Twenty-one years and still going strong!!!

On Thursday, April 28, 2011 we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. Pretty crazy huh?!!
I can't believe it's been 21 years ago since we started our adventure together with six wonderful kids and 4 more who would quickly make their way into the family. What a great ride it's been since then. We love our family soooo much and we are so thankful that the Lord helped me and Joe find each other. I love Joe and appreciate all the craziness he has put up with all these years. I hope he's not thinking it's going to end anytime soon (the craziness that is)...sorry Joe ..you signed up for eternity.

We went out to eat at Golden Corral (we love that place, there is lot's of variety) and then went to the movie "Water for Elephant's", which we really enjoyed. It was all pretty low key but that's all right, me and Joe are mellowing fast and are content with low key! Thanks for the nice evening Joe, you're the best!!!

Number Nine grandchild is here!!!

And there he is grandchild #9 and grandson #3....Kyler Roy (named after Papa Bartlett) Hopkinson. He was born on April 25, 2011 at 12:49 p.m. He weighed 7lbs. 9 oz. and measured
19 1/2 inches long. He is a handsome little guy. When me, Joe, Chelsea, and Katelyn arrived at the hospital we found the proud dad just getting ready to bath his newborn son.


Sorry about the glare, we had to take the picture through the window.

Ky isn't really liking that bath very well but Cody is a pro by now and digs right in at the task. Cody is a great dad. He's had practice on Camdon and really is a natural at this daddy stuff.

Ky had settled down by now and was enjoying his hair being washed. Joe said he wished he could get in there and have somone scrub his hair. Sorry daddio, no can do!!!

He was all bundled up to come in and meet his Mima, Papa, and aunts Chelsea and Katelyn. Isn't he so cute. I couldn't wait to get my hands on him!! We could see he resembled his big brother Cam. Babies change so many times at first. It's going to be fun to see just how much him and Cam resemble one another.

Look at his hair! We were all surprised at how dark it was. Camdon was such a toe head that it was kind of a shock to see Ky was starting out with darker hair!! Don't you just want to munch on those soft little cheeks and that little neck. Babies are the best!!

We sure love you sweet baby boy!!!

Mom and baby were doing great. Hanna was a real trooper especially when her epidural kicked in a little late. She was not happy about that but she toughed it out. Good job Hanna. We love you and are proud of you!!

That's a proud papa as he looks over his new grandson. Payton loved Ky too. Everytime she looked at him she would chuckle and smile.

Riley was pretty happy to meet her new cousin too.

Payton was all smiles!!

The grandkids were chomping down their Easter goodies that Mima and Papa brought for them. They stayed in the waiting room while everyone took turns going in to meet Kyler.
Pictured left to right: Riley, Avry, and Burton.

Cute little Avry

The Aunts were pretty pumped to get a new nephew. I'm sure they will all take turns doing their best to spoil him...especially that one on the far left...Yea Katelyn I'm talking about you.
A little side note, Chase and Chance had to stay in Idaho when we came down. They couldn't miss school. They are pretty excited to have the number of boys increase in the family though.

Pictured L.to R...Katelyn, Chantelle, Holly,and Chelsea.

Happy Easter

It was a quiet Easter this year because it was just me, Joe and the 4 younger kids. Our older kids and the grandkids weren't able to come up this year to Idaho and we weren't able to go down to Utah. Even though it was quieter than usual (As quiet as it can get with Chase) we had a very nice holiday. Stephanie (Chase's girlfriend), Gram Childers and Gisele joined us for an Easter feast. We broke out the turkey, mashed potatoe's and gravy, veggies, and the best raspberry jello in the world, along with deviled eggs. It was scrumptious!! After dinner we had a little program to remember the Savior and what He has done for us and then we watched the movie "The Testaments" that we got new for Easter. I love that movie, it makes me cry everytime. Needless to say it was a very grand "Easter". Hope you all had a grand one as well!

We colored Easter eggs on Easter Eve. That's always fun!!

This is what we found from the Easter Bunny when we woke up on Easter morning. We got 9 new DVD'S from that nice ol'bunny. The kids got new earphones since theirs were barely usable, they were happy about that. And of course, we got lots of delicious treats. Thanks Mr. Bunny!!

We thought the Easter bunny had left the building but there in our kitchen he stood in all his majestic glory...Cute!!

Happy Birthday to mom!! April 19th!!!

Chase and the birthday girl

Stephanie (Chases's girlfriend) was sweet enough to buy me an ice cream cake for my birthday!

The rest of the crew join in!!

Funny Face!!! What a great looking family..cute kids!!!

I had a great birthday this year. Last year when I turned 50, I was pretty depressed. But this year, I'm happy to say, I was loving every minute of my birthday!! Thanks to everyone who made it special!!

A week off for mom!!!

