north for a visit

We went to Portland/Ridgefield for a visit. All of these photos are courtesy of my sister-in-law, Jami. I'm so happy she had her camera out and capturing the whole week! 

We had some good quality time with Bryan's family over the week, and we had a lot of fun. We went to the zoo, we played some games, we got to love on our nephew and cousin, Seth, we went to a kids indoor playspace, and we had a birthday party for the kids. It was a good, busy week. 

We also got to get together with the Hartensten/Koch clan which is always one of the best parts of our visits. We love and miss those friends so very much! I even got to break away for dinner with one of my dearest friends, Angela. It was so nice to be able to meet up with her and hear all about her life adventures. 

As always, we came home exhausted from our fun times!

                            

good-bye march

March totally flew by. I look back at pictures, and think, "what did we even do?".  Seriously, I have no idea, and I kind of feel like March didn't exist. 

This kid and his boots.

He wears them EVERYWHERE

They are 2 left foot boots, and 2 different sizes

I used to be the girl that thought her kids would always be dressed perfect....then I had kids 

I do remember we got a new bike trailer

The kids spent a good portion of the month swinging

The swing set has been a total lifesaver for ALL of us

Wrestling

My little girl wrestles with the boys all the time

My little girl is not so girly sometimes

We made a fort in the living room because it was too cold outside
It lasted all day

This kid gets her style tips from Elias
I'm not sure where her jean skirt went
Every time she sees the boys underwear (clean or dirty), they go immediately on her head
Why? I have no idea.

They had a Berenstain Bear read-a-thon.
All of their Berenstain books went outside and they read in the sun

5 months

I don't even want to blink or I'm afraid Simon is going to grow too fast. He's already past the newborn stage! I've been true to my word, and let my house be more messy so I can enjoy holding him more. It drives me crazy, but then I look at his sweet face. I can't pry myself away from him to get cleaning done!

He wiggles himself in circles around his play mat
He rolls from stomach to back whenever he feels like it
He is smiling and talking constantly
He grabs and holds onto whatever he pleases (Raelynn's hair seems to be a popular choice lately)
He takes a pacifier while sleeping, but during the day, it's pretty much a play toy
He is totally fascinated with his feet
He likes the Bumbo for a short time, but prefers to be wiggling around on his play mat - the boy likes to move
He's weighing in at 16 pounds

I guess it's not the best background for a little boy, but he was being so stinking cute!

This is Simon on his first Easter
Looking quite handsome

Bryan always holds our children in strange ways
They always love it, though
This strange position kept Simon from crying

easter

Having 3 kiddos in the service with us made for a very distracting Easter, but I woke up overwhelmed with the love and grace of Jesus. I woke singing songs of worship and praise. I'm seriously grateful for my wonderful family. I'm so much more grateful for my God who gave His son, so we could be saved and be healed. 

Isaiah was being my spotter, so I could set the tripod up

He was singing "Hosanna, Hosanna"

I just thought these pictures were too cute to leave out

Family of 6

Yup, it's loud

Rae kept getting distracted from finding eggs
Bats and trucks were much more interesting to her

He's sad because he didn't find an "army egg" (camouflage)

Simon didn't get to participate this year, but next year I'm sure he'll be all about it