April Excitement

First, a picture of two brothers.  I still like occasionally putting them in matching shirts.  I realize this will give them good material to laugh about, when they're older.  So, if I didn't do it, I'd pretty much be extinguishing laughter in the future.  ;)

J turned SIX, and we celebrated several times:  Cupcakes with classmates, a Mario Bros. party with friends, out for dinner with Chad's parents, and a little sports-themed party with my side of the family.  He still loves sports; he and L completed their first March Madness brackets, this year.  He played soccer & now is learning the fundamentals of baseball.  Squirreling around in the outfield isn't a fundamental, but I'm pretty sure it's par for the course, when it comes to kindergarten baseball.  ;)

He also enjoys is obsessed with video games.  Boundaries are in place, otherwise he would play all day long.  He finally saved enough money to buy a DS. It's taken a year of chores, Christmas money & birthday money. He was thrilled to walk into the store & purchase the DS (plus tax), with his own money. (L did the same, right after Christmas). Those electronic devices aren't cheap, so it was a great lesson in delayed gratification. The boys are also encouraged to take care of the devices, because they know their value & how long it took to save. 

Maybe the most precious thing Chad & I have noticed, in the past couple of months, is that the Holy Spirit is really working in his life.  He has Jesus in his heart, & we've seen him be sensitive to/trying to discern right/wrong behaviors.  He is quick to ask forgiveness & we've had lots of important talks about God's grace/love.  It's been a time of growth & seeing how real God is in his life.  He loves Bible stories, and now he can even read some of them to us.  He can't wait to be baptized, and tell others how much he loves Jesus. 

Annual bday photo with his bear

Photo on his bday invitation for friend party

Sometimes pinatas don't break open easily.
After many tries from the kids, we finally
put it on the ground & let J bust it open. 

Just some mature kindergarteners  ;)

Freddy's for birthday dinner!

This year, he had birthday cookies, instead of a birthday cake.

J & his cousin have bdays six weeks apart.  So, we had a combined
celebration, at my parents' house. 
Grilled hotdogs, root beer floats, & cookies!

Just a "little" cookie on my niece's face. 

Easter 2012 was our very first holiday ever, without extended family.  We missed everyone, but it was still a wonderful day to acknowledge & celebrate our faith.  He is risen!  Also, we were blessed to share a yummy meal at Granite City with our friends, Jen & Kyle.  Beautiful day!

Our traditional Easter breakfast:  Resurrection Rolls

April excitement continued with the Pioneer Woman book signing.  I attended with a couple of friends.  Originally, we planned to just have our cookbooks signed.  However, we were able to actually see her speak, before the signing.  Bonus!  Then, the signing portion of the evening began.  They called numbers 1-25.  Um, we were in the 1,000's.  Still, we weren't discouraged.  It was fun to sit & chat.  Honestly, it was relaxing.  Before we knew it, it was our turn.  Long story short, because of some sweet gals we know from church, we ended up with tickets in the 300's.  So, the wait wasn't bad, and we did get to have our books signed (a few of mine were going to be gifts) & photos taken with the Oklahoma blogging/cooking celebrity.  Yay for a fun, Girl's night out!