First few days in Holland

We had a comfortable trip to Holland. The plane was not full so they let us pick our seats after the plane had taken off. Marv found a great seat next to a lady and her baby with LOTS of leg room. They brought us drinks, dinner, snacks, more drinks, more snacks, and ended with breakfast. Each meal was served with a nice warm towel.
Ben had told us to head for the "rental car" area, out the door and he would be there waiting for us....and he was. Thanks Ben!
John had told us to be sure and stay awake...so Ben and Ruth took us on our first "metro" ride to their mall. The station is just around the corner from where they live.
There was a young lady on the metro with a bunch of flowers. I commented to her on how pretty they were...she said "here, take them". "Oh, no, I was just commenting on how pretty your flowers are". She then explained that she was a dance teacher and had just completed a recital. Her pupils had given her all these flowers...and she was going on a trip tomorrow and would have to throw them away. We kept the bouquet of roses and mums and did a "pay forward" activity with the long stem red roses. As we walked through the mall we would see some one we thought would enjoy a rose and gave them one. It was way fun.
This is a picture of the canal between their home and the metro station...canals everywhere. When a child enters school they have to have swimming lessons. Once they know how to swim they have to pass a test with all their clothes on, shoes, back pack, coat....then are throw in the water and have to swim to safety.On the 28th we celebrated Ruth's birthday and many other April birthdays!


We brought Ben a case of Vines...the best!

FINALLY the notice came that their license was approved for their car.
This is a picture of the little, tiny car Ben and Marv had to drive to pick up their car.

They are sooooooo very HAPPY to finally have their own car from the states.

HOLLAND...here we come!

Babysitting at Grandpa and Grandma's Place while their parents enjoyed an evening in the Temple

WEDNESDAY - Great parking lot for these three skate-boarders...
Spencer and Mel raced around for a long time

while Chelsea practices her scooter-step....faster and faster

THURSDAY - After a long walk to Diddy Reese for cookies and ice cream.

Ashlyn was involved in Polly Pockets

Future Artists

Christian was excited to play with the Super-Hero's & Cars

THE EASTER SUNDAY

We enjoyed a wonderful Easter Cantata, He Is Jesus Christ, performed by the Pasadena, Arcadia and LA Stakes. When the orchestra and choir started their first number, you could feel the spirit so strong that tears came to many eyes. On Sunday we enjoyed attending our Sacrament Meeting in our home ward while Angie attended with John's family in their ward. It was fun to later listen to what the children learned about the life, crucifixion, resurrection, and atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And of course, we can't forget the picture taking after church in our new Easter clothes.

After church we had our annual family Easter Egg HUNT. Angie came early to help us hide the eggs and then the children were assigned colors....and the hunt was on.

Christian, Mel, Ashlyn, Brooke, Madison, Chelsea, and Spencer

They looked HIGH ....

And LOW to find their color of the day.

All anyone could get were mostly their backs for pictures.

And then counting....1, 2, 14, 16.....

We then enjoyed a delicious dinner with the family...including Angie and Marrianne's parents. Hmmmm, Ham, green salad, fruit salad, Easter bread, green beans, olives, pickles, and sweet potatoes [thanks Matt's Heather for the delicious sweet potatoe receipe...it is one of our family's favorites].

Remember the carrots Sally use to make out of jelly beans? Her daughter, Sandy, made them this year for the grandkids.

And Marrianne made this adorable bunny carrot cake to celebrate Easter and also my Birthday. [Ya, I'm now an official medicare-AARP card carrying holder]

And a BIG THANK YOU to Angie and Marrianne, our clean up crew, for doing a great job!

The evening ended with "let's restle Uncle John" activity.

Ashlyn was not sure about all these little guys beating up her daddy

We also heard from the other children and grandchildren scattered all over the USA...plus had "Happy Birthday" sung to me MANY times throughout the day. Thanks family for a fun birthday!

Marylyn's family had enjoyed a fun time in Texas, but had a hard time getting back home, finally getting a plane to OR Monday and driving several hours home.

Joe had been on a business trip and thought he would miss Easter with his family, but his boss advised him to head home on Saturday.

Colorado gang invited the Harrell's over to celebrate Easter with the family.

This was Ruth's family's first holiday in Holland and enjoyed a nice dinner with some new friends from their branch.

VERY FUN DAY with Ilene, Duane and Angie

Angie met us at our apt and we headed for the Hyatt to pick up Ilene and Duane.
Ilene had a few free hours so we decided to introduce her and Angie to "Olveria Street" and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Also saw the oldest home in Los Angeles, built in 1818. Angie was excited to end her trip with a snow cone.

Angie introduced her new friend to her dad.....

We then took a ride by the Mormon Battalion Monument which is located just across the street from Olvera Street.

It was time to drop Ilene back to the hotel for her conference and the rest of us headed for the Santa Monica Pier and beach. It was a beautiful day! After walking along the pier we walked down '3rd Street Promenade'

Uncle Duane, Aunt Ilene & Angie visit family General Conference Weekend

Marv and I enjoyed General Conference on the BYU station at our temple apartment on Saturday, then after the second session we drove to NP so the 'guys' could attend priesthood session together. Ilene and I walked John's children to the Park where we met Lisa and her children. Just to sit back and relax watching the children enjoy playing in the sand, swing, slide, monkey bars, etc. We walked back to the house while the children hurried to get their baths/showers in time for pizza and rootbeer floats.

Sunday we enjoyed a delicious breakfast with Lisa and Dan...his famous egg omlets...hmmmmmm so good! John's house enjoyed pancakes. After the first session we went on over to John's, enjoying sitting and visiting on their lovely patio. Marrianne and Madison spent the weekend in Sacramento for a school field trip.

Here's a picture of Brooke, Angie, Christian, and Ashlyn having a picnic lunch as they watched 4th session of General Conference.

John did a great job playing host, displaying food very nicely, and especially playing Mr. Mom for the weekend.
Ashlyn loves to dance!

General Conference was great:

You will never be lost when you see the temple.

Reverence invites revelation.

Make and Keep covenants will help us through our trials.

Divine covenants make strong Christians.

Spiritual darkness comes from bad choices.

Gain & strength testimony through desire, study, prayers, obedience & service.

Personal righteousness is a Choice

Doubt, discouragement, distrations, lack of dilegence, disappointment, disobedience disblief...destroys faith.

Living the gospel will not keep adversity from us...must endure.

Identify your ancestors, qualify them, then do the ordinances for them.

Adversary is using every means to take us down.

My favorite was Elder Holland on the atonement.

HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED CONFERENCE AS MUCH AS WE DID!

Happy Birthday Ashlyn

Ashlyn loves EVERYTHING Princess!

Cole, Madison's new dog and birthday gift, enjoys the party too.

Even Spencer welcomed Cole to the family.