Ohio House

We are thrilled with this house. Happy to have a bigger house than where we are right now. A fourth bedroom and finished basement will be FABULOUS and the 3rd car garage isn't too shabby either! Click HERE for the pics.

Everything has gone so smoothly, I can't help but be reassured that we are going to where we are supposed to be. It's still HARD to leave what we love here, but know it's for the best.

The birds, the bees, and turtles

Dinner conversation tonight.

Isaac: Mom, a kid in class brought a baby turtle to school. He found a female turtle that was pregnant, it laid eggs and now he has baby turtles.

Hayden: How does a turtle get pregnant? (couldn't he say, wow! I want to see a baby turtle.)

Caite: You know, just like snakes and people, and everything else gets pregnant. (not that she has any idea, other than bellies just start to grow)

Hayden: Yeah, but how do turtles get pregnant?

Isaac: Did you know that black widows eat the male after they lay eggs?

Caite: Mom, good thing you don't do that, because you don't lay eggs.


Where oh where is Aaron when I need him??!!

Easter with the Daems

We took a little trip up to Cincinnati to spend some time house hunting and visiting with our cousins Randy and Ardene. A good time was had by all. The kids thoroughly enjoyed being together. We were thrilled!

The Egg Hunt. It stopped raining for a few minutes and we were able to do a quick egg hunt. 11 kids. 200+ eggs. mud: calls for a good time.

The race is on
Isaac, Kurtis, and Spencer seeing what they got. There's still more hiding. The Gardners, The Daems, The Neighbors

Easter MorningNot exactly to get a good picture with 9 kids and 4 adults, but it works.

So thanks to Ardene and Randy for letting us invade their home for a long weekend. It was wonderful. House hunting went well. We found 2 that we loved and should be signing papers this week.

Creating

I've been a slacker in the blogging world lately. Not because nothing exciting has happened, but because I have been busy. This month is the month I have given myself to get projects done so I can pack up the house next month. Here's what I have been working on.

the 12Squared block that goes to Jennie this month

Easter outfits for the girls. Caite saw this shirt (the one with the little jacket and necklace) and HAD to have it. So we made skirts to match. I couldn't find a shirt for Halle in the right color green. So I "repurposed" one of my old shirts I was getting rid of. It worked nicely.

Another summer dress for the girls. Halle has one also, but it's in the ironing pile. You know, the pile that has gotten really large this month do to my neglect because I'm creating.

These little flowers were very fun and easy made from scrap fabric. They will be cute in the girls new room.

And finally "end of the school year thank you gifts" for Caite and Hayden's teachers. Isaac's teacher will get something different. He will only have his new teacher for 9 weeks, so she will get something that doesn't require as much work.

Now I just need to get all my quilt squares from my quilting girls so I can put it together before we move. And I still have to paint the girls furniture black. Wish me luck getting it all done!

Aaron's grandma once said that a woman who reads a lot doesn't keep a clean house. I have news for her...neither does a woman who creates a lot :) I have some house work to do!

Aaron ordered moving boxes. They arrived. So I guess this move real.

Perfect Vision

Caite has it now!

When the neighbor boy called her a nerd, I heard her say (shaking her head like a diva), "Well obviously you don't know me very well!"

You Go Girl!

Baby Quilt

Our all time favorite Pre-school teacher is having her first grand baby this month. Mrs. Thompson was both Caite and Hayden's teacher. She is fabulous and one of those people what we will love forever. I started making this cute quilt for her. I pieced together the front and back, then my friend Kathie wanted in on the project. Two of her kids have had Mrs. Thompson also. So Kathie did the machine quilting, and binding.

I think it turned out very cute. We gave it to her on Friday and of course she loved it!

Petit Jean State Park

We did a family first for Spring Break this year. We took everyone camping. Aaron has taken the boys a few times, but this was a first for the whole family. When we mentioned the idea to the kids the boys knew right where they wanted to go. The tee pee at Petit Jean! Sign us up.

This is what it looks like when you car camp with the Gardners.

Happy Campers ready to get on the road.

The look out and memorial where the legend of Petit Jean is told.

We finally made it to the Tee pee. Each kid carried their own backpack. Halle's was as big as she is. But she made it.

The kids loved camping by the lake. With the tee pee came a great canoe and we spent a good share of our first day taking turns paddling around the lake.

Halle was so excited to put on her life jacket, but once she got in the boat she started crying.

Aaron held the walkie -talkie to her and I heard, "Not faster daddy, you're going to make me to die!" She got over it quickly and loved it.

We did a whole lot of hiking! Isaac was right in his element, jumping from rock to rock.

We have some good little hikers and canoers ( is that a word?). We hiked for miles without complaint. Even Miss Halle kept up until the last 1/2 mile on our last day. They most definitely take after their father. Dispite Isaac's best efforts in climbing every huge rock or tree, no one was injured and great memories were made.