Patrick and Melody's Wedding

The reason for our latest trip to Arizona was to celebrate Patrick and Melody's wedding!
There were so many cute pictures that this blog became quite long, so I'll keep the chatter to a minimum!

Molly and her cousin, Hunter, practicing their ring-bearer and flower girl dutiesMr. and Mrs. Patrick Sandoval...Molly, Nana and Marshall at the rehearsal dinnerMarshall insisted on walking around the restaurant all night!Melody before the wedding... Dom and Molly getting ready

Aiden was my date to the wedding since Paul had to hang out in the foyer with Marshall

Yoda hidden in Molly's flower girl basket

The Happy Couple's First Dance...This picture makes me laugh because Shannon looks like a midget!Pierce signing "more"... calm down people, it's sparkling cider!This little darling was born the same day as Marshall... they're like step-cousins or something!

8 Months Old and New 'Do!

Today we decided the time had come for Marshall's first haircut.

This is his "Before" picture with his Donald Trump comb-over:

Marshall got his hair cut by Presley's mom, Ms. Katy.
Presley is Molly's best girlfriend at school.All finished... so handsome!

You can tell Marshall is already embracing is new 'do!Molly got her hair cut, too!
Her second hair cut in 5 years...

Back home for the "After" PicturesGetting his hair cut and styled into a Mohawk has turned our son into a raging anarchist.

Easter Cookies

Last night Molly and I made Easter Cookies. You're supposed to make them the night before Easter, but we did them a day early. They turned out yummy and Molly really enjoyed hearing the Easter Story while we went through the steps of the recipe. I was impressed when she added little details that she had learned in chapel at school. She also told me, "God sent Jesus, his son, to die for us on the cross so that we could all go to heaven."

Easter Story Cookies

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Make sure you preheat the oven BEFORE you begin making the cookies.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar.
Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar.
Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.
He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts.
Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.

NOW GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9

Bunny Bash III

A week ago we hosted the third annual Quin Bunny Bash at our house. We had another great turn-out and enjoyed a gorgeous day with our friends and family. A little over 80 people showed up and unlike last year we had no tears, no blood-shed and none of the kiddos fell in the mud during the egg hunt! Hooray!

Miranda and Alia did a great job running the craft table, the kids had a blast!Jamie and MePawPaw, Jan and Auntie CyndalMarshall and one of his many lady-friends having fun in the ball-pit.Marshall showing off the face he likes to make whenever he sees the camera!About to begin the kazoo parade while the dads stay behind and hide the eggsDavis is all geared-up and ready to go!Molly and Reed... Paul and I are so not ready for this...
Let the hunt begin!
My handsome hubby!Sweet Adalyn
Jamie and AveryRight after the Easter Egg Hunt a firetruck pulled up in front of our house! A neighbor a few houses down has a son who is a volunteer firefighter and she surprised us by asking him to bring the truck out for the kiddos.
It's also worth mentioning that they wanted a few signatures for a petition to keep the Volunteer firefighter program from being shut down... Who wouldn't sign a petition for some guys who let 40+ little kids climb all over their truck firetruck!?!? I asked these monkeys to do some tricks for the camera and this is what I got...
Danielle said it looks modern-day co-ed Charlie's AngelsAfter everyone left we had a little after-party with the Derr and Cox families.
Remember in college how it was the sign of a good night when the keg floated? Well in your 30s it's been an awesome party when the Sangria bucket floats!
After the after-party we had Quin family bounce time in the moonwalk. We sure were sad to see that thing go Sunday morning! Having the bounce house Friday-Sunday might be my favorite part of the Easter party!

MORE!!!

Today Marshall started signing! We think he's been trying to sign "more" for a while, but today there was no mistaking his first sign!!! We were in a Mexican restaurant this morning and when he signed "more" I started clapping and yelling, "Yay, Marshall!" Everyone in the place though I was crazy, but what can I say, I'm one proud mama!!!

Two Wheels, Baby!

Tonight Paul and Molly decided it was time to learn to ride a bike without training wheels so they tossed the bike in the back of the truck and set off for the park.

I was shocked when Molly came home an hour later and announced that riding on two wheels is "no big deal, except for starting and stopping." I can't wait to see her in action, so glad Paul took the camera with him!

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on it's Way...

Molly and I made a list of fun things to do over spring break and today we took care of item #1 when we had the kids' picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

Thank goodness my kids are so cooperative because I am obsessed with having pictures taken with Santa and the Easter Bunny every single year. Who knows, Marshall might still end up being that kid who screams hysterically when placed on Santa's lap, so for now I will enjoy his cuteness.

This picture just makes my heart happy!

*This is the same Easter Bunny from last year's picture. He was at the mall by our house, and today I specifically drove to a different mall 30 minutes away so we could get a BETTER bunny. Oh well. Molly says she loves this pink-whiskered creature, so at least she's happy.