Easter 2011

Maybe I shouldn't write anything, and let the pictures do that talking. Since we were in California this year, I think I may have gotten a little camera happy. We started out the weekend with some egg dying. Always a favorite of the kiddos, mine too. I think next year I may add painting them into the mix, that would be even more fun!

I love seeing all of these little cousins together, it just doesn't happen often enough!

5 kids dying eggs tends to leave a little bit of a mess behind. I don't think I boiled nearly enough eggs either, they could have done tons more!

Easter morning, the big day finally came, and the girls were SO excited. Halli had written the easter bunny a note asking him to hide her basket REALLY well, hide Peytons kinda good, and make Lexie and JJ's baskets easy. I think the easter bunny listened!:) The easter bunny also went crazy and made the baskets almost too full to carry!

I love these chalkboards the easter bunny had, so cute and were the "perfect" way to address each basket! This worked out really well since they didn't have their baskets from home, and had no idea whose was whose.

Halli absolutely loves her new dog with the bunny ears. I wish I could remember it's name.

Once the baskets were found, there was playing, eating lots of candy and trying out their new whoopie cushions, {they love those}! All while waiting for some delish cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

I just love how she has the kaliediscope over her eye, but is obviously looking the opposite direction, so cute!

As busy as that all looks, it happened before 8 am, cause we still had to get ready to be out the door for 9 O'clock church! After church {which was wonderful by the way, just perfect for easter sunday} we went outside for a few pictures.

I'm not loving this one with all the kids, so we may have to have a redo in the near future.

Once their cousins showed up, it was time for a fabulous dinner and the grand finale....the easter egg hunt!

JJ was perfectly content with his egg and the few pieces of candy that he managed to get his hands on. Look closely at his mouth, full O' sugar!

But there was sugar everywhere, so getting a mouthful wasn't too hard!

We had SO many eggs, the hunt lasted for quite some time, and the kids were in heaven.

We had to get some grandparents out there to help find a few too.

Halli felt the need to dump out every single one of her eggs, so she just had a basket full of candy. Makes it easier to get to.

Yet another basket that's almost too heavy to carry.

My handsome nephew chase. A cutie missing his two front teeth.

We all sat on the grass to pick through of finds and enjoy the gorgeous day. Really, the weather was so very nice out there, perfect spring weather that just begs you to come outside and enjoy it!

As much as we may try to be ladies in our easter dresses, some of us still have a hard time sitting with our legs closed, and not getting candy juice smeared all over our faces...that's what being a kid is all about, isn't it?

After all of that, the kids were getting restless, and grandpa decided to pull out the tractor and hook it up to a little go cart. This entertained the kids for quite some time! I only got photos of Lexie, but they all enjoyed riding it, and when the older kids were riding, uncle Ryan figured out how to pop a wheelie and sometimes it even tipped over...they loved that!

What could be more fun?

Always outside, enjoying each other...it was an almost perfect easter. The only thing missing was their dad.

California dreamin!

We love visiting grandma and grandpa in california. There is tons of time spent outside, enjoying the yard, and the cool air, and the freedom to explore. There's cooking and eating, and making messes...kinda the same stuff we do at home, but it's with Grandma Shauna and Grandpa Logan, so that makes it better!

Everyone's happier when they're outside.

Their blonde hair is even brighter outside too.

My parents are re-doing their backyard, they've dug out a patio for a walk-out basement, and they're in the process of laying pavers. It's going to look amazing when it's done, and the girls had a GREAT time playing down there. Especially when they're piles of sand to play in....can't get better than that, can it?

We where there for my nephews baptism, so that meant Great-Grandma & Grandpa Steenblik where there with us. The kids had fun being able to spend time with them, and I'm SO incredibly greatful that my kids get to know their great-grandparents, and that they still have enough energy to play with them!:)

This is my grandma Georgine and my neice Ashlyn

Grandma got all snuggled on the couch with the kiddos for a movie. They love it!

Look at Grandpa Joe, trying to get JJ crawling, must have worked cause he picked it up pretty well as soon as we got home!

On saturday, we were able to attend the baptism of my nephew Tyler. It was so great to be able to be there for him, and for Halli to be able to be there, since she'll be doing it soon too. We're so proud of you Tyler! Congrats!

