Trampoline Fun

The kids love to jump on the trampoline in Grandpa's yard.

 I got some great pictures of Emmalee jumping.

I'm not sure how Zane's able to read with all the bouncing, but he did.

I love her hair!

 Emmalee was having such a good time, she didn't want to let Ben have a turn.

He tried, but Emmalee bounced too high.

 So Brienna finally had to hold Emmalee so Ben could have a turn.

 He had a fun time!

 Until I told him it was time to go inside.

Pig-Weigh In

We were a little nervous at the thought of trying to move the pigs...

 and at the thought of the pigs getting loose.  Or having to try to pick them up because they didn't want to get into the trailer/out of the trailer/out of the pen/into the pen.

 But all those worries were for nothing--because once we were ready & opened the gate...the pigs 

 just walked right out of the pen, into the trailer.

 And then out of the trailer onto the weighing trailer.

 They did wiggle just a little when they had to get their ear tagged (but then again--none of us girls have ever had an ear pierce either!!)  {giggle, giggle}

 Everyone had fun (even with the November-like north winds) watching & helping with the pigs.

 Callum's was a whopping 135 pounds.  And Zane's was 85 (or it might have been 95--I can't remember & no one is here to ask).

 When we got home, Rusty opened the trailer door,

 and

 they just walked right out of the trailer

 and into their pen.

 No squealing, or fighting them.

 I guess it helps to have Emmalee & Benjamin always trying to pet them & right by the pen talking to them.

 They are right on track for a good weigh in a few months.

Chilly Weekend

The wind was not kind last week.  The wind blew our antenna & broke a wire.  So Rusty needs to buy a part to replace it.  The kids are really missing our PBS channels.

Friday was 4-H pig weigh-in.

 So Rusty made a corridor so we could load the pigs into the Grover's trailer.  (The Grover's are the pig 4-H leaders.)

 

 Emmalee had fun crawling around.  (notice how bundled up everyone was--the wind was a very cold north wind!)

 Ben

 playing in the utility trailer

 Emmalee--"smile"

don't fall, Ben!!

It was overnight scrapbooking this past weekend!

Although I don't spend the night, I do get a lot of pictures scrap-booked!

 and this weekend I finished over 140 pictures.  I scrapbooked about 3-5 months for each child.

If I did this more often, I would be closer to being "caught up"--but I'm still about 3 years behind.

Maybe that is why I was so tired--20 hours of scrapbooking!  I really wish I could do this more often, but I don't have a place to spread out at my house.

Oops--I was Wrong!

We had snow flurries last night and a cold north/northwest wind this morning.

My walk this morning (at 9:45) was anything but warm.  The kids (Emmalee & Ben) were under the blanket most of the walk.  I could have used another layer or 2, gloves, earmuffs, and a coat (instead of a jacket)!  BRRRRR!

(Ethan had snow on the ground this morning)

Spring?

It finally felt a little more like spring this morning.  It was in the high 40's, very little wind, and a bit of sunshine.  My walk was gorgeous this morning.

Sunshine

Although there is lots of sunshine this morning, it is only 22 degrees outside-----but feels like 13.  That is just a bit too chilly to go on a walk.  I'll wait to see if it warms up any!  (At least above freezing!)

BTW  (By The Way)--it's 71 degrees at my sister's place in Pennsylvania    :P

Not Waiting for Spring

I keep waiting for warmer weather to go on walks with Benjamin. 

 Not leisure walks--but walks for exercising.  And I like to exercise in the morning--after the kids go to school.

So I decided not to wait for spring and go on my walk.  I got 10 steps from the house and turned around to get a blanket, a hat, gloves and ear muffs (for me).  And I'm glad I did!  It was a chilly morning walk.  But it felt good to be walking again.  

Easter Morning

Easter Morning--early, early morning!

 Ethan told me that the Easter Bunny skipped his apartment, but that's only because he left his basket at our house!  (and he filled it up here!)

 Benjamin was thrilled to find candy so early in the morning!

 He wasted no time eating a piece (or 2 or 3!)

 Emmalee found a Barbie Fairytopia movie in her basket.

 Brienna was still waking up.

 Bubbles!

 Finding the 100 (yes--100) eggs the Easter bunny hid for us.

I had to leave for an early-morning meeting before #99 & 100 were found, but they found them all!  (and no--we did not hid "real" eggs.  never have & never will!)

Easter--part 3 (Coloring Eggs)

Every year we have been coloring Easter eggs.  

 Rusty & I first colored eggs together for Easter of 1990 (with my roommates) & we haven't missed a year.

 Aunt Pamela taking pictures

 But of the 21 years we have been coloring eggs, this is the first year we attempted to color fresh (brown) eggs.  (Rusty's dad raises chickens & since he lives behind us, we have a steady supply of fresh eggs)

 We boiled 3 dozen eggs (I tried to pick the lightest colored ones) & went to putting them in the dye.

 Emmalee did it by herself.

 Hey--there I am helping out (rarely am I in the pictures since I am usually the one taking them!)

 Ben trying to be as independent as possible!

 Ta-da!!!  His cowboy egg.  He dropped it at least 3 times while I tried to get a picture.  Then the last drop required removal of the shell--& he ate it.

 Here are the results of our egg-dying.  We all loved the unique colors!

Happy Easter!