Errands for Ethan 2014

The 3rd anniversary of Errands for Ethan was so much fun!!!  The Ellsworth family was asking for donations of items that could be put together in boxes to donate to Cardon's Children Hospital for parents who have lost their child.  The boxes contained things like small journals, small ziplock baggies, disposable cameras, etc.  So that was first on my list this year.  My youngest daughter was the MOST excited about this as she helped me pick out cute boxes, journals, and small baggies to donate to the cause.  Here is Tatum with all the boxes she could carry at once:)  We donated 10 so I carried the other 4:)

Looking OHH soo cute in her softball uniform!

I was recently called into our YW presidency and I am lucky enough to work with the cute Beehive girls--ages 12-13.  So we made cookies for our mutual night.  Each girl then took a dozen home--on a super cute decorated plate--and delivered them to anyone they felt needed a plate of cookies.  Who doesn't love a plate of cookies right?!

Monet

Annie & Maddie

Haylie & Morgan 

Haylie, Morgan, Annie, Maddie JB, Maddie P., Carlie, & Monet

I just LOVE these girlies!!!

Tatum's Play--The Wizard of OZ!

So we managed to squeeze one more thing into our CRAZY two months!!!  Tatum took an 8 week class called "Little Triples" in which they learn how to sing, act, & dance.  At the end of the last class, they put on a little play--The Wizard of OZ.  Tatum got to be the Cowardly Lion.  Look how cute she is:

Holding her medal for Bravery:)

Beauty & the Beast!!!

My three oldest kids auditioned for this show back in December and they were ALL cast!!!  Max was cast as a narrator/wolf/villager.  Ethan was "Monsieur D'Arque" (the looney bin keeper).  And Carlie was cast as "Madame de la Grande Bouche" (the wardrobe).  It took me forever to be able to say Carlie & Ethan's character names:)  But they were ALL 3 casts and ALL 3 had speaking parts so I was thrilled!!!

Eric, Max, & Ethan

Monsieur D'Arque and the common villagers:)

Mrs. Potts (Rebekah) & Madame:)

Little side story.  Carlie was a little disappointed in her character at first--like all the other girls, she wanted to be "Belle."  But as she developed her character, she fell IN LOVE with the Madame.  Carlie has never had a "comedic" role before so this was such a good part for her.  What girl doesn't LOVE a big wig, fake nails, false eye lashes, and CRAZY make-up?  This ended up being one of her most favorite roles of all time:)  I was proud of her for seeing this through and making it a very positive experience.  After EVERY performance there were little girls running out side saying "I WANT TO MEET THE CLOSET!!!"  She had quite the fan club:)

Her drawers really DID open:)

Monsieur D'Arque & Madame de la Grand Bouche

Ethan cracked me up!!!  Always in character:)

Lumiere (Parker) & Cogsworth (Justin)

Eric & Max--best friends!
"What does the wolf say?!"

Seriously, every time I tried to take a picture of just Max
Eric was all over him!

The two "Divas" of the play--Gaston (Sam) & Madame:)

The Beast (Carter) & Madame

SOOO MUCH FUN!!!

In the fight scene at the end, Carlie got to dress
Max up in this dress--he looked down, screamed, & ran off stage:)

Madame & Belle (Sydney)

Madame & Silly Girl (Saylem)

Ethan & his good friend Michael who comes
to all his shows:)

My boys LOVED Gaston:)

Kayleah was too old to be in the play (ages 8-13)
but she rocked the backstage!  Here's their traditional hug:)

It's been an exhausting couple of months to say the least but we have made some amazing memories that will last forever!  After the last performance nearly the entire cast was in tears.  Of my kids, Carlie & Ethan were fine, a little sad but not crying.  Max…..let's just say I pretty much had to carry this super sad kid to the car:(  He just loved it so much and can't wait for the next play he can try out for!!!

Temple Cultural Celebration!

My two oldest kids had the honor of being part of the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration that took place on Saturday, March 1, 2014.  Ethan literally made the age cut-off by 4 days.  I was really proud of how Carlie & Ethan handled the stress of both cultural celebration practices--one REALLY long all day one--along with their schedules with their play.  They NEVER complained.  Just did what they were supposed to.  My husband was heavily involved as well as his company handled all of the audio/visual aspects of the entire event.  I pretty much have not seen my husband since January but all for a great cause:)

Now I did not personally take any pictures, not because I didn't want to!  As most know, we experienced heavy rains the night of the actual performance.  I had tickets to be right on the 50 yard line for the performance so Tatum, Max, & I had a great view of the field and when we looked behind us, we could see our Prophet Thomas S. Monson and his counselor Henry B. Eyring sitting under their tent clapping along and giving all the performers thumbs up!  We were S-O-A-K-E-D!  After the performance I took my soaked/freezing kids home but my poor hubby and another 2 hours of work to do soaked and still in the rain!

But it was still awesome to be there.  It was awesome to watch 12,000 youth sing and dance their hearts out like it wasn't raining at all.  The cheers of the youth when the prophet pulled up to the performance warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  So here are some pictures that were taken by others:

The Gilbert, AZ Temple

This is what 12,000 Youth look like from the sky:)
Our region is in the dark green:)

Soaked but HAPPY!

Ethan's 12th Birthday!!!

As I said before, I bought my boys out this year:)  Ethan took the $100 instead of a birthday party--smart kid:)  Ethan's birthday kinda happened in stages this year--because of Temple stuff, Beauty & the Beast rehearsals/performances, and my husband's crazier than normal work schedule.  On the Friday before his birthday, we checked everyone out of school early to go and eat at the restaurant of his choice which was "Lolo's Chicken & Waffles."  Ethan two most favorite foods are fried chicken and waffles and so my husband thought this was the perfect place--and it was:)

After lunch, we went to see "The Lego Movie."  And everyone has been singing "Everything is awesome!" ever since:)

On Sunday, we had his cake and ice cream.  We had to do this because on his actual birthday--Tuesday, Feb. 24th--he was in a LONG tech rehearsal for Beauty & the Beast.  We sent cookies up for the whole cast on that day:)

Finally, two weeks later--after the Temple stuff and Beauty & the Beast performances were done, Ethan got his $100 to go where?  The Lego store OF COURSE:)  Not that we need any more Legos in our home but it was HIS money:)

Of course turning 12 is a HUGE deal as Ethan was given the Aaronic Priesthood.  My parents came up for the event.  On his first Sunday passing the sacrament, Chris was out of town and there I was kinda freaking out--I never realized how much I DON'T pay attention to all the little details these boys are in charge of!  Great learning experience for both of us and Ethan was absolutely PERFECT passing his first Sunday.  SUPER proud of my son.  I love you so much Ethan Christopher!  You make me proud every day!