~APRIL~DIAMOND~

APRIL~DIAMOND

I have always thought it incongruous that a diamond is the birthstone for April.  A diamond is the hardest substance on this earth and April is such a soft, lovely month.  But a diamond is also beautiful.  The most beautiful thing being that it reflects all the colors around it, picking up blues, reds, yellows and making them part of its beauty.  April is also full of color; the flowers bursting forth in all their glory, grass coming up and trees sporting their full foliage.
Our beautiful April birthdays are colorful too.  And so lovely, just like April...strong and durable like diamonds too.
Dallin's birthday was the 8th.

Erika's was the 11th.

Scott's was the 12th.

Kirtlyn turned 13, our newest teenager, on the 13th...her golden birthday!

Tayte turned 17 on the the 19th.

And Sara's birthday was the 21st.

~OUR APRIL~

Beautiful April.  Flowers, butterflies (From Rachel and Esther), even moths (from Shannyn in Colorado).  The weather has been perfect!  April has also been eventful.  We had General Conference, to begin with, then Safford Stake Conference and Silver City Stake Conference.  We also had Easter, youth plays, tennis tournaments, and, of course, Temple.  Dad and I and the Herringtons have been trying to cover for Sister Allred who has been in the hospital for over two months.  She had knee surgery, which went beautifully, and which is healing well, but she had an allergic reaction to the blood thinner that was given to her after the surgery.  It is rare, but happens often enough that it has a name...HIT...Hepperan induced thrombosis. So she has bleeding and clots at the same time.  She has lost the sight in one eye, which they hope is temporary, and has a low, low blood count.  The normal count is about 200, but she has been as low as 9.  By the end of April, it was up to 75, but she has to stay in the hospital until it gets to about 150.  In the meantime, we have been trying to cover her days as much as possible.  President Allred still comes and does his shift, but when there is a new endowment, or something that a matron is supposed to do, we go in and take care of it.

April's flowers

Kirtlyn took this picture of the roses on the yellow rose bush.

During the Priesthood session of General Conference, which was April 1st, the rest of us got together to have an April Fools party.  It was Mary's idea and she gathered the sisters to put it together for the kids.  They had pizza, salad, fruit salad, breadsticks and jello.  They drew numbers which corresponded to plates, utensils, food, etc.  They got whichever item their number allowed.  So, for example they may have had to eat salad with no fork or plate, or lick whipped cream off the table, or jello with no fork or spoon.  It was hilarious and the kids were all good sports.  However, we had to separate Alex, who throws his food.  See where Jenn had to wipe off her shoe as she came in the door?

Thomas and Hyrum and Maya and Lindsay all participated in the community youth theater production of Jungle Book.  Thomas and Hyrum were vultures, Maya was an elephant and Lindsay was King (Queen) Louie.  It was fun.  They were in different casts, so we went two days.  Fortunately, we were opening those days, so we were able to go after the temple.

Mary and Tyson invited us and Parker over for teriyaki chicken the next Sunday.  Yumm.😋

April is also the Tip-a-cop time at El Charro.  The off duty cops from all over the valley donate their time to be servers at El Charro and then give all their tips to charity.  This year the charity was Special Olympics.  Sherri O'Neal was our server.

We went to the Ward Party before El Charro, and took this picture of the Thomas and Jenn Biggs family with the Easter Bunny.  

Here is the real Easter Bunny...living on the Temple grounds and eating the plants and water tubing.😧

Our family Easter breakfast cookout was at our house again this year.  It turned out to be fun.  We hid Easter eggs and even floated some coins in eggs in the pool.  We hid some $1 bills, $2 bills, and a $5. I don't know who found the 1's and 2's, but Hyrum found the 5.

We got a picture of the grandchildren who participated in the egg hunt.  You can see that Alex was impatient and didn't want to pose 😏

The next day, Easter Sunday, Rebecca invited us over for dinner.  This is what we saw as we walked up to the door: Parker, Polly, Deanna and  DeWitt watching us from their dining room window.

Delicious Easter ham dinner and great company.

Later, that week, Thomas and Jenn invited us over to have Roman Holiday.  I have to say that Thomas has it down.  He makes it just like Grandmother did...juicy, oniony and lots of cheese.

