Easter weekend

We had a really nice Easter weekend.  Thankfully Jake and I were feeling better (more on that next post) by the end of the week, when the festivities started.  I love that there are so many family oriented activities around us each holiday.

A few wards combined for play group and did a big Easter egg hunt for the kids.  I took 20 eggs earlier in the week (10 for each kid) to my friend and then each kid was allowed to find 10 eggs.  Brooklyn "got it" this year and quickly ran and found her 10.  Jake on the other hand would pick up one, open it, want to eat it, and get mad when I would pull him to find another :)

Reese and Brooklyn

Reese, Lexi, and Brooklyn after they found all their eggs.

The Saturday before Easter, Midwestern does a big Easter egg hunt (divided by age group).  They also have bounce houses, food, Easter crafts, and the Easter bunny comes.  This and Halloween are probably by two favorite holidays that Midwestern puts on for families. 

same thing here...Jake would open each one before moving on to the next.  I liked in his age group they didn't put any candy in their eggs...just little toys.

Brooklyn waiting patiently for her age group to go.

Brooklyn was so excited to see the Easter bunny and gave him a big hug when she sat down.  Jake, NOT a fan!  :)  John was trying to hold him down so I could grab a quick picture, but Jake fought and was outta there!! 

We dyed Easter eggs that night.  The kids loved it!  I love that they are old enough, especially Brooklyn, to get excited about traditions we do and remember them.

I love Jake's face - pure happiness.

The Easter bunny left them new pajamas on their beds (same as last year).

The kids were excited about their baskets and goodies the Easter bunny left them the next morning.  We have 9 o'clock church so it was a rushed morning, but they got to enjoy their stuff more once we got home.

These are the best before church pictures we could get...

My mom sent a little Easter egg hunt for the kids in the mail to do.  John hid them in our backyard and they loved finding them.  It made me laugh that they were disappointed when there was a dollar in the egg instead of candy....so I gladly took those :) 

We had friends and the sister missionaries over that night for dinner.  It was perfect weather so we ate in our backyard.  I did the ham, rolls, and deviled eggs...so only about 1/3 of the meal which was nice! 

March randoms

I need to catch up on my blog before baby #3 comes!  Hopefully only 2-3 weeks away!
March seemed to fly by!  These are all really random pictures taken from my phone, but here's what we did this month:

 left: 20 weeks / right: 26 weeks

found Brooklyn sleeping like this one night after I put her to bed

Brooklyn and her friend Lexi playing in our backyard

My friend Kayla put on a "princess" party for the girls - Brooklyn, Lexi, and Reese.  They had fun dressing up, coloring their own princess puzzle, dancing to "Let It Go" from Frozen, and playing with some new dollar store princess stuff.  We also painted our nails and had snacks.  It was a fun morning.

One of the many things I love about Arizona is all the parks.  There are tons of parks all around us, several in walking distance, and from November-April we go to the park almost daily.  We met friends at Sahuaro Park one day and took a picnic lunch.  I love that so many of my friends have kids my exact same ages.    

There are lots of little boys!  I don't think I'd consider Jake a "little" boy...he is definitely the oldest in this group. 

I found these 2 one morning in the bathroom - Brooklyn was insisting on doing Jake's hair and Jake was a good sport about it.

My friend Mandy and I took our kids to the train park one morning in Scottsdale.  There are two train parks pretty close to us, but I had never been to this one.  The kids had fun - there was a building with lots of trains on display, a carousel,  a train that went around the whole park (went on that twice) and a huge playground.  I want to go back with John next time he has a break.

on our way home from the park..

Brooklyn found this in our dress up box (size 12 month Halloween costume) and insisted she put it on.  After she put it on she excitedly said, "Mom!  It still fits!" :)  

play date with Reese

 30 weeks

Brooklyn hasn't napped for awhile, but some days will still fall asleep.  I was watching a show with her and she fell asleep in my lap - that never happens anymore!  

got to hold and pet a baby chick at preschool

I got to see baby girl's sweet face at my 3D ultrasound.  I think she looks just like her siblings, with chubby cheeks and big lips.  This was at 29 weeks. 

another random fell asleep in my arms picture

Jake is a good sport and lets Brooklyn do her thing to him.  This day she was "fixing" him with his tools.  Jake just laid there patiently.

John and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary on the 20th.  It is crazy that it's only been 4 years!  I feel like we have been together forever!  He surprised me with flowers, cookies, and a card.  My brother Mike flew in that day too and watched the kids so we could go to our favorite restaurant Oregano's for dinner.

They love Uncle Mike!

We got everything at dinner - drinks, a salad, appetizer, pizza, and the best dessert EVER...a pazookie...yummm!!  We were SO FULL but it was so good and so worth it.  Plus we came home with a ton of leftovers.  

We were supposed to go to a spring training game with Mike and my cousin Camille, Mike, and Vinnie, but I was dumb and not thinking to buy tickets beforehand.  We drove to the stadium, paid for parking, and it was completely sold out.  I couldn't believe it and felt so bad that Mike didn't get to go to a game.  But next year....we will go to TWO when he comes down.  Since the game was sold out we went and ate at Smash Burger and let the kids walk around for awhile.

cute Vinnie

 

We bought bunk beds with our tax return and Mike was nice enough to put them together!  I love them.  The top is a twin size and the bottom is a full.  Brooklyn has been sleeping on the bottom since we put them up.