Summer Fun....IN MARCH!

We have been having some beautiful weather lately, and the last day in March was so hot that the kids were outside playing with the neighbor boys with water guns, and water from the spicket.  Evan and I were staining our deck while listening and watching the fun, but I had to stop to take some pictures, as I'm quite sure we won't have many repeats of this day in future March's to come.  The following day the kids actually went swimming with both our neighbors next to us and across the street, but I was at work so I didn't get to capture any of those moments.

All 4 kiddos playing in the water.

Makenna, Landon, and Denver

Denver and Landon especially had a lot of fun.

No more training wheels!

The other night Evan said to me "I bet you, I can have Denver riding his bike without training wheels in 10 minutes".  I said prove it!  Sorry, Denver, but I really didn't think Daddy was right, as I thought your fear would kick in and you wouldn't want to keep trying, but you showed me WRONG!  Around the 10 minute mark we were able to let go for short time periods, but Denver would look back to see if we let go and immediately break.  We decided to call it quits, and then took him out the next night....in footed pajamas and cowboy boots none-the-less.  Evan helped Denver balance in the beginning and I ran in front of him to make him keep looking at me and not worry if Dad had let go or not and it didn't take long and he was going, going, going without training wheels and without Daddy's help!  (So I just got the first night video recorded as I didn't even think of it when I was running down the street until we got in the house.)  We are soooo proud of him and its so fun watching him hop on his bike with no fair and drive away.  We've gone on several bike drives around the block and he does really well and obeys our street rules for him.  Way to go, buddy!

So excited!

Determined.

Makenna wanted right in on the action.

Fishing Trip

I keep wanting to put "our first fishing trip of the year", but really, it was only MY first fishing trip this year.  Evan has been to the river with Denver and his Grandpa, and he's taken the kids several times to go fishing either when I've been at work or trying to get stuff done around the house in peace and quiet!  Its so nice that the kids are finally the age where Evan can take them to do things and I can get stuff done without it taking twice as long, and or doing things not once, but twice. :)

The first fish on this trip, of course it was caught by Denver!

He was sooo excited!

Makenna's first fish on this trip, which was also the first walleye caught on this trip.

She wasn't too interested in a picture with her fish.

Kenna and Papa fishing.

This fishing endeavor took place when my sister was here the 2nd time, and Jacob joined us.  He was excited to catch a fish too!

Daddy and Denver with the 2 biggest fish from the trip.

Shower for Ann and Baby Girl

I along with the help of Aunt Cherie, and the soon to be Aunt Joanna put on a baby shower for Ann and their soon to be Baby Girl.  Makenna is super excited to add a baby girl to the family and we had to do some preparation for Makenna to understand that the baby is still in cousin Ann's tummy and not here where she can see her.  We had a fun afternoon of visiting, games, and dessert, and Ann and baby recieved many wonderful gifts.  We are excited to meet this new little girl (hopefully before the month is over), and hope and pray that things go smoothly for Jordan and Ann as they transition into a family of 3!

Ann with the baby cake that Aunt Cherie put together with blankets and burp rags that I made for her.

Makenna had a blast running around, and helping take Ann presents to open.

The gift table.

Punch with a spoon none-the-less with Great Grandma Billie

Sisters and Cousins.....and PINTEREST

A blessing all too often taken for granted is a sister AND cousins!  We had the privelege of spending lots of quality time with my dear sister and her 3 boys on two seperate occasions (back to back weeks) in March.  I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with an amazing sister who loves and cares so much about my family and me; along with 3 awesome little boys who have melted our families heart and created so many precious memories for our children.  We had an absolute blast having them stay with us and hope the next visit entails Jeff, as well (and Evan hopes a finished basement, but I say they better come before that happens!)!  I'm not quite sure how Kim and I managed to keep functioning as we ran and played hard while they were here both times, but we spent lots of time playing, and lots of time as sisters catching up while the kids napped or played.  Our play time of course included lots of Pinterest activities which you'll see pictured below.

One of the Pinterest activities included shaving cream painting in the shower.  The kids had an absolute blast, but I learned a good lesson....put a limit on the amount of shaving cream of they'll be too tired to clean it up and you'll spend time scrubbing down the shower yourself.....kind of exhausting.

Another adventure was home made finger painting!  I don't have a lot of pictures of this as they got a little wild and needy and didn't have enough free hands.

The before picture.

...and a shortly after they started photo.

We spent a day out at the farm, running around, feeding the calves with Papa, tractor rides with Papa, and of course Denver had to have some snuggle time with Baby Malachi.  He absolutely adores him!

