Peek-a-boo!

Michael was laughing so hard while playing peek-a-boo with his towel after his bath tonight!

Soccer Practice

Michael was a little confused about what sport we were playing. He stole some little boy's football and ran and ran! Go little MJ!

We had good news and bad news today--the snow melted off of the turf soccer field so Ashley could go to her first soccer practice! (that's the good and the bad!) It was windy and chilly, but at least it was sunny, so it was bearable. Ashley had a great time, and so did Paige and Michael!

Spring Break

Ashley's Plants:

Paige's Plants:
Last week, the girls had spring break. We had a really relaxing, fun week, but it wasn't very spring-like! There was a big snowstorm the end of the week and it was pretty cold, so we didn't get to go and do all the fun things I was hoping to do. Last Monday, we got greenhouses and planted some seeds. I was just hoping for something to sprout, and they really did--these pictures are from today!

Also, my camera died last week (and Michael threw my cell phone away-I think), so I just got my replacement today. I'm excited to try all the new features!

St Patrick's Day 2009

The leprechauns came to our house this year! I certainly hope that green food coloring isn't going to hurt us because they left green doughnuts with green milk for breakfast, green popcorn for a snack, and green mashed potatoes for dinner. Besides all the green food, we had a really fun picnic at the park with Lauren and her girls this afternoon. It was a great day!

The Handsome-est baby on the block

Here's Michael all dressed up for church on Sunday :)

I Buzzed Michael's Hair and the Girls Painted...

Michael's hair has been bothering me since I tried to cut it the first time. I've talked to a couple of moms who cut their boys' hair and decided to put the clippers on the highest setting and go for it. I don't love it, but I like it better than lots of weird lengths everywhere and it was easier than trying scissors on top. The good news is that it's so blond, it doesn't really show anyways. Here's my handsome little man :)

Ashley asked me the other day if I would frame some of her artwork and hang it up. Both my grandmother, GranCarey, and James' Grandma Sarah were/are artists, and I'm hoping for someone to get that gene in the family. I had some canvases and acrylic paint, so I let them go to town. They ate chocolate ice cream before painting :)

Paige can draw cute little people with circle hands and long eyelashes, but she wanted to paint polka-dots, so she did!
Ashley's flower. We talked about how GranCarey loved to draw flowers. :)
Ashley had to fill out her "All About Me" poster for school.
She's doing great at writing phonetically. Here are her answers:

I am special because: lernig thing (she's good at learning things, she meant)

Favorite color: lite bloow

Something I like to do at school: se mi sesdr Paige

Something I like to do at home: pla enething

Favorite Animal: cat

Favorite Book: The Mitin (by Jan Brett--good choice!)

I help others by: I tak care uv my bruthr and sesdr

My Favorite food: i screm

When I grow up, I want to be: a balurenu

Hiking

Ashley didn't have school today, so I decided to be daring and take the kids hiking by myself. We went on an easy trail that has some great rocks to play on. They loved it! We had a really fun day and it was absolutely beautiful!

Paige posing:

Ashley took this one--it's the only one of me from the trip!

Jumping between boulders!

Pretending the stick is a snake:

Where's Waldo?

Kitchen Appliances

Sometimes I joke and say I have every kitchen appliance known to man. I really might. I really like them. They make my like easier and way more fun :) These are some of my favorites:

OK, this first one isn't an appliance. It's the Williams Sonoma jungle pancake molds. My pancakes actually do turn out looking just like this (you just have to use a bunch of Pam) and we all love eating them.

This one goes with the pancake molds--I got it from Elizabeth for Christmas and it makes 9 pancakes/4 grilled cheeses all at once. Awesome!

I love making popcorn with my popcorn maker--I think it's healthier than in the bags (even though I add lots of butter and salt!) and it's way cheaper.
I got this George Foreman grill from my grandparents for our wedding and I still use at least 3 times a week.