Easter

We had a very low key Easter here. It was very welcome after having travelled the past few weekends and had a busy week. We went to church in the morning (of course we were all in our Easter best!)  

I love these three little people!

Church was awesome. One of our pastors had a great salvation message and a reminder for all of us to believe! 

I helped in the nursery second hour (with Joey's help---him and Kylah trade off every month being my helper) while Joe brought the girls home. 

We had some leftovers for lunch at home and then our normal (and beloved!!) Sunday afternoon nap. And by nap, I mean that Joe and I nap while the kids watch a movie! Win-win for everyone! 

After nap time it was time for the egg hunt. I love how excited the kids get! Thankfully my mom had left tons of candy, so I used some of that in the eggs! :) 

The hunt was on!

Success! 

Also a success this year was teaching Norah the true meaning of Easter. A few days before Easter, her and I were in the car and I asked her if she knew what Easter was all about. "Bunnies" she said matter of factly. Parent fail. However, we then did talk about the true meaning of Easter, and in her own sweet little way she can tell you all about how Jesus came and died for our sins, but then the great thing is that he came back alive! It's pretty sweet to hear her tell it. So I guess not a total parent fail since now she understands the real meaning. :)

Florida

I have to get a blog up about our trip to Florida before I post about Easter. I promise to post about Easter tomorrow! (That's to my faithful three readers...) :)

Joe had his annual director's conference in Orlando this year. We were both ready for some sun and relaxation after a cold winter. Joe has to attend meetings two and a half of the days we were there. But don't worry...I had plenty of books and a pool. It turned out that it wasn't very hot while we were there, but that made for some great reading by the pool (and probably more sun rays because they were hidden behind some clouds!). So I still came home with a good tan!

This was basically my view for four and a half days. Glorious. 

Joe and I enjoyed the hammocks as well (and Joe is frowning because of the sun, not his book. He actually read this whole book before the end of our vacation. He'll learn to come better prepared next time!)

We got to eat at a few really good restaurants. We both tried new things. I had mahi mahi for the first time, and it was delish! 

The company Joe (used to) work for hosted dinner the last night. He technically works for the hospital here now, but this company still manages his clinic, so they still claim him. 

Joe won the President's Award. Basically it's the highest honor you can have, being recognized by the president of the company for hard work and going above and beyond. This was obviously the first time the award has gone to someone who no longer gets an actual pay check from this company. I was so proud of him!

---------------------

While we were relaxing in Florida, my mom flew to our house to take care of our kids (and some awesome friends helped out before and after she left!!) 

She did so many fun things with our kids: swimming at a hotel, bowling, decorating Easter eggs, making Easter baskets, and of course making Mickey Mouse pancakes. I'm pretty sure the kids didn't mind us being gone! :)

We all had connecting flight through Charlotte on the way home, so even though we never saw my mom at our house we got to see her for 15 minutes in Charlotte! 

Pedicures

I had a lot of errands to do yesterday before heading to Florida with Joe. One of the "important" things I needed to do was to get a pedicure. :) I took my girls and Audrey with me and treated them. They were so excited. And so cute!

This was Norah's first ever pedicure. She was LOVING it and was so cute the whole time. 

The finished product. 

Toes ready!!

We met baby Sim!

Val and baby Simeon were in Kansas this past weekend so we headed up to see them. It was so great to catch up with Val. And Sim is the sweetest little baby ever...so laid back and full of smiles! 

My kids were enamored with him as well...

I got lots of baby snuggles! 

The weather was beautiful so we spent lots of time outdoors. The kids still love the fort that Uncle Josh built. 

The littles helped Nana work on her blueberry bushes. I'm not sure how much help they actually were, but they sure were sweet!

Katie had the great idea for a little Easter egg hunt since we won't all be together for Easter. I love seeing this stair-step line of cousins. 

They got plenty of candy!

Sweet kiddos (Sim was sleeping...)

This picture shows the tooth that Kylah lost while at Nana and Grandpa's. Apparently the tooth fairy pays out big time when you lose a tooth at grandparents' houses (remember Joey's $24 payout over Christmas a year ago???).  Well, Kylah got $25 this time! Joe said our kids are going to start bringing pliers every time we visit one of our parents! :)

What a fun weekend!!

Girls weekend

A few weekends ago I got to go on my third annual girls weekend. A few college girls and I started this tradition 3 years ago (after we were all done having kids!), and it was a great idea! This year we went to a place that was less than an hour from home but still felt like we were away from it all. We had three days of relaxation: sleeping in, drinking coffee all morning, reading books, watching movies, playing games, and lots of talking! Oh, and of course the house had a hot tub!! :) 

We went to the spa one day. A few of us got massages and a few got manicures/pedicures. It was so great!

While we were at the spa it started snowing. A lot. Our house was basically located on top of a hill so we had a little bit of a hard time making it back to our house. There were five cars stuck on the road leading back to our house. Thankfully, an old man in a truck drove by us (since we couldn't move because of the cars stuck...). He let all six of us pile into his truck and dropped us off at our house. 

Thank you Mr. Tommy! :)

It was so beautiful relaxing in the hot tub and watching the snow fall around us. Perfect. 

Amy, Meredith, Christine and I all went for a walk in the snow. It really was beautiful! 

It was kind of fun to be snowed in when we had no plans to go anywhere and no kids to take care of. 

Thankfully, by the time we left, the roads were driveable, and we were able to get out. We did all have to pile in Meredith's car to drive back to the other car we left when Mr. Tommy picked us up. 

Luckily it was only a few miles away. :)

Such a fun weekend. I love these girls! 

School parties

Joey and Kylah had Valentine parties at their school. Kylah made her own valentine box. I was so proud of her for doing it all by herself. It's a puppy!! 

Instead of an actual party, Joey had an "author's tea" to show the parents a book their class published (about insects). They got to dress up instead of wearing uniforms....right up Joey's alley... 

I was able to go to Kylah's party and then we headed to Joey's. 

Audrey is in the same grade as Joey, so their party was together. 

How cute are these two all dressed up?! 

Of course Norah and Matthew were enjoying the cookies!

Norah turns 4!

I'm a bad blogger, but I'm finally getting around to posting about Norah's 4th birthday (which was on the 9th)....

How sweet is this birthday girl?!?! She is a free spirit who loves to put her own (mismatched) outfits together. 

We took the birthday girl to Chuck E Cheese. We decided this year to do small family birthday parties and do something fun as a family. 

She had a blast! 

Daddy got in on the action too! 

I always love these pictures you can make there. 

After Chuck E Cheese we went to a park because it was beautiful outside (very different than the day she was born!!) 

I forgot to mention that Grandpa and Nana came down for the day! How fun is that?!

We loved having them here!

Then it was back to the house for cake and presents. The birthday girl requested a Frozen cake, of course. 

Matty and Andrew came for cake! These two are such sweet friends. 

Blowing out the candles.

Her big present from us was a new bike. And let me tell you, she can almost keep up with Joey on that bike!

Time to enjoy the yummy cake! 

It was such a fun day celebrating our Norah Mae!