Memorial Weekend

 So I deserve the bad mother of the year award. I didn't pack swim suit because A) I didn't think it would be that warm and B) I didn't think they would want to go in the ICE cold water. 

Well I was wrong, thank goodness there is a Walmart 10 minutes up the road so I could get some suits and towels. They spent ALL day on Saturday in the lake! Less learned ALWAYS bring suits, kids don't mind the freezing cold water ;)

Meet Michael, the fish whisper. For the last 2 years he has sat at the waters edge, net in hand watching the carp swim at the lakes edge. Well he finally managed to catch one in the net, without a fishing pole! Looks like we'll know where to find him this summer.

Thanks to ALL the fallen down sticks we had to clean up, the campfire on Saturday night was HUGE!

There is nothing better than a Sunday afternoon nap on a lawn chair :) Gotta love that fresh air!

Our fire on night 2 wasn't nearly as big, but that made it easy to enjoy a movie by the fire.

Grandpa and Grandma were just at Disneyland. They picked up the kids some maps so they could plan out our trip ahead of time ;) 

These kept them quiet for awhile on our ride home from the island. 

Landon's 1st Communion

The day has finally come for Landon to receive his first communion. He has been learning about it for the last 6 months and today was his day to shine.

The weather was absolutely perfect!

So we were able to get a few good pictures outside.

He patiently waited to tear open the gifts.

And gave us ALL a good laugh when he opened this gift and said  "I got a picture with people I don't know"

The day wouldn't be complete with out cake and cookies.

Easter

The kids had colored eggs the week before Easter while Amy and Bobbi Jo were babysitting, but since I wasn't there to take pics of the final product, we colored another batch the night before Easter :)

Luckily enough for us our families live close together so we were fortunate enough to spend time with both families on Easter. We spent the morning enjoying our time with the Schneider's.

And Arrived at the Krocka's just in time for the egg hunt.

Earrings

This little girl had been begging me for 2 weeks to let her get earrings. I kept making excuses, no there not open today, maybe tomorrow. After she helped me with a BIG cookie order I figured it was time to reward her with the earrings she had been begging for. 

Last Sunday we were at the store and so I said Ok Mackenzie are you ready?

She picked out some earrings and had a seat on the stool like a big girl. I had be prepping her for the entire 2 weeks, saying its going to feel like a shot and then be over.

I'm very grateful they did both ears at the same time, because as soon as they pulled the trigger and put them in, a little tear showed up. Steve and the boys were shopping elsewhere in the store so she quickly composed herself and I said come on lets see if they notice. 

We quickly found them and Daddy noticed right away, the boys told her how beautiful they looked and she quickly forgot how painful it was.

She's been taking great care of cleaning them and turning them daily. 

I guess she was ready :)

Blue & Gold

We made it to our second Blue and Gold dinner for Boy Scouts.

The boys and our little girls enjoyed the program this year. 

The Schlitz Audubon Center brought along a few little friends for the kids to check out.

But I think everyone's favorite was by far the Eagle!

All the pictures in the world just don't do this bird justice.

But seeing this beauty in person sure put it into perspective as to why it was picked as our National Bird

Christmas Day

The kids did pretty good again this year, I don't believe they woke us up til 7:30. Its always fun to lay in bed and listen to them talking in the living room about who's present is who's.

When we say its time the kids waste no time lining up to get their gifts.

Ipods were on the boys list for 2 years in a row, so they were super excited to find that this year they each got one.

And finally we spent the rest of the day in pjs going through all the new things that Santa had brought!

Christmas Eve, better late than never...

We had our annual Christmas eve festivities at my parents house. We attempted to get a family picture, it turned out pretty good, minus 1 child :/

My lovely sister Tricia & Andy

And my beautiful sister Shelley, Bill and her little munchkins

And then I realized I forgot to get one of Jenny & Kingston and Mom & Dad, oops, i'll be sure to get them first next year!

Not even 5 minutes after we had gotten back to my parents house from  the church service,  Mackenzie was telling me she had the shakes and could not stop.  Low and behold 10 minutes later she spiked a temp and spent the rest of the night sleeping away on Grandpas recliner. And this would explain why we were 1 child short in our family picture :(

She did wake up long enough to open 1 present, and then insisted I open her presents for her since she was too sick to do it herself.

And away the rest went, ripping and tearing faster than I could keep up.

And the excitement on their faces after getting new jersey was priceless. Yes, I know they not packer jerseys, but trust me, they got those too.

 Dad put his woodworking abilities to use again this year to finish up the girls kitchen. They now have a sink and stove to go with the washer and fridge.

Its fun to watch as the kids go through different stages. Michael is my BIG sports fan, and he has to be in EVERY conversation that involves sports. So while Kingston and Steve were talking about some game, Michael was right there with them putting his 2 cents in :)

Another wonderful Holiday was had by all. Spent with an amazing group of people that I'd be lost without! 

As always, looking forward to our next family gathering.