Tennessee

My mom, Jackson, Ben, and I went to TN last week to visit the extended fam! We were there Tuesday through Saturday and had such a nice visit. Thank you Mom & Dad for sending us there!!! There's nothing sweeter than great-grandparents playing with their great-grandchildren.

Jackson & GranMartha at the airport

My mom, Pa, & Mary

Pa reading to Ben. I think Ben said "We're at Pa's house!" about a thousand times last week! They're big buddies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pa bought Jackson a new Cars puzzle for them to do together. So sweet!

The boys playing ball with their almost 87 year old Pa!

Jackson taught Pa all about the iPad

Riding Pa's tractor

We went to visit my grandmother (dad's mom) at her nursing home. She looked great! As soon as I walked in the door, she knew exactly who I was! We had a special afternoon visiting and playing Bingo.

BINGO!!!

We went to dinner with my mom's Aunt Ann and my Aunt Mary.

This was a serious game of Zingo!

Pizza Party! Jackson requested to sit next to Ma. They had a fun time together!

My cousin Carrie just had a beautiful baby girl, Sienna. These are some proud Great Aunts!

Carrie, Sienna, Pa, Ma, Ben, Jackson, MB

 6:30 on a Sat evening = empty flight!!! I think there were 38 people on our plane...so nice! Jackson LOVED the whole flying experience. He got really into it. Such a great little traveler.

Sweet Ben was a great traveler too! 

Happy Easter

What a wonderful Easter weekend it has been! Friday evening we went to the Good Friday service at church. Saturday was the most amazing Easter Party at the Carlisle's. Today we enjoyed the morning at church and lunch at Pops and GranMartha's house. My mom made the most delicious meal: ham, homemade biscuits, asparagus, potato casserole, and key lime coconut pie! This year Jackson really understood what Easter is all about and that made it really special!

Ready to start the Egg Hunt

Ben got so excited every time he found one!

Jackson & Lincoln smashing confetti eggs on each other!

Happy to be on the train

Ben & Mom on the train

still has confetti in his hair!!!

My monkey loved climbing up this over and over!

The Easter Bunny came!

He brought Jackson a cool new spin toothbrush.

Happy he got a new football. This kid is OBSESSED with footballs!!!

Dad helping Ben look through his Easter goodies.

Easter Sunday at FCCC

silly boys

My baby will be 2 next month. Can't believe how big he is!

Happy Easter!

iPad apps

We have 4 new favorite iPad apps around here. I figured if my kids love them so much, maybe yours will too! I can't figure out how to link to the app store from the blog- sorry! Our faves are:

1. Cecil the Lost Sheep (Zondervan)

2. Dave the Donkey (Zondervan)

3. Starfall

4. The Monster at the End of this Book (Sesame Street)

Do you have any recommendations for us???

 

Did you happen to see this movie last night? I only caught the end of it, but hope to see the whole thing soon! Do you remember Candace Cameron...DJ from Full House? She stars in this new family friendly movie. Anyways, I was reading an interview she did and found out we have something in common...our favorite marriage book! 

 

 

 The interview:

What’s been the best marriage advice that you’ve been given and where did it come from?!
Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. It will kick your butt…best book on marriage I’ve ever read. The best piece of advice, which ultimately comes from the Bible, is putting your spouses needs before your own. It’s a hard thing to do. It’s not about compromising, it’s not about giving a little here to get something back. It’s about serving them and loving them.
And for those of you at home with little kids, I encourage you to focus on the timing of when you “unload” about your day. Let your spouse enter a peaceful home, with a nice meal…and let them relax. Then let them know how things really were for you. The timing is everything!

 

I LOVE the Pearls. Anything written by Michael and Debi is worth reading! Go read Created to be His Helpmeet, but be prepared for the kick in the butt!!! While you're at it, just order all their books! Their website is www.nogreaterjoy.org

 

Perfect Day

Thursday was an absolutely perfect day! We started the day with swim lessons, a trip to the playground, and lunch with Pops and GranMartha at Becks Prime. After nap time, the boys and I headed to the zoo. Ryan rode the MetroRail from his office and met us there. We had the zoo completely to ourselves!!! It was such a fun family evening! What a perfect day! :-)

Week of PLAYING!

Playing in the sand with Brock and Reece

 

Lunch with Brock and Reece

Maggie Moos Cotton Candy ice cream after Wed church

Making an Easter  (gingerbread) House with Lincoln and Lawson

This was such a fun activity!

Popsicles with Eli and Brady

Eli and Jackson playing the Wii

We spent Saturday at the park with our First Family. The boys came home filthy and hot, so Ryan took over cleaning and cooling them off!!!

Fun Brothers

It's officially hot enough for the kiddie pool!

What a fun week!

Monday: Gina, Bryce, and Jayden came over to play!

Tuesday: Ryan and baby James came over while Kathryn went to Apples of Gold.

Wednesday: Brock and Reece came over to play while their mom went to an appointment. I taught Jackson's Bible Class...such a cute group of kiddos! We went on a date to Maggie Moos after church. Jackson chose blue (cotton candy) ice cream with m&ms!

Thursday: swim lessons, fam dinner with the young Normans. We made this, mashed potatoes, and cheesecake. Yum!!!

Friday: Amanda, Lincoln, and Lawson came over to play. That evening, Eli and Brady came over to play while their parents went to the CCA auction.

Saturday: park with FF. backyard pool fun with my little family.

To top off the week's fun, we've had Charlie (my parents dog) here! My boys LOVE Charlie! :-)

So thankful for friends and family that make our days FUN!