Happy Easter!

The kids woke up to this note on the counter...notice it says "Love, MOM".  They wanted the baskets hid this year, and so I couldn't help but make up a little rhyme...:)

Here they all are after they found them...

 Daniel with his new Nike sandals.  His big brothers thought that was so cool!  (That's why I bought them for him...I knew Drew and Sam would think they were awesome.)

 And then we all got "fancy" and headed out to worship the Lord Jesus on this glorious Easter day.  So thankful for the HOPE the resurrection brings.

After church, we had an authentic Tex-Mex lunch.  So yummy!

 And later on in the day we had our Easter Egg hunt...I love how ALL of my kids are totally still into it.  :)

Happy Easter!  He is Risen!  Jesus is ALIVE!  

Saturday Baseball

Today we all got to watch Sam play baseball at the Field of Dreams.   This Ballpark has 8 fields that are emulated after Major League Ballparks around the country.  The first replica field that Sam played at was Wrigley field in Chicago. You can see in the pictures they even have a "faux" crowd in the outfield.  It was really cool.

Sam had some time on the pitcher's mound again today...and I had fun trying to figure our how to use the new action zoom lens Brent bought for me at Christmas...

 The girls, Drew, Daniel and I surprised Sam when we showed up at his 2nd game of the day.  His face was priceless when he first heard me shout "Way to go Sammy".  That alone was well worth the hour drive and getting my little tribe ready to go.  Brent didn't know we were coming either.  I love surprises...for OTHER people that is!  :)  Here was Sam's cheering section....

 Daniel was a mess by the time I took this picture, but I love it.  

 Drew was there too, but he hung out at the dugout.  Drew was supposed to have a tournament today too, but farther north in Texas it thunder-stormed.  SO his tournament was cancelled due to wet fields.  This was how we were able to surprise Sam and Brent.  They were not expecting to see us in south Texas today!  As it turned out,  it was a warm and  sunny day for baseball at the Field of Dreams.  And as always, I love to watch my boys play.  And it was fun to ALL be at the same field today (rather than 90 miles apart).  :)

Road Trip

On Tuesday the girls and I took a road trip to visit our dear friends.  We already want to go back.  

I am going to come back tomorrow and fill in the "holes" of our time.  But tonight I just wanted to get the pictures at least on here.  :)  Love you so much sweet friends!

Lizzy's Surprise

While we were away visiting our dear friends Lizzy decided to pierce her ears!  I have been trying to talk her into it for awhile, but being with her dear friend Lily (who recently had her ears pierced) was just the motivation she needed!  She did not even make a peep when the earrings were "punched" in.  And it looks SO cute...

And here is her support crew...she held Lily's Bambi.  And I think Lily and Abby may have hid as it happened, but they were present and I guess that's all that matters...

Love it Lizzy!  They look awesome and you were so brave.  :)

Auntie's Boxes

For all of my life, my Aunt Fran has been known for her awesome boxes.  Every birthday,  every holiday,  every special occasion I knew as a little girl that there would be a box from my auntie.  She has kept that same tradition with my kids.  Not only do you receive a present on your birthday, but you also receive a small present on your brothers and sisters birthday.  When a box shows up, there is always something in it for everyone.  Love that.  And I love that she has kept this tradition.  It is very special to us all.

Today the Easter box came.  Here are the kiddos with their present bags...

I wish I had taken a picture of the other "stuff" that filled the box.  Next time I will!!  There were bubble wands, Disc flyer glow in the dark things, bird houses to paint, the paint to paint them, brushes to paint them,  Easter foamy craft supplies and then the bag of goodies for each of the kids. So special.  Aunt Fran if you read this, thank you!  We love you and love the thought you put into each box.  I love that my kids will always remember this now too.

Palm Sunday

Today for Palm Sunday, our girls sang in the church service...

It was so precious and they did such a good job, and Daniel did a great job hanging out in the stroller while they performed...

 After church today we had our annual "Easter" Maggiano's Family Dinner.  Every year we dine family style at Maggiano's and every year more and more we feel like we get our moneys worth!  :)

 Daniel was such a crazy boy.  By the time we took this picture, I am pretty sure he had eaten his weight in buttered noodles...if you look closely at his plastic cup, you can see the buttery evidence...

And we took some snapshots around the table throughout our dinner.  A really good time was had by all.  We laughed, we ate too much, we celebrated Jesus.  In my heart, I celebrated the hope of life everlasting that God has freely given by faith in His son Jesus and was overwhelmed as I looked around the table at the family he has given to me.  

 And Sam, you really are such a goof ball!!!  

I love you all so much.  Today was a special day for sure.   

Rockin Kids

This morning we got up bright and early for the Kids Rock race in Dallas.  The girls were ready to go with their T-shirts and flower head bands...

 Sam was ready with his T-shirt and Dig Deep & Camouflage Head bands...He would have to dig deep later and with a 30 second delay start, he came back to catch the lead 4th grader and crossed the finish line in 1st place!  :)

Drew opted out of the head bands...but was sporting the orange T-shirt and the orange shoe laces...too bad I did not get a picture of that!!

 And here we all are as we headed out the door...

 Giving kisses to Daniel of course!  He stayed home with daddy, as it turned out to be a rainy, cold Saturday morning.

And here are the girls after their races.  I ran with both of them.  So I ran the kindergarten race and the 1st grade race.  :)  But I did not get a cool medal like they did...

All four of the kids with their Rockin' medals.  Drew, Sam, Lizzy and Abby all had to run hard to catch the lead runners as all of them started way back in the pack of kiddos.  Drew had the most ground to make up, as he started 2nd row from the back.  Even so he finished 7th or 8th.  He would have been 1st or 2nd if he started at the front.  They all did a SUPER, FABULOUS job and I am so proud of them...

And lookie  there, I did get a picture of the orange shoelaces after all.  :)

We had lunch at Pei Wei to celebrate.  Definitely an all around favorite...

I am proud of each of you, because I KNOW you all ran your best today!!  Way to go kiddos!!  :)