New Skills and Thrills

Playing hard and learning new skills... Spring is here and that means many more trips to the park to play!  We found some skate boards a few weeks ago at a garage sale and big J has been determined to learn new tricks.  K has impressed us with his pedaling skills and little J continues his passion for balls and is currently into football, 'ffoff BALL' as he calls it. 

 The preferred means of travel on this new board is belly down! 

 He attempts movement on his two legs, but is a still a bit timid.

 Tricks are what it is all about, in the grass where it doesn't hurt if he falls!

"Watch this one, Mom!"

And he is off to try the next great adventure, he looks like a little teenager here!

       Go K, go!  He makes sure to use his legs to push the pedals...

 ...He concentrates hard on using his arms to steer so he doesn't go into the rocks!

 Yay, look at that humble smirk of accomplishment- We are so proud of you Kyle!

 He is off to the sidewalk freedom!

 Our lover of balls spends his days at the park in the grass field...

 Catching (he gets upset if you try to adjust his hat differently!)...

 Touch Down!

 Throwing too!  By the looks of him, you can tell that he takes this game very seriously!

 He also manages to find bugs in the grass!

 All this excitement calls for a quick snack!

 I can't leave C out... His most recent accomplishment is sitting in the Bumbo ;).

Eggs... a little late!

Rejoice, He is risen!  We had many occasions to celebrate Easter this year... 

First, G&G Barker put together a fun hunt in their backyard-

It was a surprise for the boys!

 Big J knew exactly what to do!

 K couldn't believe all the snacks and treats that he was finding!

 Bunny kiss...

 He took a break to look at all the prizes he found!

 So much to look at for little J...

He found the 'Balls!', of course!

Later that week our whole family made it to the park for the Mom's club egg hunt... J with some of his best friends, they are lined up ready for the hunt to begin!  

Ready, set, GO!

It was a great spring day in the park :).

What is inside your eggs?

First family picture as a family of 6... Carter is in the infant carrier on the right, he slept the whole time.

Hummmm, which one is J?... This is the wall friend, they are great buds now!

Easter Sunday was such a busy day and I forgot to attempt any pictures until just before the nice ham dinner at G&G R's house... can you tell the boys were hungry and had a busy day?  It is funny how big J and C have the same expression!

2 month cutie!

Well, 2 months has come and gone so quickly I can barely catch my breath!  Literally, the physical needs of my kiddos right now is keeping me on my toes at all hours of the day and some hours of the night...  Lucky for me I have an adorable little baby to snuggle up to through it all!  I know Carter is an easy baby, but as our family grows and our kids get older the complexities of babyhood don't seem to be there like they were with my first?!  Babyhood seems so simple after putting out the fires of sibling rivalry all day!  Your happy smiles and squeals make my day, Carter! 

All you have to do is talk to him and he will give you a big smile!

 He is even talking back... In a good way, that is!

 So handsome!

 I had to include the piggies...

 I LOVE You!

Back to the Rain Forest

Joshua's preschool from last year invited us to join them as the Rain forest show came back to visit.  I forgot my camera, but one of the moms was kind enough to email me some of the pictures she captured. 

K had no fear... He is our bug and animal loving kid!  He looked at every animal so closely and was very eager to hold the birds and would have held anything else if they let him.

 J wanted to hold the biggest bird, but did not care to be the center of attention ;).

 K thought it was hilarious that a bird was on his head!

 Big helper...

 J just looks a bit too happy to be holding this HUGE python... I didn't go near it!

Garden Prep helpers

During one of the few occasions this week that we got a break from the wind, I had 3 wonderful helpers help me prep the garden... 

I had a soil mixer and digger...

A very eager water sprayer...

 ...And an "Official Bug, Worm & Lizard finder"!

They all worked long and hard... We all got dirty finger nails and sun burns as proof! 

 After a good clean up, their efforts were rewarded with ice cream cones! 

 Oh the five year old joy and energy, even after a long day of working!

Very Special Birthday Party...

Last week Mike brought home a big chocolate cake to celebrate his sister Delilah's 26th birthday.  The boys see her picture almost everyday and ask a lot of questions about her, they were very excited to celebrate her birthday.  It is hard to believe that she passed away almost 9 years ago, we miss you and love you so much Deehee! 

Beautiful Delilah!

 What better way to make her a regular part of the boys life than to have a birthday party for her...

 K wanted to get an extra close look at his Auntie...

 We wish YOU were here laughing and celebrating with us!

Sunday Afternoon

You can tell by the looks of our couch this past Sunday afternoon that there are a lot of boys in our household! 

After church and a pancake lunch, they were ready to crash with dad and enjoy golf on TV (Jacob wanted to watch football, can you tell?!).

more 6 weeks...

Since C is growing so fast, I have to share some more of my favorite pictures from the 6 week photos... He already has so much personality as you will see in the pictures.  He holds himself up very good and responds to faces and talking with lots of expression.  We all love him to pieces and can't help but "AHHH" every time we see him! Oh, those little squeaks, oinks, stretches and new smell get me every time!

The beginning of a smile :)

 The Joshua look a like

 Awwww!

 Sense of humor

 Sweet & Cuddly

 The 'Ohhhs"

 Bashful

 Smirk!