Spring Time

Spring is not the best of seasons.

Cold and flu are two good reasons;

wind and rain and other sorrow,

warm today and cold tomorrow.

~Author Unknown

Spring has been so crazy this year.....lots of cold, rain, and snow. I wouldn't normally agree with this quote but it sure does ring true this year! I happened to look at the weeks weather report and its another week full of rain, clouds and maybe some snow. It sure does make it hard when the kids are dying to get outside and run around. But despite the craziness I have found the beauty that spring brings. Here are some of the things that I have noticed .....................

I love to see all the trees in bloom, I can't get enough of them. They are everywhere and truly beautiful.

I love to see all the flowers peeking through the ground too.

The earth is alive again. All things made new. New life begins.

 I love to watch all the beautiful birds and hear them singing.

 I love spring, it brings so much beauty, and for that I am blessed to live in such a beautiful place and to witness the seasons!

Easter Celebrations

We had a great weekend celebrating Easter. We had a few nice days with some sunshine so we decided to take advantage of it. We had an Easter egg hunt on Friday for the kids. It was fun to see each one of them take off and hunt down the eggs. Julia was so excited and would run to collect them and run back to her seat to see what was inside. Caleb was to busy to hunt down eggs because all he wanted was candy. Kate would run by all the eggs until she found the perfect one. And Jane was so cute....her first egg hunt. It was fun to see her. She would haul her basket everywhere in search for the eggs and then when she finally got one she would shake it to death to see what was inside. She didn't want to see what was inside she just wanted to find the eggs and shake them. Christian and I sat together and watched all the fun.

Kids getting ready to go

Jane opening eggs with Aunt Amy

Christian and mommy watching the fun!

Kate and her eggs

Caleb

Julia and Caleb enjoying their spoils

Sunday was an eventful day. Woke up and Julia found her basket with some cute surprises and then she hunted down the candy the bunny left for her. Then we all got ready to go to church. Julia was so excited to put on her new Easter dress. Before church, it was still sunny outside so we grabbed a few pictures and they went surprisingly well. No one complained or cried. Then off to church to listen to a wonder choir program for Easter. Julia did well in Primary so that's always a plus and she told me they talked about Jesus.

Easter surprises!

Candy surprises!

Julia showing me her new things.

A ladybug mask she found in her basket

New dress and a cute smile

Christian and Julia

Mom and the kids

Dad and the kids

Dinner at my parents for Easter was chaotic as usual with all the crazy kids. We tried to get all the kids to sit and get some pictures but you know how that goes.....craziness ensues! Someone was always moving, or crying, or not smiling. So its tough but we try our best to make it work. The girls were so cute in their matching dresses this year. And the boys were so handsome as well! Dinner was great especially because I didn't have to cook but also for the company!

The crazy kids

2 handsome boys

3 beautiful girls

Happy Easter!

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN! TELL IT OUT WITH JOYFUL VOICE.

He has burst his 3 day prison; Let the whole wide world rejoice.

Death is conquered; man is free.

Christ has WON the victory!

Flashback Friday

I was looking through pictures of Julia when she was Christian's age and its uncanny that they look so much alike in certain pictures. These are 4 month pictures of Julia........


If it wasn't for the girly clothes and accessories I might mistake
Christian for Julia. My mom told me to label the pictures just to
make sure you would know who was who.



Christian 4 months



A great getaway!

Layne and I were able to celebrate our anniversary this year with a little overnight stay at the Homestead, up in Midway!

It was so wonderful to be able to spend time together and especially a night without the kids! We headed up around dinner time and checked in. Layne surprised me with an upgraded room just like on our Honeymoon! Before dinner we were able to go swim in the 'Crater'. It was a little creepy to me but it was relaxing and just like going swimming in a lake or pool. Its a warm mineral spring and runs about 90-95 degrees and it is about 65 feet deep. You can either scuba dive or swim, we obviously chose to swim and it was a cool experience.

Outside the Crater...kinda looks like a volcano.

The entrance way into the Crater.
You have to walk a little tunnel to reach the water.

A view of the top from the inside. You can also
hike a bunch of stairs to look from the outside down inside.

Layne with all the scuba divers! We went back the next morning to
get the pictures...I didn't want to risk getting the camera wet.

Next we headed off to dinner. We were both starved! Dinner was DELICIOUS! The best steak and mash potatoes I've had in a long time. Layne didn't even need condiments for his steak. We couldn't stop saying how good it was. Layne even thanked the cook and said it was the best!

We had a free breakfast the next morning and I had to get the orange cranberry scones! We ate until we were stuffed and then headed out. We got a few pictures and just drove around the area. Lots to do with all the golf courses, horse back riding, trails and paths to walk. Julia would have loved it will all the deer and ducks we saw.

Breakfast and my scones....yummy!

It was time to head  home and get the kids. We had to make a stop at home before we picked them up so we got home and I walked in the door and saw this................

It was the bench from Kohl's were we first met. I was really surprised and thought it was a very romantic gesture. He told me he had been trying to get the bench since about Christmas but the store wouldn't let him have it. So after a call to corporate headquarters he was able to get the bench. The lady said that it was the best story she had ever heard and because they were going to redecorate that store he was able to get the bench and for free! I love it when Layne surprises me......he is so sneaky and good at keeping things very secret! Thanks for a great weekend and wonderful memory surprise!

5 Years Today!

Then we sat on the edge of the earth,

with our feet dangling over the side,

and marveled that we had found each other!

♥ HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY! ♥

A nice day....

Well, spring has been very cold and wet this year. Just a few days ago it was in the 30's and snowing BUT today, finally, it was sunny and quite warm out! The sky was blue, with a few clouds and the sun was shining! The grass at the park was so green and the birds and the bees were humming....oh what a great day to be outside. We certainly had to take advantage of the nice sunny weather. We all got to get out of the house and use up some of our pent up energy. A picnic and a few hours at the park. Julia loves to play and ride her scooter! Christain and I just enjoyed being together and walking! We came home warn out and a little sun burned......not that I mind at all. It was a great day.

Goofin Around!

I really ♥ my kids! The other day Julia found both pairs of goggles and she decided to have a lot of fun with them.

 

What a cutie pie!

Julia is becoming pretty imaginative and inventive. I love to see her role play and see her come up with new things.

Laying out the pool to jump into

On your mark, get set, GO!

And she's off

Great Height!

Toes pointed?!

Perfect Landing!

"How'd I do?" 
I give it a perfect 10!