Springtime

Nicole earned this enormous bubble maker through our piano practice rewards and the kids love chasing them!

 

When they pop the kids do get pretty wet but they don't mind!

 

Spike getting some play time on the couch.

 

Nicole is not only a head taller than any other player, she is almost as tall as the referee.

 

Michael drew up plans for a house and then built it. He loves drawing maps and making plans.

 

Getting some pictures together for photo frames on our walls.

 

Me and Katybug.

 

A single bee has come to pollinate the blueberries. We are so happy to see this little dude come by just about every day it's funny. The kids know to be nice to the "big bee."

 

Our golden delicious tree has flowers! The little twig just has tons of leaves though so we won't get any cross pollination this year it seems like.

 

We get a few strawberries each week. I'm hoping the production will increase because they are SO tasty!

 

This face. She has so much energy it makes me tired just thinking about it! This age is so much fun and so exhausting all at once. Diana is a gem and loves to try out everything and go everywhere!

Katy's birthday was this week, she is 1 year old! She is 17.3lbs (3rd %) and 29.75in long (73rd %) Long and lean!

 

Singing to Katy.

 

First taste of her cake.

 

About 10 minutes later. The kids kept making smashing motions with their hands trying to get her to smash the cake. It worked! And they were thrilled!

 

Saturday morning, Nicole bragged to the boys that she'd never had to play goalie in soccer yet. An hour later at the game I was laughing to see the coach have her be goalie. I was impressed at how well she did (when she is on the field and someone kicks/looks like they're going to kick near her, she always turns away protecting her head!) and she got to do a lot of goalie kicks. They scored on a point blank kick by their best player but that was it. She told me later that she just wanted to get it over with and when the coach asked she agreed to play goalie. I was proud of her for being proactive instead of procrastinating!

 

These weeds have sprouted out of nothing in 2 weeks. If my garden grew like that it would be awesome!

 

Kiersten had her birthday party yesterday and I got to snuggle baby Easton while Marian hosted a fun tiger party for a bunch of girls!

 

Going on the obstacle course! They had to stay between the lego path, shoot hoops, use the swinging seats to get to the last part where Kaitlin asked a math question for them to solve. They loved this and all of the other fun games. Marian did a great job of having games that were simple, yet the girls were laughing, smiling and having the best time!

 

Cotton candy! The girls loved this so much it was cute to see them eat it with these concentrating faces and smiles of delight! It is so fun to be a part of the cousins' special occasions like birthdays.

 

Easter Weekend

Nicole earned some air dry clay and has enjoyed sculpting with it.

 

Michael got crafty the other day making his own Indian headdress.

 

 

And Jacob's craft was to spell his own name.

 

Nicole pops up in the kitchen every now and then wanting to make something. I never complain!

 

Nicole volunteered to help the Primary by drawing a picture for a phrase in one of the songs they are learning. Can you guess the phrase? "To look upon His loving face"

Flare shed her entire back and belly, it was pretty cool and fun to watch her go around the cage itching it off!

 

The little stick that could.

 

Our cherry bushes have been in the ground for a week or two now. Waiting for them to bud!

Michael and Jacob are on the same soccer team! There is not a much more entertaining sight than the two of them going through drills and practice together. Only once were they wrestling each other on the field :)

 

We get the Friday before Easter off and we went to the lake. It was so windy that it did not feel warm at all to me but the kids were blissfully splashing in the water and having a great time!

 

 

The cousins joined us and they spent over an hour making this pool.

 

Getting ready for our Easter Egg hunt!

 

The spoils!

 

Instead of packing them with candy, they had a jellybean or two and a puzzle piece in each egg.

 

Once they completed the puzzle they got a grand prize of a chocolate bunny! Less candy, but finding 100 eggs was so fun!

 

Egg nest bread! I dye eggs that haven't been hard boiled and add them to the dough as it rises the last time. The eggs cook along with the bread and it makes a colorful addition to the Easter table.

This year we had Honey & Clove ham, Watergate salad, egg nest bread, potato salad, and sparkling cherry limeade. For dessert we enjoyed fresh strawberry pie and hummingbird cake (if you've never had this you need to try it asap!) The meal was a wonderful ending to a great General Conference weekend where we listened to the prophet and apostles give incredible sermons. I look forward to studying them in greater detail and helping our family each day make steps towards being all our Heavenly Father wants us to be.