One Exciting Week

Right now Spring Break is pretty much the same as any other week since our 3 kids are all pre-schoolers.  Daddy goes to work.  The rest of us hold down the fort.  But for families with kiddos in school, Spring Break really is a break.  And when my sister Laurie and her kids choose to spend part of their break with us - well, now, that changes everything! 

We started out the week with a warming trend - the mid-50's!  Time to head outside and play.

Follow me!  Let's get to work ... I mean play.

The swing set got its first work out of the year.  The kids were gleeful.  Giggles were contagious.  Spring is here!  And our cousins will be here soon!

Except that the next 3 mornings we woke to falling snow (only a skiff on the ground mind you, but snow nonetheless).  My nephew Jake's being doing a snow dance since February in hopes of taking a snowmobile ride with Uncle Ryan.  His dance has been effective. 

There was plenty of snow in the mountains for their trail ride.  Jake (that's him in both of these pictures) performed admirably and they both arrived back home with smiles as wide as cheshire cats.  Now Jake is under strict instruction to begin his spring dance.  We are expecting results, Jake!(:

While 'the cousins' were here, our weather was not warm but at least the sun made an appearance.  So we headed down to the beach to whet our appetites for warmer weather.

The kiddos took full advantage of the playground ... 

and even tried to take advantage of the lake.  Don't let that beautiful blue sky and inviting water fool you.  It's still around 40 degrees (and the air was only a few degrees warmer).  Just ask Maddie who waded right in and then froze in place when the temperature registered.  It was comical.

This picture pretty much sums up our time.  Madness and mayhem being herded along.  But what fun!  And really, for 6 of these 7 kids being under the age of 7 ... they played like champs together! 

Speaking of madness and mayhem...

we staged a egg hunt at my sister Kris' house.  Laurie's mother-in-law came, her sister-in-laws brought their kids, and Galen's cousin brought her kids for a total of 15 kids hunting for sugar ... I mean eggs.  It went very well.  Thanks Kris and Galen for hosting!

Patiently waiting for Auntie Laurie to finish her instructions...

And they're off! 

 It was all very exciting finding eggs...

but discovering the chocolate inside?  Now that was exhilerating!

We spent the week trying to do all sorts of 'Springy' activities.  So it shouldn't be too suprising that Daddy was itching to get the boat out on the water.   

Well, we all were really.  Nothing says winter is past like a sunny day on the lake!  

As long as you ignore the snow in the mountains, it's starting to look more like Spring is here! 

Happy Spring to you all!

Logan at 18 Months

At 18 months, Logan is a going concern.  He is a very inquisitive little guy, wants to keep up with his big siblings, and does a pretty good job of it too.  He's getting better on his feet (his forehead isn't always sporting a bruise on it nowadays) and loves it if you understand what he's trying to tell you.  Between emphatic signs/hand gestures, grunts, a few words (EEEE for eat, I wan for I want, dat for that and owww ide for outside - his new favorites), and some good guesses on the our part, it is getting easier to understand him. 

He adores his big brother - the feeling is mutual.  I'm somewhat surprised at how much Lane wants to match his brother.   Lane loves it when they both wear these sweatshirts and their matching tennis shoes

Logan loves playing with toys he knows he's not supposed to touch (like Lane's camera).  He tucks himself away where he thinks he's hidden and gets busy!

He's my snuggliest baby - he loves soft blankets. 

 Logan loves to climb, but is not so fond of getting stuck.

It's best to 'read' books when stretched out flat.  Mommy has to keep an eye on him though.  He's been hard on books, especially lift the flap books.  They make the best tearing sound!  Sigh.

His latest discovery is the great outdoors.  He's going to be just like his big brother - in love with dirt!

His favorite part of bath time is running around in his diaper afterwards.  I love these pictures of him checking out his 'other' self.

Logan's been struggling with sleeping through the night again - a few more pesky teeth and maybe we'll have a reprieve?  Then again, maybe it has nothing to do with teeth and everything to do with the positions he fall asleep in?!

Love you Little Man!

Growing Up

The kids are fixated on this business of growing up or "gettin' BIG' in Morgan speak.  It's funny how children are so excited, eager really, to hit the next stage/age/milestone.  It is exciting to watch the process, but there is a part of me that wishes it would slow down just a tad. 

A couple recent exchanges that had me chuckling:

Morgan:  "Mommy, I'm half three - almost FOUR!"
Mommy:  "Don't you mean three and a half?"
Morgan:  "No, half three!"  As she emphatically draws a line with one hand across the middle of her other hand.  "When I'm 4, I'll be able to play with Lane's Legos!"
We'll see dearie!

---

On a recent trip to the 'big city' to run errands, Lane was chatting up a storm and asking all sorts of questions.  Like:

"Mommy why are the restaurants (in the mall) called 'Riverfront Cafes'?"
"Well, because they built the mall next to the river."
"Why did they build it next to the river?"
"Someone thought it was a good place to build it."
"Where is the river?"
"Across the street."
"Why is the river across the street?"
"Because that's where it flows through the valley."
"Why does it flow through the valley?"
In complete exasperation, "Because God put it there."
"Oh."
A pause.
"Mommy?"
"Yes, Lane?"
Big sigh.  "I ask lots of questions, don't I?"
"That's okay, Lane."
"But I just don't KNOW everything.  Maybe when I'm 5 I'll know everything."

He's 5 and still doesn't know everything and Mommy's 33 and still learning an important lesson in patience! 

It's Spring?!

