One for the memory books...

My aunt and uncle flew in from California this week which means lots of family time. We got together pretty much for three straight nights with all my cousins, lots of chaos but great times and memories with cousins. Friday night we were at my parents for Easter with my dad's side of the family. And Finn had his first Easter egg hunt, a little late but they loved it all the same. Here they are preparing for the great hunt - yes, our family is a little goofy (or for sure Trent that is!) J/K

Since we wanted to keep Finn's birthday all about him on Saturday, we decided to celebrate/remember Laynie's birthday on Friday night. It is hard to believe that she would have been 4 already this year! Her and Finn's birthdays are only two days apart - hers April 30th and his May 2. I made the annual ladybug cupcakes and each of the kiddos got to blow out candles for Laynie.



Then I had "high hopes" (no pun intended) for the sky lanterns I had bought online. I imagined this solemn moment as the lantern floats effortlessly into the air, soaring higher and higher until we couldn't see them anymore. Didn't quite happen like that. First off, I should have read that winds cannot be above 5 mph...slight difference than the gusts we had that night :) My family were great sports though and after a few minor adjustments we even got one to sail off.


and it was beautiful!

so beautiful we decided we must try again, with two at the same time. It went great until...

one of them headed straight for the telephone pole and there it stayed.

After the drama subsided and the fire was put out from the lantern we still had to time to reflect on our first baby girl. We love you Laynie and so do your sister and brother!

Sunday we got to visit Laynie's grave. Selah had picked out a flower at the store to give to her so we went to put that out. She hasn't got the concept yet I don't think that Laynie was actually here, but if you ask her she will tell you for sure. She loves Laynie, she is her sister, and she lives in heaven with Jesus. She always gives Laynie's pictures kisses around the house. During the lantern flying she started crying. She wanted to be in heaven with Laynie and was upset she couldn't go up there too. Each moment like that melts my heart, the innocence of children and to know that someday she WILL get to meet her sister who spent such a short time on this earth, but filled our hearts with such love!