The following Sunday we had them and Parker for a dinner of meatballs.

Mary had to go to an Edward Jones Appreciation luncheon on the 25th, so I had the little boys at my house...except when Jared went over to play with Henry.  Ethan wasn't very happy part of the time, but he took a nap on my lap.  I loved it.

Rebecca had a going-away party for Brother and Sister Reynolds, who have been here on a mission.  They are from South Carolina and I absolutely love listening to them talk.  They have also been serving in the Temple as Ordinance Workers.  They were living in Rebecca's ward, so she invited people who knew them.  We will be sorry to see them go.

On the last Saturday in April, there were 3 new endowments scheduled, one during our shift and 2 during Sister Allred's shift.  The Herringtons were at a family reunion, so I just moved my shift to cover the 9 hours over which the 3 endowments were scheduled.  Dad went to the temple at 4 a.m., but I didn't go until 7:30 (in time to see Brianna being baptized).  Then he left at 12:30 and I stayed until 4:00 p.m. after the last girl was safely settled in the 4:00 session.  So, the reason for this long explanation is that because I wasn't able to leave until later in the afternoon, we missed the 5:00 (4:00 in Arizona) adult session of the Silver City New Mexico Stake Conference to which we were assigned.  Presiding Bishop Causee, from France, was the visiting authority and I would love to have been able to hear more from him on Saturday.  He played the piano, I heard.  I was so impressed by his talk on Sunday morning and I felt that I really liked him as a person.  He didn't seem "full of himself" at all.  He asked Dad and me to bear our testimonies, which we did, then he spoke.  He talked for about 20 minutes about the exact same things I had mentioned in my 5 minute testimony: Heavenly Father's love, Book of Mormon, and Temple attendance.  But his thoughts were so much more well thought out and he used scriptures and personal stories.  Dad and I both really enjoyed it.  Dad's testimony, as always, was perfect.  He speaks more like a General authority than most General Authorities I've heard.

After conference, we spoke to Dave and Carol Konopnicki, who invited us to dinner.  When we got there, Carol was still at a meeting with Bishop Causee and the other Stake Auxiliary Presidents (she is YW president), so Dave did all the cooking.  He did a great job and we had a delicious dinner.  He is in the stake YM presidency, so they get to do a lot of things together.  They asked about Lillian as their daughter Sidney is coming home from Uruguay shortly after Lillian gets home from the Philippines.

They have a lovely home and mentioned that they need to get Rachel to come and help decorate it.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY~

NATHAN AND SHAUNA

Popping the question 💗She said "Yes!" The wedding date is July 15 in the Winter Quarters'  Temple in Omaha.  She has asked Dad to perform the sealing.

Hannah went to SLC to conference and her mission reunion.

Bethany with her beautiful little Jovie, who evidently sleeps with her eyes open.

Hannah and Seth after a football game.  I think they won!

Hannah and Seth with his family.

Josh the preservationist buildings in Omaha.  Maybe the last of the ones he takes there.  He is moving to Utah to attend graduate school at the University of Utah.  See the note below.

A building in Omaha and a ceiling in SLC.  This is the transition picture.

April 30, Joshua and Ahlin packed up and moved to SLC where he will be attending University of Utah.  See above note.  She came to help him pack up and drive.  

Darling Jovie.

JOEL AND STEPHANIE

Whenever a grandchild has a last-day-of-the-month birthday, in this case, March 31, the birthday celebration is often near the first of the next month.  So Levi's crabfest birthday party is included in April's events.  It looks so good, it almost makes me wish I liked crab legs.😝

Stetson and Lindsay and their huge puppy came home for  Easter.

They were able to be there for the big Easter party and egg hunt.  See Stephanie's description of the rules of the hunt below.  The prizes were money.  I don't know how much, but I'd be willing to bet it was more than $1, $2, and $5.😃

The beautiful Joel and Stephanie Biggs family on Easter Sunday.

Levi is graduating from ASU this year.  He is Suma cum Laude!  That's even better than Magna!

A picture of the San Diego Coast from Lindsay.   Can you imagine living where you can see that every day?

Their ward's Priests won the basketball tournament this year.  Docker is their best player!

DANIEL AND CONNIE

Amazing Connie Cakes for Daniel's and Emma's birthdays.  Daniel's is a tractor moving dirt, and Emma's is the money emoji.

