Fun-Packed Easter Weekend

Spring break precipitated trips to Seaworld -- and to Oxnard -- for the Andrews and Gardners -- separate family trips (prior to senior graduations) which merged at our place for the weekend. Andrea's family headed our way from Seaworld Thursday afternoon, encountering rush hour traffic around Los Angeles.  They arrived around 7 p.m. with tales of  Seaworld adventures.  We enjoyed dinner together and visiting until they left to spend the night at a hotel.  Erica's family drove all night Thursday from Sunnyside, Washington, and arrived in Oxnard around two o'clock Friday afternoon. Party time!

Friday:
Andrews crew went to Mission Office: met President Castro, the Trumans, and the Assistants.  Randy and I stayed for staff meeting - Andrews "hung out" at our apartment.
Gardners arrived.
Snacked.
Went to Mission Office again.
Gardners met the Trumans.
Had mini-concert at the church.  Fabulous piano by Cole, Kendra, and Morgan. Amazing flute by Miraya.
Went to Toppers Pizza for supper.
Avery, Cole, Miraya, and Karson stayed with us that night.  Don't know what time they went to sleep :D
Saturday:
Amazing tree at Ventura Stake Center (our ward building)
Look-out at the cross (NOT a sunny and clear day :(
Tide-pool national park place
Picnic at Oxnard City Park
BEACH
Watch video highlights of Avery as Daddy Warbucks in "Annie"
Kids had supper at the apartment
Moms and dads and grandparents went to Yolandas for supper
Parting goodbyes to the Andrews
Sunday:
Andrews left hotel at 6 a.m. - arrived at their home in Blackfoot at 9:30 p.m.
Church in Ventura
Pouring rain
Lunch and a movie
Rain stopped and skies cleared - too late to walk the channels
Easter dinner (ham, scalloped potatoes, tossed salad, garlic bread, ice cream)
Lots of visiting
Monday:
Seaworld - here come the Gardners. Hugs and kisses -
Back to "regular" missionary service for us!

Cole and Avery stayed with us.  It was fun to have them here and get to visit with them a bit.  Cole has grown a foot since we last saw him - he really has (as has Karson)!  Cole continues to advance in his piano abilities -- he is amazing! 
Avery is doing the preparatory things to be ready to serve a mission when he turns 18 in August!  It's hard to believe he is that old.  We are so proud of him. 

Both Avery and Miraya will graduate this spring. We will miss being there for those important milestones, and feel badly that we haven't been able to attend plays and recitals and such.  Miraya is enlisted in the Navy and will go to boot camp the end of June.  She will be an asset to them - they are getting a top-notch girl - and will be sorely missed at home!  Our prayers will ever be with those two! 

How grateful we are that these two families were able to come visit for a couple days!  We enjoyed each one of them so much.  Wish I had to time to elaborate about each one.  The pictures show how dang cute they all are :)

We love ALL our family beyond expression!  We so appreciate their support and prayers on our behalf.  We are here so that others can learn of Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for them -- as we strive to ensure that our own family partakes of this plan and can be together forever! 

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