Family Pictures...

On March 16th my fabulously talented sister in law, Annie, came up to take our family pictures.  They were long over due and I had hoped that the kids would cooperate.  Although we had a bit of a rough time, I still think we got some great pictures.  Thank you so much Annie for all of your help and patience!!!

I took these of Madi while we waited for Chris and Annie to get there.  They were the first ones that were taken.  She did about ten and then said she was done taking pictures.  Sorry babe, we were just getting started.

 

Easton fell asleep on the way and was so exhausted!  He hadn't gotten a good nap in that day and really just wanted to sleep.  Poor kid!

.

He perked up when we went to the other location and he saw the geese. 

This is one of our very favorites!

Our fave of the family...

After the pictures Chris and Annie came up to stay over.  It had been a LONG time since they had come up and it was so fun to have them around.  We have missed hanging out with them!  The kids loved playing with Cord too! 

This is the photo wall I did from our pictures.  The big one is a canvas and I love them!!! 

 

The Hill...

Our house is next door to a retention pond.  Madi calls it "the hill" and asks if she can go play on it anytime she sees kids over there and even sometimes when there isn't.  She loves to run up and down it, roll down to the bottom, do somersaults and have Easton chase her. 

Easton loves it too.  He loves to go to the drain and pick up the sludge and slime and throw it at me.  SOOO NOT COOL!  It stinks!  That is about the time we go home.  :D 

Spring Weather...

We have finally entered into spring and the last few weeks have been gorgeous!  The kids play outside every day and I love that we are able to get a little sun.  Easton is ALL boy and heads right for the dirt.  He loves it!  He digs, builds, throws and eats it every day.  There have been days that I have had to bath him three times!

Madi has loved having her trampoline back and sometimes it is hard to get her off it.  She will sneak outside when I am starting laundry or in the shower and I will find her outside jumping.  It makes me nervous to have her out there when I don't know. 

Blue & Gold...

This year's Blue & Gold Banquet got bumped to March 14th due to some scheduling conflicts.  As always, Andrea did a fabulous job throwing it.  Since it is the scouts 100th birthday this year we had a birthday party.  The boys and their families made some awesome cakes, we ate yummy pasta, played party games and even had a pinata!  Here are my two kiddos.  Easton refused to wear a hat but thought he was big enough to help Ryan with the pinata rope.

A One Car Family...

Last week we sold our Nissan Maxima.  We totally intended to get another car but then we started thinking and talking about what else we could do with the money.  We made a goal last year to complete the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and have done ok with it.  We decided to make the sacrifice of having only one car and pay off our roof instead of buying another one.  Our little Ford Focus is kind of squishy with all of us in it.  Madi's knees touch the back of my seat and mine touch the dash but I am so excited to see the debt disappearing.  Some days it feels like we will never make it past baby step two and then other days I can see step three right around the corner.  Hopefully this sacrifice pays off in a big way.  I would love to be able to be on step three by this time next year.  Guess we shall see...

Princess Rapunzel & Mater Boy...

Saturday we surprised the kids with Disney on Ice.  We went earlier in the week to get them new outfits so Madi could dress up like a princess but we didn't tell them why.  Of course Madi picked the ballet outfit over the princess dresses which still looked so cute on her.  I did her hair all fancy and we decided she needed a tiara.  Derrick ran to get one and picked up a necklace and earrings too.  She was in heaven!

The back... 

Easton got a new Mater outfit and the Lightning McQueen shoes he has been wanting for the longest time. 

Here is our princess all ready to leave for their surprise.  I'm pretty sure she had the best tiara out of all of them we saw.  She looks so grown up with that and her dangly earrings. 

Cheese... 

I probably should have found a cuter background, but here they are at Disney on Ice.  Madi was super excited but you never would have guessed.  She was so somber throughout the entire program.  She just took it all in and watched every move.  Easton on the other hand got so excited especially for Tangled when Max came out and of course, Mickey Mouse.

Madi said her favorite part was Cinderella and Rapunzel.  I am glad she liked it.  We had great seats, row 15, and were able to see the entire rink.  Someday I want to sit rink side with the kids.  I've done it before and it is so magical to have them so close and have the ice spray you as they skate by.   Cheesy, I know. :D

Look at that face.  You would never guess she was loving it. 

Wish I had got him 30 seconds before.  His head was in the bucket trying to get pieces with his tongue.  Silly kid! 

Rapunzel was my favorite part and I think Easton's too.  I didn't ask Derrick which he liked the best.

I love that at the end they have all the princess come out.  Madi thought that was great too.  Here is Belle... 

And Snow White... 

And Ariel... 

And Cinderella... 

And Rapunzel.  Easton loves this movie and was so fun to watch during it.  I wish I had videoed him.  Can't wait until next year.  Monsters Inc or Nemo would be fun.  Guess we will see...