Junkin' Fun

One of the things that I love to do when it is nice out is get out and away from the house. Normally it turns into us going to my parents Lakeside Farm but we decided to go to the "Junk Festival" . This is what the boys call it. Really it is an antique festival. 

I love trying to find new ideas for our home and gifts for friends and family. Not to mention it is fun to see what people collect and try to get rid of. The boys enjoyed pointing out every kind of old truck, tractor or car they could spot and tried to convince daddy or grandpa that they needed it :because it's cool"

After walking the festival we promised the boys with a tractor wagon ride and I'm pretty sure daddy was happy to not have to pull the 100+ pounds back to the car in our wagon. 

Happy Easter!

  This year for Easter I made a countdown that went along with our churches new Come Follow Me program. Each day leading up to Easter had a set of scriptures to read corresponding to the events of Christ's Life. Along with the scriptures it had a focus for the day for the kids. On the back of the cards was reflection questions, challenges and things to ponder for Nate and I. Next to each card was a coloring picture to go along with the scriptures for the boys to color while we read.  We then alternated whose picture showed on the line. 

 

 Over the Easter season we did a handful of community egg hunts with the kids about 1 per weekend. They had a lot of fun events paired with them like a petting farm, chalk drawing, food, prizes and yard games.  The kids loved being able to play with others and enjoyed all the fun and brought home some fun remote control cars 

 

 

Easter Morning was simple for us. Each of the boys found their baskets in their chairs and loved the coloring packs, bubbles, and treats in them. A is a chocolate snob for those who don't know. He likes the name brand stuff and wrinkles his nose as he eats the off brand cheaper stuff. after opening his basket he was more interested in finding the chocolate in his basket. 

 We don't post many pictures of ourselves but here we are in the car heading to Easter Dinner at my grandparent's house after church. It was really hot and sunny after a few weeks of cold, rain and snow. We had to put a blanket over the tote of Easter eggs to keep the sun from melting them in the back of the truck. 

Grandpa Peaks Desk

This post is more here for a memorial then to really read

Nate's Grandfather passed away a few months back and they were really close. When asked what he would love to have to remember him by the 1st thing he thought of was his desk. Being that it was in California and we live in Michigan he never thought it would happen. So opted out and said it can go to another family member. 

After several weeks he got a call saying it was his and being shipped out to us. Now here it sits. He can be seen sitting at the desk every night and most mornings even though it is not fully set up the way he wants it, it's getting there. But it is Grandpa's desk still. He hasn't called it his yet. 

Diaper Cakes

So if you don't know already my signature gift at baby showers is a diaper cake of some sort. I just love how cute they turn out and it is  crafty way to give the practical needs. 

Above is my Brown Paper Packages & Sting Theme

PS I make my own hair bows too!

Snow Day Fun

 This year has been filled with Snow days since Christmas. 11 to be exact, OK 3 were freezing days due to the polar vortex, but still 11 days! And its only February! The boys love being outside so when we can play and not freeze our butts off we try to go out. Also if daddy is home it is a million times better because he gives shovel rides, (he drags the kids with the shovel to the door over the snow and ice) so who needs the sled pulled out. 

All cuddled in with a snack to warm up before going to bed. 

Ice Fishing and Sledding

 We love fishing with Grandpa (Opa)! Add in cie and snow and it is even more fun, OK nothing beats the boat rides but if you ask the kids its up there. 

 In the pictures we are in the middle of the lake fishing (the water is about 20 ft deep here) the ice is 8-10 inches thick that we are standing on and the ice hole kept freezing over with the sheet of ice every 20-30 min. The kids loved using the ladle to scoop the ice out to keep the lines clear or clear the new holes after Daddy or Grandpa Hand Drilled them. 

 Finally you can't have an ice fishing day without sled rides and sled skating. The boys would drag each other around on the sled while they waited for a flag to raise for fishing and convinced daddy to run a crossed the ice dragging them. They finished the trip being dragged in with the gear on the sleds. "it's too far to walk back" is how E put it (see above picture of him crawling) 

Valentines Day Photos

With all the pink confetti on the floor we threw a impromptu Valentines photo shoot with the boys. 

B wasn't exactly in the mood but the other two were complete hams!