Back it up...

to the beginning of May,

Where we said goobye again to Mindy. It was a quick trip, but every moment we had was treasured! Love you Min!

And now we are fully in spring. Complete with showers and flowers.

Dennis pick away at the lot when he has time while V picks at...other things.

This spring we've been able to see all sorts of babies.

Last week we were blessed with a visit from both of my parents.

They were able to join us for J's last cello concert,

view E's displayed art at school,

help us cheer on J at a very cold baseball game,

and celebrate B's first birthday.

He was a very polite host and showed interest in all of his presents.

He enjoyed his first taste of sugar.

He also played pin the tail on the donkey. (J decided to make a political statement w/ the hat on the donkey)

A good day!

1 Year

Things that make me smile...

At school...

J juggled scarves at the school book fair. He was scheduled to do this for 15minutes. He probably did this for 2min. and spent the other 13 bopping around doing who knows what. He's a social bug.

While we were there I was finally able to E's art on display at school. They have what are called outstanding artists and their art is displayed either for the whole year or for a month. She is here with art that has been chosen to be up all year, in a frame.

This was a piece chosen for a month. These skills she gets from her daddy.

J had his 2nd cello concert and did great! He started playing it cool when mom's around. I'm not sure how I feel about this. He wasn't please with me taking his picture here. I don't think he really cared, but he acted like he did. I'm not having it.

Easter

I love Easter. I love it. I was so thankful for a gloriously warm day yesterday.

Here's a keepin' it real collage of the kids in their Easter attire. One keeps his eyes closed, another only smiles after being threatened by her father, one keeps moving and the youngest looks high.

We had a restful afternoon and then later on Den's fam came over for a light meal and dessert. I put together an egg hunt including resurrection eggs (the girls are in front of a chart for it where they put the elements from the eggs) but the boys decided they were too old for it this year. What? Too old for chocolate? What's this world coming too? They would've rather played ball and they did.

We spent a good deal of time watching and wondering if the storm would reach us.

It did.

So we crammed inside and loudness and chaos ensued. The kids loved it all.

E's dress that I made this year.

Today was also beautiful and we had guests to enjoy it with. J stayed the night at his cousin's house. I need more pics of that boy!

Just in case these two are best buddies and either have a grad party together or get married, we are going to have plenty of cute pics for an awesome slide show. Just in case.

Growing...

Wheatgrass

J Started Baseball....

But you'll have to take my word for it, because during his practices we've been playing at the playground. The ONE time I was able to watch him practice I forgot my camera. Figures.

Thank You Grandpa & Grandma!

Marriage on the Rocks

Somebody went against my wishes upstairs.....of course he's still cute, but that's NOT the point. I dare say our marriage will survive this.

Other fun earlier that day.

*some construction mine :)

Please Stay Tuned

Enjoy the music...

while we pull up our pants and get back to our regular scheduled blogging.

Spoiled

Not this guy. Me. I am spoiled. I do not have perfect, all the time easy kids. But most of my day is spent with this guy and I would say that 85-90% of the time he is a piece of cake. So much so that I have to make sure I'm proactive in spending purposeful time with him. He plays so well by himself and is very content "snoggling" on the couch. I can piddle around the house and he'll play with his trucks. This was yesterday morning after the older two had caught the bus. Love my mornings with this little man. (right now he's on the floor talking to and then smashing ants. i don't know why they are in my bedroom!) B loves catching a little quality time with his pal gal Sydney.

I Make Messes

And I 'm proud of it.

Getting warmer...

Fizzy Foamy Science. The kids always ask to do this and I almost always put it off for rainy days. This time they asked Dennis. It is pretty fun!



Play dough bed for Luke Skywalker. Everyone in the rebel alliance is going to want one of these.




Saturday we went to the farm and Den and the kids spent the afternoon finding and marking the iron pins that designate the lot's boundaries. I even got to use a borrowed metal detector. I want one.


Pounding in the steak. J was in charge of spray painting them. Until he lost that privilege after repeated random sprays. Life lessons are tough.

Somebody learned something at church last week.

And sweet neighbor Martha gave the older two pony rides on Diamond.

My daffodils are about to burst because it is getting warmer!!

And I bust out my high fashion footwear for such occasions. If you'd like to create this look w/o the high price just ask and I'll fill you in on my fashion secrets.

He spent the morning outside and loved it. He's old enough that he can play in the back by himself and I can watch him through the windows.

We don't have as many cats around so picnics can be fun without having to shoo the little beggars away!