Easter recap (with loads of pictures)

The Easter post that almost wasn't... (I will figure you out someday, Photoshop Elements!) (sick of hearing that yet?)

We spent Thursday night through Saturday night at hubby's aunt's farm. We planned a bunch of activities to keep the kiddos busy and it worked out pretty well! I forgot the fancy ole camera but did snap a few of the egg dying shenanigans with my phone. They played outside for some of it, but the wind was insane so that time was limited. We had just the right amount of toys/puzzles/bikes/coloring supplies to keep them busy, and we visited hubby's grandparents to change up the scenery. Here are the pictures from the annual egg dying. The kids were a little bored with it at first, although I can't blame them since all you do is watch the eggs slowly turn colors in a cup. Thankfully, my SIL had also found some pen-like things so the kids could color all over them in the meantime. It really helped keep their attention and we got done in no time, just before their attention span ran out.

After driving back to town from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM (should have left earlier but clearly wasn't thinking about what time we'd get back... more just about what time we left which coincided with bed time. Of course the kids didn't sleep in the car hardly at all so that was pointless), we cleaned up the best we could, hid the Easter baskets, brined the meat that hubby was going to smoke the next day (seriously a work of art), and went to bed. The next day, the kids got up, ate breakfast, got dressed and went on the hunt.

lfb's on the left in the hall closet, Josie's in the middle in the blanket basket in the living room, and Audrey's on the China hutch in the dining room

This is the first year that they really "got" that they were supposed to look for the basket and that it was full of goodies for them. It was so.much.fun to watch them light up when they found them. We didn't leave enough time for them to play with any of the toys in the baskets, but they weren't too upset to leave for church. Whew. Crisis averted. (In the baskets: Easter themed books, box of kid cookies, magnet sets for each kids, and some dry erase crayons for the eisel they also received that has a white magnetic board on one side and a felt board on the other.) 

They helped each other with some verbal cues from auntie Lara

After church, the kids went right to bed (amazingly, with no problems since they hadn't slept well all weekend) and hubby and I prepped some food for our later afternoon lunch with my side of the family. It went perfectly and neither of us felt stressed out. We had thought with jamming so much in one weekend we'd be overwhelmed but it wasn't bad at all. Family started arriving, we ate our feast of all things amazing, and the kids played outside in the beautiful weather. Praise the Lord for that weather, let me tell you. It would have taken A LOT to spoil this almost perfect day.

We had also laid out a bunch of plastic eggs around the backyard for the kids to "find." I was shocked when all three totally understood what to do! Audrey's joy in finding another one was completely contagious. There was no fighting and they all got to eat a bunch of candy (the only candy we had for Easter). Have I mentioned how wonderful this day was?

My cousin's son Jackson and his Marmee (my aunt Lynne)

It was such a great weekend. Family time, even all packed together, always leaves some legitimate good memories. We wouldn't want it any other way! And of course - the reason we were celebrating was not forgotten. Church (the first holiday we've been in town for) was so great with children dedications and baptisms, great worship, and a great message. Seeing Christ's love for us through children's eyes makes it all the more exciting and just all the more real. He is Risen! We mustn't forget!

Matchy matchy

Sometimes I dress the girls up to match. It can't be too much matching, though, before it becomes over the top. So matching skirts, similar headbands, leggings, and smiles. We'll call that juuuuuuust perfect. (Headbands from this etsy shop.) We layer up around here to accommodate the 30+ degree temp changes each day. 

This weekend, Josie declared she was ready to go swimming. I'm right there with you, girly.

I'm still in the process of editing a few Easter pictures... weekend recap (a week late?) coming soon!

