Easter

I know I'm late posting these pictures.

Better late than never. Right?

The kids had a great Easter and participated in 5 egg hunts. We had a lot of candy around the house to say the least.

Ellie proud of her giant egg find.

Checking out their loot.

Clara enjoying the nice weather that weekend.

Clara checking out Aunt Mckensie.

Aaron, Jackson, & Ryan.

The boys took off on bikes and we had to wait for them to get back to start the hunt.

Patiently awaiting Dad's return.

Ellie's new "Ellie" book.

Clara giving her new bear love.

Ellie & McKay at the annual city Easter egg hunt.

Easter morning.

Searching for their presents.

The Easter Bunny comes into our house leaving bunny tracks everywhere. Some have clues that lead the kids on a scavenger hunt all over the house rounding up their presents.

The kids had a great Easter. They each got some fun new toys to play with and enough sugar to last until Christmas.

Plasma Cars

McKay and Ellie recently discovered Plasma Cars, courtesy of Grandpa David. This was on our first outing with them. We took them to a nearby small hill where they could get up as much speed as a 4 and 5 year old need.

Aunt Lindsay taking Ellie down the hill.
CRASH!
McKay getting ready for his solo trip down the hill.
His excited face.

If your around him at all you'll know this face. Mouth open with curled out lips. If he weren't sitting down he would be bouncing.

Me & McKay ready to race Lindsay & Ellie.

Since then the kids will ride on the Plasma Cars every time we go to my mom's. Ryan and I have both attempted to race McKay in the driveway and he leaves us in the dust every time. Ellie has figured out the trick to beat him, push with your feet.

Blonde Hair

No! We are not going to bleach Ellie's hair.

This was one of the few times that I have ever done her hair straight and as we were blowing it out she made the comment that " it looks like Grandma Sherrie's". I asked her if she meant blonde and she said yes. So since then she requests it by saying "Mom, lets do my hair blonde." Her hair did look more strawberry and less auburn when it was straight.

She loved having her hair straight and long. She was flipping it and playing with it all day. I was worried that I had started something. Luckily we didn't and she has only requested it one time since.

It really threw me for a loop looking at her with this hair all day. Just not her at ALL. Still cute just not my Ellie with her springy, crazy hair. Hopefully she will stay happy with her curls. I sure love them.

A Good Day

Being a mom you definitely have your good days and your bad days. This is proof that I sometimes have good days.

We were driving home from dropping Ellie at school when McKay started talking about mixing colors. "If you mix white and red it makes pink, and if you mix blue and yellow it make green."

It gave me a brilliant idea and I told McKay we were going to do a project at home with mixing colors.

When we got home I pulled out 6 glasses, filled them with water, and got out the food coloring.

McKay went to town and had a great time experimenting with the different color mixtures.

We had to refill 2 times.

All in all a great time, and a good learning experience. I just wish I were that creative and attentive everyday.

Clara's 1st Birthday Party

Clara had a great birthday party and everyone came to help us celebrate!

(Thanks for the finger in the cake Wyatt.)

Grandpa Jeff, Ellie, & Whitnie
Mom and the birthday girl.
Clara's Great Grandpa Cynoweth & Rose
Both Grandmas, Grandma Judy & Grandma Sherrie.
Courtney, Kim, Lindsay, Aaron, & Wyatt

Annie & Alex
Aaron & Mckensie
" What up?"

Nice Jackson!

Dad and the birthday girl.
Opening presents.

I love the expression in this one. The ball is from Lindsay & Aaron and she so wanted to touch it but was freaked out by it at the same time.

Singing "Happy Birthday"
"Make a wish"
Testing the cake!
It passed the test. Digging in!
Clara's party was a success. Thanks to everyone that came.

And, yes I did get the pink frosting out of her clothes.

Rematch!

Well the girls couldn't handle losing on the last game night, that they wanted Bracken and I to sweep them again. And that's just what we did. The girls were great sports and allowed us to have some fun pictures at the end, with Bracken and I both holding brooms over them defending our title. To see pictures look on Bracken and Talia's post. Better luck next time girls.

Clara's 1st Birthday

I can't believe our little baby is 1 year old. Time is passing way too fast. Clara is such a love! She is such a sweet, easy going baby and such a good sport with her siblings. We have been blessed to have her in our family. On her birthday we had a small get together with Lindsay, Aaron, Angie, and our little family. We enjoyed dinner and then birthday cake and ice cream.
Clara enjoyed her piece of cake.



Happy Birthday Clara! We love you!

Boys vs. Girls Game Night.

This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who reads this, but boys just know how to play games and always win againts girls. For example, Bracken and Talia came over to have dinnner the other night and after a great meal, we played a couple of games. One of the games that we played was called Nines, and the other games was called Rook. Bracken was the over all winner of Nines. So that was one win for the boys, no surprise. Next we played Rook.

When you play Rook, you play boys vs. girls. So after a dozen games a Rook and a few hours later, the boys just kept winning. It was getting late and the girls wanted to play one more game of Rook, winner takes all. So Bracken and I agreed. We made some fun bets between each other, and everyone agreed. So the game began! It was a very tense game with everyone eyeing each other down. Bracken and I both knew that the girls didn't have a chance, and no ladies we did not CHEAT the whole time! So as it came to an end, and as we added up the points, it was no wonder the the boys won AGAIN. Bracken and I 75 and Talia and Mandy 45.

Whats My Name?

Tag yourself . . . it's fun!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Peaches Expedition

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)

Peanut Butter Cup Ranger

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)M Hil

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)

Yellow ____ (I don't have a favorite animal)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Anne SLC

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)HilMa

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)

The Green DC

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)

Spencer Elmer

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)

Amber Reeses

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )

Judith Spencer

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)

Madsen Miami

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)

Spring Lily

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)

Strawberry Shirty

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)

Berry Oak

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

The Eating Sunshine Tour

I tag whoever reads this.

Snow Day

It's almost Spring and our snow is now all melted, but here is to good times playing in the snow.

These pictures were taken on a Sunday when church was actually cancelled because of the snow.
I love how my kids are such good "buddies". . . most of the time.

Posing for the camera.
We walked over to the neighbors and invaded the snow fort they had made out of the snow from their driveway.
The kids had a great time that day playing out in the snow.