sPrINg

ahhh...warm weather
this week has been heavenly
walking to school, riding bikes, trips to the park, sundresses, shorts & playing outside until dark = happy kids and happy parents :)

Maggie wasn't quite old enough to ride her bike last year, but is totally loving it this year!

the face says it all

and sundresses....no leggings and jacket required~hallelujah

off to the races

4 wheelin'

still playing ball as the sun goes down

some video of maggie showing off her biking skills

:)

always fun when GRANDPA comes

My dad (grandpa Steve)came to stay with us last week. Jaxon had and appointment in Iowa on Wednesday and he was nice enough to come and stay for the week & watch the girls while the rest of us were traveling. We had a great time hanging out with grandpa. He got to watch Lia play soccer, played Wii, went bowling with us, took Maggie to the air museum (by himself...brave man), & made dinner with Lia to surprise us when we arrived home.

it was great to have him here.

Love you dad, thanks so much for coming.

Lia showing off the model airplane g. steve bought her at the museum.

a few pics of lia's game we attended - ty happened to be coaching that day

reading to sis

playing "just dance" with jax on the Wii

sweet moves guys

jax flying through the air...i'm pretty sure grandpa didn't leave the ground:)

Lily's B-day

i happened to be in Utah the day before Lily's b-day this year (she would have been 4) and was able to go and decorate her grave myself, which is something i wish i could do on a regular basis...we just live a little too far away.

it is such a special part of the cemetery where she is buried, surrounded by many little angels.
my dad and i traveled to Wisconsin on her actual b-day and her siblings made and decorated a cake to celebrate her special day.

giving jackson pollock a run for his money...right?

{happy birthday angel baby}

we love and miss you

Mom's B-day = visit to Utah

i took my traditional trip to visit my parents for my mom's b-day the first weekend in march. Jenn wasn't able to join us this year(due to the fact that Gary was working in Utah that weekend...someone has to watch the kiddos i suppose). it was a bummer that she couldn't come and she was definitely missed. we did however manage to have some fun while i was there. we skied and crafted and went to to dinner with Gary - nothing wrong with that. on Sunday i got to see all of the King family as well which was awesome. Chad and Ali were blessing their newest addition -Paityn- so i went to church with them and to the party at their house afterwards. Sunday evening my mom had a get together at her house with my aunts/uncles and cousins. as usual it was great to see everyone, and my visit was way too short.

here are some pictures from the trip.

crafting some t's for Maggie's b-day party - here they are in the works...

thanks mom for the sewing help - i am what you'd call a geek when it comes to all things fabric

me and my cute mom...

and a few more of me+some pretty scenery

it would seem that no matter how old you are your mother still likes to take your picture...

she even took a video (don't worry - i will not be posting that)

and the mountains i miss so much
gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous

I forgot to take my camera out to Chad and Ali's, or get it out when my cousins were over. Whoops! Ali will send me some photos of the blessing i'm sure (hint hint)! :) so you can all see how cute baby paityn is :) - and mom do you have some of the get together at your house???

Thanks everyone for a great trip! :)

read across america week

The kids started out the month of March by celebrating Read Across America Week at school. They had a whole week of fun activities and dress up days. Here are a few pictures of them as they headed out the door in the morning.

Lia's class dressed all in black one day. The teacher drew a nose and whiskers on them when they got to class and they made big red and white hats...so by the end of the day they looked like the Cat in the Hat. Very cute idea - she thought it was great fun.

this is a cat pose apparently
Jax had a hard time decided what to wear on hat day :)

mismatch day...

they had a few more theme days...but i am only so organized in the morning and some days were a bit rushed to take photos! :)

end of feb - bring on march

here are a few pictures from the end of February -
which may i just say turned out to be a very long month

the kids took turns being sick off and on for about three weeks, and taking care of them all i eventually got sick too :)

i finished up art classes at the school with the kindergarten/1st graders and start classes with the 2/3rd grades in two weeks. Tyler traveled for work (always fun when everyone at home is sick) and finished up yet another semester of school. we are happy to report that everyone is feeling better - and hope that march will be a bit more fun :)

the girls watching a movie in bed one of the days Lia was home from school

and finally feeling better - playing outside with dad

snowball fight

this one reminds me more and more of his dad every day...

that can only mean trouble i'm pretty sure

look at this girl - growing up so fast, i can't believe she'll be eight this year

good form Lia

oh...and Maggie

and a few more from around the house -

the kids were playing computer games like this the other day, apparently getting another chair was way to much work...i just thought it was funny

and here they are being excited after my friend Julie dropped off some super cool cookies :)

so there you have it, another Wisconsin winter month down....someday spring will find us :)