Work hard, Play hard!

The bitter winter took our landscape with it this year.  We lost about a dozen full grown boxwood bushes.  I was so sad.  We were able to spend some time looking for new plants and putting in new landscape.  Although we had to buy smaller plants that will take a few years to get big, I think it turned out pretty nice.

BEFORE:

THE PROCESS:

Daddy's little helper.  (He liked stacking the empty pots) 

AFTER:

Planting the garden is always a family affair.  The boys love helping put in the seeds and watching it produce all summer long.  We are still beginning gardners, and this year didn't turn out quite as good.  But we worked hard, especially Justin.  He was still planting the seeds in the dark!!

April Adventures

 We finally enjoyed some warmer days in April and was able to get out in the fresh air a bit.  Although it was kind of a windy day, the boys were so happy to ride their bikes to the school playground.  Greyson kept crawling around trying to chase his big brothers.  He also started going down the slide all by himself. 

Enjoying the swings at Grandma's house and at another park day.  He giggled and giggled as he was being pushed in the swings.  It must of tickled his tummy :)

Flying kites and playing soccer in the neighbors back yard.  

When we didn't get out, this kid was big into doing puzzles.  We love putting together these giant puzzles... however, little brother crawling around didn't help much.  

At 15 months this little guy is busy busy and oh so cute!  I just can't get enough of his kissy face.  

All for a piano

We had some special visitors stop by for a few days in April.  Mom, Dad, and GREAT GRAMS!  I was so excited that my Grandma decided to join them and that I was able to have her see my home.  

The boys were obviously very excited too!

So why the short visit you ask?  We had been talking awhile ago that we wanted a piano. My grandma and mom had wanted to keep our old piano in the family, so we gladly claimed dibs on it. So they were awesome enough to rent a little Uhaul trailer and drive half way across the country to deliver it.   Now to get our boys to take lessons and learn to play it.  

We enjoyed our visit, although I felt like it was much too short.  The one place I wanted to take them was a breakfast at our favorite swedish pancake house (Stockholm Inn).  

Justin thought it was funny that this was the one place I wanted to go, until I found this sign....  see?!  I knew it was a good choice! ;)

Easter

The month of April was full of Easter "egg"citement ;)  First we had the ward Easter activity, which included a visit from the E-bunny and an egg hunt.  Oh what fun!

 

Jackson had a day off of school and we found another Easter Egg hunt at the local retirement home.  I was shocked Greyson let the Easter Bunny hold him!

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Dying and Coloring Eggs

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The Easter Bunny found my little bunnies on Easter Morning.  What a good little rabbit!

My little lads looking dapper this Sunday morning in their new Easter ties.  (yes, this is the best picture I could get.  Eh, what do ya do?!?) 

I-Da-Ho!!

I decided a visit to Idaho was way overdo.  I realized the last time that the kids had been in IF (Since we normally go to Jackson) Jonah was about 18 months old.  It was time...  So in March for Jackson Spring Break me and the three boys flew "home" for a week.  

I was nervous flying alone with all three boys and a big ol' preggo belly, so I recruited Donna to fly with me so she could visit her parents.  It was sooo helpful having her there and can't thank her enough.  Unfortunately we didn't coordinate it to fly home and I had to do that solo.  I was surprisingly pleased with how well it went that day (even with our 4 hour delay in Denver).  Greyson didn't sleep the entire day, but seriously, my kids rocked!  

We flew into SLC, so we spent the evening with Great Grandma and Grandpa Stevens.  It was so wonderful to see them.  

The first day I was bragging to Justin how amazing the weather was.  We were in the 60's and Belvidere was in the 20's!!  We spent the afternoon hanging out outside in the perfect Spring Break weather.  

The boys got to spend some time with cousin Melaina.  So fun that when we go "home" we get to spend time with Lane's family too!  Melaina and Jonah had somewhat of a love/hate relationship going on at times! ;)  But over all they were so cute together!  Aunt Whitney even babysat the boys for a while one afternoon so Mom and I could do some shopping.  Aunt Whit is the best!  She did crafts with them and made cupcakes... doesn't get better!

A day later we said goodbye to that beautiful Spring Break weather and woke up to this!  SERIOUSLY?!?  Justin was the one bragging then.  

So we enjoyed some snuggles on the couch watching Frozen with Grandma.

Greyson found some favorite places to play too...

While there I made it a priority to visit with some of my Idaho Peeps.  

Including Great Grandpa Purcell

Some high school besties: Emily and Heidi.  

The boys became quick friends with Emily's little girl Mary.  Such a cute picture! :)

And Hunka (Uncle) Jordan.  He was nice enough to stop by after a long day of rotation at the IF hospital.

The weekend came at the Boise Blakes came to visit!!  It was full of cousin fun!!

Amy and I had to compare baby bumps.  Same due date!!  

Saturday we drove to Pocatello and spent the day swimming at Hiesee Hot Springs.  It was so fun! 

Saying goodbye at the airport is always the hardest part :(

We LOVED our Idaho time.  We love and miss our family!