Aunty Cathy's Quilt

Finally, here are the pictures. Sorry it took so long ( Mom's fault).

This is a quilt that my Mom and her friend Sally made for my Aunt Cathy. Aunt Cathy's husband James passed away a few months ago and this quilt is made out of his clothes and also pictures and cards that were made into fabric squares. The back is green with lady bugs. It turned out so well.

James and Aunt Cathy were married just over 7 years (I think, but don't quote me on it) and he was an awesome man. I never spent much time with him since they lived across the country from us, but he made quite an impression on me. They were both such a wonderful example of what a marriage should be, and how a husband and wife should treat each other. They were so kind and patient and loving with each other--ALWAYS. They appreciated each other and always put the others needs ahead of their own. I am so grateful that they found each other and were able to have those years together. He truly was a good man and I am happy that he was able to be a part of our family. He is greatly missed and will always be remembered.

Hopefully the quilt brings a little peace and comfort to you Aunt Cathy. We love you so very much!

One Picture for Earth Day

I hope this counts as doing my part for the earth.

I started hanging my clothes out to dry last year and I love it. I have been waiting for this weather and it feels like it took forever to get here. My goal is not to use my dryer at all. (Well, for the kids stuff and my stuff). Ryan does his own laundry so we'll see how he does. My only problem is I need a bigger line. I think I'm going to use this one for diapers b/c it hangs pretty low, and then string up a new one for clothes.

It is a little more work, but I actually enjoy it. It gives me a reason to get off the computer and get outside. I also love the smell of clothes dried on the line.

Beautiful Weather

This week has been gorgeous. My kids (and me) are in Heaven! Ryan hasn't had time to get to the backyard and get rid of all the dandelions, but I'm in no hurry. My kids love them and pick them for me everyday! I think they are beautiful.

Springtime has opened up a whole new world for Catey. She loves being outside.

Running around the backyard.

Here's a plug for The Gap. Mok bought this outfit for Sunny when we visited them in Alabama when Sunny was 10 months old. Sunny wore it until she was 3 (my kids have tiny little waists, what can I say). I packed it away and now Lila is wearing it. Hat, shirt, shoes, and sandals! I remember at the time thinking it was so expensive, but I wanted it so bad b/c it was so adorable. I think we definitely got our money's worth with it. It still looks brand new and just as cute as when Sunny wore it!

Sunny made this "home" for rollie-pollies (or potato bugs as Ryan calls them). So far there are 3 that live in there and she takes very good care of them.

Thanks to Lauren for teaching her how to hold them. She used to be petrified, but now she is a pro!

First time on the trampoline.

It was a hit. She loves it. It's nice b/c I can zip up the net and cage her in while I hang up all the laundry,

Chalk is also a new favorite.

She learned quick it doesn't taste very good.

The Good-bye

Sunny was heartbroken that B.J. had to leave. She hung on tight around his neck until I peeled her off. She cried for a solid hour. Jackson appeared to be okay at first. Then he turned to me and said, "I think I might feel like crying". When we put them to bed Sunny prayed that they wouldn't be so sad anymore and they both laid down. I went and got in the bath and I could hear them both just laying in bed sobbing. We ended up sleeping downstairs on the floor and watching Nemo to take their minds off of it.

Right after this Sunny turned to me and said "I hate Florida, B.J. needs to stay here with me."

We are so happy Uncle B.J. was able to come visit. He is so much fun and they kids love him so much. I'll admit I cried as much as they did when he left. He is so nice to have around. We wish he could come more often!

The rest of Uncle B.J.'s trip

Sunny loves her Uncle B.J. so much. She is completely attached to him.

The classic "No Paparazzi" pose.

Mean faces.

B.J. spiked Jackson's hair so they would match. Both kids also wore jeans with holes in them all week to match B.J. (He is known for holey-how do you spell that ?- jeans).

They spent a lot of time like this.

...and like this.

...and Sunny usually looked like this.

