Sunday, April 26, 2015

Piano Recital 2015

Liam had another great year of piano lessons.
This year he actually had a piano to practice on... which I think made a huge difference!

Liam and his best friend, Justin, played a duet together again this year. 
They played a version of Yankee Doodle, and it was great!
What was even better was watching them play together.
It seriously melted my heart to watch them each time they practiced.
God has continued to develop a friendship between them which is a blessing for me to 
watch. I'm so thankful for Justin and who he is in Liam's life. 
I can see them being life-long friends.
Liam and his teacher, Mrs. Temple.
She is simply amazing. She loves Liam, pushes him, and challenges him.
She appreciates his spark and intensity.
She knows what will interest him and goes the extra mile to
make his experience of learning to play the piano an amazing one.
I'm so thankful for her!
The whole crew!
It was a great afternoon of piano and celebrating another great year.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Remembering...

For the last few years, we have gathered at my mom's sister's house to celebrate Easter with that side of the family on the Saturday before Easter.  My aunt and uncle have a great yard to hide eggs in as well as a place to relax and enjoy each other's company.  They also have this great swing in the middle of their landscaping that is the perfect place to take a great picture.  Over the years, I've tried to make it a tradition to capture my kids there.  It's fun for a mama to look back and see how our family has changed in just a few, short years.
2009
Only two kids... I can hardly imagine!
Liam - 4  Ainsley 1 1/2

2010 
(the one year we didn't go to my aunt's house - note the green couch)
:)

2011
Liam - 6  Ainsley - 3 1/2  Kallan - 1

2012

2013
Liam - 8  Ainsley - 5 1/2  Kallan - 3

2014

2015
Liam - 10  Kallan - 5  Baylor - 1  Ainsley - 7 1/2
All these years...
Simply blessed.





Monday, April 6, 2015

Celebrating Easter

More Easter fun!
We were also able to celebrate Easter with my mom's side of the family at my aunt's house.
Sweetness right here...
Simply Precious.
Big brother always helping...
"This is how you do it Baylor..."
Grandma filled his eggs with puffs and yogurt bites...
Once he realized this... there was no stopping him!

My girl!


All the little cousins!
All the big cousins!
The littles with their Great Grandma Richert.
Ainsley was determined to make her great grandma a 
birthday gift since we were celebrating her 95th birthday that day too.
She researched some You Tube craft videos and decided on an 
Easter Egg wreath.  She was SO excited to give it to great grandma!
Great Grandma was excited to receive a special gift made just for her from her great-granddaughter.
She worked so hard on this, and it turned out great!
So proud of her!
Happy Easter!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Easter 2015

Easter morning...
Celebrating that our Savior is risen, and all that means for us!

Love them!
Liam
Ainsley
Kallan
Baylor
Us.
Checking out Easter baskets...
The cousins on the Hodges' side.
Ages 1-12
After our Easter lunch, we headed out on the farm to find eggs.
The oldest helping the youngest learning how to find eggs.



This looks yummy...
Checking out the candy!
Card playing... hours and hours of cards.
Great company. Great conversations. Great memories being made.
These three... all born within a year of each other.
Becoming better buddies each time they get together. 
Brother vs. Brother in a little harmless game of Knock-Out.
This one melts my heart!
Two more cousins... 
The age gap between them lessens each year...
Thankful for the relationship that is growing between them.
So blessed to celebrate another Easter with these two wonderful Great Grandmas.
It was a special day of just being with family.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

My Baby Boy

This baby boy of mine...
He has all of my heart!

A new favorite toy... pom-pom balls!
Anything that keeps him busy for 15 minutes is a great toy in my opinion.
Another new love... BOOKS!

This boy loves his "shows"!  
His favorites... All the Praise Baby DVD's and Baby Faith!

This mama is thankful for "shows" and the few extra minutes they give me!
This melts me for so many reasons...

I see you!
Big brother time.

That face... makes me smile.
Busy, Busy, Busy Boy!
Little Stinker... yes you are!
Another new love... his vacuum!  
Too bad it doesn't actually work...
Come on Fisher Price... what are you thinking?
My floors would be so clean! :)

Snuggles and a show...

Play time with Sissy.
Love.
You... yes you! Why are you growing up so fast?
You are supposed to be my baby boy!
Even though I miss my little baby...
you are beyond precious right now.
But you can stop growing... OK?
No more.
Just stay right where you are...
I love this boy!