New Boots

E's love affair with boots started with these. Aren't they adorable?! She wore them daily, no matter what she was doing or where she was going. She even insisted on wearing them to church, but sadly, I nixed that one. Last summer, the boots could no longer contain her growing feet. Did that stop her? No. She moaned when her feet hurt and cried when the blisters appeared.

I can relate to loving a pair of shoes, so I tried to help her by cutting out the heels. They lasted a few more weeks until Grandma saved the day with new boots.

E wore them everywhere. In fact, she still has them even though they're too small. O started wearing them and he got hooked. Again, Grandma came to the rescue and got E new boots, which you'll probably see in future pictures. She also got a pair for O for his birthday. It's a good thing not to have those two fight over E's boots. Daddy also says it's good to see O in plain blue, rather than pink with flowers.

He's dancing in his new boots.

Independence.

Playing in their boots.

Wait...what's wrong with this picture?

I just shake my head.

Easter Duds

My sister and I found cute polk-a-dot fabric and decided to make the girls matching dresses for Easter. It would be adorable to get pictures of them together. We both worked tirelessly, slaving over these dresses till the wee hours of the morning. Well, maybe that was just me, but S did work hard on her dress and did much better on her zipper than me.
Although we both had the dresses on Easter, we neglected to actually put them on the girls and take pictures. All that planning for nothing. Sheesh. Maybe we can photo shop.

She loves her "Cinderella" dress.

The boys had matching shirts. They are just so handsome!

I'm glad I got ONE good picture!

Egg-static

My boys communicate. They communicate very well for not being able to say very much. They make plans together and the second mommy leaves the room a plan goes into action...as fast as possible. W works out the details- when, where, what objects need brute force. O agrees to every plan ever made because he loves the adventure.

I can't tell you how many times I have walked into the kitchen to see food splattered and smooshed onto the floor...the chairs...the benches...the counters...I've had gallons of milk, yogurt, tomatoes, bananas, cottage cheese, crackers, and more splattered everywhere. The tomatoes were bad. The milk upset me, especially after the third gallon was sloshed around. But O loves to go for the eggs. Perhaps because they crack and ooze. I get the most upset over losing eggs.

I bake with those eggs! Isn't it great that they get thrown across the room on the very day I want to make chocolate chip cookies? Or the very day I decide to have eggs and biscuits for dinner? Plus, eggs are so difficult to clean up. Am I right?

Some of you may be thinking lock your fridge. Yeah, we thought of that too. Let me just say that O and his brute strength has remedied that situation. However, the lock we have on now seems to be holding so far. Unfortunately, the boys are watching intently as E operates it. I'm sure it's a matter of days before W has another plan. Some of you may also be thinking Why are you away from them so long? Well, I'm not. My mom can even testify that they are very quick and stealth in carrying out their plans. She had just walked into the living room to sit down when she realized there was milk being thrown all over the kitchen. Before she reentered the kitchen, the boys had not only danced in the puddles, but were slippin' and slidin'.

And that's just a food plan. There's a plan for every room in the house.

A Big Helper

When our dishwasher died, E decided to help Daddy with the problem.
Let me see here, she said in her pretend man voice. She retrieved Daddy's head lamp and switched to night vision. She crawled under the sink to solve the problem.

I'm glad this cutie is here to help solve our plumbing issues and keep us laughing.

Tiny Dancer and Home

We gathered on Easter for General Conference (this picture is missing A, S and M). We didn't get to hear most of conference (surprised?), so it's a good thing we have internet and written publication to experience conference again.

E received a dress up dress in her Easter basket. Perfect for a tiny dancer. She changed into the dress to prepare for the Choir. Yes, she loves the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and she was ready to dance as they sang.

Perfect pirouette.

Look at those moves.

Swish of the skirt.

Swaying to the music.

We hit the long road home once night fell, hoping it would be a quiet ride. The kids were zonked within 45 seconds.

They really can sleep in any position.

Thanks for a great time!!

Strolls, Waterfront, and Frightening Animals

The neighborhood is so quaint, as in skillful design, marked for beauty, yet different in character and in some parts odd and somewhat strange. Still, it's pleasing and strikingly old fashioned. It's quaint. We enjoyed a few afternoon strolls discussing this, the friendly people who dwell there, and the weather.

The waterfront. It's practically in their backyard. When it rains and rains...it really is in their yard. This ignited E's daily desire to go to the condo for our beach trip.

Several neighbors have dogs and when they bark they scare my children, especially O. Complete terror. But he loves dogs. It really is a love/hate relationship. This little yapper of a dog came to visit one day. E played with her fine, but the boys hid behind Daddy.

He held on tightly with both fists.

But he continued to yell out Hi dog! as he waved. Daddy just couldn't move.

Eggs, Chocolate, and Cookies

Our rockin' hostess with the mostess entertained the children with dying eggs. But this is a picture of me and E. Um, sorry, hostess is not shown. Maybe she doesn't mind?

Hunting for eggs filled with glorious chocolate, which was consumed quickly...mostly by the adults.

Eating the chocolate whole...foil included.

Our mr. sweet tooth devoured his as quickly as possible. He must sense his competition.

Our cool hostess offering more fun. The kids decorated sugar cookies. But it didn't take too long before the adults (Dad's included) felt they had to join in the fun. Maybe to show the kids how it's really done. Maybe to show off their mad decorating skills. Maybe as an excuse to say I get to eat this one.

One of two plates full of cookies. Those kids can really decorate.
Skills, I tell ya. Mad skills.

Easter Trip - Lots of Playing

We took off to Virginia to visit family for the Easter Break. Grandma and Pa joined us as well. With 6 kids all 4 and under, sleeping arrangements worked out surprisingly well. The kids had so much fun together...lots of play time.

Grandma and Pa with the kids

Mega play structure is put to constant use.

Tons of slide action.

Plenty of air time with swings.

Scaling several walls.

Sooo cute! Hands up! He loves the slide.

Funneling and pushing a load of sand. Cute stair step of boys.

And playing some football.