Congratulations are in order!

Sam and his friend, Billy, entered a Silent Film Festival for movie-makers under the age of 20. Their film is called "Change" and it's very funny and creative. They were the only middle-schoolers to be among the finalists and their film will be screened next week at Hollywood Theater in Portland!

The Best Birthday Ever

On Saturday, May 7th, Quinn turned 8! We started the festivities on Friday night when she got her ears pierced.


We also spend some time on Friday making cupcakes. The girls were all willing to help (but Mattie is missing in the pictures).

And here's what they created:


She woke up Saturday, and in true Earnest tradition, opened her presents right away...

which included a new dress....

for her baptism!! When Quinn was born we decided to wait until 4th of July weekend to bless her so that more family could be there. The circle of priesthood holders to bless her had about 10 people in it - all 5 of her uncles plus a great-uncle, 2 grandfathers, a great grandfather and her father. I thought how lucky she was to have so many worthy priesthood holders in her family to stand in that circle, to set an example for her throughout her life of how to live and be happy. She had plenty of family there to celebrate her baptism, too. We are thankful everyone could be there especially for those who traveled from Portland and Virginia to be there with her.




Afterwards, we celebrated her birthday at Straw Hat Pizza where we had pizza and cute cupcakes.


Happy Birthday, Quinn! You are a joy to have in our family and we love you!

Easter

Easter has become a holiday of tradition for us since moving to Oregon. We spend time teaching our children about the resurrection of Jesus Christ during the week prior to Easter. Sunday morning brings some kind of yummy breakfast and church with our new dresses and ties. Then off to Uncle Alan and Aunt Jann's for dinner and a big Easter egg hunt. Grandma Lark and Aunt Jann spend a lot of time stuffing a lot of eggs for the kids. This year we had cousins to share the fun with - Ada and Cashlyn (who I didn't get a picture of).


(Sam wants it noted that Jonas just stepped on his shoeless foot - the cause of the non smiling face.)



It's not easy to get a picture of this kid - he is always on the go.


The hunt...