Snow. Finally!

Lola has never been out in a real snow.

That may seem hard to believe, but for some reason, our little corner of the world has had two very mild winters in a row. So, she hasn't made it out this year OR last year (and of course, the year before that wasn't even walking yet!)

When we got just a few precious inches yesterday, and a snow day from school to boot, you can bet we jumped on the opportunity to take advantage of it!

Lolee girl was so excited to get all suited up and play in the white stuff. 

She had so many layers on, she could hardly move!

We took a jaunt out to a local Forest Preserve, and found out 

hey--families of deer like the snow too! We counted 12!

We enjoyed sitting and watching them for awhile. They came so close!

But then...the hills were calling our name. Out came the sleds!

As much as the boys went down the hill, this was the first year there was 

NO complaining about coming back up! They truly are growing up....*sniff*....

Even Grandma Jane came along....

....and went down a few times herself!

Lola took turns with a few of us, but DADDY was definitely her favorite "passenger". 

She was pretty unsure her first time down (her very first time ever!)....

....but was very brave--even put her hands up! *grin*

She LOVED it!

Both gave Mommy a great smile when they got back up.

A picture I will treasure for a long time, I'm sure.

Since I'm behind the camera so much, I don't usually get to be in photos...but Shane took his 

turn snapping, and I got a gem of Lolee and I whooshing down the hill. I love this one!

 We had a few of these.....

....and these....

....and these....

....but mostly, there were just these.

Smiles.

Such a wonderful adventure....

....and once again, I feel blessed to have a day like this in the books!

Mother's Day

This year was a very special Mother's Day for me.

I woke up to Colin's "card"--letters that he individually drew 

and cut out himself, then displayed on our dining room table *grin*

And Cameron's card that he made me in school. He also gave me a flower that they planted in class!

(Have I said how much I love his teacher?)

It read, "I love you because you love me." I'll take it. :)

After a wonderful morning spent with my church friends and family, Shane took our family and my mom out to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant.  It was truly lovely not having to cook or clean up.  I love love love going out to eat.

Reasons #1-5 why I am the most blessed mother alive:

#1

Numbers 2, 3, and 4

And at the left end, number 5!

God has blessed me with a wonderful mother and the opportunity to be a mother to four amazing little people. All else aside--what could make Mother's Day any better than that?

Our Easter

Our Easter was very special and fun this year. We started the day very early for our church's sunrise service (6 a.m.!) and then a breakfast after; then we came home, changed clothes, and headed back to church for our morning service and cantata.

First, though--we had to snap a few precious pictures!

Grandma Jane and the littles (who, by the way, 

I am soon going to have to find a new nickname for--they are not so little anymore....)

Our Easter photo--always a favorite!

Colin and Lo, being silly for Mommy

After church, we headed back to our house for some fun.

Grandma Jane with Ethan

Grandma had some "special" eggs for the kids, and Daddy took a few minutes to find some good hiding places outside. Or--so he thought. Ethan found his in like 10 seconds....

....and he was, as you can plainly see, extremely excited!!

Col looked everywhere....

....as did Cam!

 His wasn't here....

...but he did spot his sisters.

Ethan helped Lo find hers....

....for which, she was grateful. *grin*

Cam finally found his....

....and next up was enjoying the goodies inside.

Grandma had to help Lola open hers.

Inside, the boys were treated to $5 and some new candy: Pop Rocks. They have never had them before, and had no idea what they would do once they hit their tongues! It was hilarious watching them.

Then we took the hunt inside, for Mommy and Daddy's hidden eggs. We let Lo go first, 

because we hid 12 just for her (in very obvious spots).

She had such fun collecting them!

She got up just fine....

....but needed her brother's help getting down.

Then the boys started searching. They found eggs so fast I could barely snap the pictures!

{toaster oven}

{Col, after discovering one in a funny place}

{Spotting one in Mommy's room}

Meanwhile, during the boys' hunt and the hubbub that went along with it, a certain someone was in another room opening her candy and shoving it in by the fistfulls. Unnoticed, of course.

Good thing she is so cute!

The hunt continued....

Then we enjoyed opening all the eggs to discover the treasures inside.

Grandma helped Lola.... (with the ones she hadn't eaten already)

...and the boys? Well, they had no trouble getting into all of their own.

There were coins abundant and lots of chocolate.

It was a great day, and I am overly thankful for another year to celebrate our risen Savior.