The Easter Grinch

I was chatting with some ladies the other day, they asked what I was putting in the kids easter baskets, when I replied that I don't give the kids easter baskets, one of my friends jokingly (at least I think!) told me I was Satan....

Come now, would Satan let Henry dye easter eggs? NO

I feel I'm in the minority when it comes to Easter festivities... we have never given our children "easter baskets" on easter morning, occasionally I'll give them new easter outfits, but never a big basket overflowing with candy and toys. The kids always go to at least one community egg hunt (sometimes two), a church easter brunch and egg hunt, my dear mother in law always makes sure they get easter treats and my own mom sends a fun easter package every year... in addition, our across the street neighbors bring huge easter gifts over for the kids every year. By the time Easter rolls around, do I feel bad that "easter bunny" hasn't come in the night and left them a basket? NO!! And frankly, they've never thought to ask why the easter bunny visits the neighbors and not them.

I do let them dye eggs though! 

Harrison double dipping his egg.

I know this photo is horribly overexposed, but I had to show you what the boys picked out to wear... stripes and plaid- both of them!  

So now you know the rest of the story- why I'm the easter grinch, take that to therapy kids!!

Baby eats yogurt!!

I know mundane things like this happen in every corner of the earth every minute of the day, a baby eats yogurt! She spills it on her tummy and gets it all over her face! Not quite front page headlines... but somehow.... when it's your adorable baby messily eating yogurt... it's just the cutest thing, and of course everyone else needs to see how precious your baby really is, messily eating her yogurt. Any other baby making a mess out of her breakfast? Not so cute. But your own baby? Adorable, precious, sweet beyond words.... this kind of love is what makes the world go 'round.

My month in pictures

When I uploaded my last post, I glanced at my previous post, and saw that it was over a month ago!! What kind of blogger am I?  LAZY, that's what! So here's a recap of my last month in pictures....

She tried hiding from  me before nap time.... the giggle gave her away

Probably my favorite picture of her yet! I love the clarity in her eyes.

Getting ready for church- the daddy daughter shot melts my heart.

Sick day! Amelia threw up in her bed!!! Grosssssss

She was sick for several days.

I got a print for my wall- I love it!!

Harrison lost a tooth!

My dear friend is moving to Texas, leaving a Texas sized hole in my heart....

More good light!

We hunted easter eggs in the snow.... it was as cold as it looked.

Baby in a basket! She loves to be in here...

Watching Saturday morning cartoons.

He can be a sweet boy when he wants to be....

......and there you have my month in photos!!

Early Spring

This winter was slow to start, but it sure is dragging it's feet to let spring in! Ever since Amelia started walking a few weeks ago, she's wanted to stretch her wings and fly outside with the kids. Today was a balmy 38 degrees but with bright sunshine and no wind, it felt like paradise, so I let Amelia explore the great outdoors for the first time on her own two feet!

Do you think she liked it? I don't know if I can tell yet.... KIDDING!

Se even kept her hat on- she hates hats, but didn't mind it this time.

She only stayed on the patio for 10 minutes..... then.....

Testing out the snowball maker....

Wouldn't be a photo shoot without Henry photo bombing!

Just good light

This morning I was hurrying around, getting Henry out the door to preschool, and Amelia came crawling out of Maya's bedroom (up to no good in there!) with these oversize, ridiculous but adorable sunglasses on her face. Her morning hair was off the hook frizzy and she had the most adorable cheezy grin on her face. I laughed out loud and ran for my camera, good light + cute baby + oversize sunglasses are a budding photographers dream! These priceless photos were worth the few minutes I was late to drop Henry off at school, I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed capturing the fun moment.

Bed Head

Cute, but still looks like bedhead

Of course Henry can't be overlooked! He was all bundled up ready for school,  it's about 6 degrees here! Brrrr

 Back from dropping Henry off, we head to the tub to tame that apricot mane. Here are some post bath photos...

Babycakes is finally starting to walk!! No, she really is!

See! Look she's still a bit wobbly on her feet, but she loves the thrill.

I think this is my favorite one.

Cousins Party

 Did you know we live by cousins? It's so fun, the kids all love to get together and have a good time, we have our ups and downs, but it's mostly ups and we love it! I usually try to have a cousins party for Christmas, this year we all came down with the stomach bug for a whole week, so the party never happened. I thought a Valentines party would be fun instead.... and it was! All the kids were off school today, so it was the perfect day to to celebrate valentines day and be with our family.

Maya loves to decorate cookies and cupcakes, she was right in her element!

The whole group, minus Grandma and Tyler, how did I miss getting photos of them? Oops!

Cousin Tess writing Aunt Amy a letter, she's away serving a Mormon mission.

Aunt Marcia and Amelia, they look cute together, don't they?

Sweet Molly, I love this sassy baby.

Harrison's cookie is "kind of freaky" says Maya

Actually, Uncle Jared looks kind of freaky, says mom.

Henry and Nate... Nate is such a great uncle!

Be my Valentine

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentines Day... with my birthday at the start of the month, and our anniversary at the end of the month, Valentines Day seems to get lost in the shuffle. I always think I don't care about Valentines Day until the day actually comes, then I wish I'd done something fun/romantic for my valentine! It's fun for the kids, so I try to do a few fun things for them (I remember my dad giving all us kids valentines when I was younger).

However you celebrate, Happy Valentines Day!