yet another hair cut!

Matthew wasn't too enthused with his long golden locks.

So Curt gave him a Mohawk. he LOVED it. Too bad mommy wouldn't let him keep it!!

He liked it all cut, he was just mad here because he's back in that don't take my picture when I'm busy phase.

Every time someone compliments his hair he says something like "my hair is so handsome when it's short!" BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, it's SUMMER!

Gotta Love the Sand Dunes!

We have gone out to the sand dunes a couple of times recently. The kids love it so much, and I'll admit Curt and I enjoy playing in the sand almost as much (if not more) as they do!! If only cleanup was easier afterwards...

It was incredibly windy up on top of the ridges, so we found a cozy bowl down low.

Matthew is under the impression that we go to Mexico. I didn't have the heart to tell him otherwise!

There's my man!

Hailey thought it was so funny to bury her own legs

it's awesome how we don't need to have any toys to enjoy the sand, but....

next time we're going to bring a sled just to see...

Rainy Day

We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning the other day so we dressed in our shorts and t shirts expecting a marvelous day. By 11 am it was rainy as could be!! Fickle weather.

The kids had fun sitting on the doorstep under the overhang staying nice and dry, watching the water puddle in our back lake...I mean yard.

Turned out to be a nice spontaneous photo shoot! And yes, I got rather wet taking these pictures.

Preschool Celebration

Matthew's last day of preschool was on his birthday, the 25th. They had a celebration outside. We lucked out that it was between stormy days! The weather cooperated magnificently and the kids had so much fun playing all of the games and eating a picnic lunch. Hailey was in heaven being surrounded by all of these kids! She had ZERO time for me and cameras!

Tug o war- Matthew looks a little distracted...

Hailey was in love with the giant bowling game. Only she didn't use the giant ball, but she was pretty good at tackling the pins! Especially when it wasn't her turn

Matthew has perfect form.

He was soooo happy. It was even better that it was his birthday! He was SURE they planned the whole party just for him!!!!

See, WAY too busy watching kids to even look at me. In fact if she saw me with the camera she turned the other way and ran!

Matthew was a little hesitant to try the sack races, so I held his hand the first time while he jumped and then he decided he was too big for that and did it all on his own. I was actually impressed with his balance. He looked like all of the other kids!

They gave the kids each a medal and told them they were winners in the end. When I tried to make a big deal of it Matthew said "I know mom, I'm just cool."

Matthew is sad that preschool is out for the summer. He was already asking me today when he gets to go back!!!

Birthday Batman

The big little guy turned 4 on the 25th!! Matthew had such an awesome birthday!

As you can tell, it was VERY Batman themed.

I can not believe how much Matthew has grown in the last year. He is full of animation and life, always catching us off guard with his hilarious personality and quick wit! He seriously brings so much joy to everyone around him. We love you Matthew! You are so big and so wonderful. We are lucky to have you for a son!

The Zoo

The IESDB (school for the deaf and blind) invited Matthew and his family for a free trip to the Tautphaus Park Zoo!

I love how Hailey pointed at everything!! She was so excited about all of the animals.

These otters were so much fun. They would swim upside down under water and push off the glass right in front of the kids. Made them laugh so hard!

Thank you IESDB for a fun time and thank you mom and dad for coming with us!

Bikes

We have been having so much fun with the bike trailer! I love the exercise and the kids love the outing! They get along pretty well most of the time...

Daddy buckling them up to take Matthew to preschool.

Matthew was really iffy about riding his bike for a long time. It kind of made him nervous how the bike tipped side to side a little bit before the training wheel touched the ground. But riding in the bike trailer gave him the desire to give his bike another try. He loves it now and rides it all the time with his friends out on our sidewalk!

Hailey's legs aren't quite long enough yet for matthew's old tricycle, but she still like to sit on it! I think by the end of the summer she'll be able to ride it. At all of the doctor's visits she has been consistently tall for her age. Ranging from 68 to 76 percentile, which I think is interesting because I'm so short!

EASTER WEEKEND

Vicky and her fam came up for Easter!

We painted eggs...

Everyone's eggs. Curt did the awesome brown rabbit, next to the right went Adessa's two, Vicky's, my Easter Bunny face, Jexten's (or possibly Kurt's??), Matthew, and the middle was my dad's. Anyway, whoever they were colored by they turned out lovely.

then was the Easter egg hunt...

and when they got in from that the Easter bunny had left wonderful baskets for each child filled with goodies of all kinds! The boys especially loved their bug catching kits...

Adessa had fun with her bubbles...

Then we went to the park for a picnic and split up. The girls went shopping while the boys went fishing. When we girls got back Vicky and I saddled up our horses while mom played with Adessa and Hailey (thank you mom!) Then gave those girls a little ride.

Hailey's first horse ride!

"cowGIRL!"

Easter Sunday we went to my parents' ward where Hailey and Adessa got to wear their matching dresses! My mom picked this out and I just LOVE it! I did add a couple of things to it: the rose on the waistband and a ribbon tie in the back. Then I made some matching bows for the girls too.

I didn't get a good Easter picture because Matthew had his suit mostly stripped off before I could even get the camera out! Oh well. We will retry another day!

Hailey's hair WAS french braids but just as we were opening the door to leave she reached up looking for that bow, found the braid, and WRENCH. out comes the braid. So I managed this do in the car on the way to church :) Girls are so much fun but so much more stress! (I know, I don't have to do it fancy and I bring it upon myself)

We had such a good time with the family!

I am so grateful for Easter- for the Atonement and Resurrection of my Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for Him and all He did for us.