Shannyn with some of her friends at the Mormon prom.  She is still just 15, so she went with girl friends and had a great time it looks like.  She looks so beautiful!

The Brock and Devynne Bennion family in Missouri.

The Porter and Alta Biggs family in Colorado.

The beautiful Biggs kids on Easter Sunday before church.

They found and killed a skunk who was raiding their chicken coop.  Connie even knew how to do it without activating the perfume glands.

More wildlife.  A redtailed hawk nesting in one of their trees.  Daniel said the male was chasing off an eagle who was hovering dangerously close to the nest.

They had a fire on the mountain near their house, but it was contained before it threatened them.

Shannyn didn't let us down when she dressed up for "college shirt day."  Go ASU!

Just hanging out (literally...in a hammock) with her friends.

Albert and the Key Club cool guys😎

REBECCA AND SCOTT

Trying out the double sleeping bag Scott got for his birthday.

Some of Polly's gorgeous senior pictures.  Rachel took these.

Prom with Darius Martindell.

The Taylor and Allison Atkinson family in Washington.

The Dallin and Sara Evans family in New York.

The DeWitt and Deanna Evans family in Tempe.

At the Easter picnic at our house.

I wonder if the Easter bunny still hides baskets for kids that age?

The beautiful, but reduced, Scott and Rebecca family on Easter Sunday.

Easter dinner 😋

Mormon prom with Matt Hackett.

April is the State tennis tournament.  This was her first day of play.  She won 6-0 6-0

Polly and Isabel after their win against Gilbert High School.

Throughout the state tournament, Polly was totally amazing! Every match she played leading up to the semi finals and then the finals, she won in just two sets.  She never had to play a 3rd set.  Then the final match was against a girl who never even practiced with her team...she had a private tennis coach...and though Polly played extremely well, she lost.  But she gave that girl a very tough time and can be proud of how well she played.

Rebecca with some of her special ladies at the going-away party for the Reynolds missionaries.

JEREMY AND ERIKA

Daynen drove to SLC for conference and a mission reunion.

Mighty Ellie hit a home run! When Kirtlyn was there with her dad, she visited Ellie.

The Biggs and Brown cousins went to some rock concert.  I don't know if they went together or just found each other there, but it looks like they had a great time.

Daynen filming in the desert.

They are busy remodeling their house.  I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

Getting back in the dating scene.

Reygan, saying  "Goodbye" to one of her best friends, leaving on a mission.

Tayte went to prom with a lovely girl whose name is Hannah Stapley.

RACHEL AND TONY
Watching General Conference.

At the Easter Egg hunt.

Rylie and Isabel getting Polly ready for senior pictures.

A Prom invitation and getting ready.  Elizabeth Norton, Tyson's sister did her hair and makeup.

Her date was Tevin Broadhead.

Happy Easter! I'm glad Camille found her basket this  year.  I remember when it was melted in the oven!

The beautiful Tony and Rachel family on Easter Sunday.  Rylie was sick, so she went to bed all dressed up for Easter Sunday.

An Alder family portrait by Camille.

Isabel also played tennis.  This year she was able to play on the varsity team and did well.  She says she won't be playing next year, however, because she is going to concentrate on her nursing studies.

After she and Polly won their matches against Gilbert High School.

Mormon prom.  Rachel had a meeting, so Rylie was in charge of photos.

Her date was Emitt Post.

Rachel went on a field trip to the Tucson Air and Space Museum (everyone remember going there with Dad?)  They were really impressed with their guide, who flew Air Force 2 at one time.  They saw President Kennedy's Air Force 1 and the Top Gun plane.

ESTHER AND SHAD

Watching General Conference.

Esther and Shad enjoying an outing with friends.

Miss Esther's Allstars Preschool learned about butterflies.

And colored Easter eggs.

Another one of Harrison's interesting digital photos.

They enjoyed a concert with the Biggs kids.

Brody and Soren playing Little League baseball.

At the Easter pageant.  It looks as if they were the first ones there!

Finding Easter eggs.   They had the Brown family over for their egg hunt.

