Spring is in the Air!

Oh spring...we love you!  Life seems to be in "full swing" again, which we are thankful for, yet our days  certainly do feel more full.  

We went out to Nana and Papa's house and dyed eggs and did an Easter egg hunt with the Large cousins.  

Hudson and Mylo checking out their goodies.  

We learned about the phases of the moon and had a little fun with Oreo cookies.  

It can be hard for me to fit in science lessons so I celebrate when they happen.  

Ivy loves to be outside.  She is good accountability for getting me fresh air.  She loves her wagon and we do lots of laps around our neighborhood.  Ivy has the waving thing down!    

Ivy is starting to play more and more.  We even found her some dress up clothes that fit.  

One weekend I took both the kids shopping.  Hudson and I went out Friday afternoon/evening.  We had great luck and crossed almost everything off of his list.  He picked dinner at Panda Express, which we ate in the car because their dining room wasn't open.  

On Saturday I took Greta shopping.  We made 12 stops at different stores.  She picked to have pizza for lunch, no surprise there.  I'm sure we will be shopping for prom dresses before I know it so I'm soaking up these little girl moments now.   

I have a feeling this will become a new tradition.  Both kids enjoyed the one on one time with me and never complained once about having to try things on.  

Hudson is always trying to be the silly big brother.  

Greta showing off her new helmet (which she also got on our shopping weekend).  

Trying to be the Mommy...

I found this silly face (along with 20 others like it) on my phone.  

Ivy at her 15 month well check up.  So thankful for our strong healthy girl.  

Dinner with friends before Awana is always a treat.  

Often times when I need to do one on one school work with Greta, Hudson will play with Ivy.  Then when I need to work one on one with Hudson, Greta plays with Ivy.  It works pretty well!  

The Ackerman family came for a visit and we met their daughter Eloise.  These "rainbow babies" had matching sweatshirts.  

Mr. Nate reading to the babies before bed.  

A group picture!

Shopping for a new sofa including wandering through the clearance section.  Greta spotted this pink chair and we decided "it was perfect for her."  

Our city had their annual junk collection day.  The kids got a kick out of riding to look at what people were tossing out.  We spotted this Cozy Coup (worn but in good condition) in someones pile and we grabbed it.  Ivy loves it and doesn't want to get out of it.  

We met friends at the park.  I offered to pick up Culver's for lunch for the kids.  This is what 10 Culvers kids meals (I ordered everyone the same thing) looks like in your front seat.  

Enjoying some morning snuggles with her baby and Daddy.  

 

Easter in Sioux Center

We went to Sioux Center to enjoy Easter weekend with my family.  My sister came from Colorado and we also celebrated my parents 45th wedding anniversary.  It was a beautiful weekend in so many ways and we are thankful for the time together, something we don't take for granted any more.  

We got donuts from Casey's Bakery on Saturday morning.  It's become a tradition when we visit.    

Ivy was so happy to be at Mimi's house...obviously!  

We took the kids swimming.  Ivy's favorite books right now are the ones about  Duck and Goose so it was no surprise she was obsessed with their new ducky slide.

She climbed up and went down over and over again.  

Dinner out at the Wayside to celebrate these two love birds.  

Easter morning at Central Church 

We tried to get a few family pictures but Ivy wasn't having it...

and my brother left before the pictures were taken.  We still captured a memory though.    

We tried for a family picture at home but again Ivy had zero interest.  

So we opted for a photo of the four of us after she was down for her nap.  

Showing off their matching Easter dresses from Mimi.  

Easter candy after lunch, why not?!  

Ang, Mom and Ryan hid the eggs and they certainly did some tricky ones.  

I am soaking up all these sweet traditions with them.  

My view from the table after Easter lunch.  

Greta is always looking after her baby sister and keeping her safe and informed.

Saturday morning Greta went farming with her Bapa Rog. 

Ivy went to check out the cows.  

Sunday night we had pizza with extended family.  

Cousin Ainsley came over to play.  

Counting the rings in the tree to see how old it is.  

A picture by the windmill with Uncle Ryan.  

My mom surprised the kids with kites for an Easter gift.  They got lots of practice flying them in the front lawn.  

Lots of kite flying = Lots of outside time 

The Resurrection Biscuits tradition on Easter morning lives on. 

 

Spring Break

Our Spring Break was March 13-21.  We always take the week off and take the opportunity to take a break from our school work and do things we don't normally take the time to do during the week.  We made a Bucket List (which involved plenty of fun but also some productivity) and surprisingly we checked off every single thing.    

We checked out a cake pan from the library, baked it and decorated it.  

We had a few playdates with friends.  

We installed Hudson's new closet organization system from The Container Store.  We are in the process of making his room more of a "big kid space."  We got his mattress, bed and bedding ordered over break too. We are so excited to see it all come together.  

Daddy helped install and now Mommy helps to put things in place.  

We went bowling with friends... 

and got free 30 minute access passes to the arcade afterwards.  

On Tuesday we went to the Des Moines Art Center as a family.  

We grabbed dinner at Zombie Burger afterwards (Roy's choice).  

Sunday night was movie and pizza night.  Princess Greta chose to make Oreo Dessert for our special treat.  

On St. Patrick's Day we wore green and the kids ate a green dinner.  

Doing an Art for Kids Hub with Mimi

We finished another puzzle

We played games with Mimi 

Mimi took us to a movie at the theater, Raya and the Last Dragon.  

We fixed a 500 piece puzzle with Mimi in less than a day...we just couldn't stop.    

We soaked up plenty of sunshine and outside time.  

Daddy and his daughters 

We grabbed a yummy treat at Monarca Gourmet Paletas.  

Hudson chose a mango popsicle, Greta got an Oreo one dipped in chocolate and covered with chocolate sprinkles, Roy got coconut and I chose hot chocolate dipped in white chocolate.  

Greta got a haircut

Our spring break Bucket List