Spring Fever and April Fool's!

I just have a lot of random pictures that I keep waiting to put on an inspirational post, but nothing's coming to mind so here we go.  I'm  just posting them un-inspired and all.  To start us off here is the super duper bubbly bath the kids had.

 Will is looking at them like, "What kind of family was I born into again?"

 But this boy absolutely adores his big sister.  She can ALWAYS get him to smile and laugh and he now will reach for her for her to pick him up.  It's so cute.  I'm a little sad that he likes other people now besides just me.

During "spring" break (which weather-wise was a little more like Christmas break) we made a trip up to Wheeler Farm with some friends.  It was a much needed outing and so much fun.  Even when the geese got a little too friendly...we survived.

 Josh was very insistent on wearing his "cowboy clothes." What a handsome stud.

 I know what you're all thinking....."it's amazing how Emily captures her kids in the most natural poses.  It's like they're not even posing."  Yep, this is what they look like when they just play.

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 Here's a bunch of pictures I took off of my phone.  Kate was "naturally playing" in our backyard.

 Gotta love static cling....

 And as for a SUPER cool thing that happened....Rachel and I got to go to Women's conference together in the conference center!  This is the first time ever they've let 8 year olds go and my friend called us with 2 extra tickets to go with them.  So me and my 8 year old went with our buddies out to dinner then to the conference center. It was awesome. My all-time favorite part was when they had all the girls ages 8-11 stand up and sing "Teach me to Walk in the LIght."  It was so cool seeing all those sweet young girls there.

I think Rach liked it.  It was funny because after it was over my friend, Christa and her daughters were like "That went by really fast." And Rachel the whole time was like "This is taking for-ev-er!"  I also noticed A LOT of little girls taking potty breaks during it.  I think that happened a lot more than it has in the past.  But it was so special.  I absolutely loved it.  And ending the night with Baskin Robbins ice cream didn't hurt either.

 Here's the whole gang....

 This little beauty of a picture was taking on 4-4-14 at 4:44pm.  Yep, Laura and I got together for our "4 holiday" where we met at a park and went down a slide at 4:44pm.  I think we went down a minute late though because this year I wanted to get a picture of us at 4:44pm.  This tradition's been going on for 14 years now.  Let's keep it going Lar!  Buddies 4 ever!

 Oh, this is a little out of order.  We actually had so much fun on April Fool's day this year.  More so than we have in a while.  First of all, Trav and I woke up to this.....Rachel woke up in the middle of the night and toilet papered our bedroom!  Little stinker...

 We walked into the kitchen to find this....the couch turned the wrong way and chairs in the wrong places.

 The cereal was in the wrong boxes (to Josh's dismay when he was going to peanut butter crunch) and orange milk....while you wouldn't think the taste would change by putting food coloring in it, but for some reason orange milk just isn't as good.

 I also switched the kids clothes in their closets and switched their beds.  Rach didn't think that was funny at all.  I thought it was hilarious! It was such a fun day which also ended with toothpaste oreos. Mmmmmm....and they ALL fell for that one!  Ha ha!

Here's Mr. Handsome that FINALLY started to crawl one day shy of turning 11 months old.  Now he crawls everywhere and is so dang cute!

 He's good at getting into trouble now too.

 And one last one for the road...conference weekend.  I just LOVE conference!  Now that the kids are getting a little bigger its so much better.  We play games, have conference concessions and actually get to listen.  William even conveniently napped during most of it!  Hallelujah!

Birthdays, Baths and Besties

Don't you just love spring?  I think that as soon as the weather starts to turn for the better everyone just breathes a sigh of relief. Gone are the days of winter yuck.  Hello spring yumminess!

So Kate has a best buddy Erika.  Oh how we love Erika!  Aren't best friends just the best?  I guess that's why they call them best friends.  Huh.  Christa (Erika's mom) took these super cute pictures of the girls when they were playing and I totally had to steal them from her blog because I LOVE them!  (Hope that's okay Christa)  I hope these two will be buddies for a long long time!

And here's the happening's at our house lately...Rachel doing the thing she loves best.  I guess she's got some of her mom in her anyway (and I'm not talking about the dramatic part. It's a mystery where that came from)

 Josh is Mr. Independent..... and he loves peanut butter sandwiches. 

 Here we are basking in the sun's glory.

 Daddy gives the best pushes on the swing.

 And after all that running around we've got to get that winter yuck off.  I like William's face in this one...

 And I thought this was perfect with a totem pole of 3 little monkeys with a sweet sister nearby.  That is a full bath!

 Here's some pictures that I took of the girls playing too. 

 "Kate, put your arms down.  I can't see your face very well."

 ......That's not really what I had in mind.  Oh they are so cute!

 And yesterday was Trav's birthday!  Here's the welcoming committee he had when he got home from scout camp.  We were all ready for a party.

 My favorite group of people ever.....!

 I decided to try a fondant cake for the first time.  I am proud of myself because I thrive (okay maybe not thrive, but am cursed) on making ugly cakes.  The kids helped decide that we needed shamrocks and gold coins on it but I think it turned out pretty good!  After it was done the kids ranted and raved at how it was the best cake they've ever seen.  Josh said I should put it on Google Earth.  I guess I'll  just settle for putting it on the blog. 

 But if you happen to see a cake on Google Earth, don't be surprised....

 Make a wish Trav!  I love you!

V-day and little William

Here's just a bunch of random pictures that I just pulled off the camera.  Yes, most of them are of William.  He's such a cute subject I can't help it!  Okay, here we go!

For Kate's birthday she got a wooden snake and here's a picture of her painting it.  I was so impressed!  She did a great job.  Look at that concentration....

 Here's the kids on Valentine's morning with their pile of treats and their "love potion."  That was definitely a big hit.  Rach was guzzling it before school.  I don't know if she was hoping for a special Valentine?  She left a special valentine for someone.....

 Also, I chopped Rachel's hair.  It was getting pretty long and she gave me free reign to chop it short.  This is a big deal coming from the girl that wouldn't let me cut her hair for over a year so it would be long like Rapunzel's.  I think it turned out adorable.  I love the new do...and she loves it too.

 We had a guest appearance from Superman in our house.  He's more handsome than I remember...

 He can even fly!

 Here's a shot of Rach's new haircut.  So cute!!

 Okay, here's just a million pictures of Mr. Blue Eyes. He is so stinkin' cute!

 I love the "gazing off into space" look....

Just looking at those makes me want to kiss those chubby cheeks!

 And Rach was giving him rides in the doll stroller.  He looks HUGE!  It was pretty funny and he actually loved it.

Things are going pretty well here considering we've all been pretty sick with the "last of winter" sickness.  Josh got 2 bloody noses within 2 weeks and both were caused by Rachel.  That was fun. But,  I am more thrilled than anything that the weather is finally turning spring-ish so we can go outside!  I love spring.