Easter Pictures--Better Late than Never!

We had a busy Easter celebration this year. We saw both of our families on Saturday, since Sunday is such a hard day to travel. We had lunch at my Mom's, saw all the cousins, celebrated Parker and Spencer's birthdays, and had an egg hunt! Phew!

Jackson will take on anyone! Out of his way, Trey! This involves CANDY!

Methodical Drewie...

The Great-grandparents watch from a safe distance. Good idea with our bunch!

Go, go, go!

The crew getting ready for the hunt!

After all that, it was off to the Blairs. Luckily, Melanie and her kids were visiting and we got to spend fun time with them as well. We had dinner, another egg hunt, and played at the park. Overall, a busy but special day.

An attempted photo opp....

Lined up in order of age (but not height!)

Three cute girls!

Smile!

Happy Saints Patricks Day!

We had a great "Saints" Patrick's Day, as Jackson calls it. I copied my friend Heather and fixed my kids green lunches, which they all loved (except for the green pudding--pear--apparently yucky). Jackson has been wearing green for about two weeks now. His preschool teacher, Miss Christine, kept telling him St. Patrick's Day was next week and he kept thinking that meant tomorrow, everyday. Of course, she is also the one who started the tradition of leaving our shoes out overnight for the leprechauns to fill with candy. Thanks a lot Christine! The weather was gorgeous, so we spent the entire afternoon outside. Hope your day was as fun as ours!

Photo Opps

While I was at a meeting, Matt snapped these photos of the kids. Before church, all the boys had looked so handsome in matching outfits and Sarah had looked lovely as always! I asked him to take a picture of the kids, but we were in a hurry. Of course, later they were rather wild looking--after all, it was AFTER church. Kinda glad I was not there! (Look how excited Sawyer is in photo #1.)

We Eat Yellow Snow

It snowed a few weeks ago and the kids were able to scrape up a big bowl to make snow cream. Matt decided to make it, but because he is so funny he added yellow food coloring! Get it--yellow snow! Ha, ha, ha....(sarcasm here). No wonder my boys are all demented. Of course all the kids were rolling on the floor in glee. Good grief. I must admit it though, I did eat the yellow snow. It tastes the same you know.

Who Needs Traditions?!

For the past six Christmases we have caroled our neighbors and friends and delivered a homemade treat. Now, I am not a baker, but once a year I do get out the measuring cups, spices and a new bag of flour (it usually goes bad before I ever use it). This year was no different. I made thirty mini-loaves of yummy lemon bread. (Kari M's recipe, of course!) This took me about five hours of mixing, pouring, cleaning, cooling, wrapping, repeat. They really did look cute with their homemade tags and ribbon. Now, why do I do this, you might ask. I am asking myself the exact same thing. I really want my kids to have memories of visiting our friends and sharing the Christmas spirit as they grow up. Instead, I think they will have memories of this:

"Get back into the car, sing next time, I know I can't stay on tune, get off your brother, don't say bad words, get back into the car, the quicker you go the quicker this will be over, sing!, get off the floor, put your shoes back on, get your feet out of your hat, quit hitting your sister, get back into the car, just a few more people, why are we doing this?, get out of the car, do you know how long I baked?, get back into the car!!!!, we will NOT do this next year!"

I even told Sawyer , "You are going to be so sad and will be missing this when you are on your mission." Who am I fooling? I wish I was on my mission! The few good parts were how cute Jackson was singing and giving out the bread and how happy our sweet friends and neighbors were to see us and hear our "harmonies". One really funny part was when Sarah started complaining that Drew had a heater vent on his side of the car and she didn't. Matt burst out, "Well, why don't you call Honda about that?!" We all just stopped and started to laugh. Even Sarah had to laugh. We'll probably be going out again next year. I do have 365 days to forget the majority of the experience. Traditions.....

Last Minute Christmas Photo

We didn't get a great picture at Thanksgiving, so I made the family take a picture on Saturday. We didn't coordinate anything, but at least everyone was clean! I turned it black and white to disguise the mismatches. The funniest part is that we just need someone to take the picture, so I called and had a 12 year old neighbor boy come and push the button. He had on his coat and a ski mask the entire time!? At least he wasn't shocked by all the screaming, yelling, and pulling that went on during the fantastic photo session (and that was just Matt!). Whatever. At least we have it done!!! Here are a few of the outtakes. Don't you wish you were there?

I LOVE (gritting my teeth) Switching Out Summer/Winter Clothes!

Our Upstairs Hallway--Where to walk?

Sawyer's room

Everyone in our family (especially me) hates switching out their summer/winter clothes at the end of the season. Yet, it still must be done. I sincerely envy those who just keep all their clothes, shorts, jeans, sweaters, and swimsuits in one happy mix. But, alas, it is not for us. We just don't have enough room and the kids keep outgrowing their clothes! Plus, we have to save Sawyer's old stuff for Drew, and Drew's for Jackson! Matt, not really one to comment on the state of our home, asks, "Do we have to do this? It's such a mess." What?! WE?! Doesn't he mean ME? I despise this task, not only because it takes so long, but because I have to fight with all the children to get them to try on their stuff, force them to select items to donate, decide which will still fit next year and which will need to pass on down the line! AHHHH! No wonder I don't feel like getting out our Halloween Decos. Where would I put them? On top of the piles of clothes? I should note that sweet Drewie was the only cheerful one and willingly tried on all his stuff and helped me make a "Keeper" pile (as he called it). Hopefully we will have the hallway passable by this weekend! You know, don't we really only need two pairs of jeans and three shirts? After all, I do do laundry every single day, except Sunday! Next year will be different!!! It's gotta be.....for all of our sakes!