiful bamboo bush they were tossing out into the trunk of my Toyota! ha...too funny. After a late lunch, we hit the road--taking a back, but shorter route home. It rained like crazy so I snoozed in the back. John was told not to eat or drive! ha... He's been through these ordeals too many times to fall for that:)

Good news is they said the pancreas isn't inflammed and it looked good for someone with pancreatitis. They think the surgeon who performed the original surgery wrapped the stomach too tight during the procedure and that's causing the pain now. They're trying to control that with low doses of a high blood pressure medication. Hopefully it will work:) All in all...he's still alive and kicking!

Demi's Blessing Day

Our newest granddaughter, Demi Adah Morton came into our world on Tuesday, January 25th. We drove to Coeur d 'Alene for her baby blessing on the weekend of March 6th. What a special little girl. Shawnte really put together a wonderful lunch for everyone. It was a delightful time with family.

The Morton Family
Beautiful Baby Demi

Grandma Trina, Demi and Papa

Papa and Demi Adah Morton

Baisden's Come To Visit

Our boy Colby!

Makenna explaining something to Tracen

Owen, Jayden and Shyane (on her phone:)

Shasta & Karen with their boys

Owen & Jayden

Uncle Jayden with Braden, Kaelynn and Colson

Shasta and Makenna doing hair

Papa and Braden taking "Will" for a ride.

Shasta and Owen brought the kids for the weekend to help us celebrate Colby's big day! I love having them here. We had such fun. Papa took Braden on the new riding mower with Will (Will was his gingerbread man that his teacher sent here. We kept him for a month and noted his adventures in a journal, then sent him and the journal back). The girls loved playing with the dolls and their jewelry stash at Grandma's! We spent Saturday at Karen's. Tracen and Colson loved playing with each other. It's so fun to watch these kids grow in love for each other. It was a weekend of spiritual insights, family bonding and love. I'm so blessed.