April

April showers (and snow) bring...

so much more than flowers!

This is what the month of April brought to us...

We began with a never-before-done experience. Don and Larry Brown decided to go to their mission reunion. The event was actually called the Early Brazilian Missions Reunion because back then there were only two missions - North and South. Don and Larry were in the South. Now there are 34 missions in Brazil!

I know! 

Now, remember, they were missionaries between 64-66. This is what Don/Dad/Grandpa looked like back then.  

( This is how they kept track of the missionaries in pre-computer days!)

So, just picture in your minds what these guys would look like 53 years later.😀

(Well, this is what Larry and Don look like, at least!!)

Conference Week-end is always a treat. I'm sure you all gathered your own special quotes from the various sessions. 

Some of my favorites included:

The Lord knows where our loved ones are and He is watching over them. Never reject or give up on our dear ones.

There is not a right way to do the wrong thing. 

Heavenly Father is aware of us and knows our needs. He answers our prayers and righteous desires in the way that is most needed. Even when the answer is no.

Keep trying to get it right.

Prayers for family members can reach across the world. Your children may remember your faith in a moment when they most need it. 

Keep your testimonies simple and focused on Jesus Christ.

Know the things of God by seeking them spiritually - thru the eye of faith. 

One purpose of prophets is to help us resolve questions.

At various moments in our lives we will hear multiple voices telling us what to do. Listen to the right voice. Don't be deceived! Answers are sometimes slow to come. Proceed with trust. Don't go into the cynical fringe!

The Sunday service is the most sacred hour of the week. Come. Don't be tardy. 

You don't earn a blessing, but you do have to qualify for it. 

The Lord knows how hard you are trying.

Make TV and social media a servant instead of a distraction or even a master.

Salvation is an individual matter.

Exaltation is a family matter.

Don't settle for second best.

Time is running out!!!

Repentance is a never-ending privilege.

Spiritual gifts need to be exercised to grow. 

Everything in the temple points to Jesus Christ.

This is His church.

(Good luck matching the quote to the speaker!)

Meditations of Belief, the 11th International Art Competition, is now on display at the Church History Museum. It was interesting to see how artists from around the world responded to this theme. Here were some of our favorites...

The Utah Connection (minus the LeDuc kids😐) enjoyed Palm Sunday Dinner at the NJMs. 

Amber, it was Cafe Rio salad with pulled pork!!

Easter Weekend found us back down in Texas - this time to take care of things in Providence Village while Amber and Dave were away on a cruise.

This year we got to enjoy Easter with the Texas Connection - Easter Egg Hunts, dinner at Ryan and Shelley's, and making Resurrection Rolls. 

With Greetings from the Utah Connection.

Back to that reason for being in Texas...
The good news is that Grandma and Grandpa survived the week. 
The bad news is that at the end of the week there was one "mean" Girl Grandpa and one "nice" Boy Grandpa!!

(I'm sure their week went quicker than ours. HAHAHA)


After taking Grandpa to the airport, we met up with Emily and Mac for a birthday lunch at Freddy's. 

Our little birthday astronaut.

We were all so excited about Michael's BIG news last week!!

 Called to Serve
Virginia Richmond Mission
Spanish Speaking
Leaving the end of August

And - last but not least -

April seems to be the McClellan Month of Birthdays. 
Feliz Aniversário, ya'll!

 Nathan on April 1 (42 years)

Sean on April 7 (13 years)

Emma on April 13 (18 years)

Tyler on April 14 (11 years)

Dexter on April 15 (1 year!)

Hayley on April 23 (18 years)

Mac on April 29 (5 years)

With Linda/Mom/Grandma still in Texas, that means there must be more...
But that must wait for May...
So...
Tchau...
For now...😀

March

 Happiness is pretty simple:

someone to love,

something to do,

something to look forward to.

Chinese Proverb

Well, I have plenty of people to love and a lot of stuff to do and this month we had so many fun things to look forward to! 

We began the month at the University of Utah recognizing and celebrating David's completion of his PhD.

Congratulations - or as the Brazilians would say - Parabéns.

We are so excited to see what the next chapter in 'David's Book of Life' will bring.

Speaking of Brazil...

We always look forward to our Portuguese Saturdays at the Jordan River Temple with Raquel and Atílio Vittorazzo. This month Kay and Larry Brown joined our little group. 

The next Saturday found us in Manti for a 'McSibling' temple trip.

Janeane, Don, Linda, LuAnne, Dallan

And, even with all of these 'happenings', we were still able to complete a most difficult puzzle.😊

Whoever thought that this would be fun?!

With the temple closed for its two week's maintenance, we headed back down to Texas. As always, we packed a lot into those days...

Nothing brings a family closer together than doing a puzzle - a Texas puzzle, no less!

BBQ at Hutchins

Hockey Game - Go American Eagles!

Girl Day Pedicures

Making sun catchers

Painting

Walks 

and parks 

Hanging out with Grandpa and Oscar 

More hockey

 Thai Food
(This might have been better with just the adults. Just saying.)

Indoor games and Bowling at Pinstack

The Buc-ee's experience

Our little super heroes and the princess 

What?! Another puzzle

Sadly, no leprechaun was caught, but they had fun trying.

More Grandpa time

And then, before we knew it, our magical nine days in Texas were done and we were back in Utah...just in time to see Tyler as the cutest rhino ever in The Lion King.

You can never get too many temple pictures, right? 

Hey March - let spring begin!

And we must thank the NJMs for sharing their new game with us...and David for joining in.

Cousin Sylvia (and Dave) lives just down the road but I really never see her. So, what are the odds of meeting up at Great Harvest?

And, last but not least, three very Happy Birthday shout outs to Michael (18) and Ryan (45) on March 28, and to Nathan (42) on April 1.

Just you wait until next month when we get the birthday 'overload'!!! Not just Nathan, but ...well, you'll just have to wait and see, if you don't know who they are already.
So that will be one of the things to look forward to in the month of April. 
Hey, since I'm mentioning birthdays, I might as well go all the way back to January and belatedly wish Joseph and Elder Christian a happy 15 and 20.

Can't wait to see what April brings!!!