spring?

spring has sprung....we think, we hope, we believe....maybe, just maybe it's finally here.

  

  here's to bubble blowing and parks and climbing new play structures and swings and the sun's warmth on rosy cheeks and birds chirping as they busy themselves with nest building on window sills.  here's to shedding coats and socks and cool bare feet and outdoor fun.  here's to longer days and baseball and windows cracked open.  here's to firing up the grill, tucking away winter mittens and pulling on those summer shorts to reveal bare white legs....

easily my favourite season....

spring, we welcome you!  we nearly gave up on you, but alas you came....

these two

these two have something cute...little miss H talks about Adam all through the day when he's at school.  she mentions his name to cashiers in the stores we shop at, she picks out boys at Layla's badminton tournament who have brown hair, points her little index finger and excitedly says "Adam!!"

she loves to be silly with him and she's quick with hugs for him too.  

it's a pretty sweet bond these two share.  just a bit heartwarming, i thought.

and heartwarming is good on a snowy, brisk April day, right?  

bridge awesomeness!

recently AJ and his classmates, specifically his engineering team :), were selected to have their constructed Popsicle-stick-bridge entered in a competition at the local mall.  the purpose was to have bridges from all over the county, designed by kids in elementary school, tested for their structural ability to withstand pressure and a constant force or pull applied.  

AJ's whole group showed up that Saturday morning to watch the testing unfold (although one boy is missing from the picture).  their bridge finished eighth overall, out of many others (wish i knew how many entries were in his category...oops).  it was impressive, and hopefully it planted a few seeds in young boys who may just pursue engineering further one day!

awesome job guys! :)

isn't she talented?

love Layla's chalkboard creations....

just in time for Easter.

thanks Layla....love your finished work!  love the verse too!

i'd call it beautiful truth, right there...

the win

another season, and another win for these guys...not so much because of the gigantic cup they hold but more because of another season of playing hockey together~ father and son, uncle and nephew, and cousins, all on the same team....not sure how many more years this will happen, so here is a memory worth noting i'd say.

love these three!! 

sunshine

so, a few Florida vacation pictures must be posted here~ especially this year, as it was a bit unique compared to previous spring break trips.  i miss the sunny warm south and i don't want to forget this gift of time away...

once again, Florida was b-eau-ti-ful!!!!  the dolphins, the ocean, the sunsets, the crazy diving pelicans, the smiles on the faces of my kids and the little girls who vacationed with us, the visits with grandparents, the sight of my hard-working husband sprawled on the couch, snoring like a rested man...there's really just something about it.  so grateful!

this boy, getting his beauty sleep to be fully rested for daytime shenanigans...

actually, he really had a great week.

the cold-loving northern girls were quite happy in the warm Florida sun and spent hours at play...was delightful to see...

the digging, the castles, the breeze, the swimming~ the falling 

asleep at the supper table, repeatedly. :)

miss princess being carried back to the condo.  she was really into that mode of transportation.  

my kids are so awesome with these two.

when your grandma who you haven't seen for two months shows up with so many fresh strawberries~ and whipped cream!!!

shuffleboard~ a first, why not??  Hudson's got the look of "i'm a pro!"

E&H loved Adam's pool antics, the wilder and crazier the better.  

i adore this boy's sweet side.  

an afternoon siesta, under a palm tree...on top of small stones as well, mind you, but she slept like a baby...which isn't that far off for her i guess!

Lay and E., strolling along the pier, on our last evening there...

that sun...blazing and beautiful and so refreshing for the soul...

having these two sisters this year was only added fun.  there was the twelve-seater van adventure, the dance parties, the supper table hilarity, and mostly the joy of seeing the trip through the wonder of a small child.  pretty special! we will never forget Florida 2018 and all that E&H brought with it...

i love every single adventure experienced with this guy~ big or small, he makes it especially fun...

hmm...so thankful!

official mail

i've mentioned Hannah's university and college admissions steadily trickling in.  her top pick has always been Western.  it is still the front-runner even though she's waiting to hear back from all schools before accepting...
the official offer arrived yesterday.

for Hannah this has been a long time coming.  it hasn't been easy, and her relief is palpable...we are so happy for her to be moving forward as she'd hoped!!

she's going to be an excellent nurse, such a great career~ the perfect fit for her personality and gifts...
wasn't it just yesterday she was crying over spilled milk on the hardwood or sleepwalking through the kitchen or dressing up in whatever get-up Joelle would make her put on (she almost always had to wear the western cowgirl theme while Joelle would come up in glittery pink or purple~ the crown, the heels, the boa...not fair, but Hannah tolerated it), or heading to Ardene's for yet another headband or playing chalk on the driveway?!?  how is this even real?  love you more than you know, Hannah Renee...