Easter Time 2008

I took these pic's before church at church. I go early every Sunday to get the chairs in the primary room set up. I knew If I took pic's at home I'd be running late .......so I opted to take the pics in the parking lot. I love pictures because it is as close as I can get to freezing time for a moment. I know childhood won't last. I can look at pictures of my children for a long time just studying their faces and thinking about the strengths they have. I hope they believe me when i tell them that I feel so lucky that I get to be their mom!


There is something about wanting my children to look great in a picture that causes them to injure their faces. Heidi was spinning around on the living room rug. Her faced rubbed against the couch and got a rug burn.
Kayla Joyce Gage (4 yrs. old tuning 5 on Aprils 6th)
Kayla, Heidi, Cannon, Jet
This pic pretty much sums up Jet's personality. Jet turned 2 Feb 9th.
At first Jet refused to pose for pictures. I was doing a shot with Cannon alone. Jet decided he wanted to be in the picture. He, on his own free will, sat next to Cannon then copied him. I was a very happy mother!
Cannon will turn 9 May 23rd. I can't believe how much he is growing up!!!!!!!!!! He was just my little green eyed baby boy. Now I can see a man in him. I love who he is becoming!Heidi Dawn Gage. She will turn 8 on Sept. 27th.


In a previous post I had the Gage Easter Egg Hunt. My kids are lucky enough to get two. Paul and I both grew up and have family here. It is so nice not to have to choose and compromise between families. We are happily busy being with both the Gage's and the Zambrana's. Gwen has a really great backyard so we have the Z Eggs hunt in her yard.



Aunt Barbara (Garths wife A.K.A. Auntie Spoil) gave the children each a goody bag. Chalk was one of the items in the bag. Heidi colored a dog and a cat. I thought they were pretty good so I took pics of them.



G & G Z brought some eggs that had $1 bills and a message about Jesus in them. Cannon found 8 of those eggs. He is such an entrepreneur. He is also a bit of a penny pincher. I could not ask for a better son! He loves to please Paul and I and is always happy and willing to help me. Last Saturday he mowed the lawn for the first time. I was pretty impressed! One quick and cute story about the messages in the eggs. Kayla got one that said "I believe in Jesus Christ". I read it to her and her face lit up. Then she said "Me too! I believe in Jesus Christ!"

Don't my parents look so happy. They are so happy that happy oozes out of them. There is no being around them without laughter being part of the experience! They really know how to have a good time.

All the kids waiting inside while the eggs are being hidden. We always get a silly face group shot. I like it because they will all at least pose for the camera.
Poor Bunny!
Auntie Spoil giving out easter goody bags for all the little ones. (Paul's Mom's best friends name is Barbara and she is AKA as Auntie Spoil to them. It is funny that they have the same name and sweet heart.)

Cannon got a football in his Easter Basket. I didn't know how good of an arm he has. I was pretty impressed. He doesn't like to play soccer, baseball, or basketball so I never really tried football. He was getting some great spirals on his throws and quit the good catcher. If he learn to like the heat and running he might like to play a team sport after all. If not, no big deal. I would love for him to try tennis and diving.

Jet was is a BAD mood for the first half of our Z Easter get together. His crying gets old! Eventually he found his happy place and had a great time.


Grandma Z giving the grand babies a little push on the swings.











BOWLINGGwen, Me, and Marlene (Gabriel's finance') Also notice baby Jet wanting to be held. That's the story of my life. Usually when I have a 2yr old i have a baby too. My two yr. old would learn that i can't hold them all the time because I was taking care of the baby. Paul and I don't think we are having any more and I need to remember that Jet isn't a baby even if he is my "baby". He is so snuggly and tender I soak up every minute of his cuddles because I know I'm not going to have another little one.
Silly faces pose.
Jet's version of the stretch your cheeks out with your fingers.
Kayla's gang symbol. I thought it was funny. She is totally the life of the party kind of kid. LOVE HER!


My sweet heart Heidi Dawn.


My rascal Cannon.


Uncle Gabe helping Jet bowl.


All in all Spring Break was a blast! We spent a lot of time outside and with family. I am so thankful for the Great Plan of Happiness and Eternal Families. I'm so glad to know that life and love don't end when we die. I love my parents (both G's and Z's), children and especially my Husband. He is the best decision I have ever made!!!!!!!!I am so lucky to be near the Fresno Temple and have been blessed for going often. I hope my children will make temple attendance a priority in their lives so they can also be blessed. When ever I think about Christ giving up his life and suffering for us I feel The love both Jesus and Heaven Father have for me. I love to dwell on the happy ending, the resurrection! I know all the things I have been through and will go through are for my own good. Knowing and feeling Heavenly Father's love makes me determined to cheerfully submit to his will. No matter how hard times can be......if we remain faithful through trials we will have a happy ending and be better off for it. Heavenly Father knows everything and wants what is best fro us. Jesus is patient, merciful, and our advocate with the Father. I know every pain I have felt he has felt. I am so thankful for his love and sacrifice. Even though I try really hard to be as good as I can, I am very flawed and constantly fall short. I am excited to see Jesus face to face some day and THANK him for what he has done for me. He is my Savior and I love him. I also want to THANK Heavenly Father for the gift of his son!