On April 8th, Mimi had a scary experience in which she almost slipped into a diabetic coma. Had she not been found when she was, our sweet Mimi probably would not be with us today. It scared us all pretty bad. I decided it was time to take another trip down to Springville and see what I could do to help. I decided to go by myself this time and Chelsea and Katelyn weren't too happy about that, but they were good sports and promised that they would help take care of things at home while I went. I appreciated their support. I must say it was a great break for me. I had Mimi all to myself and us ol'gals just took it easy. What a treat that was for me!!! I stayed for a week and then Joe, the girls and Chance came and picked me up. I must say the kids must have missed me because when they all got out of the car they all jumped on me and gave me hugs, they just about knocked me down. It feels great to be loved. One of the highlights of my week was on that Thursday, Mimi wanted to take me out to a nice place to eat for my birthday that was coming up on Tues. (April 19). So me, Mimi, and Jill had a girls night out and we went to Magelbys to eat. It was an AWESOME meal, one of the best I've had. I ordered the halibut (which was to die for). Mimi ordered the halibut too and loved it!! Jill ordered the Prime Rib that honestly melted in your mouth. She let me have a bite and I can honestly say that that was the best piece of meat I have tasted. It was amazing. We had such a nice time chatting and enjoying good food. The only regret I had though was that I forgot to bring my camera so that we could document the whole event. I am so thankful for a kind generous mom who provided such a wonderful evening. You're the best mom!! Not only did she treat me to a fancy meal but she also bought me some new 501 jeans (my favorite) and some very needed wrinkle repair formula. At my age you take anything you can get to help in the wrinkle department. Thanks Mom...for EVERYTHING. it was a great week!!!

Mimi was relaxing with Ella Jane Bell...isn't she a doll!!!

Camdon, Cody and Hanna came to visit at Mimi's while I was down. Camdon and Kate were having a great time reading books together

Camdon was telling his dad how the story went.

Hanna was looking "ripe". Kyler was expected any day! You go Hanna!!

Camdon was having his daily conversation on the phone with Mima. I love that little man!

While I was down, me and the Mimers got to go see Caleb play softball. Hayley was there of course and we had a great time together. Nothing like a good ball game. The weather had even cooperated and it wasn't too cold. Nice!!!

Jill and the kids came up almost everday to Mimi's and we got to spend some time together. They are such great kids. We enjoyed some time outside together. Kate loves it outside.

Jack was doing a little chalk painting on the driveway. It felt good to be out in some spring weather.

Ella liked being outside too.

Before we left to go back home to Idaho, Mimi decided she needed a priesthood blessing to help her to be able to remember the things she needed to do to keep herself healthy and safe. Fortunately 3 of her grandsons along with Joe were able to assist in giving her a beautiful blessing of comfort and direction. It was special to see the boys using their priesthood to bless the grandma that they all love so deeply. It was really neat!!! pictured left to right: Cody, Chet Bartlett (my nephew) and Caleb!! Good job boys!!

All the guys with Mimi. (Camdon isn't too happy about it.)

Us girls had to get in on a picture with the Mimers too! Chelsea, Hanna (Cody's wife), me, Hayley, (Caleb's wife) and Katelyn

I sure love my mom!!!!

The other half of March Madness at the Childers

Chance's opening night for the school play "Willy Wonka" was on Thursday March 24, 2011. We gave him a big bucket of all sorts of Willy Wonka candy to wish him good luck on his opening night. Chantelle and Riley came up on Wed. the 23rd to see Chance's play and had to leave for home right after the play. We were all spaced out and forgot to take pictures while they were here. Sorry Chant and Riley. We sure appreciated you coming up though. Next time you're up we will get plenty of pic's to make up for it!! The Bevans came up on Friday the 25th to watch the play on Saturday the 26th.

Avry had a grand time on the stairs AND with the light switches!!

Here's our Macie.... full of sugar and spice!!! How can you resist a face like that!!

The big boys were into Big Game Hunting on the Wii. We had to wrestle the controls away from Kris and put him into timeout until he could share the Wii with everyone else. Ha ha

Chance and Burton were all about the DS and the Wii too.

Avry is telling Chase all about the fine points of art!!

Macie and Avry spent lots of time coloring...So did Burton. They are great artists!!

You sure can turn on the charm Avry Meg Bevans!!

Burton is anxiously waiting for Chance's school play,"Willy Wonka" to begin

We're all hoping that Avry will last through the entire play

All of us were waiting to talk to Chance after the play ended!!

Holly relives her glory years at Preston High..go Holly go!!

The Bevans had a little something for Chance because he did such a great job in the play.

Burton showing me his "golden ticket"

What two cute little "fans"

Chance did such an awesome job in the school play.. He was the Head Oompa Loompa along with being a townsperson in other scenes of the play. This was his first play. He really enjoyed it and looks forward to next years tryouts where he would like to try for a main part. Good Job Chance

Avry is not quite sure about Chance

My ,what green hair you have..what pink cheeks you have ....you must be an Oompa Loompa

Chances little fan base!!!

The Bevans crew with Oompa Loompa Chance

Holly and Katelyn had such a great time together while they were here.They are two pretty crazy sisters!

Mima gave the Family Home Evening lesson. The kids especially liked the story. They were such good little kids. We all had a great time together. Family time together is sooo important. I hope you are all taking time on Family Night to teach your children the gospel and hold them close to you!!

The Bevans kids were listening so intently to our family home evening lesson on the importance of families!!

Ice Cream lovers everywhere...raise your cones!

Look at that mischievious face....better watch out, Avry has that look in her eye!!!

Kris and Holly fixed us their famous "Chicken Nacho's" for lunch...mmm, mmm, good!!!