Suprise Baby Shower!!

My mother-in-law was so thoughtful as to plan for me a suprise baby shower. Even though this was our fourth baby, she thought that this baby is also in need of some new things. I am thankful, and grateful for her kindness. My mother-in-law began to plan this with Matt, and they picked a weekend that would work for us. All things were going as planned, until Matt made a little slip. Matt's brother and family were coming up to Ohio for their spring break. Matt had called his brother to find out when they would be arriving. I heard Matt say "if I don't see you on Friday then I will for sure see you on Sat." I was thinking what do we have on Saturday that we would see them. As far as I knew, we had no plans for the weekend. So I asked Matt what was Saturday. He was stupified. His reply to me was "don't worry about it". So what is that suppose to mean? So from then on I started racking my brain as to what it could be. I figured there was a going to be a baby shower, but I did not know who was helping put it all together, and who would be there. The shower was held at Bucca di Peppo's. Most of the family in the area was there, plus my brother & sister-in-law that came in from Tennesee. Gina went above and beyond what any sister-in-law should do. She took over all the planning, and did so much for me. She ordered a cake, and hand made some shower gift bags to take home. She did all this while getting ready for their vacation up here to Ohio. Just packing for a vacation is daunting, let alone preparing little gift bags, and everything else she did from afar. Here is a big Thank You for all involved.

Spring Break / Splash lagoon, Niagara Falls

Mckayla had a week off for spring break, so we decided that we were going to take a few days and enjoy them together. We headed up to Erie PA, were we stayed at Splash Lagoon. This was such a fun place. It was a indoor waterpark, with four different hotels connected to it. We stayed at the Residence Inn. The kids had a blast. Matt wanted to make sure we got the most of our money, so he had the kids running from the moment the park was open to the moment it was closed, or close to it. We have never seen our kids with such big appetites from running all day, and so exhausted that as soon as they hit their pillows they were out. Maybe a little to much fun in the day because Isaiah woke up with jumpy legs, and it took us a little bit, and a blessing for him to finally receive some comfort. All in all the kids absolutely loved the water park, and our vacation.

We just arrived at the hotel. A hotel stay isn't a hotel stay unless you get to ride the luggage cart. This is definitely one of the highlights for our kids.

This is our family shot in front all the water slides.

This slide was so cool. It starts out as a regular slide, then in the middle of the slide it opens up to what looks like a big toliet bowl, and you circle around until you go in the hole, and then you continue down the slide. This is McKayla and Matt circling around the toilet bowl.

Here is Sethey scaling his way up to the top. The boy has no fear, at least when it comes to climbing. This is his first time making his way up to dad. Great job Seth!!

We spent two days at this water park, and we could not get Seth to go down these slides. He was content enough to splash around in the water. Finally midway through the second day he finally got brave enough to go down the slide, and then he went down again, and again, and again. I lost count after 30 times down. I am so glad he finally got brave enough!

Isaiah got brave, and went down this waterslide. He went over and over again.

This is Isaiah showing me his back flip in the water.

Mckayla loved swinging across the lily pads.

Random shots of all our fun.


These pictures are from the hotel swimming pool, which is different from Splash Lagoon. Now this was my kind of swimming pool. The water was so warm. I hate getting into water that is slightly luke warm, and this pool, was on the verge of hot. I could of hung out all day at this pool. Here we have Mckay sporting her new Ariel swim suit.

Isaiah just enjoying his swim.

Here is Seth playing catch with dad.

Here we are in front of Niagara Falls. It was an amazing sight. It is such a beautiful piece of God's creation. I was so excited to do the Maid of the Mist boat ride, but to my disappointment, it was not open yet. It was still to early in the season to do it. The sad thing is, it was going to open up a week later. Just our luck. We had to also stay on the American side because I did not have a current passport. It was all so beautiful regardless. We did however get to watch movie about the story, and history of Niagara Falls. It was fun, and the kids seemed to like it as well.

Easter festivities 2010

The Easter Bunny came to Isaiah's pre-school. His school had a little luncheon, along with being able to visit and get a picture with Mr. Easter Bunny. As you can see Seth is a little unsure about it all, but Isaiah, as soon as he hops off the easter bunny's lap, he says, "Mommy that is not the real easter bunny because you can see his arm." Even though he could see his arm, he knew he was just a helper of the real Easter Bunny.

We decorated Easter eggs by dying them and adding stickers, glitter, and picture wraps on them. The kids had a great time, and we enjoyed having egg salad sandwiches when all was said and done.

With each Easter season we have tried to help our children understand the real meaning behind Easter. We had a special FHE with plastic easter eggs, and in each egg was something that depicted the last week and life of the Savior. The kids were very excited to see what was hidden in each egg, and very attentive as to what each thing represented. Hopefully our kids are finding a testimony of him through our lessons, and through the beauty of all that is around us. Both Matt and I are so grateful for the atonement of the Savior, and of his renewing power that strengths us everyday. How grateful we are for this season, and to see everything come to life during the Spring season. It is nice to renew ourselves, and recommit ourselves every sabbath to following his life and example.

Here are the kiddos in their new Easter outfits.

What a handsome and beautiful sight!

Here are the kids after they have found their Easter Baskets. All of them very excited to find what was left for them. Seth is especially fun, because he is at that age, where he is beginning to understand things, and he is always full of excitement.

Easter Sunday we had the opportunity to spend it with family. We always love the time we get to be with them. We had dinner and an easter egg hunt with all the cousins. The kids had a fabulous time running around, and spending time with each other. The highlight of course was the Easter egg hunt.

Here are the 3 monkey's with all of their treasures.