Easter 2014

I know, I am soooo behind on this post, but what better time then now.... I can't wait until next year, right? Alright, so with that lets see if I can bring back some of these memories from Easter (I know it was only a few months ago, but I do have two kids).

The community center on base was offering some fun free activities, and for us military; free is our life! We headed over early in the day, and began by making some picture frames with the kids.

This was his finished picture frame.

 They even had a bunny on hand, to take photos with; or in our case, traumatize our oldest son some more.

Once we calmed him down, we let him run crazy and do his first Easter egg hunt. He loved that!!!

They even had some giveaways, so the kids played while we waited to see if we won anything... uh, nope!

We had baskets ready for the kids to open the next morning, and boy did they love them. I always think that you should go all out for each holiday, but I find that they really don't NEED more toys, or more candy. So, instead we did very little candy and one gift. In the end I am glad we did, because our family ended up sending them stuff as well.

 

When the kids finally were awake, they couldn't believe their eyes, which made us happy to see them so excited.

Our oldest loved the Easter egg hunt, that we thought we should let him run around our yard and gather some more. Boy did he go crazy!!

Taking a moment to enjoy his goodies.

 It was a great Easter this year, and it was an amazing 1st Easter for our youngest. I hope each year is just as amazing, fun, and full of excitement. 

Happy Late Easter,

Sarah

Easter With Grandma

I absolutely love having family and friends come to visit us. I am a huge hostess of the mostess... yeah. Uh, moving on.... I love showing people all the cool places we have discovered and or finding new places to discover together. When Easter had come around we had only been in Northern California for about 6 or so months. We had discovered a few places and really wanted to take my mom to them all. My mom has come to visit before, during thanksgiving; but we have since found a few other places to discover.

We started our adventure for the week at a new sushi restaurant. We haven't been to one here yet, and my mom was up for some sushi, as we both always are! She of course came with gifts for the kids, and they absolutely loved them! Fake food, and a puzzle... kept the kids completely happy.

Playing with his fake food.

Testing out the puzzle.

 Another place that we discovered and love, is the train museum in old Sacramento. Both our boys absolutely LOVE trains, and can never have too much train time. We purchased train museum passes when we took my mother to the museum that day. I think our kids were happy about that, as you can see it on their faces.

Playing with the toy trains.

Well, what holiday isn't complete without the traumatic photos! Of course my mother and I spent a few hours at the local mall, waiting to see the Easter Bunny. Both boys were not exactly excited to see him, but at the same time, they at least sat long enough for us to get a decent picture.

One thing we did do last time my mother was here was the Jelly Belly Factory. We had so much fun, and the kids loved the tour, not to mention all the free candy. So, of course we had to go back, and our neighbor and her two daughters came with us. It was a holiday week, so the line was kind of long, but totally worth it in the end.

Watching the chocolatiers.

 ... and why not try another creepy Easter bunny photo... Well, at least one of them is starting to like the Easter Bunny.

Finishing my mothers trip off with Easter Egg coloring. It was full of excitement and thrill. Brian wanted to eat one of the eggs, so I pealed one, and then next thing we knew he threw the egg into the food coloring. It was a hilarious moment.

This is the egg that I cracked open for him to eat, but ended up coloring it instead!

 When the week was over and my mom was headed home, we all kind of felt a mix of these emotions:

Don't Go MOM!!!!
Sarah

April Giving Thanks, Week 3

April 15:
     Having my mother here with us, shopping, and talking, and everything normal that the rest of the world does; thats what I am so thankful for and very much so enjoying. Love my MOM!

April 16:
     The yearly photos with the Easter Bunny, oh how I LOVE this part of being a parent! Thankful for these moments of "torture" (for the kids in one way or another), and the yearly picture of development/growth for us, and future reference (for all those girlfriends and future wife). Yes, I am giggling at this moment.....

April 17:
     Another fun filled day with family and friends all at the Jelly Belly Factory! A tour, another Easter Bunny photo and lots of candy; what a blessed day to be thankful for.

April 18:
     My mother has left, and my eyes are full of tears, and the boys seem just as sad. However, in all of this we were in the car running an errand and my oldest started making a funny noise. I look back at him and asked him who taught him, but he wouldn't say.... ill let you in on the true answer, it was my mother! Thankful, that even when she isn't with us, the boys still are influenced by her. My heart is heavy, but I am still smiling.

April 19:
     Brian had his first ever Easter Egg hunt! I am so thankful that he caught on, and LOVED it!!! His face was full of excitement and joy. I just wish I had taken a video of him!

April 20:
     Jared's first Easter. I am thankful that we could celebrate together, as a family, and attempt to enjoy every second of today.

April 21:
     Spent the morning in urgent care. Yeah, not really a lot to be thankful for, since the boys and I are all diagnosed with Strep Throat. The boys are miserable, I am miserable, and thats where our Prince on a white horse shows up. The hubby to the rescue!! Thankful that he had a short day at work, was able to come home, let me nap while the kids napped, made dinner, helped get the kids to bed, and then sent me off to enjoy a hot bath.... oh so thankful today.... sooooo thankful!

Give Thanks,
Sarah