Spring has sprung

Today, with help from Nana and Melissa, we tackled a variety of projects. We changed all the sheets on the beds. Then we headed out to the stores looking for frames for Trent's 3 CPA licenses. He has a fancy certificate from Texas, New York, and Connecticut. The funny thing is that New York's is 8.5 X 11, Texas' is 11 X 14, and Connecticut is 15 X 17. Why would the states all be different sizes???? And why would CT choose such a random size? I finally found frames and matte's that would work without having to order them custom.


Even though we had to drive to 4 different stores, I must say we had a little bit of "spring" in our step as we noticed yesterday that our forsythia had bloomed. In fact I had the kids sing this song in primary
I looked out the window and what did I see?
Forsythia blooming on my forsythia tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise.
Forsythia blooming right before my eyes.
I could take an armful and make a treat, a ball of yellow flowers that would smell so sweet.
It is really snow and it seems to me, soon we'll have popcorn on the apricot tree!!!!



and then today I noticed . . . my tulips have sprouted

and my daffodils!!!

Now if all the rest of the snow could melt away!

Here is Nana talking on the phone.

And Melissa playing with Owen.

But my favorite picture of the day was when Owen played Uno with the other kids. He even got "uno".



It was a nice day! Also, my brother and his wife had their baby today! Welcome to the world Molly!

When Nana, became Nana

We were the first of Trent's siblings to have a baby. Which means that Nana became "Nana" when Julianne was born. She was there to welcome her into the world almost 11 years ago.


I apparently don't have any digital photos of when Catherine was born, but Nana was there too! She even had to extend her trip because Catherine came 2 weeks late!

Here is Nana with Catherine.


Of course she made it when Madelyn was born!


And Adam!


And last but not least, Owen!


We sure love all her support and help with each baby! She always brings new fun activities for the kids (this time it is a new game called farkle!).

Fun Saturday

Today was a fun day with our company. We got up early and Trent and Melissa and the girls headed up to the church to clean the building with some other families in our ward. It was our assigned Saturday. While they were there, Nana and I and the little boys got the house in order. We all celebrated with Dunkin Donuts. Julianne made everyone lunch and then we all went to see Never say never, the Justin Bieber movie. Then we went to Barnes and noble where the kids got to spend a few gift cards they had -- as they wanted to buy many MANY more books than their gift cards could afford we then went to the library to get some more books.

Then we walked to Cherry Street East, a small little restaurant in our town. I entered a contest on facebook and won a $100 gift certificate to them just this week!

We came home and played Farkle, a fun dice game that Nana brought.

Back in the day

With Nana and Melissa here visiting there has been a lot of reminiscing going on. Our digital photo frame helps the memories along as it has 1000 photos randomly cycling through. This one photo elicited a lot of discussion. It was taken in June of 2004.


I was pregnant with Madelyn (very, very pregnant -- she was born in July). Our two older girls were already asleep. Heidi & Aaron, Valerie & Bryan, and Jennie & Russ had each just had their first babies. Jeff and Amber were either just dating or maybe they were already engaged? Melissa has super long hair and Becky is still in college!

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Nana and Melissa! We picked them up at the train station at 6:00 and came home for fish tacos (and chicken tacos). The kids are excited. We will be having some serious fun the next 5 days!!!!

Around the world

My parents and little brother are planning a HUGE around the world trip for this summer. When we left Houston, my mom gave the kids two map puzzles and I thought I would save them for while they were traveling and we could do the puzzle and follow them on their journey. But. . . my kids were missing Houston so much, I let them open the puzzles and they did one of them already. . . in one night. They were determined!

Missing Houston already

We flew home on Monday. Our children had so much fun and were quite tired from traveling, so that certainly contributed to their sobbing about how much they missed Houston. We had such a great trip! Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do for us! Thanks aunts and uncles and cousins! We miss you!