The Best of... Spring 2015 edition

I am so behind with this blog... Tiegan maybe has MORE pictures of her than the others since I am constantly taking pics of her with my phone, but I never get my big camera out and I have yet to blog about her monthly updates or milestones (I'm sorry T, Mommy loves you sooo much though!).  So here is the most random assortment of pictures from our lovely spring...!

Many Monday evenings whichever of us who got to take Lainey to dance, would grab a quick dinner with her afterwards and before bible study.  This particular night was IHOP (kids eat free on Mondays!).  This girl inherited her mother's love of going out to eat.  She'll typically say and repeat something like, "This is so fun!" the whole time you're out to eat.  The one on one time is so sweet too.

Tiegan has and continues to love the water and her bath time.  She requires more frequent baths with all of that hair too!

Easter was so fun this year.  We hit a few different egg hunts, decorated eggs and did Resurrection eggs with the kids too.

Easter Sunday

With the nicer weather, we are loving getting outside and enjoying many parks.  There is a baseball complex near our house that is jam packed on many week nights and weekends but during the weekdays it's totally dead so we take advantage of the playground in the middle of all of the fields.

I love this baby and I wish I could hold her and snuggle her all day long.  She is not a high maintinence baby who NEEDS held very often but I sure do love to steal my snuggles whenever I can.

My dark eyed girls!  They are still absolutely smitten with each other.  Their love is so mutual and so lovely to watch grow.

One night as I was feeding Tiegan before bed, Lainey waltzed in with her sound machine (we rely heavily on those things around here) and said that she didn't need hers anymore and Tiegan could have it.  It was the most precious thing - she was so genuine and sweet about it.  She is such a fabulous big sister.

We registered Lainey for a spring soccer league through the city of Des Moines Parks and Rec largely because it was held right down the street from our house and Jed said he would coach.

I don't think soccer is in her future but she sure looked cute and I think she still had fun.  I couldn't believe even at this age, the difference in athletic abilities and intensity between boys and girls!

The cutest greeters at church!

We hit one of our favorite spring spots at the peak of lilac blooming season and it was so glorious!  The kids frolicked around the most giant lilac bushes and T and I followed and sniffed the blooms!

I love my little crew!

Lainey invited her friend Mia to "bring a friend week" at ballet.  It's funny to watch 3 year olds be friends.  These girls are 4 weeks apart and have been friends since birth!

We enjoyed a homeschool field trip with many other church friends a few weeks ago to a farm!  The weather was awesome and the kids loved it!

Tiegan...not so impressed.

Wyatt loved it most of all I'd say.

Sometimes I have just my littles at home and I love watching Wyatt really own his big brother role during those times.  Lainey, as the oldest, typically just runs the show when she's around but Wy is such a different kid when she's gone.  He LOVES his baby Tiegan and really truly is gentle and sweet to her.

I love baking (and much prefer it to cooking) and while it's typically easier, faster and less messy to just do it myself, I want to include the kids and let that be something they remember about their mom.  They are great at dumping in ingredients, getting started stirring things and helping me set the timer.  Oh and especially at licking the beater/spoons and watching things bake in the oven!

Spring was so wonderful and we are excited as summer is just getting started!

Pumpkin Patch Part 2

We have really taken full advantage of all kinds of fall activities this year and loved every minute.  Saturday we headed out to the Winterset/St. Charles area and went to The Pumpkin Ranch!  (Thank you Groupon)  It was a bit on the chilly and windy side but we bundled up and made the best of it.

I loved this sign that said "How Tall This Fall?"  Will be fun to try and get back there next year to compare!

Wyatt's height is deceptive with that huge hat on his head.

I love this guy.  He was a trooper hanging out in the stroller most of the time we were there.

Lainey and Jed headed down the BIG slide!  

Jump jump!

It's funny how a toddler has such a small and short attention span.  She literally did each activity for a couple minutes then saw something else she wanted to go see or do.

Lainey and Jed stood in line to ride a horse so Wyatt and I did some exploring.

He could swing for hours!

Brr... I look cold.  Yeah, it was cold.

In the end, Lainey did not ride a horse.  She was so excited... She introduced herself to the lady helping, and even let her hold her but then when it came time to hop on, she got really scared.  I can't blame her... horses are large creatures!  She's still talking about the horsie named Domino though so I bet next time she'll definitely do it.

Wyatt... ready to go.  Lainey, too busy with her popcorn.

We took 4 pumpkins home - a big one, a medium sized one and 2 munchkin pumpkins for my munchkins.  We picked up some acrylic paints so the kids could paint their little punkins.

Listening intently to directions I'm sure....

This was as short lived as it looks... Wyatt cannot be trusted with crafts.

Lainey on the other hand loved it.  She took her time and took careful attention to each detail and stroke of the paint brush.

The Pumpkin Ranch is open one more weekend in October.  I'd definitely recommend it.  The drive out there is beautiful and they have lots to offer for the whole family.

Family Day {and other stuff}

Today we spent a fun morning together as a family.  Between weather, family visits, bathroom renovation re-do's, trips and having a new (although he doesn't seem quite so new anymore) baby, we haven't had a chance to do all that much lately.  We made muffins this morning, Skyped with my family in North Carolina to catch a glimpse of sweet baby Will and then headed to Merle Hay Mall (the mall with it all).  This mall really does have it all, even the Red Rock Wildlife Education Center.  They have wolves, bears, a coyote, red foxes and more.  IN THE MALL.  I know, right?  They had a short program and they talked about snakes and bats.  Kind of lame, but still a fun time.

After that we went to Felix and Oscar's for lunch.  Thank you Groupon.

Lainey is bringing back the mean mug.  She thought she was pretty big stuff with her own cup (of water).  I should mention that Wyatt, not surprisingly, slept through the entirety of our family outing.  Apparently, he thinks we're lame.  After lunch we came home for naps and then later we bundled up and went outside.

What a fun family day!

Earlier this week, they forecasted another giant snow storm.  Flop. We only got 5 or 6 inches but it was the most wonderful 5 or 6 inches of light, fluffy snow we've gotten all winter!  Friday morning it was sunny out and about 20 degrees so during Wyatt's first nap I bundled Lainey and myself up and we headed outside!

 

So, she wasn't loving it so much at first.  Maybe she was mad that I stuffed her into some 12mo snow pants that are just a tad too small.  I promised her I will get her some that fit next year.

We were given this awesome play house from one of Jed's co-workers and this was the first time she got to see it and go inside.  I think she would have been a thousand times more elated had she not had to wade through the snow but she did like it in the end.

Simon, however has been enjoying the play house in the back yard for a few days.  Simon LOVES the snow too.

I think she did have a good time playing outside for the whole 20 minutes we were out there.  All I heard the rest of the day was "Side?" (outside) "Show?" (snow) "Sled?"  There's 3 more words for the list!

Love this picture.  Unbundling, runny nose and all!

I think 3 "snow storms" are enough for one winter and now we are really looking forward to spring.  Hopefully it's just around the corner!