We tried to get the kids alll together for a picture, but let's face it, when one of those kids is Lexie and she doesn't want a picture taken....it doesn't really happen. That girls got a mind of her own! We stuck grandpa back there to hold her in place...this was the best I could get.

We're lucky to have such fun family, and that we were able to be there for such an eventful weekend. I'm grateful my kids were able to see their cousins again {I can't believe how fast they're all growing up!} and that they all have so much fun when they're together, love it!

The things they say

I just had to jot this little tidbit down, I love my kids!:)

Me: "Peyton, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Peyton: "I want to be nice to my kids. Like if they do something mean, I won't get them in trouble."

Not what I was expecting, but okay, we'll go with it.

Me: "Oh, is that what I do, get you in trouble?"
Peyton: "Yeah, I don't like it."
Me: "So how will you teach them to stop being mean?"
Peyton: "I'll just tell them not to do it."
Me: "Oh, well, do you stop when I tell you to?"
Peyton: "No"
Me: "So if it doesn't work for you, what if it doesn't work for your kids?"
Peyton: "I'll just ask them to stop."
Me: "But what if they don't?"
Peyton: "They will." pause "But I won't get mad at them if they don't"

Peyton: "Actually, I don't want kids"

A late Ten on Tuesday

1. March Madness is over! The final four was held here in Houston this year, and Kevin was lucky enough to win tickets to the championship game. He went straight downtown from work yesterday, played more games at bracket-town, won an autographed basketball, by Dick Vitale, and he and his brother were on the news. The game wasn't the greatest, but he loved being down there no matter what!

2. While the boys were at the game last night, my sister-in-law Jamie came over. To say my girls were excited is an understatement! Apparently in the excitement Peyton and Lexie collided with each other, resulting in a fat lip for Peyton. It was HUGE this morning, and she was one super sad little girl!:( She did go to preschool, and still had a good day, thank goodness. She did ask ALL day long if her lip looked better, what it looked like, when I had a fat lip, will it ever go away, will it be fat forever. Basically it consumed her every thought. Hopefully tomorrow it'll be almost gone.

3. JJ is still not moving. at all. He is getting better at being on his tummy though, so maybe someday!:)

4. Lexie has been having accidents, like 4 today alone. She's wetting the bed, she's playing and just forgetting to go so she pees her pants. It's exhausting, and annoying. I don't know what to do besides hope she decides to quit doing this asap!!! I'd rather not put her back in diapers at bedtime, I just don't want her to regress, but I'm SO tired of washing her sheets. On the other hand, her whole bedroom smells very fresh and clean!:)

5. I booked tickets today to go back to California over easter weekend. Kevin isn't joining us though. He's helping out with our stake Youth Conference on thursday, all day friday and all day saturday, so we're leaving. It'll be sad not to be with him on easter, but we will get to be there for my nephews baptism, and the girls are all very excited, as am I! The flight will be very interesting though.

6. I've got a trainer! I need to get in shape bad, and decided I need a trainer to help me. He even comes to the house to work out with me!:) Oh, his name is Kevin, he's super hot, great at basketball (or all sports fo that matter) and he's super excited to get to yell at me and whip my jiggly behind into shape! We're doing P90X, and hopefully I'll make it past more than the first month this time around.

7. I am LOVING this weather, and although I like warm weather I'm so not looking forward to the humidity that's bound to be here soon. But with the humidity comes the end of school...we're almost there people, yay! Of course, then I'll have FOUR kids home all day to entertain, nay!

8. JJ loves to play with my keys, and suck on them. So now my remote door opener doesn't work, and that stinks, big time. Not only that but the passenger sliding door is not working very well, so I think I'll have to take the car in soon, and I hate having to do that. But oh, how I'll LOVE having a new remote and doors that open on demand!:)

9. During conference on sunday, Allie and her kiddos came over (Sean was at training), and we made a new cinnamon roll recipe that she had found. It was a different than any bread recipe I've ever seen, and oh my goodness gracious! These were THE BEST cinnamon rolls I've ever had....Pillows of Heaven became their name. The most light and fluffy cinnamon rolls ever....and I ate WAY too many! I don't really make cinnamon rolls, so it was super fun to have her here to help guide me through it, and I will never use a different recipe again, that's for sure!

