The kids & I were able to head out to Lynn Center to spend time with our friends Kari & baby Amy. Kari & Brad have done a lot of work to their house and we were anxious to see it. It was also a beautiful day to get pictures of the girls in their Little House dresses. After spending some time with Kari, we headed to Grandma Barman's in Woodhull. We haven't seen her since Christmas so it was nice to see her again. Matt is on call today and he called to say he was going to be late...so I fixed a "picnic" lunch for the kids and we headed out to the backyard. We ended the day with a game of tag in the backyard. It was a fun day.

No...This is NOT chocolate...

Yes...I will use it against her when she gets older...

Surprise in the Silverware Drawer

I had a nice surprise awaiting me in the silverware drawer when I went to start dinner last night. Maddie & Will had been playing in the kitchen while I was in the basement. I put them down for a late nap and started dinner. I had a good chuckle when I opened the drawer. They even added utensils from other drawers!

Meeting Barbie

I took the girls to Farm & Fleet last weekend for their grand re-opening. Guess who was there - Barbie!!! Alex decided that she didn't want her picture with Barbie while Katie ran right up to her. Once Alex looked at Katie's picture (and we were half way across the store!), she decided that she would like her picture with Barbie too.

Anne of Green Gables

After I did Katie's hair this morning, she put on her favorite hat. Matt told her that she looked like Anne of Green Gables. We have told her about this book, but have never watched the movies with her. She disappeared for a few minutes and then came back with a Anne of Green Gables book. Here is the picture of the "Anne twins".

The Good Night Dance

When we say goodnight to Will & Maddie we wave with both hands and blow kisses to them. Will has started to wave with both hands and than starts dancing. We wonder if he will be dancing like this in a few years. We watched a home movie last week and Katie was dancing exactly the same as she does now. Can say that they come by it honestly...Matt & I have no rhythm!

A small but HUGE blessing

I buy a package of night diapers for Maddie every month. They are expensive, but SOOO worth it! It only takes a few mornings of changing sheets and washing pajamas that are soaked through to realize how good the night diapers are! I went to buy them last night - I have to pay $10 for 31 diapers. I normally buy the generic brand for $13.xx (92 diapers). Even though I love them, I still gulp at paying $10! I use a coupon for $1.50. I was picking up the package from the shelf when I noticed a $2.00 Target coupon sitting on the shelf (all by itself!). I was able to use the Target coupon and the manufacturer coupon to make the total $6.50! If you ever hear someone say that God doesn't care about this thing or that...tell them that they are WRONG! I was ready to pay the $10 and found a coupon (that I had just gotten in the mail that day from Grandma Phyllis!) and then found the Target coupon on the shelf! Little things lead to big faith!

Jumping Beans, I mean Twins!

We don't do this often, but when we do...they go crazy (as you will see!).

All Dressed Up...Nowhere To Go

We had another BEAUTIFUL day here in the QC! We headed to the zoo and enjoyed our day very much! After arriving home, I found Maddie walking around with my sunglasses & keys. She looked so grown up!

Rockford Anniversary Trip

Bridge over Rock River - notice the submerged trees. All of the rivers, streams were flooded.

Here is a sign from Atwood Outdoor Educ. Center.

Waterfall is from Alpine Park.

April 10th was our 9 year anniversary. It is amazing to look back on the past 9 years and look at what God has brought us through, what He has provided for us and the many blessings. About a month ago, Matt & I decided to get away for a much needed anniversary trip. Matt has been working 3 out of 4 weeks on call the past 3 months and he needed a break. I, on the other hand, am always ready for a break! The idea of going to a store or a restaurant without 4 kids in tow is heavenly!

We left for Rockford on Thursday morning after dropping the kids off at Mom & Dad's. Even with MUCH rain, wind and cold, we found 17 letterboxes in the 2 days. It was a good time together for both of us and some much needed R&R for us also. A big thanks to our Rockford Letterboxing friends for all of the help you provided and meeting up with us & to Mom & Dad for making this happen for us.

Trail Rider (Chris), Hartx6 (Matt) & NamVet (Russ)

Awana

Awana ended for the year last Tuesday. They had an awards night and a small reception afterwards. The girls love this program so much as do we! It is such a wonderful program and it is placing God's Word on their hearts. Matt & I will miss our "date / errands" night over the summer...but look forward to another year down the road when Maddie & Will will be in Awana too!

Skipping & Scooting

Maddie & Will were finally able to get out of the van today to do some running around...and they were thrilled! Poor Will wiped out (no thanks to Mom) and after that, he seemed to scoot down hills, stairs and ramps rather than walk. You will see in the pictures that he got quite a few bumps on his face and than the one with him scooting down the ramp backwards on his knees. It was rather comical.

Maddie Skipping/Running down the hill - something so innocent about this!

Poor Will - lots of bumps & bruises from falling in the rocks.

A Beautiful Day

We are FINALLY having some beautiful Spring weather. We have been attending Saturday night service for church so our Sundays are now our Saturdays! We headed out to Scott County Park today to find our last letterbox in the Quad Cities. We stopped at Buffalo Bill's Homestead and the Walnut Grove Pioneer Village also. It was so nice to get all of the kids out at each stop and let them run around! A big thanks to Wisconsin Hiker & Martini Man for placing the box on a "stroller friendly" trail. We appreciate that!