Spring Break

Spring break....when you pack your bags and either head for the mountains or the beach.

Or, if you're like us, it's a normal week during tax season with long hours, endless laundry, dirty dishes, and fighting kids.

A few highlights from the week...

I turned 32.  Yes, that's a highlight....I figure I'm only getting older, so why not be happy about it!  You get cake and presents and calls from your bestie for pete's sake!

Plus I got to celebrate all day with some pretty amazing peeps!



 Who spoil me with things like fancy jewelry and dinosaur pinatas!































































Chet and I enjoyed a fun evening of panty droppers and flaming angels....

Had you wondering, huh? ;)

Thanks soooo much to Cheyna, Molly, Caid, and Thomas for watching the kiddos!  We love you guys so much and are thankful you are so willing to be present in their lives.

We ended our night with a little shopping....



not quite what it was when I was 22, but I wouldn't change it for anything!  Getting older is part of life, I'm just thankful I have wonderful people around me to grow old with.

A big highlight was spending extra time with Charlee.  I know I say it all the time, but she is just the sweetest, funniest little thing.  And potty trained!  And smart!  Love her to pieces!


That was basically our week.  Which is why when Friday rolled around, I decided it was time to get out and do something!  My mom and I took the kids to Salina.  Nothing fancy, but we saw the (scary) Easter bunny, bungee jumped, rode the train, and shopped at Target.  The kids had fun and really what's better than a creepy bunny? 



Chet - we need a trampoline!!!!

Thank you spring break 2013 for the high points and for keeping it real...



but most of all thank you for throwing in some of those melt my heart moments that remind me that beach or no beach, I am blessed.

Hope

It's amazing what sunshine and 70 degrees can do for you!


































































Yesterday, it gave me hope....
























































Hope that spring may really be right around the corner.
























































And hope that we will survive yet another tax season.....maybe.



Chet's worked some very long hours this week, so I think we are all needing a little hope that we can make it through this!


Yesterday reminded me that just when I think it couldn't be any harder to stay at home and parent three children during the winter, there is light at the end of the tunnel!


Their laughter, their smiles, their love for each other.....it's always there, it just needs a little sunshine to bring it out as well....



























































She was going a little fast for my liking.

I did not want yesterday to end....



































But it did.....



































And it left me even more hopeful for today....

Grandpa - If you're reading, Reese named her Rosie.

Thank you, God for yesterday....it's beauty, pretend cigarette smoking (that's for you, Rhonda), and peeing in the yard couldn't have come at a more perfect time!

























































































































































"I paw-ee too, Mommy."





Happy Friday and happy spring break!

COWABUNGA, DUDE!

Cru's actual birthday fell on a Tuesday, one of his normal school days.  He was pumped to celebrate with his classmates and chose chocolate donuts for his treats only to receive a phone call at 6:30 that morning saying that the kids were having yet another snow day (four snow days in a row!).

Grandma and Grandpa took him out for lunch.  Just him.  He felt pretty special.

Then, we made plans that evening to celebrate at La Fiesta, adult style, like we did for Everlee :) Grandma, Grandpa, Cheyna, and Molly joined us; it isn't a party without them!

Cheyna and Molly brought Cru some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle gear (his latest obsession and not the cartoon, the one and only original turtles).



 Good thing it wasn't busy because nunchucks were a chuckin'....by everyone!



Every time one of the owners and/or waiters would walk by, they couldn't resist!  Everyone has a little ninja in them.

We seriously had so much fun there that night!

























































So much fun, I nearly peed my pants at one point!  No joke!





I'm just mad I forgot my camera!  Sorry for the poor quality phone pics.

We had a small party in honor of our little man that following Saturday.  Our original plan was to have a ninja turtle bowling party, but the bowling alley was booked clear through spring break.  Our second choice was to have it at our local YMCA, which I don't think could have turned out any better.

The ninjas were ready!!!



Charlee Mae was the perfect ninja to round out our clan!



She was such a natural ninja when she put the mask on....she kept yelling, "Aye-yaw!"



I felt a little lazy with this party since the Y provided all the entertainment.  Not going to lie, it was nice!  I decorated a little with ninja balloons and jars of homemade glow-in-the-dark slime for each of the kids.





































Thanks to The Cake Lady for yet another awesome cake!  I did not take pictures of the cookies that each child took home, but they were individual turtle heads, and they were fabulous!!

The kids had access to the bounce house, racquet ball court, and gym.






























































After some playtime, it was time for cake and presents!





















































































































Camo Butler hat from Ty, Audrey, and Charlee, which he refuses to take off!



































It was a fantastic day for our little man!  We are so thankful for our friends and family who helped make it so special!




























































































I know, Evee's eyes are closed, but I absolutely love Charlee's smile ♥  Love her so much!!!






































 

My favorite shot from the party! Cru, Asher, Cole, and Hunter ♥

Happy birthday, little blue ninja!  Despite you throwing up in the bounce house during your party due to cake, gatorade, and a bunch of jumping and running, I hope you had fun!  You may push us to the limits each and every day, but you also fill our hearts with laughter and love each day!  And you were nice enough to give Mommy and Daddy a present despite it being your birthday....no more pull ups at night!  I'm including this for my own records: Potty training you was a booger, but we made it!  However, because we are sometimes lazy parents, we had no motivation to potty train you at night, so we just kept you in a pull up....and basically, let you train yourself.  You had been waking up dry for several weeks, so we went for it....underwear!  Not one single accident!  If he has to go during the night, he wakes up and goes.  We are so proud!  Not to mention thankful that he figured it out on his own....I told ya, lazy :)



Love you, Bubba!  Hoping your fourth year includes just as many hugs and I love you's, and maybe not quite as many scoldings.