A Celebration!

The Guys

The Gals

I am always so impressed by their flipping, throwing, cutting, etc, talent!

We were all thrown a piece of meat in hopes of catching! Ryne did not catch this one :)

 

He said my flash distracted him

A group shot!

And for dessert, we had my new favorite cupcakes!

 

 

 

 

 

"Easter" at School

     This past week we had our very last day of "School" on Wednesday afternoons. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work with and help plan for this each week. They had an "Easter" theme for our last time together. I was happy to get a jump start to our celebration of such an important time in our history! Riley and Sam had a blast!! I am looking forward to them going again in the Fall!

Israel

   I got some big news last week...

In December I am going to be going to Israel to study for a bible class! We will be gone for about 10 days. The opportunity presented itself earlier this semester. I have always wanted to travel but didn't think that day would come any time soon. Last year I had high hopes of going with LETU to Greece. There were so many things going against me. However, for this trip, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly. The timing, some of the funds, and even the availability. This is a picture of me in line to sign up. I was very excited because I got up there early and was #7 in line! The first 15 people received a small scholarship! Everyone will be hearing a lot more about the trip as the date nears but for now I am imagining what it will be like to travel to a new and different place. I am looking forward to how learning and studying in preparation and during this trip!

Weekend with Grandmother

Riley and Weston collecting eggs

Sam's turn!

She was very proud

So was Sam!

Silly Faces

And as close as we got to all three saying "cheese" at the same time.

Grandmother took me to this little hole in the wall for lunch after church. It was SO good. I was pleasantly surprised.

The kids and I played outside for quite a bit that afternoon. I just loved seeing them play where I have so many fond memories!

I tried out my Panorama setting on my camera. I was very pleased and will do it some more!

     I was so glad that I had time to stop by Grandmother Anne's house this semester! When people ask me where I am from I always mention where I spent my childhood, but I can't help say "East Texas" as well. I love being at her house and staying up late. While I was there I also got to visit my Aunt's school where she is a language therapist. She was AMAZING. The kids enjoyed the time to run around and I enjoyed a little break from the end of semester stress. Thanks for letting us visit Grandmother. I love you and miss you already!

"The Ocean" at school

The kids were REALLY excited about heading up to my school for the "Ocean" theme a few weeks ago.
They were nice and worn out by the time we got home :)

Sammy Boy

Here is the "Ocean" complete with beach towels and pool toys.

They had gold fish and blue jello!

Sam LOVED the goggles!

Riley enjoyed digging in the sand!

After we were done, the kids headed down to the parking garage and we got on our bikes to head home.

And out the door...

The kids really liked the ocean theme that they had at school. When the weather cooperates, we all really like taking a walk/riding our bikes together!

Growing

Growing. It seems to be the theme of my life right now in so many ways. I celebrated a birthday last week and I have been able to achieve some of the small goals that I had set for myself. (aka, growth in my personal life) Riley and Sam are ALWAYS growing. (too fast in fact) I have started to grow some veggies, flowers, and fruit in a small garden. And last, but not least, even our theme this past week was "seeds, plants, and growing things."
I am so thankful for times of growth and lately it seems as if that is just the season we are in. I love Spring and the growth that this season brings, and I hope to look back on this time in my life and remember how many things were "growing" as well.

Here is my strawberry plant!!

I have never really grown any fruit or veggie producing plant. We were all SO excited when we saw that bright, red, strawberry growing!

We, along with our neighbors, are also growing potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, onions, and carrots! More pictures of those to come!

I am also, now a year older! The kids had fun drawing pictures for me... with some help on the outlines of course :)

This was my picture to myself!

We celebrated the day after my birthday, exactly one week ago. We had a SUPER time. We had an appetizer at Red Lobster, went to the Verizon store to ask questions about my phone, walked around Pier 1 (LOVE that store), then headed to dinner. We tried a place that we had never been. We have been told they have the best sushi and Asian cuisine around... and it was SO good! Ryne and I really enjoyed our night out together!

Coincidentally, last weeks theme on Wednesday was also about growing. Sam was cracking me up during story time.

For snack we had popcorn and fresh squeezed orange juice. It was fun to talk about the kernels and watch them pop into popcorn. The kids loved squeezing their own OJ as well!

These are just a few of the tidbits from our life lately. I was so blessed with birthday greetings and wishes. I am blessed to be so loved!