April was an awesome month!!! Donovan is home from his mission (he served in Italy) and came to visit Grandma in VA! We were lucky that they came to see us too. They joined us for the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference
During conference, V braided G's hair and mix up...
K did V's hair!
Danny and the kids went to school, but V, Grandma, Donovan and I went to DC for a fun day!
Steak and Shake, I think!
We went to theSmithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Of course, I loved it.
We also went to the National Gallery of Art, East Building, and Scupture Garden
Donovan admiring a Picasso
Matisse
Kahlo
Giotto too!
I love all of the treasures found in these art museums!
Later that night or the next, I can't remember, V and Donovan went back to DC to celebrate Victoria's friend Taylor's birthday at a Nats game! So fun!
Softball started back up!
We got to see Christian run the 400 in track.
We had a fun weekend because our friend, Mary (Barton) Burns and her husband, Drew, came to visit her old mission and to see the new Temple too. We were glad that they made the time to see us! We hadn't met Drew before, but we thought he was great too. Super cute couple!
Randomly because it was still a little cold, but fun, Danny taught them how to sail our little sailboat.
After they were on their way, Danny and I kayaked.
Also, that weekend Christian was working on super adorable gift for Mia, felt sunflowers. He is a super thoughtful boyfriend.
Here we are with Mary and Drew.
Meanwhile in Richmond, V had a super fun double date to a Squirrels game with her friends, Logan, Daniela, and Zack.
Baseball started back for G$ too. He is playing little league and for JV as an 8th grader!
Easter morning...
They found their baskets!
Then, we hid some at the church for the missionaries. We texted them some clues.
C with his buddy, Levi at church. I think V took one with Stella too.
Then, off to Grandma's house in Richmond for a wonderful Easter lunch and time with brothers, sister-in-laws and cousins!
Cute kids table!
Egg hunt was a success!
Thank you, Grandma!It was so nice!
We went to Maymont, my favorite park, for an Easter picnic with friends! The Moores and the Staffords both came to town to see the Richmond Temple and we were thrilled to be able to see them.
Tijon and I were so happy to catch up! Dawn and I were too, but we didn't get a picture!
We were happy for our kids to get reacquainted too!
Initially, we were all together, but then naturally the husbands hung together, the wives hung together, and the kids all wandered around the park together. Fun time! About 4 of the kids are missing in this shot, but we wanted to get a group shot when we thought of it!
Our whole family went to the Richmond, VA Temple open house! I'm so thankful for these people!
We celebrated Easter with the Soderholm side!
Geema made it really fun!
Happy to spend quality time with the kids for spring break.
Kate and I enjoyed a beautiful day at our nearest park- Rockwater!
We are so thankful that the sun is coming out more. K, Danny, and I went to Lake Anna to play. We had some waverunner trouble, but enjoyed kayaking instead.
Ok, another exciting visit! Jeremy Daley and his wife, Kayla, and their daughter, Sicily came to VA!
We made friends with Sicily right away while her parents ran some errands. Not going to lie, it made me excited to think about being a grandma one day. I think my kids will make great parents/aunts/.uncles etc.
Danny had a lot of fun showing Drew and Mary the ropes of sailing the other day, so he wanted to show the Daleys too (even though Jeremy was still recovering from knee surgery.)
We ran into Kaylee at the boat ramp, so they went on a quick ride too and I think her cousins too.
Jeremy- proud husband and dad watches as his favorite girls sail.
ice cream at the old country store
enjoying the statues
Doesn't Kate look so pretty in this color?
Jeremy entertained us all at Shawn's. He and Danny together were hilarious.
V and her friend, Ryan, went to a rodeo in Richmond. They always have a good time together.
I got to see another missionary friend, Adrie! We had a quick but fun meetup for breakfast in Fredericksburg.
Then, I met with my mom, Paige, and Paige's dad to go through the temple while it was still open!
It was such a fun couple of weeks with so many friends!
Elevator selfie!
Fun with the crew in DC
Danny and his look alike.
Grant and his new bestie
We had fun showing the Daleys around. Jeremy acted like an impractical joker telling people things like, "Did you know that the Battle of Gettysburg was fought right here?" and telling people incorrect facts about the French Revolution. I think most people could tell that he was kidding, but he got a few people riled up.
We had to show Sicily the magnetic rock and a few other favorites at the Natural History Museum.
Smoky pic, but I love when Grant makes a fire. He is my buddy.
Nice night.
River house!
We love cheering for the Bluedevils and Grant being on the team makes it extra fun!
Good game boys!
Kate has some favorite spots to play at the school.
Senior Night for Track!
Bella, Mikey, Bella, Grace, Faith, Kylie, Mikey, Grace, Aj, Libbie, Brianna, Christian, Jacob, and Ethan
We sure love Christian and his track friends! A lot of these Seniors have run together for several years, together for Cross Country, indoor track, and outdoor track! I am really going to miss them next year!
Christian and opponent and friend, Garv
Christian has been competing in long jump this season. I love that he is trying something new Senior year! It is never too late to try something new.
Katherine's art on display at her school's art show. So pretty!
Kate's is the Van Gogh-inspired piece in the middle right.
Saturdays= softball and baseball
G-money and his friend, Colin, playing on opposite teams this time for Little League. This was a funny stop in play when the sprinklers accidentally came on.
There we go!
Danny and I and our bonus child. Haha, love them.
Another night, another ballfield.
It feels like my natural habitat. It sure is nice when V is home and can join me!
Danny- always working. He coaches K's team again this season.
Go Kate, hit a dinger!
Danny and Autumn nailed it! "Dress like a student. Dress like a teacher"
Christian and his team did an awesome job with E2 this year and made it to the finals!
The dream team- Christian, Faith Moore, Courtney Pillow, and Alexus Stickland
Their team created a product called Narcase, a case to hold Narcan.
They put so much time passion and effort into their product.
Their research, training, prototype, and presentation were all stellar!
Christian felt like it was the best and most meaningful project that he worked on in high school and I would agree that it was an invaluable real work experience for them.
They were blessed to work alongside community mentors and supporters. Special thanks to Dan Carlton and Tim Chilton for their support and guidance. Thank you, Mrs. Lane and Mrs. Uribe, for teaching this group!
While it was disappointing that their team finished just shy of the $10,000 scholarship for each team member, it was exciting for LuxFind whose team was composed of 4 of their E2 friends and classmates.
We really were so pleased with their accomplishments and presentation and think they can all take the lessons they learned with them into their future careers. I won't be surprised to find any of these kids on Sharktank or the like in the future.
V had a great getaway with some good friends!
Christian and Mia went to prom and I am going to add those beautiful pictures to a new post.
I was sad that our pretty Japanese Maple toppled over in a storm. It messes up the landscape a bit, but I suppose that is life.
Speaking of... I ended out the month with my birthday! We had a lot of friends and missionaries and my mom over for dinner and games and it was a great time! I think V has pictures. I will have to locate and add those.
Really great April!
