some light reading

No joke -- I came down to look at Grace and she had pulled herself over to the coffee table and pulled this out of the bottom cubbie and looked so funny! She actually opened it all by herself and was quite enjoying the time she could hold it and mostly eat it -- Busy little lady lately! And looks like she has a lot of her daddy in her! Love it!

"Let's go fly a kite!"

Got dirt?

A few days ago we filled the sand trap that was in the back yard -- AS some of you might know--we bought our home from a past PGA golfer --hence the putting green and sand trap -- Well,, the green will stay but the sand was the neighborhood kitty litter box, and other not so fun things! So, we got it filled and are going to turn it into our veggie garden! I can't wait!!! As the guy came to dump the dirt the kids were in heaven watching out the window-- Carter turned to me and said, "Mom...he is a cool man!" He loved every minute

Naps

I love watching her sleep!

A Sunday walk

These two wanted to walk home from church on Sunday -- It was such a beautiful day and it just made my whole day looking out and seeing them come around the corner like this...... (if only they could always get along this well! But we'll take what we can get!:)

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

A Sunday dinner with fam!

It's so nice to be back and close to family so we can enjoy nights like these. Went to Dad's and BBQd! Flank Steak, baked beans, potato salad, and strawberry shortcake! And eating outside made it even more wonderful! In the same yard I grew up in-- Earlier that day Kels helped me get Gracie ready for church and I put on her dress and told her that it was the same dress she once wore. Then I realized we had a pic of her in it sitting in my parent's yard in one of their chairs! So of course, I had to take advantage of that! Take a look!

3 F's!

A spring night of three Fs! Frogs, Flowers, and Flippin' burgers! Couldn't be better!

Sprinklers are on!

It's really Spring when the sprinklers come on!

An Outback fieldtrip

Yesterday Carter got to go with his preschool on a field trip to the OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE! He was in heaven and loved every minute-- They took them through the kitchen and fridges, showed them a little about Australia and had them hop like kangaroos, and then fed them a yummy lunch and dessert! He even has a little free dinner coupon they gave them -- I think I need to take him on a date so I can eat there too!

MY DEAR FRIEND JOD!

This is my dear friend Jod -- I've been blessed to call her one of my dear "sister friends" for quite some time now -- She has been Aunt Jod to my kids and one in a million in so many ways -- She is getting married and has found the man of her dreams in Steve! They are getting married in May and I get to shoot their wedding and got to do their engagements this past weekend! They are seriously the greatest and I had so much fun with them -- normally I post these pics on my photo blog but thought I'd post them here -- cuz hey--they're like part of the fam to us~! Here are a few favs!

Little cookout!

So this past weekend was so warm we thought it would be prefect for a backyard campfire with our buddies the Petersons! The kids came and they caught frogs in the nearby swamp -- Then we had a hot dog roast and ate S'MORES! It was a beautiful night and a prefect way to enjoy the Spring weather!!!

Movie Night idea!

I found the cutest idea for a family movie night on a blog I love and had to try it -- Here's how to do it! (THE ABOVE PIC WAS TAKEN ABOUT A MONTH AGO-- THe first time we tried it ==I wore a goofy hat and glasses a greeted the kids at the door and they had to walk along the lit path into the family room!)

Family Movie Night at HOME - Movie Theater Style!

To make the night even more FUN

and make the kids really wonder what's up . . .

Send dad and the kids out to the car and tell them

they're in for a Big Surprise.

Dad - Get them locked, loaded and ready to go.

Mom, you can hurry and set up the

Homemade Concession Stand

Complete With:

Movie Theater Tickets

Popcorn

Treats and Drinks

You can click below and print them off yourself!

As soon as the concession stand set-up is complete,

head to the car and take a drive around the block.

Pull back into the driveway and announce, "We're Here!"

(That'll get 'em!)

They may look a little confussed at first, but once they see the

Homemade Consession Stand

that's all it will take

YOU are NOW the most POPULAR PARENTS around!

Way to go guys!

Snuggle in for a movie and enjoy the night with your Family.

Daddy and Grace taking a nap while I set up!

Cute cousins came this time and we got to surprise them!

Making popcorn!

Our little concession stand!

our little tickets

Nothin' like homemade!

We are addicted to strawberry jam!!! But the problem is -- store bought just isn't the same -- So when strawberries go on sale -- WE BUY!!!! And then we are jammin'! Our favorite is in the Ball packet -- It uses so much less sugar!!! 4 c. of fruit and only 1 1/2 c. of sugar! instead of 4 like the SURE JELL recipe! We love it!!!!

Spring break 2

For Spring break we ................................MADE A BILLION MELTY BEADS!

HOMEMADE SUCCERS!

Carter came to me and said -- Look! I made bread cookies!!!

and just kicked back and relaxed!

Spring break

Finally got the GUMMERS!

What Aubs made for G&G in Africa

Spring Break and snow bunnies!

Eating succers and playing in the snow! What a Spring Break~!

Our baby is 6 MONTHS!

Gracie is 6 months today! Seriously the fastest 6 months of my life! She is in the cutest stage -- scooting and trying to crawl, rolling, laughing, and her new trick is what we call "gummers" She has the funniest little gummer smile -- still trying to capture it on the camera! Here is her 6 month shot and a collage of her first 6 months on the bench! So fun to see her change!

EASTER DAY

Snowy Easter morn

Easter baskets
then Dad and Rosie came for Crepes and Conference!

Cute cousins came for a hunt and Easter dinner!

Look high look low!

The Daddys and the boys had a little fun with our new Air hockey table -- My latest DI score!