my bunnies

I figured that as long as easter was "late" in april...I can be "late" with my latest post...right? I'd hate to break my streak now!

 it was a relaxing weekend filled with candy, plastic eggs, food, family, worship, and little munchkins galore. this year we have had three new littles join our extended family and my baby brother and his wife will be adding to the class of 2011 crew in october. crazy. we spent saturday morning surrounded by nana, papa, aunties, uncles, and cousins, even a few cousins from our milwaukee family. we don't get to see them often, but the kiddos really seemed to enjoy getting reacquainted with one another. wish they lived closer.

the easter bunny brought oodles of fun for everyone.

the beauty of this family is that just when you think your cup runneth over...more familiar faces flood through the door. we are so blessed.

this little made his debut at just 3 days old.

blayne jerome was born on april 20th and was named after grandpa. he certainly sent us down an angel.

to some, the swarm of children and rising volume of laughter and chatter are too stimulating. but for me, the sight of family coming in the house with their arms full of coolers, grocery sacks, and card games makes me grin and calms my heart.

within a few hours there was a tableful engrossed in a game of 500. (they asked if I wanted to play and I promptly answered, "I don't play 400." need I say more?) it was a late night and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

we woke early and put on our sunday best (and by "best" I mean that the boys' outfits were fluffed in the dryer and spot cleaned from the day before. sorry, but a boy only needs so many sweater vests and khaki pants). we attended the early service at church. despite the massive remodel and bajillion more seats added to the sanctuary, our church always seems to be full on easter sunday. afterwards we were off to the farm.

the boys were spoiled by the easter bunny at grandpa's house too. kyle and I were secretly looking forward to the candy...shh.

the weather finally cooperated and let us sneak out to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and rising temperatures. hence the james dean outfits.

doing their best imitation of henry's ski jumper walk

he also does a mean chicken walk

grandpa hid a gorgeous, brand new pedal tractor in the garage. when henry saw it, his eyes lit up and he hopped on and then in true preschool fashion, miles caught a glimpse of it and declared that it was his turn to ride.

the kite served as a pretty good distraction though.

it was a fulfilling weekend. one that left me longing for continued days at home with my bunnies and...

...more sunshine, of course!

spring?

april is here. the first day of spring has come and gone. so logically speaking we should have packed away our hats and mittens and traded them in for light spring jackets. we should have gotten our first spring pedicure to ready our footsies for the array of sandals that have replaced the clunky boots of winter. we should be prepping the picnic table for the first driveway lunch of the year - wiping off the dirt, not the snow.

but this is minnesota and sometimes the seasons don't come (or go) when they calendar says. regardless of the temperature outside, we are determined to get out and do "springy things" like...
sidewalk chalk

driveway sports

grilling out (step one: shovel off snow...did I mention it's april folks)

twins season opener

the first race of the season

wagon rides

bumps and bruises (a.k.a. fat lip)

yard work

you're jealous of our front yard, right? even more jealous of our backyard? 

not lookin' so springy

in keeping with a true minnesota spring, there have been some glimpses of the season here and there and believe me, we took advantage of them completely. picnics were had, swings were swung, short sleeves were abundant and we all took an extra moment to breathe in the warm air.

we are ready for the spring to poke its way out of the ground, reach up toward the sun, and stay put.

I can't say that I mind winter (in fact, I kinda love it), but spring and fall are my favorites and if spring doesn't show up for good soon, we are going to get bombarded by the sweltering summer heat and humidity before we know it. and I don't know about you, but I need the transition of spring before that happens.