Memorial Day

Mister loves to try to climb ladders, so he was pretty pleased when he spotted this one for the tree house.


Grandma with her wine.

Boy Boy had fun playing badminton with Aunt Rita.





Shay opted to spend most of the day in the tree house, away from the crazy dogs.




Later the kiddos took a canoe ride.


I didn't take a big group picture because I am a little disheartened at the attendance (or lack thereof). We have a very large family, and everyone used to make these picnics a priority. What happened? Too busy? Family not important anymore?

One day, these picnics will cease to exist... one day, we will no longer have grandma, and our own parents may even begin leaving us. Then what? I can promise that most of us will look back on these days and wish that we had spent more time together. Our family is given to us but for a season, and that season is always too short.

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From Ella

This was one of my many presents from Ella on Mother's Day.



In case you are wondering, it is sour cherry pie that I like so much. My parents have a sour cherry tree and when my mom makes her homemade pie, there is nothing in this world that is so delicious. It is my absolute favorite dessert. EVER.

I guess it's a good thing that I know adout my camera's, my girl clearly has faith in my abilities.

Ella's nickname is Goosie (has been since she was a tiny baby), but I like how she spells it Goosy. And yes, I say her name a lot. Especially when she isn't listening.

And I must admit that sleeping all day is something I wish for quite often.

My girl knows me all too well.

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Happy Mother's Day!

I woke up to a scrumptious platter of blueberry pancakes, strawberries, and scrambled eggs in bed, it was heavenly! Craig and Ella had a bunch of wonderful gifts for me as well, it was a really special day. We went to church as usual and then mom and dad came over for dinner.


Mr. boy boy licious LOVES black beans, corn and tilapia.


Awwww, my sweet momma. Isn't she pretty?




After bribing him with chocolate, boy boy warmed up to Uh Mike. Problem is that he doesn't see Uh Mike very often, so he isn't sure about him when he arrives.



Sad really. These poor, sweet kiddos love their Uh Mike, yet they rarely see him.

Uh Mike was telling boy boy that he had to leave.


And boy boy was pleading with him to stay.

Even gave him some love (something he rarely does). But to no avail... as quickly as Uh Mike arrived, he was gone. Leaving his poor niece and nephew wondering when they might see him again.

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Easter

Ella asked me on Easter eve, "are parents really the Easter bunny?" I said, "no way, where would you get a crazy idea like that?" You guessed it: school. Darn those big kids. This magical time in her life is so brief, and I would like to hang on to it for as long as possible. So if you have older children, PLEASE TEACH THEM TO KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT!

Lou looked so handsome, but I'll be darned if he was gonna let me get a picture. That big blob in the corner is Ella's head, I was maneuvering like crazy to get a picture of him.

Most of the time he was running away from me.

Or playing with his toys from the EB.

My big girl, however, was more than happy to cooperate.

When Ella woke up in the morning, she said, "Mommy, I am so excited for today! Do you wanna know why? Because Jesus has risen and THE EASTER BUNNY BROUGHT ME TOYS AND CANDY!!!!!" She was certainly more excited about the EB, but we have been teaching her about God and Jesus and how important that sacrifice was for us. And she knew that she had better be respectful to Jesus first, lest she receive a lecture.


FORGET trying to get a picture of the two of them. He was wiggling all over the place.

He would rather be gazing outside.


Or fussing at me to pick him up.


You know that he weighs, like, a hundred thousand of pounds? (That is Ella's description, and she is pretty accurate). My back and arms will not last much longer.




Sweet, little, cutie pie.

I love to smell my children.


Craig took a few of these after church of Ella.



She was really working the camera.

Again with the smelling. I love to bury my head on them and soak them in, and I can identify them by scent. I'm like a penguin that way. I can even smell when one of them is getting sick... it's not a bad smell, but it is different and distinct. Love my babies.

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Hoppy Easter!

I tweeted this yesterday, but Ella kept saying, "Hoppy Easter Mommy! Get it? Hoppy because the Easter bunny hops!"

We decorated eggs on Saturday, one batch was cooked to perfection, but I accidentally left another batch on the stove boiling for over an hour. Oops.

No matter, they all dye the same, and mr boy boy licious had fun learning the ropes.

He took it very seriously.



Of course everything must be taste tested first.


And then he tried to use the dipper. Except I wouldn't let him anywhere near the dye.




I turned away for one second to take this lovely picture of my mom and daughter, and when I turned back...

This is what I found. "Uh oh," he says.





"I didn't do anything Momma!"



Again with the "uh oh," it is his favorite phrase.

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