Family, pictures, birthdays, (Summary of the weekend)

We celebrated my sister's birthday this weekend! We played it safe by going to a (loud) family friendly restaurant, Mexican style (a favorite for sure). It's always nice to have more adults than kids when eating out. :)

Afterwards, hubby and the kids headed home, and my sister, dad (mom couldn't make it which was a bummer), and I went out for a drink.

twinsies... or father and daughter

Dad headed home, and then the party started ;). We rarely go "out" together, so we were just excited to be kid free for a little while. Of course we love those kiddos, but it's nice to be able to complete a sentence without interruption every couple of words. You get it, right?

We met up with a couple of friends, sang karaoke (one song only - I'm terrrrible at it. think choir singer not radio popstar), and people watched. Perfect!

Auntie is rare in that when it's her birthday, she buys gifts for others. Her love language is giving gifts, all year round to anyone and everyone. One of the gifts was matching jackets for the girls. I.can't.even. Look at those eager and willing models.

It was a fun weekend. Sunday was low key with an experimental trip to Costco (we used to go to Sam's... can't decide which I like better, what are your thoughts/opinions?) and some down time at home which was very much needed. All in all, I have no complaints. (Well, don't get me start on this "Spring" weather...)

You've got to love low quality phone photos... soon I'll start using/posting pictures from my real camera that are properly edited with PSE (photoshop elements). It's just so overwhelming... One step at a time.

In the meantime...

Outside! Sun! Hats! Smiles! It's sooo so so good around here this week.

I've been meaning to come here and dump some stories and photos, but I'm feeling a little held back. I purchased Photoshop Elements and am experiencing quite the learning curve. I feel a little ridiculous, like I'm learning whats a computer is for the first time. So while I figure out how in the world to organize, edit, and get pictures on here, I'll show you some low quality phone pictures (and include a few short stories too).

Josie and Audrey are such typical sisters these days. Josie is constantly taking over what Audrey is doing, telling her how to play, what to play, and where to play. Audrey is learning what buttons to push with her big sister and the screaming is constant (or so it feels) and coming from all directions. But then, there is this sweetness. For example, cheerios are often snacked on after breakfast in the living room (the only food allowed in here). Josie will make sure to give her little sis a handful on the table to make sure she gets a good snack too. If it looks like Audrey has finished her handful, it is promptly replaced. Jo will get her milk and bring it to her (much to my disliking - no milk in the living room!) and will get her a chair and insist that she sit on it right by the table. It can be very sweet.

Josie is so emotional, it seems, all the time. It's quite exhausting for everyone, the constant screaming, hands thrown over her face, laying on the floor, and huge tears all day long. She gets so sad and makes sure to tell us "I was sad about that" when she's ready to move on. Audrey's tantrums are completely different. They are short (but not sweet) and include cute little feet stamping. It's cute now, but I hope she outgrows it. ;) She knows how to scream but is easy to distract. I much prefer her tantrums over the 2 1/2 year old versions.

Conversations are more and more fun. Audrey is talking up a storm, and she is putting more words together to get little thoughts and sentences expressed. Can we just talk about how rewarding it is for all of us when we understand what she is pointing at or wants because she can tell us? And the lfb is also doing awesome with this. He has a speech delay that we've been working on (with professional help too) and lately it's just improving with leaps and bounds. There is a whole lot of learning going on around here. It's just exciting.

Now of course, the real talker that steals the show is big sis Josie. She reads to her sister (and has actually  memorized quite a few stories we have laying around). She asks questions (I love it) and points out all she sees. She gets this cute little frown on her face when she is sincerely asking something she doesn't understand. She sings. Sometimes she even sings right on key. As with every other little girl, she loves the "Let it go" movie and sings all the songs. Her mama may or may not encourage that by singing them too. It's like a living musical around here, much to daddy's dismay.

So that is a snippet of what is going on around here. We are outside a lot (which means I am running around with my head cut off trying to corral all the cattle kids) and the girls are remembering what it's like to sit in the stroller for 45+ minutes while I run/walk in the glorious sunshine. It's been a little trying, especially when one of them screams for over half of it (ahem, AJ), but overall we are enjoying life and this beautiful weather that we've been waiting all winter for.