Big days for Tyler!

So, I'm super behind on these things . . .

Last month Tyler's preschool had a Spring Concert -- he is in the back row with brown/white striped shirt.  I wish I had an audio recording -- let's just say he sang very enthusiastically past the cutoffs, and Joshua and Kayla were absolutely in stitches laughing at the whole situation!  

Proud parents we were, I tell ya:)

All of the kids have started ball for the season, but I only have pics of Tyler so far.  Is anything more adorable/humorous than first year T-ball?????

 Tyler getting ready to run from first to second . . . I think he's ready, what do you think????

Last week, the Cubbie program at church had their program -- he is in the back row.  He has really adjusted well to Cubbies here and it was fun to see their little program!

And this is where Mama gets choked up . . .this is Kindergarten round up:(  Impossible.  Since we had already turned in all of the paperwork to the main office, it took less than an hour . . . it was great!

Kayla has been doing gymnastics this spring (blue leotard) -- although we're going to be taking a break here during softball season.  

A few projects . . .

So, a few things we've been up to . . . one of the keys on the piano was sticking/ringing and since I have started teaching again, I REALLY needed to get it fixed, but didn't want to pay $100 for a tuner:)  So . . .my wonderful husband dug into it on Friday -- isn't that how you would want to spend your day off???? Well -- he did it . . .he totally fixed it!  

Long story, but we happened to hear about a program that does energy audits for your home that are 100% reimbursable if you make the suggested improvements -- and it was highly intriguing!  Guess this means we'll have a few more "to do" projects in this coming year . . .!

So . . . we discovered after we moved here that we needed to have an in-ground basketball goal instead of a portable goal . . . so, we decided to make use of a 30% deal from Dick's Sporting Goods and get this party started.  Well, maybe "party" is not the correct term:)

Starting time . . . 11AM.  Bryan deliberated about renting a post hold digger --- but decided to muscle through it.  The task . . . digging a hole 36 inches deep, 16 inches in diameter.  How hard can that be, really????

Um . . . really hard.  Just to put it in perspective . . . this is Tyler . . . and he wasn't done yet!

It makes me claustrophobic just looking at it!  I'm guessing this picture was taken at about 6pm!

Ah . . . finally ready for the concrete!

At 8pm, Bryan finally had the hole dug, cornet poured, and form made for the top platform.  He was one sore puppy for the next week:(  And the sad part -- all you had to show for it was a 12X12 slab of concrete level with the driveway!

I don't have any pics of getting the backboard attached -- but it might have involved roping in the neighbor from across the street (Bryan and Michelle -- you really miss us right now, don't you????), multiple attempts with various ladders, and a loaf of homemade bread as a thank you gift!  Thanks John -- you saved the day!

The finished product!  We didn't have this in mind when we initially picked this goal . . .

 . . . but those "bat wing net thingies" act as a great backup net when Joshua is practicing his pitching.    (See the pitching rubber on the tree mulch????  We're gonna paint that so it's not quite so red neck!)  Not the most ideal setup, but the back yard is SUPER sloped, and it's a great saver for whoever happens to be catching!

And for the next project . . . the backyard had this water garden/pond thing . . . and we knew it needed some attention.  But . . . after digging in a little deeper, it's gonna be quite the project.  The smell . . . it's atrocious.  Think dead leaves, dead fish, dead mulch, dead everything, 12 inches of sludge, Ugh.

It's going to require removing most of the rocks, pressure washing the liner, rocks, everything.  Ugh!  Are you sure you just don't want to fill it in Bryan?????  What a man . . . everything from digging up a nasty water garden/pond to fixing a baby grand piano!!!!!

Happy Easter!

We went about our order of Easter festivities a little different -- Friday morning was officially our "Family Easter" as Daddy was home and kids were off from school! 

Kayla was very intense about her egg decorating!

So was Joshua!

The finished product!

Since we just moved here, we got to explore all kinds of fun places to hide the eggs in the backyard -- we've never had a fence, trees, landscaping rocks, bushes, etc -- it was really fun!  Here they are -- putting together their aerial plan of attack once we let them outside!

Tyler got a 2-minute head start.

It nearly killed J and K to sit there and watch him!!!!

A little acrobatic work!

Jump Joshua, Jump!

So this year, I had put cut up strips of paper that formed a puzzle . . .

 . . . it was perhaps more complex than it needed to be!  It ended up being a group effort!

The finished product . . . "go look in the basement shower" -- and low and behold, there just happened to be three Easter baskets!

Thanks G and G Nelson for the special $2 in our baskets!

K was especially delighted with the DVD Frozen!

Tyler, Daddy, and his new bat bag!  

I made an "official" Easter lunch on Friday since I knew it wasn't gonna happen on Saturday or Sunday -- too crazy with all of the responsibilities at church. When we packed everything in Topeka, I realized that our china had not EVER been used the entire 7 years we were in KS.  So . . . I resolved that it was gonna get used more . . .  the kids were so confused why we were using fancy plates:)

Since I was involved in the Easter services at church, the kids ended up spending several hours there both Saturday and Sunday while we had rehearsals -- they are just quite the troopers I tell ya!  We are so thankful for the people like Vikki (Bryan's assistant...aka "Miss Vikki" to Tyler) and Regina (below) that make these wait sessions more enjoyable for the kids.

Great, great, weekend full of services that focused on the risen Lord!  The best part for me was Sunday afternoon when Joshua paused at the top of the steps and called down "Mom -- I hope some people there today asked Jesus to take their sins away."  Me too, bud.  

That's what this is all about, eh?

An after church photo -- Joshua (9 years), Kayla (7 years) and Tyler (5 years).

Bryan and I -- photography courtesy of Joshua!

After church, we had a great afternoon and evening as a family.  Tyler had a milestone this weekend -- he learned to ride his bike WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS!!!!  So far, there haven't been any major spills -- but I am sure that is coming at some point:(

The kids wanted to eat out side.  We don't have deck furniture yet, so we improvised!!!!

Five year old boys can make guns out of anything -- even half eaten hot dogs!!!!

J and K on the path next to the yard.

Finally getting to use those rollerblades from Christmas!  Didn't know if we would EVER see the warm weather for that!

A little fire action pit.  

I told Joshua that when he sits in that chair it reminds me of 

Buddy in the movie "Elf."  He is growing up way, way, way too fast.

So thankful for the chance we had this Easter to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather, spend time with family, and most of all to celebrate the risen Lord!  Happy Easter !

Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit!

We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson last week!  They came during the time of Tyler's birthday and we managed to pack a TON of stuff into that week! Lots of fun watching March Madness stuff!

A few snuggles before bedtime . . .

 And of course homemade ice cream -- the first time we have made it here since we moved!

Joshua is ALWAYS looking for a willing person to play catch with him!

Grandma and Kayla playing ping pong --so much fun to see how the kids have improved!

 Tyler using his new batman helicopter to watch over the ice cream . . .

Grandma helping to assemble the aforementioned Batman helicopter!

One day when J and K were in school we walked put to McD's for lunch . . .

 . . . no joke, Tyler literally fell asleep as we were visiting.  It was unreal!  Too much partying with Grandpa and Grandma!

More Ping Pong!

We took a quick trip into Crown Center and hung out in Union Station, waited for trains outside, and was actually lucky enough to see SEVERAL trains!

Grandma sporting the hat from Fritz's!

Love reading time!  We had a great visit -- maybe next time the weather and our schedule will cooperate so we can get some fishing in!