Coloring Easter Eggs!

Again... it comes back to traditions! As always we enjoy dying Easter eggs every year. Each of us design several eggs. Usually I write all our names on one, Tom draws the Space Shuttle, etc... But the past couple years the dye wears off the wax crayons. Bummer! But none-the-less they were still beautiful eggs. We did a few Clone Wars egg wraps too. The night before Easter the boys enjoy carrying on the tradition that Tom had when he was a little boy of putting out "nests" made out of Easter grass around the house so that the Easter Bunny will know where to hide some of the eggs.

Just as the egg brings new life, we too, have new life in Jesus! :)

Eggstravaganza!

Our church did not host their Eggstravaganza this year. Instead, they encouraged everyone to have a smaller version in their own neighborhoods. Many of us teamed up with the Swiggards for a fun morning of Eggstravaganza excitement! There were TONS of eggs to be found, lots of cute faces to paint, sweet Easter crafts, so many yummy treats, bounce houses to tip over, a Veggie Tale to watch, Resurrection eggs to tell the story of Jesus death and resurrection, and games to play that got rained out... All that fun was followed up with a fantastic hot dog bar lunch with plenty of dips and other sweets. A few brave souls even stayed for some chilly swimming!

What a fun way to bring the Easter message to our friends! Thank you, God, for the Swiggarads and their gift of hospitality! :)

Andrew gets the Bear Badge!

Andrew is now officially a Bear Scout! I thought he would die when the older scouts had to draw on his face, but he held it together and I think he was actually quite proud. All the different colored marks on his face stand for a different part of the boy scout trail. Pretty neat! He was also so proud to make a batch of brownies all by himself from box to cut up on the plate! All I did was take them out of the oven because he was doing the dishes (which I had to redo later)! After we arrived at the Blue and Gold Banquet, he discovered an egg shell in one of his brownies... oops! :)

Two great accomplishments, Andrew! Way to go! :)

Breaking Boards!

What a treat to be invited to "break boards" with our friends, Caleb and Nathan! We went to Premier Martial Arts and had a great afternoon breaking boards, learning about self defense, saw a cool martial arts demonstration, and had pizza. All three boys broke at least 2 boards... even Colton! It was so awesome to see them decked out in their Gi breaking boards with the palm of their hands! Thanks Hannemanns! :)

Colton's 1st Swim Lesson!

Finally... Colton got to do an activity all by himself instead of going to watch his big brother's do their things! Andrew and Braden were even off school and were able to watch and encourage their little brother. Colton was so excited to take swimming lessons at the YMCA with his good friend, Grace. He marched right up to the teachers as soon as he got there. It was a chilly morning and the wind was whipping through the pool area. He got in right away and then started to cry out for me to get him out because he was so cold. Thankfully the teacher started the class and he was good to go. He was very focused when it was his turn and then he and Grace were splashing and having all sorts of fun while they were waiting for another turn. They looked SO cute and so grown up!

Baptismal Birthdays

I did a major Mommy oops and neglected to write birthdays and other special days in my calendar this year. I intended to put them in the computer instead, but that didn't happen. Needless-to-say I've been missing important dates! We celebrated Braden and Colton's baptismal birthdays about a month late... (so sorry boys)! But whatever the date the celebration is special because they are a children of God and are welcomed into his kingdom!

For Braden's celebration Tom read Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

And for Colton's celebration Tom read Matthew 28: 18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The affairs are not elaborate, but a wonderful reminder of that special day when they were so tiny! :) Colton couldn't understand why there wasn't cake at his party! :)

Orange Belts in the House

You'd better watch out... we've got two Karate Orange Belts in the house now! Andrew and Braden both persevered this year to earn their yellow and orange belts! They want to go for more, but we need a break! Congratulations Andrew and Braden... we are so proud of you! :)