Easter

Our Easter was rather unplanned this year. Jon and I had left the kids at my parents so we could have a weekend to ourselves (more about that on my other blog). We picked the kids up on Sunday morning and returned home. So the whole hunting for eggs was a serious after thought. Thankfully I'd purchased some things and stored them in my closet several months before.

Due to the rain we had the egg hunt in the library.

I didn't fill as many eggs as I normally did because I didn't have enough things and there wasn't a ton of room in the library. So I gave the kids some extras in the bottom of their bags.
This is the thing they were most excited about. Gum!!!

I don't think it lasted the week. But they enjoyed it, so that's what counts.

Just a random picture. Some high school friends came to Nashville for some meetings and were able to come spend the night at our house. The kids took advantage and had Uncle Rodney reading them stories.

Sabbath Afternoon Fun

Another blog found in drafts. Sigh! I'm SO forgetful.

This last Sabbath Jon and I almost had an upset that turned out to be a really great thing.

I was talking to one friend and agreeing to lunch at their house while Jon was talking to another friend and agreeing to supper with them. Thankfully it was for different meals. As it was the day was very busy, but so much fun. We started out at some friends property with a picnic and bonfire.

Caitlin was cold at first.

Our crazy boy and a friend climbing the rocks on the other side of the creek.

Our bonfire

Chilling out before our rides

Dominic was a bit apprehensive about being in the atv. But I knew that once he got over being scared he would love it. Sure enough he kept asking to go. I think he went about five times before we had to leave.

My grown-up, mature friends playing with fire. =)

The copy cats

The chip stealers

We left the lunch bonfire and went to our supper bonfire.

I didn't take as many pictures because it was getting dark, but we had as much fun.

It was a fun and crazy day. I'm so glad that we didn't overlap our bonfires, because I wouldn't have wanted to miss either one.

Whirlwind Trip

I still have a rental house in NC, so this last weekend we made a whirlwind trip to go do an inspection on it. We had intended to fly, but when I heard how much money it was going to cost I convinced Jon to drive so I could put that towards getting my hardwood floors. I'm sure that he would rather have flown, especially after several hours of Dominic crying because he was getting a cold and couldn't breath.

The moon was huge driving through Knoxville. Pictures aren't great since we were driving.

 

We left after Jon got off work on Friday and arrived at 3am Saturday morning. The kids were awake by 6:30am. We headed to church and then spent the day running around trying to spend a little time with everyone we had been missing. I'm usually really good about taking pictures and this time I forgot every time, except at the park and when we met Michelle at 37th Street.

Caitlin pushing Jon on the merry-go-round.

Caitlin really enjoyed riding as well.

Dominic got a bit queasy after a few turns.

 Jon took some great pictures of the kids on the swings.

 

I love this picture of Caitlin.

Dominic and Adelae are so cute together.

 

I just love this little guy. He's so precious. And always happy (although his mom might not agree).

We woke up on Sunday morning and went to the rental house to do the inspection. Then we met a few more friends and headed home.

I took these pictures while the sun was setting. We were on the way home and had stopped to eat.

 

 

For some reason Caitlin wanted to hold my hand when she was going to sleep. She only wants to do this when she falls asleep in the car. My arm was going to sleep and so I told Dominic to hold her hand.

It was a crazy fast trip, but it was so nice to see everyone that we had been missing and even meet a new little guy who was born on Friday. We had fun, but are glad to be home again.

Labor Day weekend

Since we closed on the house on Wednesday afternoon Jon took Thursday and Friday off. It worked out wonderfully because the weekend was Labor Day weekend.

We worked really hard on Thursday and Friday so we could play the next two days. Then Monday it was back to work again.

Sabbath afternoon we headed south to check out another waterfall we'd heard about.

We will definitely be back to hike to the bottom. 

The kids really enjoyed watching the waterfall so I know they'll love being at the bottom.

The views from on top of the mountain were amazing.

On Sunday we headed to Knoxville. Some friends of ours had invited us to go out on their boat and watch the fireworks on Boomsday.

Caitlin wasn't sure about her life jacket. It made her really hot.

Michelle and Jack.

Jon and I enjoying the day.

The kids were looking out the porthole. Granny Pat was a great "grandma for day" (her words) and the kids loved her. She looked like she was enjoying them as well.

 Caitlin had several bug bites from here at the house and then she fell on the boat. She looks pretty rough.

The kids enjoying supper. Dominic was bugging Adelae.

Caitlin looking at the picture Mr. Brent took of her.

The picture is super blurry. But I love it because the kids were being so sweet. Michelle and I kept talking about how great our kids were behaving.

The views from the boat were amazing. 

When the fireworks started up it was unbelievable. I have seen fireworks here in the States and in Canada and I've never seen fireworks like these. It was truly amazing. I just wish my camera had been good enough to pick up the colors. The music on the radio was cued to go with the fireworks.

These fireworks were cascading from the bottom of the bridge.

It was late and Jack couldn't stay awake. I couldn't believe that he fell asleep with all of that noise.

Dominic LOVED the fireworks. He kept singing, dancing and shouting. Once he turned to me and said "Mom, the fireworks are messing up the sky." 

He wanted to watch more fireworks the next day. It was an amazing day spent with good friends.

It must have been exhausting being so good. The kids fell asleep before we even left the parking lot.

Brent had a great camera so Michelle said she would send me copies. I'll post more pictures when I get them.

Random stuff

This is my new necklace. I'm not a jewelry person, but I saw this on a blog I was reading and had to check out the website. Since I sing You are My Sunshine to the kids all the time I thought it was cute.

Caitlin was really enjoying Sabbath School yesterday, but she wasn't being very nice to her little Moses. Not sure she'd make a good big sister. =) We went over to the Clarks for supper and a bonfire last night and the kids all piled in the hammock with Jon Clark. Poor guy!