gift basket

This was something I put together for Dave's administrative assistant:

It contained pineapple, raspberry jam, pistachios, almonds,
peanuts, kiwis, mangoes, oranges, red velvet cookies,
chocolate coconut cookies, banana 10 grain muffins and raisin bran muffins. 

weber

Hair

Today was the big 
hair cut day for Cecilia.  
8 inches cut off!  

New hair style!

The french braid

I can French braid!

swing baby

 Here are some pictures I snapped of Monica at our picnic.  

I thought they turned out well.

Hottest day all year

 On Sunday, it got up to 80F, which was so nice!  We took the kids to the park for a picnic and then ice cream after.  Here is Jack, Cece and Dave enjoying the sun.

Time to clean the patio furniture

 

First Ice Cream of Summer

After our picnic in the park we got ice cream.  I think this picture says it all.

Water spill

This is what Monica wore home from church
last night.  I thought I had a change of clothes
but no.  She spilled ice water on her dress and all
I had to change her into was her shrug sweater.
I don't think she really minded.

T

at the fort

We took advantage of the free day at the fort.  The kids loved the wolf pelt and the cannons the most. 

Quadrilla

This is Jack.  He made is first rail

 and marble set all on his own!

Fort building

Some rainy days get the better of you 
and you say yes to any activity your
 children propose that doesn't involve 
electronics.
Here is a fort made out of the 
living couch cushions and pillows.

Orchids in Bloom

During the early part of our marriage,
 I was banned from the plants.  
Why, you might ask?  I was a plant killer; 
over-water, under-water, 
never fertilize, etc...


It is so exciting that our orchids came back
after their dormant period (about 6 months),
just as we were about to give up
on them when they bloomed!
Dave took the photos.

cheese flower

This was a fun snack for the kids.  
Dave was shocked when he found
 the Easy Cheese in the house.  
But I needed it for a recipe and 
now we have most of the can left.  
Here is what I did with it yesterday!

It a cheese flower with pretzels!

Big Bear House

There is a house we are looking at buying (if the price is right).  The kids really like the house because there is a giant statue of a bear in the front yard carved from the tree that used to be there.  After 45 minutes of trying Jack scaled up the trunk and stood by "Smokey".  Smokey is the bear name of course!

Morning walk

Monica and I took advantage of the sunshine and went for a 3.75 Mile (6.1K)  walk.  She was so ready for a nap after all that fresh air.

Jack's Easter Egg Sack

This was a craft Jack worked on Monday at school.  I was helping in both classrooms and forgot how much I missed it.

egg yolk cake

What do you do with 12 egg yolks (1 cup) leftover from making angel food cake?
This Gold Cake by Carol

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8 inch round pans.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
Cream butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add egg yolks and vanilla; beat until fluffy. Add milk to butter mixture in 2 parts alternately with flour mixture in 3 parts, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spread in prepared pans.
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean. 

I put a vanilla buttercream on top, but it is such a rich cake you can eat it plain!

Easter Dinner

Boneless leg of lamb off the grill.

Angel Food Cake

a sunny day

Love when we can get the kids outside!

Relaxing in an upside down kid slide...

Happy Easter 2012

This is our Easter 2012.
Beautiful sunshine, 
 a visit from the bunny
Cecilia singing at mass, and 
 Easter egg hunt at Church...

Cecilia's basket

Monica's basket

Jack's basket

"Just give me the candy and no one gets hurt."

"There is more candy now, right?"

Go!

In Easter finery

My view

This is alot of what I have been seeing since I have been home.
Monica is NOT happy unless I am holding her.

My Mom went to Florida...

A shark and pirate shirt for Jack

 and all I got 

was this t-shirt!

Butterflies for Cece

And flamingos and alligators for Monica

Easter treats