Palm Sunday and Easter Eve 2026

General Conference fell on Easter Sunday this year, so we had our "Easter Sunday" church service the week before-- Palm Sunday.  It was nice to have Easter all week-- which I suppose is what Holy Week is all about.  

First off, Bethany and I did a musical number in her ward-- "I Stand All Amazed", and of course, she was amazing!  Then they came to our ward because Bethany and Michaela Chase (one of her students) played with one of the choir numbers.  

The almost newlyweds.  As of today, we're only nine days out.

Charlie is Ben's mini-me

This is my favorite expression of Charlie's.  It's like he doesn't want to smile, but he almost can't help himself.

And speaking of unbelievably cute grandsons!  Is he even real?

He's a little model:)

In the hopes that as many of our people as possible will be able to join us, we do our big Easter celebration the evening before.  

I switched things up a bit for his year's big kid Easter Egg Hunt.  I have too much fun!

The eggs were distributed/hidden around the yard, and on the count of three, the wild animals were let loose.  As you may be aware, most of the Foxes are just a wee bit competitive.  

You don't say!

Once everyone had collected their eggs, they came inside to reveal what was inside--- tiny little toy Jesus figurines.  Now, please don't think us too irreverent-- but how the little figurines served as the currency with which to bid on the Easter prizes.  Grandpa Cannon was fantastic as our auctioneer.

Everyone had a bidding paddle.  As you can see, it was all very official.  I did tell them all at the start that there was to be no crying during or after the auction.  Some were going to get what they wanted and some weren't.  So be it.  It was all just for fun, so o with it and DO NOT CRY TO ME ABOUT IT.  

Was it too harsh?  I don't think so and there was, in fact, no crying.  

Greta won the first big for a Zhu Zhu pet.

Clark and Brianna won the Magic 8 Ball

Peter ended up with the silly string

George got the volley ball and Faith got a couple of card games.

Bidding for the last Zhu Zhu Pet

Cannon  was all in for the scribble tablets.

Grandpa with all the Jesus(s)

Everyone withe their treasures

Then it was time for our Easter scripture and music program.  This is our second year doing it and it is already my favorite part of Easter.

Cannon sang "The Miracle".  We are really going to miss his beautiful voice next Easter.

Greta sang "Gethsemane" beautifully

Rock on, Birthday Girls

 

Bethany's and Faith's birthdays are only one week apart, so we often celebrate them together.  They are five years apart in age, but they look so similar that they are often mistaken for one another.  People who know one of them, but not the other, will see the other out and about,  and stop and ask if they are a sister.  

They are very close friends.  And now that Faith has found her person (Landen), she has gotten over the resentment she fostered toward Ben for taking her Bethany away.

What handsome men I live with!

Peter, Cannon, Leland, and George at the reception following their "Signatures" show.  Leland will be moving this summer and it is very sad news.   Especially for George, but we all love Leland and will miss him.  I'm guessing there will be a few summer visits to the great Northwest.

In other very fun news-- Redwood Revival competed in Battle of the Bands for Regions.  

THEY WON AGAIN!!!!  Onto to State!-- which just so happen to be taking place this evening.  We're so excited!

It was fun to have Brig and Dev's family join the fun.

Abe had been out of town when they competed at Corner Canyon High School, so he was especially excited to hear the band.  He told George that if they made it to State, he would take him to eat at Texas Roadhouse.  

Beware the Ides of March

 In our family we are not so good at gift giving.  My sincerest apologies to those who have or who will marry my children.  I have not taught them well concerning giving thoughtful gifts-- please be merciful with them.  But you know what we are good at?  Throwing really fun, really memorable birthday parties!

Bethany's birthday is on March 15th, which is The Ides of March.  

As in, "Beware the Ides of March"-- spoken by the Soothsayer in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.  Over the years we've joked about having a toga party on her birthday.  One day over lunch, we had the brilliant idea to put on our own Julius Caesar play.  

Side note:  If you haven't heard of a beyond delightful book series entitled, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, I encourage you to read them ASAP-- the audio books are especially good.  The fictional city she lives in has a marvelous tradition surrounding an annual production of Julius Caesar.  I suppose that planted the seed of  putting on the play?  But I digress.

Anyway, we did it and it was beyond great fun and now I will share a bunch of pictures because they make me very happy

Andrea was so good as to host us at her Plumfield house downtown.  The wedding backdrop served very well as a play backdrop.  We rehearsed for a couple of hours and then it was SHOWTIME!

The birthday girl!  I found a one hour script online and I printed them and spiral bound them.  

Years ago we were Greek Gods for Halloween.  The costumes have come in handy a few times over the years-- namely for a choir of angels at Christmas-- but now this!

This is Brutus (Cannon) falling on his sword held by his servant Lucius (Landen).  So much death.

These two truly understood the assignment.  Bethany was Cassius and she and Brutus were hilarious together.

Click here to see the bloody battle scene

Ben was such a noble Marc Antony-- Click here to see him in action

Addressing the citizens of Rome...

Portia (Faith) trying to reasoning with her husband 

The conspirators-- Nathan, London, Marsden, Abby, and Peter

It's not a great picture, but Greta was simply marvelous as the Soothsayer

Et Tu, Brute?  See the action here

Click here for words between generals

Are you kidding me?

Ben's family-- the Matz clan

My dad and my sister's family

The whole thing was just so much fun!  I think this will not be the last Spontaneous Shakespeare Production.