robin bird eggs.

We found a nest in a tree in the back yard, by the deck. We stood on the railing and peeked in the nest. We could see 1 egg. We got the camera, held it high over the nest and took some pictures. The pictures aren't as great as Becky's but we were excited that there were actually 3 eggs instead of just 1. It will be fun to see the babies when they hatch. It is so close to the deck that we can see the mommy bird in it.

Shake your booty!

This video cracks me up! My favorite is of Cole.

Weeds for a Wedding

A bit backwards but here we are going home. We had a slight delay because of the snowy Utah weather. It was so great to come home to warm Cleveland weather!
I don't think two girls had more fun than these cousins. They were pretty much inseperable for days they were together. I just love this picture of them. It is so cute and angelic!

Ahh, Grandma and Grandpa, Grace and the doggies.
Here with Mia and Cole

I think this is one of my favorite pictures! Cole loved playing at Grandma and Grandpa's table with prescription bottles and these reading glasses, the phone and the remote.

Love you Aunt Leslie!

These brownies were so hard to resist! Grandma and Judy were so patient!

Cole has become quite the poser as long as he gets to see the picture afterwards.

He's such a sweet angel!

More weeds? Are you kidding me? Mom and I really tried hard to get the kids involved in pulling the weeds but they got a bit tired of it. I bribed Jackson with ice cream. He was a great helper. Mia helped spread mulch too. The weather wasn't warm enough to even be outside and enjoy the yard. I am thinking it was a ploy just to get the yard in shape. I suppose it was our turn to help with yard work since David and Debby always come and do

DIY projects at our house.

I was so inspired by all the weed pulling I came home and pulled a bunch of my own.

Such great satisfaction in having cleaned out beds.

Sadly, we didn't have our camera at the wedding and reception but thanks to all

the other folks there are plenty to go around!

The next prayer

So, I guess I am getting really good at loosing things because now I can't find my Ipod. Of course, Cole had it, I think. It could be in the trash. I really, really hope that is NOT what happened. I just want it before we leave on Saturday. I HATE to loose things! I become obsessed and think about it all the time. I am sure it will show up. I just have to pray, right?

Inspiration

Yesterday I woke up and while rushing out the door I couldn't find my cell phone. This is extremely common for me so I didn't think much about it. When I got home I searched and searched and found nothing. I called my friend to have her call my phone and after about 3 calls to the cell and walking around the house, outside, the garage and the car, I gave up. I knew it was somewhere. I specifically remembered seeing it on her outdoor table the afternoon before. She had walked around her garage and her yard and couldn't hear it either.

I went and did the myriad of things I had to do with thoughts of my lost phone nagging at me constantly. I got home to find Colin there. He didn't know where it was either. I took his phone and called and called my phone while walking around and around. No luck! I was standing in the garage and thought it was time to ask for some divine guidance. I folded my arms right there and gave a heart-felt prayer.

After the kids went to bed I got online hoping I could track it with the GPS feature. Well, you can't unless you have an IPhone or have downloaded the application. As I was contemplating my options I really felt impressed that it was at my friends house. It just had to be. It was 10:30pm. I told Colin I was going to her house. The weather had been on and off all afternoon with rain and wind, thunder and lightning. I took Colin's phone and drove the 2 minutes. It was raining lightly but I was determined. As I called and walked around I didn't hear anything. I then walked toward the garage and I heard my ring. I didn't want to freak her out by walking around her yard, I could see her on her computer from the driveway, so I called her, told her I could hear it and I thought it was in the garage. As she comes out of her house and we head to the garage a HUGE, VERY, VERY LOUD thunder clap booms out. We both scream and the rain just starts dumping. Well even through the thunder and the downpour I can hear the ring. I found it behind her garage, thanks to some kid. Probably my kid. It was under some foliage just ringing away. I was SO happy!! I ran to car and she ran to her house. I was very wet after about 2 minutes.

My point...if I had ignored the strong and recurrent feeling that it was at her house the rain would have ruined it for sure! As it was it had rained off and on earlier that evening but the inside of my phone was dry and the outside just had a bit of moisture on it. This makes me grateful for prayer and the promptings of the Holy Ghost regardless of the need. The Lord hears and answers our prayers. Of that I am absolutely sure of.

Easter Weekend

As always we had good friends and good fun for the holiday. Mia's best friend, Molly, was baptized. It was such a great experience and I feel blessed that we were able to be there. Molly is such a great example to Mia and I feel she really understood the significance of the decision.

We had some fun egg collecting and discussions about the meaning of Easter.
Cole quickly learned that there was some great stuff in those eggs!

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Get your own

A gate to keep the crazies in!

We are a little backwards here as far as the order of these pictures go. We celebrated our 10th anniversary by going to Las Vegas for about 4 days. We really tried to get to Hawaii but we weren't about to go into debt to get there. We really had a nice time. Debby came to take care of the kids while we were away. Thank you, thank you, thank you! The kids did great, so Grandma says, and I am pretty sure Mia will never let me go anywhere without her again. David came for a few days before we left too. He designed and helped Colin build the gate shown here. It looks so great and we are really loving it! The kids have been great about not climbing on it and it is keeping everyone in where they belong! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for all your help and love! We had such a wonderful time thanks to you.

Jack way pretty excited we were leaving him with Grandma!

Jack's party

We had Jack's party at an indoor playground.

It was really fun! We all had a great time!

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Get your own

Happy Birthday Jackson!

A new special blanket!
Playing pin the tail on the donkey. Jack with his BEST friend!

More Best Friends.

A camo build a bear from Mia.

Jackson's cupcake cake.

Note Cole sneaking

a bit of frosting.

Just four short years ago I gave birth to a sweet baby boy. He has brought such joy to our lives and has me wrapped aroud his finger. He is so excited to be 4 and a big boy. He can get his own seatbelt on, will sometimes get himself dressed and I have realized that if I just ask him to help or do something he is much more willing than if I tell him. He loves to snuggle on the couch to watch TV. He lets his sister talk mean to him and he doesn't really care. He has serious buyers remorse when he spends any of his own money. He is a sucker for a ball and loves sports. He wants to be a wrestler when he grows up, no, an astronaut. He likes to say, "when I was daddy's age..." He couldn't have been a more gracious birthday boy today. He was so excited to see his cupcake cake, have a special balloon, a quick trip to Chuck E. Cheese and he even said "thanks mom" in his sweet angelic tone he gets. It was such a fun day for me and I think him too. Jackson we love you so much buddy!! We are so happy that you are a part of our family forever.

Happy Birthday!

What could I say?

This guy just makes me laugh some days! I suppose if I didn't laugh I would just cry. This is what I am dealing with lately. However, with his birthday just a few days away we have been talking about what a BIG BOY does. More on that with the actual birthday post.