Again with the "No Paparazzi" thing. (It's hilarious when you hear Jackson say it with a bit of a speech impediment.)

The majority of the time was spent playing wii. Several days they played for 12 hours.

Spring Dresses

Nancy made the girls matching(ish) spring dresses. They were so cute. Lila was a grouch, we think she has been getting several teeth at once and it must hurt. She is driving us crazy this week.

Big Bro and Sis before church. Jax was so proud of his new church outfit from Mok.

What's really tougher than a bomb?

Again, according to Jax...

Lightning!

What's tougher than a bomb?

Well, according to Jackson....



Shark teeth!

Uncle B.J. aka "All-Star"

Just a small update from B.J.'s week here. The kids are in Heaven. Really! It is the sweetest thing ever. They are so excited to be with him and so happy all the time. They were watching cartoons together all piled up on the couch.

Learning how to play b-ball.

I knew Jax would be thrilled that B.J. was here, but I was surprised at how excited Sunny is. She can't get enough of him. Every night she has been snuggling with him and crawling all over him. (And sharing her coughs and sneezes --yuck)

Uncle B.J. is Coming TODAY!!!

Yea, it is finally here. The kids have been counting down forever, and now his plane is 2 hours delayed. But, he is coming and that is all that matters. So, here is my funny story for the day:

We told the kids that after Primary we would meet them by the blue chairs in the foyer. I told Jackson to pick up Sunny from her class and then me and Daddy would come. After that we would take them to Mimi and Bear's and they would all go to the airport to get B.J.

So, after church Ryan goes out to the foyer to wait for the kids and they are already there. Sitting and holding hands. The problem is that none of the other Primary kids were out of class yet. Ryan asked them what they were doing and they said they had been waiting a long time b/c I said to meet them their. Apparently after the first hour of Primary Jax went and picked up Sunny and they sat there waiting by the blue chairs for the whole next hour! A couple of adults saw them and asked what they were doing. The kids said they were waiting for me and Ryan, and because they were behaving so well and waiting so quietly everyone thought they were right and they were supposed to be there.

Note to self: Explain how long Primary lasts, and that we do not leave class early and pick up our sister because we are so excited to go to the airport to get Uncle B.J.

I love my kids. They definitely keep us laughing all the time!

Easter Pictures

The theory behind all the pictures is that with this many we are bound to get at least one good picture of each person. Too bad we couldn't get one decent picture of all of us. Oh well, this is the best I could do today. Lila and Jax were NOT cooperative. I wish they would have been. Mok sent the kids their Easter clothes and they were all so cute today.

Lila wouldn't hold still for a picture today. We are trying to hold her down, or chasing her in every picture.

Not good!

She was so mad.

Crying, but a good shot of her dress.

Still mad.

"Let go of me"

The best I could do of all three.

Seriously, the theme of this year's pictures is "Try to get Mom to take 100 pictures and do something to ruin each one." It'll be a funny memory at least :)

"Dialing" Easter Eggs

So, Sunny calls it dialing, Jackson tried to correct her 50 times, but she just wasn't having any of it. So from now on, "dialing" eggs is what we will call it.

Jackson was in charge of the blue.

Sunny with her pink and purple.

The finished eggs.

Kangaroo Zoo

Today we went to Kangaroo Zoo for Jax's birthday party. We took his best friend Kadin with us. All the kids had so much. Sunny kept up with the boys, and Lila loved walking all over the place.

Going down the slide

There aren't many picture of Jax b/c he wouldn't stop to let us take any. Ryan had to hold him down to get this one.

Isn't she cute!!!

A rare one of me.

She was so happy to be able to run wherever she wanted.

Always a poser.

Daddy with his baby girl.

Riding a dinosaur.

I wanted a cute picture of her on this orange couch b/c the color was so pretty, but she would not cooperate at all. She just wanted to climb all over it.

After we wore the kids out playing we went to Wendy's to get kid's meals and frosty's for lunch. What a fun birthday!