A Giant Easter Egg...

Lindsey sent Matthew and James a fun little package that we got in the mail yesterday.  She sent a little package of color tablets that you put in the tub and it changes the color of the water.  Matthew was so excited about this surprise, but not as much as he loves the pirate sword, which he slept with last night.  Anyway, this morning the first thing he wanted to do was take a bath and use the color tablets.  He chose blue for today, as you can see in the picture.  After a few minutes in the tub, Matthew said, "Hey, we're like Easter eggs."  Fortunately, the tablets don't change little boys different colors.

Two Thumbs Up...

Monday night Matthew went to a sports clinic.  They'll be working on soccer, t-ball, basketball, and lacrosse.  He had so much fun.  Every two minutes he would give us the thumbs up.  It was a lot of fun to watch him.  

Batter Up!

Matthew got a new bat and ball for Easter.  He starts a sports clinic tomorrow night.

So the big boys went outside to play a little b-ball.  James felt a little left out.

Matthew hit this one.  He's getting pretty good.  He'll probably be the best athlete there tomorrow.  Hopefully, they won't do any running.

Practicing his poses for his pro cards that will come out in about 17 years.

Aww, Snap!

It is so hard to get them to look at the camera at the same time, let alone smile.  But I loved their matching Easter outfits, so we thought we'd give it a try.

On our way to church today Tim said to Matthew, "You better check yourself before you wreck yourself."  Matthew replied, "Aww, snap."  It was pretty funny.

I seriously have the cutest little boys.  They can be a handful sometimes, let's be honest, most of the time, but it is so worth it.  Every second.

We hope your family has a great Easter. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16-17

Happy Easter!

This year the Easter Bunny decided that since we live in AZ, why not hide the eggs outside and take advantage of our beautiful weather before it gets ridiculously hot.  Matthew had tons of fun looking for the "cleverly" hidden eggs.  When he found a blue egg hidden on the blue gate he said, "Well, that was clever."  

Matthew with his loot.  He made out well.  I think he found about 15-20 eggs.  The Easter Bunny must think we have 5 kids.  Can't wait for the sugar rush at bedtime tonight.  Good luck, babe!

Oops!  This is what happens when the Easter Bunny leaves his candy in the car.  That was a big hollow bunny.  Now it's flat as a board...

...and tasted like one, too.

Dye, Easter Eggs, Dye!

Tonight was Matthew's first time dying Easter eggs.  We had such a good time.

The whole family got in on it.

James was in it for the food.

Matthew loved every second of it.  He was REALLY hands on.

I also gained an appreciation for the patience of my mom.  

If they don't win it's a shame...

My dad and brother came out for some spring training baseball.  Today we watched our good ol' Mariners play.  Unfortunately the M's lost.  But we had a great time.

Matthew got a foul ball hit be one of the Mariners.  I cannot even tell you how many games I went to growing up, and not once did we have one hit close by.  So it was kind of exciting that my son got one.  Here he is with his trophy.

Matthew and James got matching ASU hats.  

James didn't really like to wear his hat.

Matthew wore his hat "rally-style" in hopes of salvaging the Mariners' score.  Didn't work, but he had a good time anyway.

Spring Training is seriously the best time to catch some baseball games.  It is so much fun!  Thanks, Dad!

I hire him out...

Tim wanted me to post some pics of this piece of fine craftsmanship.  He painted, sanded, and shoe-polished this baby up to perfection.  A year or so ago, he started a new gate for our courtyard, not satisfied with it, it sat in our garage for a while.  Then he had a vision, it would be perfect sitting in the corner of our backyard behind the chiminea.  There it sat for months, unfinished, weathering the AZ climate, when genius struck.  Out came the paint brush and turquoise paint.  Yikes!  I think they could see it from space.  Tim sanded it and then rubbed black shoe polish all over it.  I have to admit, it looks pretty good.

Here's a little bit of close-up action.

