Easter

Easter is such a special holiday to me, and I have loved sharing traditions with the kids. Each year, we talk a little more about the real meaning of Easter and what a truly precious gift we have been given. Carter's preschool teacher shared with me that after reading an Easter story to the class, she asked them all a few questions about the true meaning of the cross and the significance of Easter. I was so proud to hear that Carter was the only student who knew every answer - I honestly felt like I was succeeding in my most important job, sharing the love of Christ with my kids.

Finding baskets on Easter morning

Look, Mom!

Hunting for eggs

silliness

This is the smile that we get from Kennedy - all the time!

Trying to snap a few pictures before church

Baby Brady in his Easter best

Cousins

Easter Fun

We had a beautiful, sunny day for our neighborhood's annual Easter egg hunt. They kids had a blast and collected lots of eggs.

Getting ready to head out

silly faces

Dying Easter eggs is something the kids always love to do and Kennedy was able to participate so much more this year. We ended up with a dozen truly unique eggs!

Swimming party

For Carter's birthday celebration with friends, we rented out the pool at the JPC community center and had a sports themed party. It was a great way to have a party - easiest one I've ever done, in fact. Carter was able to invite all of his friends (we had 22 kids!) and had a blast. We may have to do a repeat performance next year.

Great Wolf Lodge

For Carter's *big* birthday we decided to take the kids up to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate. We went up mid week and had a great time. Carter had a blast and was definitely the right age to enjoy the water park. Kennedy had fun, too, but she couldn't go on several of the bigger slides, which was disappointing. It really is an amazing place and a great way to celebrate Carter's special day.

Arriving - so excited to hit the water!

Checking out our room. We stayed in a 'wolf den' den room, which had bunk beds in a cave like little room for the kids. Carter loved it! Can you see the joy on his face?

My special little fish ready to hit the pool!

In the lobby of the resort.

Listening to a book during story time.

Carter got to go up first to meet the characters, since it was his birthday. Kennedy wanted no part of them.

A few presents for the birthday boy.

Fun!

Two very tired little ones. Two days full of fun and excitement left them beat.

5

My little guy is 5...how did that happen? I had a very difficult time accepting Carter's birthday this year. It seemed like such a big milestone - gone is any trace of baby or toddler, my boy is 5! He's always been an 'old soul' but it was hard to admit that he really was getting older. He's grown and changed so much over the past year. He's reading, riding his bike well (with training wheels, of course), swimming like a fish, playing tee ball and really trying to assert his Independence. He's strong willed and emotional, smart and attentive, kind and thoughtful at times and silly all the time. He is a great student and gets along well with his classmates. He loves his friends and is already trying to act "cool". He can be overly dramatic and has developed a propensity for potty talk (which is maddening beyond belief), but regardless of his quirks or naughty behavior, I am so proud of him and love him more than I ever dreamed possible. They years continue to go faster and fasted and I find myself wishing, on his fifth birthday, that I could push 'pause' and just savior this youthful innocence of my sweet son. What an amazing blessing God has given us!

We started the week of celebrations with a small family party at Grandma and Papa's. Of course, Carter was spoiled and loved all of the attention. He requested Grandma's famous 3 layer chocolate cake and his favorite foods, steak and shrimp :) He's a very lucky boy to be loved by so many!

Sitting at the head of the table - a special treat

Happy birthday dear Carter, happy birthday to you!

Blowing out his special "CARTER" candles. Aren't those great? Auntie Val found those for the birthday boy.

Birthday celebration at school - not only did he get a birthday crown and special treats, but he got to do all the classroom jobs, which was a big deal.

Catching up with Spring

Since I've been severely neglecting my blog and all other forms of documenting memories, this post will be used to catch up on a few random but note worthy events of the past couple of months. Mostly pictures, a few funny stories and an overall review of life.

Kirstin's 34th birthday - an 80's/90's prom themed party expertly organized by her wonderful husband, Tim. Complete with rented dance hall, white limos, prom queen coronation and official prom photos. It was a great party...didn't we look hot? Yikes!

As we moved through the Lenten season, Carter learned a lot about Jesus and his time leading up to Easter. In Sunday school they were told the story of how Jesus washed the feet of His diciples and then decorated wash clothes to be used at home. Carter was so excited to show his love for his family and reallly enjoyed washing our feet. It was a great experience for all of us.
Kennedy getting a turn.

We went to PDX Playdate for the first time and had a blast. The kids LOVED it!

wee!

Bigger shocker here, Carter loved the gun blasters. They shot out small soft balls and they held his attention forever! What is it with little boys and guns? (And swords, lightsabers, bow and arrows, etc.! Should I be worried?)

On one of the rare sunny afternoons, Carter picked me a nice bouquet of flowers. He was very proud of himself.

Brady and Auntie Val came over for a play date. How cute are these two? Brady is getting so big and is growing so fast, he's such a sweet baby.

Kyle took the kids to the zoo one weekend - the kids had a great time!

Kennedy and the lions.

elephants

Giddy up cowboys!

I had to throw this one in to document this super fun evening. It is not often that we can get together for a night out, but when we do we all have a wonderful time. In the beginning of April, Carrie hosted a fabulous dinner for Cheri, Kirstin and me. We enjoyed yummy food, great wine and fantastic conversation. It was just what I needed, and I left feeling so thankful for these amazing friends in my life. Girlfriends provide a very special kind of love and support that you just can't find anywhere else. I am blessed to such amazing women to call my friends!

Kennedy and Brady

Muffins with Mom

Carter and I made crowns for one another during this special morning together at school. The kids sang a few songs for us, we ate delicious muffins and Carter and I got to read the book during story time to the class. It was fabulous!