The long fight

3 years ago, one of our dear friends, Anya was diagnosed with cancer.  This came as quite the shock, Anya's baby brother had been battling his own bout with childhood cancer

Since Aubrie was two, she has enjoyed being friends with her piano teacher's daughter, Anya. At the age of 9, Anya was diagnosed with a bone cancer, Ewings Sarcoma. 

While Aubrie knew she couldn't do much to help with the cancer, she knew every little bit helped and worked with with friends doing several different small fundraisers to support her and her family. Anya had seen many ups and downs in that time, but took a turn for the worse about six months ago when she was informed the cancer had spread to her lungs.  

On Monday, a note was sent out via Facebook warning that Anya's days were numbered and her time with us would most likely be days, not weeks or months. Aubrie wanted to quickly take all of the coins and dollars she had raised for Anya and buy something special for her. But unfortunately, Anya passed away before Aubrie could even deliver her present.



But a new bakery called Nadia Cakes was more successful in their fundraising event. They created an "Anya cupcake" designed on her preferences and the day after she died, they sold the cupcake for one day only and all proceeds went to the family, along with a drive for online donations. So, Aubrie donated her money to the online site and we enjoyed some of the delicious cupcakes.

Never has a cupcake tasted more sweet.

We love the DeVol family. Their strength has been inspiring. Anya will never be forgotten.

The Alladin Debuts

For years, Aubrie has enjoyed participating in the "Prairie Fire Theater" shows at school. But Ellie has been too scared to join her and Teyah has been too young. But this year the tides changed and Aubrie was too old, Ellie was brave to join and Teyah was finally old enough! Ellie and Teyah performed "Aladdin" on the high school stage. Teyah was a super cute "jewel."

Ellie was a "keeper of the lamp." They did some fun little chants and were just so cute! Dave and I liked that it was on a real stage instead of in the school gym like it had been the past several years for Aubrie. It was easier to see and hear, which is important when you have two stars in the show!

Easter and Conference

Easter was extra special this year with it being General Conference weekend. Our Easter activities started on Saturday with an egg hunt. We have been trying to move our secular Easter activities to Saturday and this seems to be working well.

These kids are becoming pretty independent with activities like egg dying that once were so much work for mom and dad.

The works of art.

The kids love setting up their tents to watch General Conference.

I think the favorite part of Easter was gathering with our dear friends the Sandbergs. They have invited us over several years in a row for a delicious Easter dinner. We were assigned to bring rolls this year, so the girls and I enjoyed making them while we watched conference. I think the only sad part of having General Conference on Easter is we didn't have a traditional Easter picture in our Sunday best.