Easter

I think we had a successful Easter this year. I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things a little more each day. I may not do my hair every day, but the kids are fed and clothed and more and more entertained as the transition to 3 kids continues. I didn't get around to doing everything I wanted to for Easter, but we did manage to have our passover meal, our Jerusalem dinner (foods that Jesus would have eaten), and lots of "devotionals" about the last week of Christ's life. On Saturday we dyed eggs and had multiple egg hunts in the backyard. The kids thought it was the best thing ever. In fact, it's the new cool game to play, even now that Easter has passed. Then they ate all their candy while watching a movie. On Sunday, they woke up to their Easter baskets and a new church outfit. Sometime during that next week, we visited Richie at work and all of his co-workers were asking the kids if the Easter Bunny visited their house. They said "nope!" in a very matter-of-fact tone. I don't think they really know who the Easter bunny is. I think I'm ok with that. :)I'm too lazy to put the pictures in any sort of order, but they're all here!

Lately...again!

When I look through the pictures on our camera, there isn't really any theme, just a bunch of random events strung together. So here's another compilation!

Uncle Jeff left on his mission to Slovakia a bit ago. Before he left, we made it to the new aquarium! We'll try and go again when it's not spring break. Ugh! So Crowded! Richie and I aren't big on lots of people (him especially) so I guess it shouldn't surprise me that not even half-way through our super-cool outing, the kids were asking to go home. It was a good last activity with Jeff, who (whom?) we're missing.


Miles and Gwen like to have car washes and doll baths in the kitchen sink. Usually, shirts come off because they get wet quickly. Usually, Gwen's bum is hanging out of her pants. (Can't seem to fix that problem) These pictures kinda "crack" me up. Ha!


Another big hit is Play-Doh. Always lots and lots of play-doh time. They get so creative with that stuff! Pictured here are their dinosaurs.


Is there anything better in the whole entire world than a sleeping baby? (Check out that red hair!)


Maybe an awake and smiling baby!? Lindy has an incredibly expressive face that keeps us laughing all day. Must be those "Garner" eyebrows.

Lately

Gwen LOVES getting dressed. Period. Whether it's dressing up as a princess/ballerina/cowgirl etc etc etc, or changing her clothes multiple times throughout the day. I told her to go get dressed one morning and this is how she came out. Plaid pants, striped shirt, and jean-flower jumper over it all. Love it.


We love our "Aunt Kenna". :) We get together for music time most Wednesdays and when she came to our house the other day, she had all sorts of rainbow activities, songs, and snacks to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Good thing she was on top of it because I didn't even think about it. On March 17th, I actually remembered it was St. Patrick's day at some point in the morning, but was too lazy to have the kids change into something green. Good thing the kids didn't seem to mind!


I had been wanting to get the kids some plain ol' wooden blocks for some time. When I researched their prices, I was astounded. Hundreds of dollars for wooden blocks? I don't think so. That's why I was so excited to find an old set in a random diaper box at the DI for $5! I saved them for Gwen's bday and both kids have already gotten hours of play out of them. I love seeing the things they build!


Sibling cuddles in the morning!


Conference was wonderful wasn't it? As usual, I'm looking forward to reading the talks so I catch more of them. During actual conference, my time is mostly devoted to keeping the kids entertained, hoping it's a positive experience for them. I'm grateful to Miles' primary teachers for providing fun worksheets for Miles to work on during conference, cause once again, I slacked off. We made conference necklaces (I see a tradition in the making). We've made these before for road trips, but they were a hit for conference as well. Check out the pattern Miles made. :) Love my Rag-a-muffin babies.


Oh yeah, check it out. Smile caught on camera! This was an accidental, in sleep, smile. However, she's now smiling on purpose and it's the best thing ever.

So glad it's time for this

The Clothesline Said So Much

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets
And towels on the line;
You'd see the company table clothes
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!

~ Author Unknown

Blessing Day

Normally, we would have waited a few months before blessing Miss Lindy. However, my parents were getting ready to leave on their mission to Latvia and we wanted to make sure my Dad was in the circle for the blessing. I hadn't thought that far in advance beforehand, so once we realized how soon my folks were leaving, we moved some things around to make it happen. It was the day after Gwen's 3rd birthday and the same Sunday as Uncle Jeffrey's farewell! (He leaves to Slovakia this Wednesday and we're going to miss him so much!) Lindy has only been around a month, but it's been an eventful one!
We were so glad the Garner boys, my Dad and Uncle Chris could stand in the circle to give our new addition her name and a blessing. We named her Lindy because it's our favorite dance (Lindy Hop) and was a major part of our courtship; June because we got married on June 26th, as did others in our family. She's growing into her name and is just the sweetest little baby. I feel like she's so big already, I have to keep reminding myself that she's still brand new.