Here goes. . .

I have LOTS of photos to share from the past two weeks. Normally, I'd try to split up all of these events into separate posts, but I decided just to go for it. Get ready for some pictures!

Spring Break!

Monday, the first official day of our break, was gorgeous!  Temperature in the mid-70's.  Perfect!  We decided to plant some of Graydon's seeds: peas, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and onions.


This was already two weeks ago now.  The plants have begun sprouting {sorry, no updated photo} and should be ready to plant in the ground in a few weeks!


Our neighbor picked up some buckets for the kids.  It is amazing the amount of fun they have had with these.  My favorite was when I saw them swinging on the swing set with the buckets on their heads!










On Tuesday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese!










Later in the week, Bella and I went to see Cinderella.  We loved it!  This is horrible photo quality - a selfie in the dark.  Not the best idea.  But I wanted to document the event in some way.


That weekend was "Sisters' Weekend!"  This was the first ever of its kind.  We all met up in northern Indiana and spent two nights there.  We enjoyed some yummy food, a relaxing day at the spa, shopping, wine, and good conversation.  Loved having quality time with my sisters!


All FIVE of us together!


Andy's parents were in town that weekend and we decided to all venture out to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis on Monday.

Digging for dinosaurs.










There is a big Transformers exhibit currently at the museum; and I'm pretty sure the kids spent the most time there.






Bella designing a transformer.


Using motion sensor technology, the kids became the transformer in this game.






I forget what the exhibit area was called, but we got to see a lot of movie props and see behind-the-scenes stuff from TV.  This area was super fun too!




With use of green screen technology. . .


we saw video of the kids "flying"!  (photo didn't capture it very well).


Curtis chose an astronaut costume over a cape.


He "flew" on Daddy!




Hanging out at the Simpson's House.


We also recorded our voices on a portion of Scooby Doo cartoon.  That was worth a few laughs!

As we were leaving, I realized that there were quite a few things that we didn't get to see.  Good thing we have a membership and will be going back!


Finding ways to entertain ourselves on the ride back home.


We celebrated Andy's birthday the next day!




Curtis made him something with his legos.  Graydon made him a picture.


Bella decorated a jar of chocolates that he can keep in his office.

We all got him some gift cards, an Indiana sweatshirt, and a gift certificate for a massage.  The final gift of the evening came in a big box.


Three kids!  Doesn't get too much better than that!

And I'll leave you with a random of Curtis at lunch time.  He asked me to take his picture.  There you have it.  :)


Phew!  We made it!

Hello March!

I'll start this post off with this random photo.  Any guesses as to what you're looking at?


Well. . . it appears that Andy has a mouse/mice in his car.  Or at least his glove compartment for sure. This package contained 50 communion wafers and the mice ate every single one!  We now have some traps set in the garage and I am feeling super relieved that they haven't discovered the van or made their way into the house!

Curtis's class took a field trip to a dentist.


He has perfected his "open wide".


During Graydon's swimming lessons, they had the kids jump off of the diving board.  Many of the kids ran across the board and jumped right in.  Graydon was a bit more timid, as you will see.  But he showed so much courage and was so proud of himself at the end.  And I was super proud too.


Feeling a little chilly at lunch time.


Daylight Savings started and now it's dark again in the mornings while we wait at the bus stop.


After dinner one evening, while I was getting the boys' bath ready, I came down the hall and found Curtis like this.


Big Sister got a little carried away with her markers.


I guess since he was about to take a bath anyway. . . why not?


And I scored a bathtime helper!


One afternoon, Curtis got stuck running more errands than usual with me.  He wasn't too happy about it until we were done and I treated him to a restaurant of his choice.  He picked Panera!  He has recently become a pretty big fan of their soup.


Andy's sister and family were in town for the weekend.  We've got our own little basketball team now!


Curtis just likes to be silly sometimes.  :)




The kids were out exploring in the little valley between our house and the church and they found this little critter.  People around here call them "crawdads".  I guess they're freshwater crayfish that showed up when all of the snow melted, leaving a little stream in that area.




More basketball!


And more exploring.
















And then it was time to say goodbye.  Weekends go by so fast.


I surveyed the scene on our deck.  Within the last week, all of these items ranging from sleds and snowboards to crocs and shovels, had been used.  What a turnaround in the weather!


Our kids are now on Spring Break. We are enjoying a more relaxed pace this week and are also throwing in some fun family outings as well. Tomorrow, we're going to the zoo!