Family Visit, part 2

Kiddos drawing in the dirt with sticks.  It's the simple things that make kids happy.

After Garven Gardens, we went to the Alligator Farm.  We were each given a couple of pieces of bread to feed the goats, sheep, deer, and emu.  I was surprised that Max and Kate had no fear of the goats.  The goats would jump up to try and get the bread, and some of them were very big!

 

 

 

Kate found two baby goats and fell in love.

 

We were then able to go see the alligators.  We each took a turn holding a baby one.

 

 

 

 

My camera died while we were at there, so I don't have any pictures from the horse races at Oaklawn.  It was really neat to see the horses race.  Admittedly, I know nothing about horse racing.  However, the horses were magnificent as they raced around the track.

On Sunday, we went over to Two Rivers.  I love the area.

Grandpa hiding behind Max.

 

Can you see the deer in the field?

 

The last day my family was here, I put them to work!  My dad was amazing and fixed our doors (they did not close tight and the many different weather strips we have tried did not work), put hinges on our garden gate, built shelves in our crawl space, and hung up hooks.  While he was working outside, my mom and Tiffany were busy inside.  They vacuumed  mopped, dusted, polished, and did the laundry!  Here's Mom as she finishes her hair.  

 Tiny and I on the way to the airport.

We had such a fun time with my family.  We miss them already!  We love you and hope you come visit again soon!

Family Visit, part 1

Kids practicing using their backpacks.

Bike ride around Lake Willastein

I took the kids to The Wonder Place.  I was really hesitant to go again, as the first time I went I did not have a positive experience.  However, we had a really fun time.  Kids really enjoyed it.

 

 

I upgraded my phone.  Kate and Max were super patient while I transferred all my data over.

We went to the Little Rock Zoo and the gator climbed right out of his swampish area to come and see Max and Kate.

My Dad, Mom, and sister Tiffany came to see us this past week.  We had a fantastic time with them here.  We decided to go to Hot Springs (where we avoided the rain), and we were able to see the Tulip Fest.

Tiffany and Max.

I love this candid moment.  Max kept pulling Tiny in closer and closer.

Kate and Tiffany.  She was wanting to see the picture, rather than pose for it.

It was so very scenic.  I was reminded of Anne of Green Gables.  I wanted to give everything a name to fit its beauty.

 

The tulips really were amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

As were the daffodils.

 

March

One of our trees bloomed really early, and it was BEAUTIFUL!  I loved looking out my kitchen window and seeing this:

I had a small gathering to celebrate Lacey's upcoming birth.  Rachel and Joey came with their new bundle of joy, Beckham.

Gary was so sweet with Ansley.  He is showing her how to spin a "helicopter" toy.

The weather was perfect, and the kids played together so well while the adults visited.

We had a BBQ.  Kate and Max enjoyed the selection. Kate is still super flexible, as you can see in this picture.

Holly made some darling things for Lacey.  I am jealous, are you?

I pulled out the playdough this month.  Max has finally figure out how to roll out the dough flat enough to use cookie cutters.  Here he is with an apple.

Kate has been developing her fine motor skills.  She made this smiley face all by herself!

I mixed up some cornstarch sidewalk paint. Max and Kate both really enjoyed choosing what color they could have, and then painting with it.




There is not wrong way to eat an... Oreo!

 

We are going to start camping and backpacking this spring.  We got the kids little camelbak backpacks.  They have loved practicing hiking and walking with them on.

Kate, of course, chose pink.  Max chose blue.

I made Oreo bon-bons for a friend's wedding open house.  I must say, I probably love these a little too much!

Lacey's mom, Asher, and Jackson in the hospital.  I was glad I could visit them while Lacey was still in the hospital.

I was able to get the garden up and running.  I tore out all the weed paper, turned the soil with a shovel, replaced the weed paper, repinned the drip lines, and then planted cool weather crops.

I need to take an updated picture.  This shows the weed paper on, but I have since planted lettuce, spinach, garlic, and peas.  Carrots and onions are shown.

I started tomatoes and bell peppers inside, and then I left this starter tray outside overnight (on a cold night) and I killed them all.  Argh!  Going to have to buy ones that are already started.