Memorial Day 2012

On our way to Benton Lake for our annual Memorial Day boating time. . . I'm pretty sure we haven't missed a Memorial Day Ski for Brandon since before we were married!  We even had our bachelor/bachelorette parties there over Memorial Day weekend!

It was a pretty warm day, so Grandma Susan & I went into town to get a small pool for the kids.  While we were at the store, I found some $1 water guns . . . what a great investment!  The kids had a blast playing in the little pool & with the guns (once Daddy showed them how to fill the guns up)!!

Uncle Jason joined in the water fun . . . but he used a much bigger "gun."

The kids loved it!

Grandpa got in on the fun too!

It was finally time to take the boat out & do some skiing/tubing!

Daddy took each one out on the tube and they both went one lap around the lake, which was about long enough! 

After the kids were done it was time for Uncle Jason & Daddy to have fun while the kids enjoyed riding in the boat!

My job is to wind the ski rope . . not a great picture (thanks Ken), but I wanted to show I was there & helping!

Look at the beautiful ski rope . . .

Uncle Jason & Melissa skiing together.

After boating was over, it was time for quick dip in the lake.

Look very close in this picture. . . what do you see?

Yep . . that's ME in the water (holding Caleb on the right)!

I know, I can't believe it either!  I'm pretty sure it's been a good 6 years since I've been in the lake. . . oh the things we do for our kids!

After swimming was over, it was back to the pool time to wait for dinner to be served!

I don't think the kids ever get tired of playing with the water!

A beautiful sunset on the way home.

Easter 2012

We started our Easter celebration with the annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Moose.

Sarah wasn't very into hunting this year because it was a little cold, but Caleb really went for all the eggs!

By this point Sarah only had one or two eggs in her basket -

she just wasn't feeling very competitive today!

Grandpa gave her a motivational talk and she did find a few more eggs.

This is Caleb's game face. . . no one was getting in the way of his candy!!!

After the hunt is over all the kids get a couple cookies & drink.

More sweets - exactly what the kids needed!

Caleb was so excited to get ready for church; he got to wear his new suit just like Daddy.

Sarah was excited to wear her "clip clop" shoes (they have a small heal on them)!

It's hard to believe that Sarah is 6 and Caleb is 3 in this picture!

Caleb was done with pictures by this point - it didn't help that I took away his jelly beans before the picture!

Jelly Beans are his favorite candy.

Sarah made herself some bunny ears. . . too cute!

Look what the Easter Bunny left for us!

A new DVD, swim clothes & C-A-N-D-Y!

Sarah was checking the yellow basket she put in the bush - she filled the basket with everything a bird would need for a nest.  Unfortunately, the bird decided to build a nest in the other bush!

Hunting, hunting, hunting. . .

They are so beautiful!

Score!  They found money in some of the eggs,

although Caleb was upset by this & wanted more jelly beans!

Look at all those jelly beans!

It's a good thing I also enjoy jelly beans!

Then it was off to Grandma & Grandpa Voss house to hunt more eggs.

Note to self: next year remind Caleb that you can't throw "real" eggs just because they don't have jelly beans in them!

Grandma Susan surprised the kids with their new backpacks made with Mickey and Minnie Mouse fabric.  Perfect for our upcoming trip!

More celebrating at Grandma & Grandpa Canning's house.

Great Grandma Lill enjoyed watching all the kids hunt the eggs in the yard.

That's a Wrap Folks!

Well Christmas is over . . .

presents were all opened. . .

so now it's play time!

The kids enjoyed playing in our bedroom. . .

they made their own bed out of our pillows.

Sarah played her DS and Caleb was either eating or playing his Leapster.

What a great Christmas . . . the kids must have been extra good this year

because Santa definitely spoiled them!

Merry Christmas!!!

"Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!  Santa's been here."

~Sarah and Caleb

Caleb's big present from Santa: a John Deere Peg Pergo Tractor Loader and Wagon!

Sarah's big present from Santa: a Nintendo DS game system, cover and two games (Tinkerbell and Scribblenots)!

Santa also left Caleb a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Camping trailer!

The kids also got matching Razor scooters (Sarah's wheels light up pink and Caleb's blue)!

Daddy and Mommy's big present was a new surround sound system for the basement!

The kids loved opening their stockings to find candy, socks and an orange!

Me and the kids on Christmas morning!

Wearing the pajamas that I made!

After all the presents were open, it was time to play!

Of course, Daddy had to show the kids how it's done!

Brandon thought he was showing Caleb how to ride,

but Caleb surprised both of us and took off with it!

Then Sarah flew by Daddy to show him how it is really done!

Of course, he only left the tractor for a few minutes . . .

the rest of the morning was spent playing with the tractor. . .

loading and unloading. . .

hauling and scooping. . .

running into walls . . .

backing into furniture. . .

well you get the idea!

Sarah wanted a turn to drive too!

Both of the kids definitely love tractors!

I finally got everyone to sit down for a delicious breakfast!

I served Great Aunt Maxine's sausage and egg casserole, butter braid and oranges!

It was yummy!

Then back to the games!

Caleb loves playing his new Hungry, Hungry Hippo game from Santa!

Sarah and I played Twister (also from Santa) while Brandon installed the surround sound system,

but no pictures were allowed to be taken while Twister was being played.

It was finally time to go to Grandma and Grandpa Canning's house!

But we couldn't leave without Sarah's new DS!!!

I had such a great morning watching the kids open their presents and play with each other.

But my favorite moment was sitting down to breakfast and eating the oranges!

As long as I can remember, Santa has always given me an orange in my stocking and we've always served them for breakfast along with the sausage casserole.  I remember Grandma Kay always cutting up our oranges and sprinkling sugar on the top of the orange.  I don't think it would feel quite like Christmas without oranges, sausage casserole and my family sitting at the breakfast table together!!