A Quick Trip to Idaho

We spent a few days in Boise to celebrate Ephraim's Grandparents' Anniversary, Max's 6th Birthday, and Easter.  It was a great weekend and we loved being able to see Ephraim's relatives and my Grandparents too.  

I'm lucky to have a husband who will drive all night long on our roadtrips.  I'm convinced that's the best way to travel with kids (that and lots and lots of episodes of Duck Tales.  Thanks again for the DVDS, Grandma!!!)

Someone left the Cheetos a little too close to this guy.  Nothing like staining the sparkling white hotel linens...

Cousin Quinn and Uncle Jake supplied the boys with hours of entertainment.

Cousin Deidre showing off the soft-serve machine. A huge hit at the Anniversary Party!

Snuggling time with Uncle Jake

More snuggling time with Uncle Jake I guess...

Celebrating 60 Years! 

(Ephraim is standing in for his Dad here)

Lots and lots of delicious food

All the relatives at the party

We transitioned from Anniversary Party mode to Star Wars Birthday Party Mode.  We did some games (including the rocket launchers seen in the picture) and Max opened some fun gifts (like his camo nightrobe...that was the requested birthday item this year...a bathrobe....yes, really).  

And finally, some Easter pics.  Funny that we didn't seem to get one with our whole family...I guess we'll take what we can get.)

 

Spring Update

Here is a truly random assortment of the last few months....(in a truly random order....)

Ezra turned 4! We celebrated with a room full of balloons, a Lego Ninjago cake designed by the birthday boy, and a ninja training course for a few of his friends. We love Ezra!

My new blondy bob..so much easier to do!

My parents came to visit for Spring Break and to watch the boys while I went to a conference for my Childbirth Educator certification. THANK YOU Mom and Dad for being willing to watch the hooligans for us!!We celebrated my mom's birthday with fantastic carrot cake.

My dad happened to be here when all the garter snakes decided to leave their winter hibernation spots in our yard. With the help of Ginger the dog, he caught at least 2 every single day! (Please don't let this discourage anyone from coming to visit us...)

Griffin a few months ago..I couldn't resist.

Way back around New Year's Uncle Jake came to visit on his way to college in Utah. (Hooray for living in the middle of the country so we can occasionally get visitors who are passing through! Because really, does anyone vacation in Nebraska? No.) It was great to see Jake and the boys had a blast showing and telling him everything they could think of. Come back soon Uncle Jake!!

Max had a Book Parade at school where he got to march through the halls in a costume from his favorite book. If you haven't read Chicks and Salsa, we recommend it! Its hard to believe his kindergarten year is almost over. He's excited to be a "grader" (as he calls it) next year.

Griffin looked so cute dressed up in the pirate get-up from a friend's birthday party. This baby is now 7 months old....where oh where does the time go?!?

If Ezra's not playing with Legos, chances are he's covering himself in mud. He loves to be outside and get dirty.

We are loving the beautiful weather and the chance to play outside everyday!

Wrapping Up, Part 4

As evidenced below (in no particular order) we had an awesome Christmas together.

Snuggling in a new blanket from Grandma.

Ezra excited about jeans (not really but he's trying!)

Max is a great big bro!

Over 1,000 Lego figure stickers!

3 Christmas boys

Traditional Christmas Eve Pageant

Griffin's delighted with his new barn.

Christmas Eve jammies.

Ezra could hardly stand the excitement of getting his Sensei Wu lego guy.

A silly grin.

The telescope Max asked Santa for (or was is Ephraim that asked Santa for it? I'm not sure.)

Checking out the scope.

Griffin's 1st Christmas= A huge success!

Ezra asked Santa for a Samurai Castle. On Christmas morning he walked straight to our room and asked, "Did my samurai castle get here?"

Proof that I attended Christmas (and even wore my HoHoHo jammies).

Wrapping Up, Part 3

On to the Christmas season!

We went from this:

(beautiful fall sunsets and weather)

to this:

A winter wonderland!

A few Christmas festivities:

Ezra topping the tree.

Christmas cookie baking extravaganza....

These sugar cookies were the first of several dozen cookies baked and consumed by us. Sugar cookies, cream wafers, ginger snaps, mint brownies, geology candy, cherry coconut...it was a sad, sad day when the freezer was finally empty.

Wrapping Up, Part 2

September and October brought more visitors and fun!

Ephraim gave Griffin a baby blessing on October 4 at our home. We were happy to have my parents and sister and her boys join us for the occasion.

A snapshot Max took of Lindsay, Mason, and Calvin at our favorite park.

Griffin loved meeting Grandma Lillie and Grandpa Cory!

Wrapping Up, Part 1

Wrapping up the highlights of 2011 will take a few posts but for now, here's part 1. Way back in August when Griffin was only a few weeks old, we had a great visit with Ephraim's parents. We were so happy we got to see both of them since Ephraim's dad is working in Mexico right now.

They toured Ephraim's work.

Big fun at the Nebraska State Fair with lots of exotic animals.

Tiny and yellow Griffin enjoyed lots of snuggling with Grandma while Grandpa entertained Max and Ezra with books and roughhousing. We can't wait to see them again!