Spring Break

I didn't take very many pictures of our week off.... maybe because it was pretty low key, or maybe because we were outside a lot. We went on walks, to the park, and worked in the yard.

Mike went on a work trip over night to Colorado, and it gave us a new appreciation for him! We were very glad when Daddy came home.

I started organizing baby boy clothes and came across this shirt I bought for Tyler.  He didn't want to wait for the big day, so I let him wear it a few weeks early. This is a typical view of him, always playing with or talking about something with wheels!

The highlight of the week was our visit to Rexburg to see my sister Noelle and her sweet family. They just bought a house so we wanted to see it and all the hard work they've put into it, and they are going out to North Carolina for the summer so we wanted to get in some quality time!

The storms were rolling in for the weekend, but we snuck in a windy walk.

We broke in their master garden tub with a girly bath! These three girls are the very best of friends. 

 Tyler got a bath too, all by himself. Check out the view of Noelle's beautiful new bedroom.

The next morning we got a shot of all the kiddos in their jammies. I can hardly believe all these little ones belong to just the two of us sisters. Cousins are seriously the best friends you can have.

We spent most of our time at their house playing and watching General Conference, always a spiritual feast!

In between sessions we took the older girls to a craft store to do the kids craft.

They spent most of their time in costume, coloring, and creating!

 

The little boys both wanted their blankies and laid down by each other to snuggle. So sweet!
 

Daddy got a lot of snuggle time too. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of Noelle and I together, but I guess that's what happens when our hands are full! Noelle made some gourmet meals (Mike said it looked like a cooking show from his vantage point at the table) and we just thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and catching up with them. 

Easter Weekend

We started off the Easter festivities with egg dying. Maddie liked the double dip look.  

Ella's fingers got a little green too.

Meanwhile Mike worked on re-drawing sprinklers in the back yard and made plans to finish them in preparation for hydroseeding the grass. Hopefully we will have grass and toys just in time for summer!

We were invited to our friends' amazing annual Easter party.... always a great time! They hide over a hundred blown out real eggs for prizes, plus tons of candy, and the hunt is on!

The kids enjoyed their back yard and the beautiful weather as much as anything.

By the end of a full afternoon they were all tuckered out.

(Yep, this girl still hangs on to her thumbkin.... it will end when she decides.)

Easter morning dawned bright and beautiful. I told the girls to wake each other up first, and then stomp on the floor to wake us up before coming downstairs, so we woke up to elephants over our heads.

When everyone was ready we headed down to find the Easter baskets. Ty found his first and was pretty excited about his bubbles and big chocolate bunny!

Ella and Maddie were thrilled that the Easter bunny brought them clip-on earrings.
 

 Once everyone had their baskets, the egg hunt began.

I think they got enough sugar!

We had a beautiful morning listening to inspiring music and watching "Finding Faith in Christ". Mike and the girls continue their "Daddy/daughter time" tradition every Sunday morning, and I prepared for having a big Andrews family dinner at our house later that day. At church the girls sang their favorite song with the Primary, Gethsemane, and we enjoyed beautiful lessons about the Savior. 

The girls helped me choose their Easter dresses many weeks ago, and the anticipation has about killed them. They do look pretty sweet.
 

Not to mention this little stud... I can't believe how big he is!!! 

Day with Dad

The kids love Saturdays, mostly because Daddy stays home. Almost every morning Ty's first words when I get him up are "Daddy home?"

He has been taking Maddie down to Grandma Osmond's house in Orem the last few weeks to work on piano lessons. What a wonderful opportunity! Maddie has been so excited to come home and show me what she is working on. She can play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" up and down the keyboard!

Last Saturday was really a day just with Dad, as I went on a youth trip to the RootsTech Conference in SLC. They had big plans together and didn't miss me much! 

They wanted to make crib/beds for their buddies, and Dad took it very seriously!

They measured....

Planned...

Schemed...

Sewed...

 (Mike was proud of Maddie for sewing her whole pillowcase herself!)

Sawed... drilled.... and glued.

They turned out so great! Yay for a fun and obliging Daddy with mad skills. :)

Also of note, Ella Bella gave a great talk in Primary yesterday! She is super shy and takes her time getting used to new people and places, but she has blossomed so much in the past year. She was confident and said every word into the microphone and was excited to show her props and bear her testimony of Jesus.

After church she and I had some alone time and explored the Friend together. She is starting to sound out words and understand how letters make sounds and blend together. She loves the activities and begged to make this cute little lamb for spring. 

Spring Fever

Last week was so warm! We spent lots of time outside and started dreaming about what spring would bring. Tulips for one thing!

One day Ella and I had some time alone to explore the yard for footprints. We found kitty, dog, deer, and some other wierd in between size... skunk maybe?
 

Another day we rode scooters to pick Maddie up from school and stopped by the mailbox to send a note to cousin Emrie.

Oh how I love to see their pigtails flying in the wind!
 

 Tyler obviously wanted to be free as well...

We got out some Easter decorations, even though it was before St. Patty's Day. It's just so early this year!
 

Maddie wanted to make bunnies to give to the Easter bunny, so I remembered some I made when I was little with cotton balls and felt. So cute!

Mr. Mike has been working hard on fixing up our old Altima to sell. The goal is to make enough off of it to buy the kids a playset.... no pressure! :)

We started thinking about the garden over the weekend. We would like to plant our cool-season veggies--peas, spinach, broccoli--soon! (Don't forget I write about garden stuff over here throughout the year).

We left some carrots in over the winter and they became crazy monsters! It's hard to believe it's growing season already... I think I am just overwhelmed this year because I am still growing myself... literally. We only have about 6 weeks left till we meet our new little guy!