The beautiful Shad and Esther family on Easter Sunday

Bridger had to have some serious allergy testing done.  His main concern was whether or not he could play football with his asthma.  They assured him he can...thus the smile, I guess.

Some of Harrison's award-winning digital photos.  They will be featured in the Gilbert District Art Show.

Fathers and Sons outing at Slide Rock in Sedona.  They must have had fun, but Bridger looks less than enthusiastic.

I love these big-brother-tying-the-little-brother's-tie pictures.  It makes me happy to see them taking care of each other.

THOMAS AND JENN

Thomas' family came over for some Grandpa Beans one Saturday.

Costumes for the youth community play Jungle Book.  Hyrum and Thomas were vultures and Maya was an elephant.

I asked Kirtlyn to repaint and freshen up my flag sign.

Maya is already riding a 2-wheeler without training wheels.

At their Cat Walk field trip.

Kirtlyn and some Knudsen cousins at the Gilbert Temple.

Kirtlyn's 13th birthday.  She got to pick out an ice-cream cake.

The kids at the Ward  Easter party and egg hunt.

At the Biggs Easter party and egg hunt.

On Friday, the 14th, the Valley's police officers were providing service to El Charro customers and donating their tips to Special Olympics.

We are really proud of Thomas and El Charro for winning the Best Overall Dining Experience Award.

The beautiful Thomas and Jenn family on Easter Sunday

Roman Holiday night.

MARY AND TYSON

As important as tying his little brother's tie, is teaching him how to use the toilet.  When Alex indicated that he wanted to go to the potty, Mary said, "NO! NO!"  But Jared decided that if he wanted to he should be able to, so he helped him.  The 2nd picture is of his "biting bear."  When he feels like biting, he's supposed to bite the bear instead of Jared or Henry.  But he says, "No bite bear...owee."

Lindsay as King (Queen) Louie in Jungle Book.

Carson is taking karate and doing very well.  He is also learning how to change Ethan's diapers.  I'd say that's as important as tying a tie or teaching potty skills.😉

Ethan

Choose-a-smoothie-for-breakfast morning.

Lindsay is demonstrating their school's drill for if a terrorist enters their school, shooting kids.  Get in a bathroom stall and pull up your feet.  I remember having to have drills about how to hide under our desks in case of a nuclear attack by the Russians.  That may not be as outdated as I think.

Roses in Mary's yard.

A field trip to Noon Creek, I think.

At the Easter party and egg hunt.

The beautiful Richins kids on Easter Sunday

This picture made me happy.  I'm glad to know someone reads these books after all the work that went into them.

Mary was in charge of her ward's mother/daughter enrichment. A night of "P's"  I've even received compliments on it in the Temple.

~MISSIONARIES~

From Lillian in the Philippines.  The next pictures from her will probably be of her homecoming in May!😀

From Shadrach among the Hmong in California.

Rice bags

~SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE~

Yes.  You're smiling, admit it.  Poor sweetie.

Jaredism for April:

This isn't us, yet, but maybe not so far in the future...except it will probably be Dad taking care of me rather than the other way around. 😏

This is definitely us right now.

"Find Ethan."

~LAST WORDS~

I've been searching Family Search and have found some interesting things in the Hiatt line.  Through the Inman's, Grandpa's Grandmother, we are descended from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.  They are the ones who financed the voyage of Christopher Columbus.  Also, through that line, we are descended from William the Conquerer of Normandy.  It was he who led the Norman invasion and conquered the Saxons in England.  I always thought of him as a bad guy, and maybe he was.  I don't know.  But we are part of his posterity anyway.  Through the Driggs/Pratt/...line, we are descended from Henry VII, the Edwards II-IV and Richard III among others.  Through the Lamb line on Dad's side, we are descended from the kings and queens of England as well.  And Daniel has found German royalty in our lines too.  Pretty cool, huh?
A lot of royalty, for sure, but what makes a person truly royal is their relationship to the King of the Universe.  As we remember that we are sons and daughters of Heavenly Father, and act like the princes and princesses we are, remembering that everyone enjoys the same heritage as children of God, we will have a claim to a greater throne than any earthly kingdom can offer.  That means loving others as God loves us.  That's what makes someone royal.  Dad and I are so thankful for each one of you and of your efforts to live righteous, heavenly lives, lives that reflect the Savior's love.