10. Halli and I are in a mother/daughter book club, which we love. We are in charge of the meeting this month and the book is James and the Giant peach. She read it a few months ago, and I need to re-read it to remember what happens, but she asks me all the time what we're going to do. I Love reading and miss doing it as much now, but it is so much fun seeing her develop tat same love and getting so enthralled in her books. I love it! So if you have any fun ideas to do with peaches, or for that book in particular, send them my way!

Spring in Texas

Ahh, spring, how we love you! Spring in Texas is a little more like summer in other places. It's been warm enough for swimsuits, so we put on the sprinklers and let the girls play on the trampoline. Or, I should say I did, Kevin was gone all day with the young men doing lawn aerations.

The girls opted for a picnic outside, seriously, I loved these days as a kid. Eating outside, laying on the patio in your swimsuit, and taking in a good book too. Can't beat those days!

Sometimes, those days are a bit too long for the little ones, especially little ones that don't like to take naps anymore. I miss having our consistent naps everyday. :( The hardest part is that she still needs them, but just fights like the dickens not to have to take one, and it's not worth the fight for me.

This girls is so busy and into everything, I love it when she's sleeping, and peaceful, and quiet.

We also decided to take dinner outside. Cause a spaghetti picnic is normal, right?

Well, JJ loved it!

Nice and messy. Straight to the bath after this dinner.

I'm going to try and squeeze as much as I can out of our last couple months (hopefully) of spring we get here in houston. We are LOVING this weather!:)

Fun Run

So, I'm getting a little behind in blogging here. Too busy posting stuff about my hubby and the final four!:) Anyhoo, a few weeks ago there was a fun run at Halli's school. She loves this day, and I wasn't really wanting to go this year, (seems to be a theme with me, right? Sorry, but always having three kids tagging along is wearing me out!) She really wanted us there, and it was a gorgeous day, so I'm glad we went!

She doesn't always love running, but this girl is competitive. I did think it was funny that when she got by me, she'd take off, but on the other side of the track, she needed a little break! At least she still wants my approval enough that she wanted to show off for me a little!:)

She wanted to make sure she wore good running clothes this year.

After we'd watched for a few laps, she had Peyton join her. Talk about excited! Peyton was so happy to get to head out there and be a big girl with her sis. Lexie on the other hand threw a MEGA fit that she didn't get to go.

Look at them holding hands, they really do love each other!

Man, these are some cutie patooties, if I do say so myself!

Can't have a post without showing mr. man. He is one stinking cute little boy! Love the peach fuzz on top of his little head. Soft blond peach fuzz!

He's also been quite fussy lately. I think it's a combination of teething and being ready to move but not knowing how. I don't htink I could handle it if he weren't so dang cute! But he is, so I guess I'll keep him! But that doesn't mean I'm not ready for this fussy period to end....soon I hope.

March Madness

It's that time of year again. For the past few weekends I've kinda been a basketball widow. But honestly, Kevin's been busy so it hasn't been as bad this year as it usually is.  The one thing that's different this weekend, is that the final four is taking place here in Houston.

At the convention center downtown is "bracket town". Basically a fun zone for all things basketball. Kevin's mentioned that we should go, but with four little kids, and him being preoccupied with basketball, and all the crowds, I really didn't want to go. But this morning, I decided that if we got there as it was opening maybe the crowds wouldn't be too bad.

It was very managable when we got there and the kids were amazed at everything in there. This place is a basketball lovers dream. I'm not kidding. at all.

(most of these pictures are blurry. We took Kevins little point and shoot, and I have no idea how to use it. Yes, I can use a big DSLR, but not a simple automatic camera. I don't get me.)

The kids loved that there was just SO much to do.  and luckily we were early enough that the crowds were very light. It was super busy by the time we left.

Kevin and his "final four" (hehe, He kept saying that to everyone that commented on our little brood, which happened quite a bit actually. ) 

JJ even got to play with the basketball a little bit.

The best part of the day for sure was Kevin in the shoot-out competition. He saw it on the screen and decided that he had to do it. His first time through he was nervous and didn't do too well. (There were ALOT of people standing around watching). So he did it again, and ended up with the highest score of the day. That score won him two tickets to the championship game monday night.

They almost didn't give him tickets cause he'd gone through twice so when he got the call that he did win some he was ecstatic! Seriously, he is in HEAVEN right now and hasn't stopped smiling all day.

So, I'm super glad we decided to go and let him indulge in all the basketball a boy could ever dream of. It was a fun day and he is one very happy man!