Warm Weather and Weddings!

Last week it was so warm that we got out the little pool. My pictures aren't that good, but I can tell you that the kids had a BALL! The water was cold, but there was no wind and lots of bright sunshine when they got in before and after lunch. The only way I could get them in for naptime, was to promise they could get back in when they woke up. However, later in the afternoon, the wind had picked up, and it was much more cloudy... but they were both determined to get back in. KatieLynn woke up from nap before Dean, and headed straight to the pool. She actually stayed in for 30 minutes, and Dean made it about 10, but I made them both hop out when they started to turn blue. :) LOL! Dean loves going down the slide.
My mom sent this little dress home with me last Tuesday; I think it was an Easter dress of mine from my Grandma Lacy. Anyway, it looked like it might fit KatieLynn, though we were both unsure if she would be interested as she generally only wears dresses to church, and even those dresses can't be too 'frooffy'. But as soon as she saw it, she asked me if it was my wedding dress? Then she ran to her room, changed her clothes into the dress and said that she was a bride. Then later she said she was going to the ball and got Prince Dean to dance with her.

Princess KatieLynn

Funny

KatieLynn: Lately we read the bible story of Jonah and the Whale, which we've read before and we watch the Jonah Veggietales movie, but when we read it this last time, KatieLynn had lots of questions and pondering. So a few days later Dean was doing something he wasn't supposed to, and I corrected him, KatieLynn told him that if he disobeyed he might get swallowed by a whale. And has since reminded him several times to not get into trouble unless he wanted to be swallowed by a whale! I was totally cracked up. :)

Dean: We've been talking to the kids about snakes a lot, since they're starting to come awake. And if they see one, to quickly get away and tell us. Then a few days ago, there was a copperhead close to the kids' sandpile that I killed with a shovel. The next day Dean ran up to me, saying 'snake, snake'. I grabbed a shovel and followed him. What I found was a gigantic and very furry caterpillar, but only 4" max. :) Relieved we watched him crawl around for a little while.

Hoppy Easter!

We had a great Easter weekend. Saturday morning we started early with an Easter party at our church. We ate pancakes, colored, played, and hunted eggs. We got home to get stuff together for lunch, then headed down the road to Darren's grandpa's house. The kids played with some of their cousins and then ate yummy steaks that Darren, Glenn, and Greg grilled. After lunch, the daddies hid eggs, and the kiddos had a large time hunting eggs again. Dean and Daddy went home to take a nap, while KatieLynn and I went to surprise Catherine (my friend who happens to be 8 1/2 months pregnant with her 2nd baby; her oldest, Hadley, just turned 3). KatieLynn hunted eggs for the 3rd time that day with Hadley and her cousins. Sunday morning we attended church, and then went to Brenham for Easter lunch and one more Easter egg hunt. It stormed pretty hard that morning, but the sun was shining by lunchtime, and we hunted eggs outside with no problem.
I don't know how I could talk about Easter without mentioning Jesus. It is unthinkable what Jesus went through those days before Easter, and I can't begin to imagine what his mother felt. All I know is how grateful I am that Jesus loved us all so much.

The kids pretend to read the hymnals while we visit after church.KatieLynn and Dean work on their coloring sheets at church Saturday morning.I don't have a picture of Dean with the Easter bunny, because he had absolutely no interest in getting very close. After KatieLynn sat with the bunny, he gave her a little cup and pencil, and Dean was interested in that... we tried to bribe him to pose with the bunny, but the best the Easter bunny got this year was a wave from Dean. The wave did get Dean the cup and pencil. :) KatieLynn was happy to sit with the bunny; she's not scared of muchDean would check out the eggs before he put them in his basket, and it didn't take long for him to drop his basket, and play on the playground equipment.KatieLynn filled her basket to the brim (Darren bought this longaberger basket on her first Easter, but we may need to get a bigger basket for next year).Cousins: Emma, Claire, KatieLynn, & Dean

Our Girl turns 4!!

This year, KatieLynn wanted an 'orange' birthday party. One of her favorite shows to watch is Strawberry Shortcake, and she really likes the girl named Orange Blossom, plus her favorite fruit to eat is oranges; she eats one nearly every night... anyway an orange-themed birthday party was what she picked so we did the best we could. On Saturday, we had close family and a couple of KatieLynn's favorite friends over to celebrate. The kids ate and played, then sang Happy Birthday, and ate and played some more. It was a fun party!

KatieLynn passes out some of her oranges to Claire, Emma, Dean, and Hadley.Monday, March 30, was the actual birthday, and KatieLynn chose to have lunch at Chuck E Cheese. The kids had a large time playing, climbing in the tunnels, and eating pizza, and I think even Darren had fun.While Dean will eat practically any dessert, KatieLynn is a little more pickey. She does love icing, but not a cake fan, and ice cream is one of her favorites. On her real birthday she asked for brownies and ice cream for dessert, so that's what we fixed.This past weekend, we went with Darren to haul hay to the cows. The kids loved playing on the trailer while Daddy loaded it up.While Daddy & Dean fed the hay to the cows, KatieLynn picked flowers and stacked up rocks. Special things

• KatieLynn is great about finding the silver lining in all things; even when she's in trouble, she can smile and say "but tomorrow I'll get to... :)"
• Before she goes to bed, she wants to snuggle with me between her bedtime story and kiss good-night.
• She remembers Everything!
• She's good about taking turns (though sometimes she very much prefers to have the 1st turn, she then gives away the next turn very quickly)
• She always includes Dean and wants to make sure he has what she does.
• She gives great hugs and kisses.
• KatieLynn is very confident, but also knows her limits, whether it's physical or social, and she stops when it's too much.
• She's a great eater! Queso and chips is her favorite (she is after all my daughter!), but also loves pizza and red meat. She likes practically every fruit, and is good about eating raw vegtables like tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and celery. Milk and water are her main beverages, but lemonade is her special drink.
• Playing outside is her alltime favorite: swinging, riding her pedal tractor and trike, jumping on trampoline, digging in the dirtpile, helping me in the flower beds, exploring the yard, hayfields, ricefields, riding tractors with Daddy
• Inside is fun too: Diecast Thomas and friends trains, dollhouse, taking care of babydolls, toy tractors & hay, painting, playdoh, reading books, play cooking and real cooking
• Favorite to watch on TV: Strawberry Shortcake, Thomas the Train, Sesame Street

I truly can't believe the little baby I brought home from the hospital 4 short years ago has grown into the sweet, young girl she is now. As soon as she was born, I loved her more than I could have ever imagined, but now we love her even more! God has blessed us so much! I pray that we will be Godly parents and good examples for both our kids.