Cousin Hunt

We made a day trip down to Twin to spend Easter with all the family. The kids had a blast running free around outside with the cousins. Lucas enjoyed pestering the dog.

And I snuck a few  pictures of the kids just because.

 Messy faces and all.

The many smiles of Jacob.

The kids thought it was pretty cool on top of the rickety old shed. I used to enjoy going up there when I was a kid too, but now that I'm the mom, I'm not so sure how great an idea that is... Oh well, they had fun, and it's still standing...for now...

A few pre-hunt activities to keep the kids distracted while the eggs were being hidden -- follow the dancer in the middle, workout with Angela, and the Macarena.  

The Hunt is on.

 Aaron was filming with his quad-copter, and was getting pretty close to Lucas. He kept giving it his side-way glance, probably wondering what the heck it was. Luke would find one egg and open it, spilling the contents on the grass, and stuffing the goodies in his mouth. It took a while to get all his eggs in the basket.

 March 26, 2016

Dying the Eggs

All ready to dye the eggs! I love this picture. Captures a little glimpse of each of their different personalities.

And the fun begins.

Lucas would make sure and push the egg under, and then grab it out with his hands. He was thrilled with the colorful mess, and kept wanting more and more. Luckily, I thought ahead, and kept the oranges and yellows closest to him, so his hand wasn't too obviously dyed.

March 25, 2016

This and That

Amazon: Making Christmas a weekly occasion... The kids love having the "package man" drop of packages for them to open with Brad. It's usually books, but they lucked out this time with Disney Infinity characters.

 On St. Patrick's day -- Emma ran down all excited to check if the Leprechaun had come again this year to pee in the toilet. Mom fail -- I completely forgot about it, because to me St. Patrick's day is just a day to wear green to avoid pinches. I had done the toilet thing before because I saw it on Facebook, and it looked fun, but I guess it had become tradition to her. So, I broke the news, and she giddily watched how I do it, and she was just as happy. (This got her thinking about all the other holiday shenanigans, and now I've got a little helper. Luckily she's happy to be in on it.)

Could my boys be any more different? Lucas kept pointing and laughing, and I had to pull him away from the toilet. Jake (2 years ago) was utterly disgusted.

 We gave play-doh a try.

It was a big hit.

This is Jake's first movie theater experience -- Zootopia! We'd never taken him before because he's not one to sit long and watch things. He has to be moving around and going from one thing to the next, but he wanted to go this time. Within 15 minutes, he was asking me if it was almost over... It was a really fun movie though, and Emma loved it, but couldn't take in the villain twist at the end. Her innocent little heart kept asking me, "why?"

 The kids enjoyed watching the fountain show after at the Village. 

March 15-19, 2016

Operation: Wear Them Out

 We love when family members have sporting activities here in Boise -- more cousin time. We often request having a few kids stay with us because the kids have so much fun playing together. Having these three boys around is a bit crazy, so we walked to our neighborhood park where there was a grass pit that they continually ran up and down. I think I successfully wore them out.

 

 Jake, Jack, Emma and Cooper.

March 12, 2016

They Keep Me Laughing

Lucas learning to jump on the trampoline. He was putting so much effort into those stubby little baby legs to get about an inch off the ground, and it was so funny. I especially love how he sticks out his tongue when he's trying his hardest.

And my sweet Jacob.

Who is currently experimenting with how to arrange his hands for pictures. I have so many pictures with hands in front of faces and gang signs...He makes sure to look at each on and comment on his hands. 

I sure do love them.

March 6, 2016

Emma's Birthday Questions

I may or may not have forgotten the traditional birthday questions... Emma was not about to let that slide... so slightly overdue.... Emma Age 8

1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite toy? Tablet (Mini-pets)
3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4. What is your favorite movie? Zootopia
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for dinner? Potato Bacon Soup
6. What is your favorite outfit? Pink/white striped shirt with straps that hang down ( 2^nd grade pics)
7. What is your favorite game? Battleship
8. What is your favorite snack? Pretzels
9. What is your favorite animal? Snow Leopards
10. What is your favorite song? I Am A Child Of God
11. What is your favorite book? Magic Tree House
12. Who is your best friend? Kjirsten Thacker
13. What is your favorite cereal? Reese’s Puffs
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play on the trampoline
15. What is your favorite drink? Fruit punch flavored water
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My stuffed animals
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes and Cinnamon rolls
19. Where do you want to go for dinner on your birthday? Subway
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A big cat scientist

21. What is your favorite thing about school? Art

22. Favorite extra-curricular activity? Ballet

23. Favorite treat? Cookie dough ice-cream

Baptism Day

Our beautiful Emma on her baptism day. She was so excited to turn 8 and follow Jesus's example of being baptized.

 

           

We're thankful so many friends and family were able to come and be there for her. Grandpa and Grandma Egbert, Grandpa Bill and Grandma Judy.

      

Amber McQueen family and Gary Wight family.

       

Our next door neighbor's, the Hedgpeths are our home teachers, and also the primary president. We swap kids with them frequently, and Emma had invited their whole family to come. On the right is her piano teacher Jen Smith (who Emma reminded at every piano lesson for two months, that she wanted her at the baptism), a perfect personality match for encouraging Emma through piano lessons. 

And I just love this picture. So glad Grandma could be my extra set of arms and eyes for Lucas (and so glad Lucas likes people enough to allow it -- a first out of my three kids).

Emma had the biggest smile all day long. In her words, "I felt really glad that I could be baptized, because I was following a commandment of God. I'm also glad that I got the Holy Ghost." So proud of our little girl and how hard she tries to make good choices -- we love you Emma!

March 5, 2016