Windy Cape Flying Weather

Spencer wanted to try his cape outside.  It was a windy day and so it seemed like a perfect time to try.   The other kids couldn't be kept inside.  There is nothing special about the video, I just was happy watching my kids run in circles and I wanted to remember it.  I love these kids!

Addy is 2!

On Saturday Addy turned 2 years old.  I can hardly believe it.  She is such a joy to our family, and she gets more fun every year.  This was her birthday dress, it was my first attempt at knitting a dress. It took about a month, and it is a little big for her, but I love it!

This picture of Addy sleeping is before we left on our Birthday Trip.  She was super sleepy and the day had hardly begun!

We have started a tradition of doing something that the kids enjoy on their birthday.  It doesn't always cost money.  This year we went to the zoo.  I hadn't taken the kids since Addy was a newborn.  (I'm sure you can imagine why...newborn in sling, and two in a stroller/wagon with a tired mommy.)  So this was fun, it was stinkin' hot though.  We had a picnic lunch in City Park and then we to the zoo for about an hour.  Grandma and Grandpa were able to join us as well. 

I love this look on Zach...kind of.  This look is becoming more and more common when he visits us.  I'm hoping it is just because he is 12 and not because we are no fun.  Although the latter could be a possiblity.

 

One of my good friends made this cake!!  It is awesome!  I don't know what I'm going to do from now on, she has set the bar very high.  She will be moving this summer to Utah, so I'm on my own.  She actually made a present to Addy of the Cinderella doll in the cake. 

Sorry about the immodesty...like I said I made the dress a little too big.  Sadly she will grow into it.  :(   The bike behind her was Grandma and Grandpa's present.  There has been a bit of contention over the limited number of bikes, so this new bike will be a life saver. 

A Cold Day at the Beach

On Friday evening we had a picnic dinner on the beach.  It was pretty cool, but it was a lot of fun. 

The kids loved digging and drawing in the sand.  Earlier that week we got a bird book in the mail; Birds of Colorado  It is small and organized by the color of the birds.  The boys love it, and I confess that I love it too. 

I took it with us to the beach.  Though the only birds I got pictures of were Geese, there were quite a few other birds.  It was fun seeing them and then being able to find them in the book. 

Addy enjoyed herself so much...the mess all over her face (and in her hair) was pizza.  Note to self:  when picnicing with pizza, wait for it to cool before putting it into a tupperware container.  It turned into to one mess of pizza.  But the kids liked it anyway. 

Spending a lot of time out of doors is emphasized quite a bit with the Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method.  So I am trying to make sure we get out at least one time during the day.  Even if it is cool out. 

Easter Sunday

 

Easter was pretty laid back and stress free.  We colored some eggs the night before and then the next morning they had their baskets with a little bit of candy in it.  And Spencer and Kaden got a watercolor pencil set for their Nature Journels. After church they found the eggs that were hidden around our backyard and then after quiet time we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's for more easter celbrating. 

I love this kid's cute little face!  It is so kissable! 

 

Grandpa with his little buddy, Addy.  She loves her Grandpa...she loves most men actually.  Hmm...I don't know how worried I should be.   

Family Time

 

 

 

So this month Brian brother Steven came home from a mission to Russia.  So we got to see more family then usual.  And as usual, I forgot to take pictures.  So here are some pictures of us hanging with family.  The cute little girl is the kids' cousin Mabel, Tiff and Mark's daughter.  She loved Zach, it was super cute.  Addy finally had a little girl to play with.    They also loved hanging with their Uncle Jared (Michelle's husband) and his I-pad.  They don't see those things a lot because, well, we're cheap. 
I'll get some more photos up with their Uncle Steven. 

Happy 5th Birthday Spencer! (A month late...)

 I can't believe my oldest is 5!  We had a small family celebration.  He hasn't had a "real" party yet...I'm kind of nervous to give him one.  I guess I want to keep him small and simple for as long as possible. 

One of my friends enjoys making cakes...so I try to give her as much practice as I can.  She made Addy's cake for her year birthday and hopefully she will make her cake for her 2 year birthday too.  She will be moving this summer so I'm not sure what I will do when she is gone!  Make it myself!!

Spencer didn't get a ton of presents...which was how I wanted it.  He actually got a little more then I was hoping for...grandma and grandpa ;).  I can't blame them though, I will want to spoil my grand kids crazy when I have some.  I tried my hand at sewing a stuffed animal for Spencer.  I want a black cat for his birthday (a real one), so I made him a stuffed one.  It was not too bad, but it kind of looks funny.  I overstuffed the chest a little  and I think the head is too small.  I am still getting the hang of embroidery.  It is a lot harder then it looks.  Overall I am proud of it.  I am going to make Addy one for her birthday; she likes playing with Spencer's.

Please don't laugh...too hard

Okay I am being brave and showing everyone this scary picture of myself. One of the reasons it has been so long since I have posted is that I got sick. This doesn't quite show it, but my right eye was all pick and swollen and then it moved into my left eye too. It wasn't pink eye, though, according to the doctor. Then my throat hurt really bad and I just felt horrible. This lasted for a little over a week, the eyes and everything else. So I am finally over it, and I've just been trying to organize my life a little more.
I have decided to homeschool the kids and so I have been trying to figure out my plans in that, and I am trying to organize my housekeeping stuff. I follow a blog where the woman has binders for each aspect of her life, and so I made a housekeeping binder...I followed her plan loosely. And I have also been organizing my recipes and made a recipe/menu planning/shopping list binder. So I have been busy. If you want to check out the blog just click here. She is also doing the same Homeschooling method that I am: Charlotte Mason Approach.