Madison's Field Trip to the Farm

A couple weeks ago Madison's preschool class went on a field trip to a local working farm. Anyone who's met Maddie knows of her obsession with farm life, especially horses. Needless to say when they announced they were going to get there by riding a bus, she was sold! It was all she could talk about for weeks, and finally the day arrived for her to go...

Sophia and Madison

 A HUGE thank you to Sophia's sweet Mama who chaperoned and took all these precious pictures of the girls.

Madison shucking corn kernels

Listening very carefully how to get those corn kernels out...

 It is spring time on the farm and there were TONS of baby lambs, chicks and ducks.

Look at those sweet little lambies!

 Mrs. Ervine, the class aide and the girls churning butter...

 Madison really thought the baby pigs were cute... until she got close enough to smell them. LOL.

She told me, "Those pigs are sure cute, but stinky."

They demonstrated how they shear the sheep and spin the wool into yarn. Madison brought home her very own piece of wool.

 Soft baby lamby...

 Pet the hens and got to pick an egg out of the hen house...

Madison LOVED her field trip to the farm and is convinced she will someday own a farm of her own. She told me, "Mama, when you come to visit my farm I will teach you how to ride horses. We'll go riding together!" I love that precious girl. LOL,

Andrew Big Boy Haircut

Right around Andrew's 18 month half-birthday we took him to get his first haircut at Great Clips... He did great!!

He was SUCH a good little guy... I think he enjoyed all the attention ;)

Miss Diane did a great job cutting his hair and was so patient.

Being handsome is hard work

Andy Brooks is stylin'...

Posing for the camera

Big boy hair cut.. sniff sniff.

He looks like such a grown up boy now!!

Spring Days

Spring was in full force about a month ago, then March rolled in like a lion and we got a ton of heavy snow. It's been rainy today, a preview of our April Showers ;) One warm day we busted out the car and played outside...

Andrew LOVED the car, and didn't mind it was pink. 

Lindsay was just about too big for the car, and Madison had a blast driving Andrew around in it. He had to inspect the wheels and what's under the hood ;)

Lulu did some tree climbing

Maddie loves her baby brother

While Daddy was in Texas at his annual conference in early March, the kids and I had fun painting nails, having a pizza party and sleepover!  

Our "Top Chefs"

Their pizzas ended up looking like faces?

We made chocolate pudding in Gigi's pudding cups for dessert and the kids were pretty excited (and so was I).

In early February we discovered our daffodils were springing very early next to our house...then a bout of cold weather and snow got them. Hoping to see more in the coming weeks!

Andrew's been having fun playing "Mr. Fix It" in the play house...

And Madison celebrated Mardi Gras at preschool by making a fun mask and parading through the school!

Here's to hoping it's finally spring now that it is almost April, and there's no more snow. Especially when Daddy is out of town. LOL.

Swim Lessons

We began swim lessons through Lawrenceville Park and Recreation a couple weeks ago to get ready for summer. Since Nonna and Grandpa bought a house with a pool, the kids are determined to learn how to swim before the visit in June. They are doing great! 

Excited but a bit nervous...

 Paying close attention to the teachers instructions...

Lindsay paddling

Madison paddling...

 Their most favorite part of swim is at the end where they jump off the edge into the water!

Wee! Maddie jumps in!

Lindsay makes a splash!

Swim Girls Swim! You can do it! We'll be ready for summer and swimming with the cousins at Nonna and Grandpa's!

Jarrett's Birthday

Happy Birthday Daddy Bear! We celebrated J's birthday this year with a BBQ! Since Christmas he has been patiently waiting for the weather to cooperate for him to use his new meat smoker. Now, here in the north east we are still getting snow in early March, so it was a gamble. Since there was no precipitation, although it was COLD, we thought his birthday weekend was the best time for a relaxed BBQ feast celebrating our favorite nearing-over-the-hill guy ;) 

My Handsome Man xo

Mmmm Hickory Smoke...

Yum. Had a hard time waiting 5-6 hours for it to be done!

I was surprised we didn't have anyone drop in... it smelled GOOD in our neighborhood!

Us folks from CA tend to get BBQ'n confused with grilling out. This was indeed a real BBQ, and complete with Baby Back Ribs, Collard Greens & Bacon, Mac n' Cheese and Baked BBQ Beans. We had sweet tea and J wanted ice cream sundaes with homemade hot fudge, caramel and whip cream ;) 

Little Buddy loved the feast...

We love our Daddy!!

Our BBQ theme was complete with red checkered table cloth and blue bandanna napkins... the girls had so much fun coloring on the butcher paper their favorite memory with Daddy...

Madison: "Daddy takes me the best baths"

I helped out Andy a little bit

Lindsay: "I love camping with Daddy"

Happy Birthday, blow out your candles and make a wish!!

He had plenty of helpers to blow out his candles...

Presents time!! Thank you family for the wonderful cards and gifts!

Jarrett is THE BEST husband, father, son and friend. I cannot say enough of what a wonderful man he is, or how many peoples lives he has touched. A man of integrity and deep faith, he models with his life what it means to be a selfless leader. Happy Birthday My Love, I love you and had so much fun celebrating YOU and the day you were born!!  xoxox

Our Lucky Charms

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! 

Love, 

Madison (5), Andrew (17 mo) and Lindsay (7)