Easter Fun!

I love coloring Easter Eggs. I love the colors and the excitement from the children when we bust out the hard boiled eggs and all our bright colors! This year seemed so different because of the winter weather but we celebrated in traditional family style and made a HUGE mess!
We are kind of known for our Easter Egg painting competition where I bust out the paint brushes and acrylic paints but this year we geared it down. Still, all three of the children loved doing it all by themselves. No help from Mommy and I think that could have gone without saying after you see the pictures.

Music was playing in the background, eggs were being washed in bright colors, and Brayton was nakie baby while working. Nothing new around here!

Annelise is a perfectionist about each and every egg. She carefully puts the color on with a Q-tip instead of full submersion to guarentee the perfect color.

The hunt was ON!!!!

This hunt had it's share of messy hair, that's for sure!

Peter Cottontail was sure sweet to bring the children a new swimming suite and towel!!! They loved their baskets and were happy to see he found us here in ND!

Now to eat the loot. Breakfast of jelly beans once a year sure won't hurt.

To make the holiday even more special, we were invited over to a friend's house for Easter Dinner.

Lisa had to hold the children back, literally, before she gave the go ahead!! Kid's will sure get antsy while waiting for their sugar!

I love this shot!

The Easter Egg hunt was a major success and they all had a great time. We felt so welcomed and embraced by the Rhone family that it made being away from our own family much easier. It really is amazing to us the way people have opened their homes and hearts to us. Not only was the dinner DELICIOUS, but the company was absolutley divine. I'd call us lucky but not even that begins to describe it. Blessed. We are simply blessed!

Swim Lessons Pay Off!!!!!

Lessons. . .. I love them! We have been taking swim lessons now for 6 months and I cannot express how much I love them! For many reasons to be honest. First of all, I believe in children taking lessons (of any kind, really) to learn how to follow instruction, to learn how to memorize basic intruction, to have a group of children they have a common interest in, and to become a well rounded person overall. Swim lessons here in North Dakota have not disapointed!!!!!

I take the Perch class with Brayton at the same time Bodie and Annelise are having a lesson so I rarely get to watch the twin's anymore. However, the other day, Daddy came with us and took Brayton while I watched. A nice treat! The shocker. . . .Bodie and Annelise CAN SWIM!!!!!!! I am not talking Michael Phelps here but Annelise can swim to the edge from about 3-5' away and Bodie can do it from about 8' away!!! It's an adorable doggy paddle but the point is that they can save their own life if needed! I cannot put into words how proud I am of them and their accomplishment. They are only 3.5! No one was holding them up and they did it!

Brayton and his teacher, Mary, have a great time! Daddy was pretty impressed with Brayton as well. He can float on his back all by himself now and does total bob's underwater with great ease! This particular day was the day after Easter so we eneded up getting a private class since everyone was still away on vacation. Super spoiled!

Annelise working on her back float and Bodie doing a Bob while waiting his turn.

These two stick together no matter what!

Brayton can also identify the edge of the pool, grab the wall and climb out on his own. A life saving skill that most people asume their child will do but normally won't unless taught. It is such a relief to know he thinks of how get himself safe first incase of an emergency. There is simply no price tag you can put on what we have accomplished! Yeah Bodie, Anna, and Brayton!!!!

Brothers!

We have had some really nice weather lately and even though this particular day was a little overcast, we still managed to have fun playing in the hose and mud.
Every Daddy needs a boy. At least we think so. I just love how the three of them "work" on everything together. It's been a thrill to see my men in action lately. Boy's getting big and loving their time with Daddy. Not to mention, they have one pretty neat Dad!

No need to tell me I shouldn't let them drink from the hose. . . .I never listen, anyway!

These two have such a great time together. Then again, who doesn't love playing in the water?

Just a boy and his work~

Brayton refuses to stay out of my computer armoire lately. So, today I found him in there writing on himself with the one sharpie we have in this entire house. He was pretty upset about the marks he put on his arm. I wonder how disturbed he'll be when he sees what he did to his face?
He has progressed to using a chair to help navigate while working.

On any given day, this is what I walk over to see. Brayton hard at work. Bringing up spread sheets and making a schedule. Perhaps he is selling stuff on E-bay? Who knows why he HAS to force his way into my computer every day but it must be very important business.

So important, in fact, that it needs to be done regardless of clothes. Business is business.

Little bit of love!

Brayton. A little bit of love. Actually, a LOT of love! I have so many pictures to look through that I thought I would simply start by sharing Brayton with everyone! Good start, eh? :)

Lion's, Daisy's, and Shark's. . .OH MY!

Boy, do we like a good gift! Since moving to North Dakota, the children love and anticipate the mailwoman more than ever before! Recently, Nanny (a.k.a. Grandma Bates) sent the children some adorable new bath towels complete with their name on them. Needless to say, they were a big hit! HUGE!! They just love wrapping up and playing in them after a bath. No one loves it more than Brayton though. He has this hilarious "Roar" that he says in a whisper. Makes us laugh every time he does it. Although these photos don't really capture how darn cute the towles are, I can assure you, they are adorable. We love, love, love all the thoughtful presents that we have received since moving. Last week, Aunt Shelley showered the babies with Easter jammies and treats and a month ago PaPop (Grandpa Duane) spoiled them with an enormous box of clothes. Even Grandpa and Grandma Bates have sent CD's and fun seeds to plant that were special treats too. We sure miss all our family but look forward to seeing everyone soon! The best treat for us is always some quality time together!