Crawfish...

'Tis the season for Crawfish! At least that is what the locals tell us. We had the honor of attending our 2nd Crawfish Boil of the season! I forgot my camera for the first one, and really wanted to be able to catch a little bit of this activity to share with you!



Not sure if these little guys knew what was in store. I'm by no means a huge animal activist, but I did feel a bit bad for them!






In to the pot...



Ready for tasting!



Paige is ready....she would have shoved a whole one into her mouth if we would have let her!



Zach learning the ropes..."Twist and peel..."



After being bribed by "$2 if you try it," Zach decided it was worth it...and LOVED it!



Our gracious hosts...



Their kiddos...pros at eating Crawfish!



Eli and I think alike..."Forget the Crawfish, I'll take a cupcake!"

Storms...

Spring weather here is crazy! We have been so fortunate to have been missed my most of the dangerous and damaging storms! Last evening the kids spend quite sometime in their "safe place," otherwise known as the laundry room. Moments like these make me long for the basements of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado! While the boys were playing...Justin and I were either inside watching the live chat on the local news, outside on the porch watching the clouds and amazing lightening, or closely listening to the newest tornado watch being issued! Thankfully, for us, the damage was else where...







The storms yesterday were at night...but these pictures were taken from the storm that came through that eventually ended spawning a lot of Tornadoes across the country and in North Carolina! Crazy thing is that these were taken in the MORNING...it was dark as night out!

I'm sure we will have more long days, and more nights with storms...it gives me a good chance to practice what I preach...to put on my adult "mom face" and really believe that the Lord will take care of us! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many people affected by these devastating storms...belongings can be replaced, but lives can't!

The Big 6...

"Can I (fill in the blank)...because I am the Birthday Boy!?" That is what I have been hearing over and over today! Yup, we have a big 6 year old in our house and he is VERY VERY proud to be 6!



So many things come to mind when I think about him...we are more than blessed to have his sweet smile, contagious laugh, and enthusiasm in our home! 6 years ago on a cold wintry day in Cheyenne, this little guy came into the world and our home hasn't been the same since!



Sweet memories of those first moments in the hospital fill my mind...he snuggled up with me, and we watched the snow fall outside! He surely isn't a cuddle bug anymore...in fact holding hands with him is virtually impossible! Unless he is hurt, or scared he doesn't care much for kisses and hugs! He is growing like crazy - in so many ways!



He is head strong, independent, and anything but relaxed and quiet...but he is our sweet boy who loves life...loves his family...and is beginning to understand how much God loves him!

We couldn't imagine our lives without this sweet 6 year old!!

First Easter...

We've had several "First Easters," but this is the first time it meant we were able to dress up a sweet baby girl! Her bow paled in comparison to most of those sported around here (that isn't any different from any other Sunday); and since she hates shoes (unless they are in her mouth), we went for the barefoot look!





Her dress was a baby gift from her Great Aunt Arline!

We had a blessed day celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord!! Happy Easter!

Swim Lessons...

It's FINALLY his turn!! Every year he waits with me by the side of the pool, but not this time!









We are hoping that he might be a fairly stable swimmer by summer...it is looking promising. This lesson was during Jump Week. The kids were learning what it feels like to swim in their clothes! He LOVES the water...in his life jacket; but really seems to be enjoying the water now without!

Busy Busy!

Talk about being busy over the Spring Break...this little one has been the busiest! She is a professional crawler now, is pulling up on EVERYTHING, and has started thinking about cruising a bit as well.



You would think that all of this activity would make her happier. However, the opposite seems to be happening. She is very discontent with whatever she is doing. If she is sitting, she wants to be crawling. If she is crawling she wants to be standing - you get the idea. This has also caused several bumps, bruises, and her first bloody nose! One of these days I am going to turn my back and she is going to be walking!!

Glasses...

Since Justin was off for a few days during the break, we tried to get the kids in for all of the Doctor appointments and needed check ups...so we headed to the dentist, doctor, and eye doctor. We were suspicious of Zach's eyes after his sport's physical a few weeks ago...and our suspicions were confirmed and glasses were prescribed! Justin and Zach had a special outing to go pick out some frames, and I have to admit I was a bit nervous about not being there to give my input.

Today we picked them up!



I had no reason to be concerned! He is so handsome in them...both Seth and Eli mentioned that someday they would like to have glasses as well!



The sides are a greenish color. God has blessed him with eyes that match just about anything he is wearing...so it brings out the green in them!!

He is a little bit nervous about his friends seeing him in them, but he is also really enjoying his new found sight!

Pine Wood Derby...

This happened a few weeks before Spring Break, but I just realized that I hadn't posted about it.

Zach has been so excited about the famous Pine Wood Derby. We weren't sure our small Den could pull it off, but they did...and it was so fun!!



Building a car wasn't a first for Justin, but it has been a long time; and we didn't have many of the tools he needed. Zach was his cheering squad. I kept hearing "Great job Dad," "That looks great Dad," "That is exactly what I wanted!"



Watching Dad...



Painting...Orange, green stripes, and lightening down the side!



Drying...



The Finished product...



Ready to try it out. The kids got to race 3 races.





Zach's car took 3rd place in all three races! I have come to the conclusion after seeing most of the cars, that it really was a competition between Dads (except for the older scouts)...but that being said Zach had a great time making his car, and said he was "ok" when he didn't win.

Better luck next year!!

Spring Break

We decided to go ahead and have Spring Break along with the rest of our friends! This meant no school, no Boy Scouts, no swim lessons, late nights, slumber parties in the living room, camping outside, staying in our PJ's until lunch time, picnics, movies, games, and 3 days of having Daddy home all day!



Turned out to be a much needed reprieve for all of us! Today it's back to the daily grind!

**More Pictures to follow!