April 7th

April 7th was Paul's 45th birthday.  This is the time of the year I love, because I can say we are the same age.  (Nevermind that it only lasts 3 months- I enjoy those three months!).  He decided that he wanted to go to Dauset Trails and enjoy the Bluebirds and Bluegrass festival.  The weather was perfect this day and we really enjoyed ourselves.  First stop was to look at the otters.

 Anna and Joseph soaking in some beautiful sunshine and some beautiful music.

 Ben was brave and touched the "wattlenake".  It really wasn't a rattler, but you couldn't tell him that!

 Emma's beautiful curls.  She was looking at goats here.

 Ben trying his hand at blacksmithing.

 Sam pounded out a nail.

 Eating boiled peanuts.

 Boys will be boys.

 Look at that pile of peanut shells between them.

 Emma's wild hair.

 He was pretending to play the violin with these two sticks.

 Dad's birthday cake.

 It was delicious, if I do say so myself!!

 Beautiful flower

 Turtles for Anna

Birthday breakfast: over easy eggs, toast, ham, bacon and steak.  Mmmmm

Somewhat Behind...

I have gotten behind in my blog.  That was never my intention, but when push comes to shove, the blog is the first thing to get crossed off my to do list.  Our neighbors Internet signal, which we have been "borrowing" has not been working for us these past few weeks, so I've literally had no way to get online from the house.  Usually I'll come up to the church or some other place with wifi, but our van has been in the shop for three weeks.  Yes, THREE weeks.  That means that usually I am left at home without a vehicle.  And then when I do get a vehicle, it is usually to do silly things, like grocery shop, not go sit online and update the blog.

I've also been extremely busy with preparations for Anna's birthday party and my parents visit this past week.  The party took alot of time and effort and the fact that I decided to make her a queen size quilt didn't quite help with time management.  I thought I gave myself enough time, but I ended up only getting the top finished.  The only consolation is that she'll not need it for at least two years, so I should have time to finish it.

I have a bunch of posts coming up with alot of pictures.  I uploaded over 700 pictures to the computer yesterday alone.  (Don't worry- I'm not going to post them all!)

Things have been fast paced around our house for a while now.  I want things to slow down, to slow way down.  But I haven't quite yet figured out a way to do that.  Let me know if you come up with something...

Heard from Home Plate...

Samuel was playing in his baseball game the other evening.  He was in a real silly mood and was fooling around with the other boys before it was his turn to bat.

When they called his name, he sauntered up to home plate and slowly turned around to his fellow teammates and said, "Watch and learn boys.  Watch and learn."

He then proceeded to smack that baseball into the outfield and took off to first base.  When he got there, he turned again to his teammates and said, "Now that is how you hit a baseball."

Only 7 year old boys can get away with that level of arrogance and have other people think it's cute!

Cherry Blossoms 2012

Anna and Joseph

 Most people have heard the news of Anna and Joseph already, but I thought I'd blog about it in case someone hasn't heard.  Joseph approached Paul several months ago and made known his intentions to get to know Anna better with the end result of marrying her.  Paul and I have known Joseph for 7 years and have come to realize that he is a fine young man, full of Godly character.

 So Paul gave his blessing and through a series of events, Anna found out about it.  She wasn't supposed to know for a while yet, but she found out and she was thrilled!

So they are officially courting.  She is just turning 16, so there will be no wedding for at least two years.  A long time in their eyes, such a short time in mine...

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

Paul, Ellie, Sam, Ben, Emma and myself went to watch the cherry blossom parade last week.  It was a beautiful day for a parade.

 Emma wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she was all about having a good time outside.

 Sam and Ben had never been to a parade before and were very excited.

 Emma loved her flag and even waved it for a bit.

 But it then ended up in her mouth, like everything else.

 Blue eyed patriotic baby.

 Shaggy Sam who has since had a haircut.

 Well looky there.  It's Barabara Eden, the grand marshall of our little parade.

 I dream of Jeannie has gotten old.

 Dragons,

 Dancers,

 More dancers

 Dancing with ribbons

 Ben was so upset.  Early on in the parade, someone handed Sam a lollipop, but not Ben.  It about ruined his parade until several minutes later he got one.

 Watching the parade with dad.

 Yes, they really do that to those dogs, every year.

It was a fun time. Thanks Dad for taking us.

Emma at 20 months

 She has some head of hair!  It seems to get curlier and fluffier with each day.

 She is putting two and three words together and says simple sentences. 

 Emma loves her siblings, loves her babies and loves to play outside.

 She enjoys laughing and getting silly, which she does on a regular basis.

Emma brings alot of joy to our lives.