In Lane's mind, the first day of Spring meant that the ground would magically turn green, the flowers would be blooming and he could play outside without needing to worry about snow gear.  So the poor dear was disgruntled to wake up to snow on the first day of spring.

It was some consolation to be able to play outside with Daddy and Grandpa Larry.  Every day last week we woke up to fresh snow.  Beautiful in December.  Still beautiful in March...well, maybe not quite as beautiful when you're ready for spring.

On the morning Grandpa Larry headed east again, we got several more inches of snow.  Ryan took this picture as Grandpa was getting ready to go before the rest of the house was even awake.  Lane came out not long after Grandpa was on the road, took one look at the snow, turned to me and announced, "Spring is NOT cooperating!"

All is not lost though.  Spring snow is the best kind of snow for building things and, unlike winter, there are still a couple hours of light left when Daddy gets home from work...

the perfect combination for building a snow fort! 

So although we're looking forward to some 'cooperative' spring weather, the kiddos are getting the most out of the snow while it lasts!

A Birthday Excursion

While Dad was here, Ryan wanted to take him up in the mountains on the snowmobiles.  Lane's birthday was the only day it looked like the weather would cooperate so he got to join them.  Turning 5 is a big deal!

Here they are making fresh tracks (all these pictures came from Dad's camera).  They had the trails to themselves for the most part and the recent snowfall made for a smooth ride.

Daddy and his navigator.

Driving off the trail is not recommended here ... the guardrails won't help either!  The mountains have gotten heaps of snow in the past few weeks so now the snow pack is in good shape for filling up the reservoirs. 

At this point, the trail had just enough space for the snowmobiles and Lane told me all about how he couldn't even see over the edge because of all the snow.

Give a boy a shovel and he'll be happy for hours.  Give the shovel to Daddy and Grandpa and all of a sudden you've got yourself a Lane-sized hole!

Getting ready to head back down for dinner.  There's 'our' lake just above Lane and Grandpa Larry.  At this point, they were going to be on time...

they just didn't expect to come around a corner and find themselves in a traffic jam!

This moose was not interested in being anywhere on time.  Nor was she interested in letting anyone else be anywhere on time.  So she kept meandering along the road before finally deciding to let the guys pass.  They came upon a second moose a few corners later and that one slowed them down even more.  You can imagine the stories Lane told us when they finally arrived home for dinner! 

5 Years Old

The countdown is finally over!  Lane turns 5 today and he is very excited.  We started the celebration early with Bumpa and Grammy this weekend and Grandpa Larry arrives today so the celebration continues!

 Lane with his requested dinosaur cake.

 The last 5 years have gone fast and have brought us such joy and laughter.  We love you, Lane!

Bumpa Ted made a table and chairs for the kids and delivered it this weekend.  It is a hit with all the kids and Logan was very pleased to be sitting at a 'big boy' table.  Thank you, Dad!  It's perfect.

Getting a start on the Legos he got for his birthday.

 I think Daddy was just as excited to get started as Lane.(:

Demonstrating the moving propeller to Grammy.

Relaxing with a good book and her Bumpa Ted. 

Thanks for coming Bumpa and Grammy!  We loved having you here!

A Little Project

Last fall, I turned a window that Ryan salvaged out of our old garage into a mirror.  It didn't turn out quite like I was hoping - the glass was etched pretty badly - but I suppose that adds to the 'antique' charm.  It's been hanging in our dining room unadorned for several months now.  Since it wasn't quite the mirror I'd thought it'd be, it needed something but I wasn't sure what.

Then a friend posted a picture of a wreath she'd made from Pinterest.  Out of curiosity, I started looking at various wreaths on Pinterest and came away amazed at all the craft ideas and tutorials.  Here is the wreath I tried: 

 

A grapevine wreath with felt flowers.

A closer look at the flowers. 

I think I still want to add a shelf made out of old barn wood beneath the window but at least it feels a little more finished now!

More Snowy Pictures

It's March and we just got our biggest snowstorm this winter.  It's weird to be walking in a winter wonderland and hearing the sounds of robins.  They must have caught an early flight north!

I do love the look of fresh snow!

"Ummm...Morgan?  What are you doing?"
"Jumping, Momma!  Come see!"

Good thing the snow at the bottom is soft!  I have to admit, she's been so injury prone that she makes me a bit nervous.  I'd rather avoid another trip to the emergency room.

They don't appear to be too concerned.

 "Take my picture Momma!!!  Ready? 1...2...

 3!!!"  (Giggling the whole way down.)

Not one to be outdone, there goes Lane again.

One thing about late winter storms, when the sun comes out it makes for brilliant blue skies!

"Ummm...Morgan? What are you doing?"
"Sledding, Momma!"
"Ummm...Morgan?  Maybe you should go join Lane on that smaller hill?" 

Lane helped me out,  "C'mon Morgan.  This is FUN!"  It doesn't take much of a sledding hill to entertain him!

 That's a girl, just a little more wiggle...

 oh wait ... this is looking a bit steeper than Lane's track...

Oh, dear!   Not quite what I had in mind.  As you can imagine, she was not impressed.  But thankfully, there was no need to pull out the first aid kit.

And as far as her Momma is concerned, that's a successful day of sledding!

Chores

These two cousins love playing together.

It's easy to imagine them growing up to be just like their fathers.  The dads disappeared after telling us, "we're headed out to do the chores."  Some time passed before Alison looked out the window and started laughing.

Flying Randy's airplane makes for some pretty entertaining chores, don't you think?