Monday nights....

For some reason we've started heading to the tennis courts on Monday nights. Ever since Aunt Nar bought the kids their tennis rackets, the kids just beg to go and play. They also love playing tennis in our cul de sac, but it's not as cool as hitting the courts.
Last night I was SO excited that we had a pretty good volley going on until Brian said, "Yeah, but none of the hits landed in the court at all." Oh well... we call it "hot potato" because we just try and hit the ball no matter where it lands or how many times it has bounced. Some day we'll go more 'by the rules'. :)

Lindsey's getting a little instructional time from Brian.

Strawberry Picking...

We had the chance to pick some strawberries this week with Lindsey and Reece (Austin was at a friend's house for the day.). I missed out last year and so I'm thrilled to have had the chance to get out there this spring.

I've printed out SO many recipes that have strawberries in them.... If our skin starts glowing red - you'll understand. :)

"Mom...QUICK! COME LOOK!'

"There's a mommy duck and all her baby ducklings!"

Bridges....I love bridges..

Springtime......

Marbles with the Hutchins

This past weekend we spent a day at Marbles with our friends. The kids went crazy at this hands-on museum and I think it's the longest we have ever stayed there. Here's a picture of all the kids minus little 2 year old David. Even though this picture was at the end of the day.....little David couldn't sit long enough for a picture. Talk about energy!

Girls and their dress-up fun...

Here's little David all dressed as "the cook" working hard in the kitchen.

I'm not quite sure who was having more fun on the Pirate ship - Hans or the kids.

Easter - 2009

It's a busy day(s) in the neighborhood..

Since Lindsey has gone to Maryland with friends, in order to try and fill the hole that she has left with us missing her -- we decided it would be great fun to have the Hutchins kids over. So on Thursday and Friday, from 9a.m. - 7p.m. we had the priviledge of having these sweet kids over. We had some gorgeous days so we were able to spend a great deal of time at a lake and two parks. We also had two picnics. Brian had off those days so there was 'safety in numbers'.

Austin, Caleb, David, Anastasia,Grace, Joshua, and Reece.

I was still able to get in some "girl time" this week. Grace, Anastasia and I did several fusion bead designs and we read a ton of books. The boys built zoos and raced cars, on the Wii one day and they also had fun with the homemade play dough. I didn't have any koolaid to color it so I thought it would be fine to knead the dough with food coloring. Well....my hands were literally stained hot pink for 48 hours. I had Brian drop the kids off Thursday night so I wouldn't scare Hans and Stacy with my appearance. Always wanting to look like I have everything under control I guess. :)

The kids took over the cul de sac and helped clean out our garage by removing every single toy. :)
Thursday night Reece actually tucked himself in bed 25 min. early, but by Saturday morning he was asking when we would see them again. Fortunately we have made plans to spend time with their family next Friday so we are already counting down the days....

Just the Boys....

Lindsey went with a friend to Maryland for Spring break, so today I had just the boys and Austin's buddy Stevie. It was a pleasant sunny day so we spent part of it hiking trails and the other part playing at home.

Even little Reece got to hang out with the big boys...

Easter Party

Last weekend we met up with 50 kids, from our Generations group, to have an Easter Party at the park.

Reece on a "sugar high".

Austin and Stevie in the three legged race. Didn't they do this together at the Valentine Party?

This picture just cracks me up. Even though Heather is not pictured, she is the one that was in charge of these K-2nd graders. We were waiting on another group and killing a little time so she came up with a racing game. They were all to race to her and back. These kids meant business and there was a moment where I was kind of scared for Heather's life and limb. She is still alive to talk about it. :) If you were to enlarge this picture - Reece and Lindsey are in the back right hand corner in red and blue shirts. They either love Heather too much to 'attack her' or they were scared themselves.

This same group of kids all got on the ground and did the crab walk. Now, that was sure a sight too! Reece is trying to get his arms and legs to do the crab walk.

Every little girl.....

loves a dress to really 'twirl' in.