Raising Arizona...

"And this here's the TV.  Two hours a day, either educational or football, so you don't ruin your appreciation of the finer things."  If you haven't seen Raising Arizona, you are definitely missing out.  It's hilarious.

Anyway......

Well, it is official.  We will be staying in Arizona.  We are so excited.  Over the past 5 years we have really fallen in love with this desert state.  I'll even go as far to say that I have gotten used to 116 degree weather.  But now I think 60 degrees is freezing.  We'll be headed out to Gilbert, about 45 minutes away.  We think it's a good place to set down roots and raise our kids.  

Tim took a job with Sundt, which we think is a good fit and he looks forward to starting up with them after graduation.  

Soooo Big!

I can't believe it, but in one month from today, James will be ONE!

Time sure flies.  Especially when you have two little munchkins runnin' the joint.

James is...

soooooooooo

BIG!

Fuzziest of the Fuzzballs...

We "puppy-sit"  Kristen and Donavon's little puppy, Bear, everyday.

Matthew loves it.  In fact, he is very sad when it's time for Bear to go home.

But I say this is the perfect way to have a dog.  You play with it, and then send him on his way.

Isn't that one of the cutest, furriest faces you've ever seen?

Bear loves to lick James' face.  James doesn't like it so much.  It actually ticks him off a little.

The end of a successful night...

...begins with a good bowl of ice cream.  

Have you ever seen an albino before?  Well, here you go...

Yum!  

Wait, another albino, I'm starting to see a resemblance...

Matthew could not resist the water.  I told him not to get too wet.  I think he really listened.

Finish with a nice, warm bath to heat back up after not getting into the water.

This might be one of my favorite pics of all time.

Oh, Matthew.  He thinks he's such a big helper.

Just before I put Matthew's "pajamies" on, I had to put some lotion on that ashy skin of his.  As I was rubbing it on his arms, he said, "Ahh, that's what I'm talking about."  Awkward.

It's purely coincidence that they look really drugged and dazed in this photo.  I swear.  

And they were off to bed...

The urinals went all the way down to the floor!

This weekend we went out to Gilbert.  We ate at this really fun restaurant called Joe's Farm Grill.  The boys thought the bathrooms were the best.  Especially Matthew, he doesn't often get to use a urinal, since he's out with just me most of the time.  The urinals went all the way down to the floor!  Matthew just couldn't believe it.  The bathrooms had TVs in them and were the cleanest bathrooms I have been in in a long time.  The food was good, too.  Especially the pulled pork sandwich. 

Girls Girls Girls

All of my friends have girls.  All girls.  Girls everywhere.  I thought I was having a girl, but I guess to keep balance in the universe, I was sent a boy.  Your welcome.  And really, when you look at that little face, how could he have been anything else?!  Maybe this means my boys will really know how to treat the ladies.  They've been getting practice since birth.  

Today we met my friend Amy and her girls, Addison and Mackenzie at the park.  It was fun to compare notes.  Addison and Mackenzie are just 3 weeks older than James.  They were actually due, I think, 2 days before James.  Addison is already cruisin' around all over the place.  Upright, might I add.  Fortunately, not to make James feel too behind, Mackenzie kept it old school on her hands and knees.  It was so fun to see these babies together.  

I love this one.  I don't think she was so sure about me.  I got the stink eye a lot. She doesn't know I have known her since the womb, when she was just Baby A.

Matthew made lots of new friends.  I don't think he has actually ever met a stranger before.  

James was fascinated by the girls' stroller.  

Do you see the "look" aimed at me?  I must have smelled funny.

Let's Go Fly a Kite...

Can you guess what our new, favorite pastime is?  A few days ago, we had PERFECT kite-flying wind.   Matthew steps outside many times a day, just to test the wind.

James has yet another cold, and I think he hit his face in his crib. 

He didn't go to bed with that cut, but he woke up with it.  Poor guy.