Spring Has Arrived

Thank goodness it finally got warm. I almost had Chris convinced we needed to move to North Carolina (just kidding). We took full advantage of the nice weather this past weekend. The boys had a great time! I guess we'll stay in Ohio for another year...


If you click on the above picture, you can see the shirt Jonathan's friend Emily bought for him. It makes me laugh.

We spent Friday outside with our friends Hunter and Emmerson. Saturday we played in our yard and hung out with Papa, Nina, and Aunt Dee. Sunday we had lots of friends over for lunch then headed to Katie's softball game. The boys ended their weekend playing outside Sunday evening with Nina Tripp.

Jonathan is burnt as a result of our weekend outdoors. I guess I need to get into the habit of putting on sunscreen again!

De-Crapification Update

To all my faithful blog-stalkers: Some of you may remember me mentioning the de-crapification process I was going through. Although I still have a long way to go, I wanted to share the progress so far. I textured and painted my dining room with the help of a friend (thanks Stacy). I love it! I have included pictures of the new walls. If you can't tell from the pictures, it is a deep olive color. It wasn't that hard to do but it took me almost a whole week. It's amazing how much longer things take with kids.

I also got rid of some of the boys' toys that they no longer play with. It was hard but absolutely needed. I am such a pack rat. I hate stuff but struggle to get rid of it. Augh! I so admire those of you whose homes are immaculate. If only I could get there.




I went down to Marysville to scrapbook last month. It was nice to see my friends again and I enjoyed closing the gap (somewhat) between completed scrapbook pages and my most current pictures. To be honest, I have thought more than once that blogging is much like scrapbooking so I could just do this! Don't worry, Julie. I couldn't talk myself into it.

I haven't decided if I am able to come this month or not. It's not looking promising...unless I bring the boys. Chris has a prior commitment. I found things that need sizzixed already. Maybe that's what I should ask for for my birthday...or maybe the Cricket thing.

Well I believe I will say 'farewell' for now. Thanks for taking the time to get updated on my blog again. I'm sorry it takes me a while.

Michelle

Hoppy Easter!

Holidays are always busy at our house, and this Easter was no different (especially since we host the dinner). After the boys got dressed I showed them their baskets and allowed them one piece of candy. Once they scarfed down their candy we headed off to church, but came home early to put the finishing touches on Easter dinner (lunch).

Pictures that you take of yourself are always fun. This was taken before everyone came over but after church. Can you believe Chris left church early on Easter to come home and help me get lunch ready? What a great guy!


Aunt Dee came over with Easter gifts for the boys and they decided they needed to try them on right away. She also bought them Peter Pan, which we have been watching non-stop.


While waiting for lunch to be served, Chris and Mr. Jones decided they needed to try on the boys' helmets. I think they both look ridiculous, how about you? We got a good laugh, anyway.

Even though the weather felt more like Christmas, we served our traditional Easter meal. Each year Mom and I split up the side dishes (sorry, Andrea, next year will be different). She brought over lots of yummy food and we shared our feast with the Jones family and Papa Bobby. We had Honey Baked Ham (the best), scalloped potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cheesy broccoli rice, green beans with bacon, baked corn, and rolls. For dessert we had pumpkin pie, mixed berry pie, and iced sugar cookies (yum).

After lunch we cleaned up our mess and all headed to bed. I was exhausted! We slept for a while then got up and headed to Nina Tripp and Papa Ralph's house. There the boys received yet another Easter basket and we had scrumptious ham sandwiches and chips. It was nice to spend time at their house without the stress of a huge meal. I left more relaxed than I came.




I should always try to get family pictures like these last two. I think they are so important!

Coloring Easter Eggs

After stained hands, a messy table, and crazy looking eggs the boys were very proud of their hard work. Although they enjoyed making the eggs, they refused to eat them because some of the coloring soaked through. I was stuck eating all twelve. Luck for me egg whites are a great source of protein (I pitched the yolks).
I think Jonathan would have colored a few dozen more but I can only eat so many eggs.

Happy Birthday Ariana!

The boys were invited to their cousin's birthday party at Pump It Up in Hartville. Chris and I were even able to play on the huge inflatable games. They had a lot of fun and have decided that they too want a Pump It Up birthday party...we'll see.





I wonder what was going through Chris's mind...


Nina Tripp even got in on the action. We all had a great time.



Both boys were exhausted by the time the party was over. Drew didn't even have enough energy to give me one last smile.

Family Rollerskating Night

Our church offered a family skate night one Friday evening in both March and April. Although we went to both, the previous pictures are from the March event. Both boys did well for their first time skating, but I looked ridiculous. By the end of the first night Jonathan felt comfortable hanging on the railing by himself. By the end of the second night (one month later) both boys were pseudo skating. They love it! I hope we are able to continue to offer that to them.

Drew's favorite part is gliding around on his Daddy's back around the rink. I think Jonathan's favorite part is hanging out with the girls. It was Emily the first night (she's the teenager helping him in the pictures) and Lauren the second night (she's in kindergarten).

They both loved taking a break and getting a snack from the snack bar with our skates still on.

Random February Fun

Jonathan was so proud of his Lego creation that I had to capture it on film. He made it all by himself, just by looking at the box. He has become quite the Lego builder lately.


Drew got into the closet where we store winter hats and gloves and found his set from last year. He decided he needed to wear them around for a while, even though it was too warm.


I walked into the living room one day and saw the boys reading a book together. It gave me warm fuzzies!

The boys (Drew especially) love pretending to be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Here he shoved two swords through his shirt and claimed to be Leonardo. I think Leonardo is Drew's favorite because he fights with two swords. Drew loves swinging swords around, and we get nervous when he wants to fight with them. He can be somewhat wicked with a sword.

Visiting Aunt Becki and Uncle Ace

We took a quick trip down to visit with some of our closest friends. The boys call them 'aunt' and 'uncle' because Becki and I have been friends for many years ( that's a good story). We now have the privilege of praying for Ace's safety every night before the boys go to bed. I wish we could get together more often.

Their little boy's name is Daniel. He is three weeks older than Drew and even came to visit us in the hospital when Drew was born!


We had to take a picture of the boys after we checked on them and found them this way...aren't they cute??