This was from the next week visit and I caught Makenna attempting to change Caleb's poopy diaper!  I kind of had to laugh to myself as there's a similar story about myself....ahhhh it can be difficult to see yourself in your child some times!

Not many pictures were taken this visit and it was spent a little more low key just enjoying each other's company.  The last day they stayed at our house we had a picnic out on the deck. 

LOVE this picture of Caleb, his full plate, and his cute face....AND look at Caleb and Denver, couldn't they pass as brothers? :)

Thank you God for blessing me with such a wonderful, loving, caring, and ambitious sister, and THREE absolutely adorable, and precious nephews.  Thank you for the relationships we have, and how you will bless us as they continue to grow!

My Little Deck Washers

The other morning the kids wanted to wash the deck.  It was so cute watching them work so hard.  This March weather we've had this year is just crazy.  Strange to think it was warm enough for water, and shorts on a March morning.

Miscellaneous from the end of February

I bet all of you thought I was falling on my "resolution" of staying up to date.  I maybe was, a little, but worse, I haven't been good at taking pictures!  The end of February wasn't very exciting at our house which in turn didn't remind me to take the camera out and snap some pictures.  Here are some randoms to prove we did have fun!

This strange winter has given us opportunities to play outside.  Here Denver is painting the driveway with sidewalk paint, thanks to Pinterest!

Denver and Jacob got to have a sleep over!

Denver and Jacob holding Malachi

Of course I made sure I got some snuggles in too!

Makenna has become obssessed with playing "babies".

This is a common site at our house now.

Our one, and maybe only snowman this winter.

Every time we've been able to go play in the snow it hasn't been very packable and have struggled to make a snowman so we did the best we could.  The kids have been checking out the window on him every day....I hate to say it, but he's almost gone and no longer has a head.

Otherwise things haven't been to exciting with us.  We've had some good laughs from the kids and I've been trying to remember the things they say so I get it documented, but of course I'm not good at getting that done.  Here's one thing from each one,

Makenna: We're eating chicken and it's always a debate if the kids want their chicken cut up or on the bone and Makenna says a little ways into the meal "I want one with a handle on it!"

Denver:(Not really funny, but some thing that gives you insight into his thoughts these days)  "Mom why does it have to be dark outside for so long?" (meaning he would rather run & play all the time and skip sleeping)

A Little Bit of Love Goes a Long, Long Way

I'll have to check with Denver in the morning if I messed up with the title.  Denver had preschool today, Valentine's Day, and they had a fun little party that I got to go to with him.  I missed the first part of the party when I was running Makenna to Auntie Lynn's so I could put my whole attention on Denver and helping with his class.  During that part Mrs. Korn taught them a cute little song about a little bit of love going a long way and Denver continued to sing it the rest of the day.  It was great, because it gave me the opportunity to remind him how a little bit of love does go a long way.  This Valentine's day I was re-reminded how much God loves us and how fortunate we are for all we have thanks to Him.  I couldn't be happier watching my children learn to love and to know more about God.  I hope each and every one of you felt God's love a little more today, along with some love to and from those whom you love.

Story Time

They made a placemat with all of the Valentine's cards they received.  I should've taken a picture of it; it was super cute (maybe it will show up on a future post).  After they were done making their placemat they got to choose one piece of candy to eat before moving on to their next project.

Denver's piece of candy he chose to eat at school.

Painting a Valentine

Building blocks with his friend, Matthew

Table Time, with friends Griffin & Colton

Tunnel Tag (aka Freeze Tag)

And follow the leader.

Rewind a Little: Sunday the kids and I stayed home from Church as Denver was getting over the stomach flu and Makenna was just starting antibiotics for an ear infection and a cold she had for almost 2 weeks.  During our time at home Denver and I got his Valentine's day cards ready for school.  We had a fun time filling out "Cars 2" Valentine's and making some pencil Valentine's out of rolos for his teachers.

Tonight we had a special little supper....as special as it can get for chislic and 2 kids! :)  None-the-less we had fun and finished the evening out with a movie at home as a family.  It was super fun and I'm so thankful for my family whom I love so very much!

My Valentine's Day Babies all dressed up for supper

(Yes, Denver's idea of dressing up was shorts!)

..and another try

...again?....

you get the picture....they don't care about the picture I want...

CHEESE!!!

We have a little princess on our hands.  Makenna LOVES princesses, but even more loves pretending she is one.  She wore her little tiara all day today and her daddy brought home some pretty flowers for his little princess for Valentine's day.  She had her tiara on still when I walked out of her bedroom tonight, but this is what I found when I went to check on her.

...sleeping on her princess pillow. 

What is it about your own sleeping baby....I could just stare at them forever, they are so precious, especially when they're sleeping.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!