Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Most everything I own has a story...


Most everything I have ever bought has been prayed for or bought at some great bargain, sometimes both.
We had long discussed a swimming pool for our backyard but considering we live on the side of a very long hill, there is very little flat area in our yard. So we mulled, dreamed and discussed. Finally decided to check with the landlord to see if they mind if we do some "yard work". They were fine..

So we dreamed some more and started searching craigslist. I found the most amazing deal, practically new swimming pool with everything we need including sand!

Last Saturday we took a road trip to pick up this set up. You never know what you will encounter with craigslist, but I had done a bing map search and the house was in a nice development, so I felt comfortable taking the kids along.

We drove through this cookie cutter development, house after matching house on postage stamp lots.. (I always find the BEST craigslist deals in these kinds of places!) The guy I had been emailing was out in front of his house, he had everything set out for us. It was perfect.

I think he was a little shocked to see a single woman show up with shovels and totes to haul sand and the entire pool set up! My boys happily pitched in with shoveling sand and with some heavy duty tugging, shoving, pulling and pushing we loaded the sand into the van!



Love it that my van can double as a truck with the bonus of a lift!!! 


Unloading the pool... 


Now lets move that sand out... 


More pushing and pulling. Teamwork makes things easier. I am thankful for my STRONG boys! 


You ok there bro?! 


The entire set up! So excited for summer!! 


We are hoping friends will help us level off the spot in the backyard. We are removing the old swingset and putting sand and woodchips down. I want to add a smaller kiddie pool and my hammock and make a nice little hang out spot for this summer! 


Breaking Up The Daily Grind

We did another Lego project. The kids really enjoyed it!

This is Lee's burning house and the lady inside is to be rescued by the superhero.  #lovehiscreativity




David made a race car. 



He did a great job of writing after some "encouragement"! 



Fayth made a living room, complete with a crib fr baby and a very large tv... 




The other kids had a hard time guessing what it was! 



Elizabeth was behind schedule and made a quick swimming pool!

Wednesday we joined some friends at the skating rink. 



Fayth decided to try out blades instead of quads.  Elizabeth was trying to help out... 



Whoooooooooo.... 



Look mom, I am a professional skater... 



spinning....


Lee is doing really well with skating. He flies around and around! This time he did not have sore legs after skating!!


Sometimes this time of year school is a drudgery. It can be hard to stay motivated. But when we have breaks and fun times with friends, it really helps! 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter 2014

Easter was fun this year... I got lots of pictures! My kids are so grown up and in such a good place in life right now. It makes things fun!

We dyed 3 dozen  hardboiled eggs.

I buy the basic kit and we do a simple egg coloring.

 

Its tradition and its fun. 


Even Nesiah got into the fun! 


Eggs.... 


Trying something they saw in facebook... 


A sign of the times... as soon as they were done dying the eggs, the boys begged to eat them. We did not hide any eggs, instead we sat down and chowed! lol
My 9 yr olds each ate 6 hardboiled eggs! 


Easter Sunday.. Jesus is risen. We are so thankful that he died on the cross for us! 


We celebrate his Resurrection with our church family and friends! 


My attempt at a family picture in the cold morning air, right before church! Nesiah was NOT impressed.


We had breakfast at church, as usual there was lots of yummy food and yummy donuts! The kids were delighted.
We had communion and a beautiful Easter service, after which we headed to my friend's house for lunch. We were thankful for the invitation to join their family. 


The yummy food! (stole pic from G. )
We had ham, potatoes, corn, asparagus, pickles, stuffing, jello salad, rolls, and mac and cheese!
Then AFTER the Easter egg hunt we had pies.. lots of pies. pumpkin pie, strawberry pie, cherry pie, apple pie and ice cream!  


Grandma read the kids a story while the adults hid the eggs! 


Where are the eggs?!


There were 14 kids, 12 and under! Miss G hid 280 eggs!!! 


Lets count our eggs!! 


The kids had so much fun! We miss out on a lot of "cousin fun" because all the kids cousins (their age) live in other states, so it was fun for them to be included with these kiddoes! 


They searched and searched... 

Nesiah got the extras from the kids who had found to many! 


We limit our sugar, but today I let the older 3 have lots of freedom. 

They had donuts, pie, ice cream and loads of candy. Yup, my kiddoes who generally eat gluten and sugar free. 


 At dinner time, I gave them permission to eat as much candy as they wanted... an hour later, 2 groaning boys came to me. "It looked so good and was so fun but now,  mom, it hurts so bad."



The entire crew, minus 1. 


Mr. O gave rides in his model T. 


The kids thought it was great fun! 


We had a wonderful day! So thankful for Miss G and her extended family for including us today!