"Hoppy" Easter

Christine hates it when I don't give her proper credit for the pictures that SHE takes. So, for the record, Christine took the picture with the Easter Bunny, AND got paid for it. ***** Jalen Andrew wanted to know where the Easter Bunny went after Easter, so I told him that he went back to his rabbit hole. He thought about that for a minute, and then announced, "He would need a REALLY BIG hole!"

Not being content with the title "Four Eyes," Joseph opts for FIVE Eyes instead.

James went for very VIBRANT colors this year - both the eggs AND his fingers.

Jalen Andrew had a great time creating. He wanted to color every egg blue, and it took a lot of convincing to get him to share the blue coloring with his brothers.

Hide and seek is always fun - but especially with EGGS!

Holidays always bring out the creative side of Erik.

Easter Sunday. Handsome Boys & Beautiful Girls.

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE these children of mine?!

Jalen Andrew sure has his sisters wrapped around his finger.

That BIG grin is because Dad is home earlier than usual on a SUNDAY! And. . . because Jalen Andrew is a DADDY'S BOY!

It was a very nice Easter!

Some Things Are Just Too Tempting . . .

Some things are just TOO tempting - like climbing trees, and standing on something with working wheels, to get up in the tree . . . which results in . . .

a really NICE sprain - nothing broken - but very painful just the same. True to form, James simply dealt with the pain, REFUSING to let us look at his hand, or touch it. I had to resort to checking out the injury while he was sleeping, to which he yelled out in his sleep, "DON'T TOUCH ME! I CAN NEVER TRUST YOU TO NOT TOUCH MY HAND!"

Eventually we were able to get him to the doctor, and have x-rays done. He was told to wear his sling, until the swelling went down, but I think he only wore it long enough for us to take this picture. He wasn't a very cooperative patient. AND. . . Did he learn anything? Perhaps.

Within days of the swelling going down, he was back up in the trees. This time, however, he didn't use wheels to give him his boost up.

Keeping TRACK of Rebekah

Rebekah made the track team this year. She ran the relay, with three other girls, and their team came in 1st place at the first meet. The biggest compliment though came from her biggest fan - Jalen Andrew, who in a voice full of respect, told her, "Rebekah! You are fast!" Of course, he was no slacker either, as he patiently waited for the track meet to finish, so that he could RUN the ENTIRE track.

Life Just Keeps on Hoppin'

Christine's joined the working class - taking pictures for the Easter Bunny. We're really proud of her initiative, and her desire to work. And . . . her popularity went up ten fold with her two younger brothers!

11 Years & Counting

• J - Jolly smile, jolly laugh, and a Joy to have around

• O - Older, but still the same
• S - Silly and serious - but never at the same time
• E - Eager to learn about history & the world around him
• P - Pancake & waffle lover
• H - Helpful and kind

• Happy 11th Birthday, Joseph!
• I can't believe how old you have become!
• It still feels like just yesterday that we held you in our arms for the first time.

Congratulations on eleven full years of life - packed with emotion, learning, and discovery.

• You give to those around you, so much happiness, contentment, and acceptance.
• Your smile, your laugh, your hugs, and your love help others want to endure another day.
• Thanks for sharing the last 11 years with us, and here's to many more years to come!
• We love you!
• Happy Birthday, Joseph!

Season's Over

So the Ladies' Storm didn't make it as far as they wanted to this season, but that's okay!

They played hard, and it was so fun watching "my" girls play. Rebekah and Monique had a unique connection with each other, and did some amazing passes. And Rebekah hates it when I say this, but she has such beautiful lay ups!