love for baby Benjamin

Tom and Sarah came over with their kiddos and Livvy was in love with Benjamin! She couldn't get enough of that cute, little boy and wanted to keep playing with him - and putting in his pacifier - all night long.

weekend fun

I love weekends when Matt doesn't work!

Last weekend, he was even home in time for dinner on Friday night, so we celebrated with a trip to Houseman's for ice cream after dinner:) Kate kept sharing her ice cream with Livvy.  So sweet.  These girls are going to be trouble the older they get!

those eyes...

Saturday morning, Kate and I met my dad at DeHamer Bros for mulch.  We dropped off 2 cubic yards at our house, and then Kate and Matt went back for 2 more yards for my parent's house.  I met them over there after Liv's nap, and we had theirs spread by lunch time.  After lunch, we brought the girls home for naps and Matt and I got our mulch done while they were sleeping (thanks for rocking out a 2 hour nap, Liv!).

We got cleaned up super quickly, and met the Johnson's for dinner.  Kate and Haven seriously love each other and had so much fun playing together.  They didn't eat much, but oh well.  We also got to check out their sweet new minivan:)

doesn't get much sweeter than this!

Seriously, thank you, God, for family and friends, and beautiful weather, and time together.  We are so very blessed.

my big hair cut

I have wanted to for a really long time, and last week, I finally donated my hair.  I chose to send it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, because they provide wigs to the American Cancer Society, so I was able to give away (for free) their wigs when I worked there.  I got 8 inches off the front, and 10 off the back.  I don't think my hair has been this short since high school!

before

bye, bye hair!

after (straight)

after (curly)

spring = planting time!

We planted our our raised beds a few weekends ago, with lots of help from Kate.  I'm pretty sure the only reason she wanted to help was so that she could spray the hose once everything was planted, but she did great.  She helped dig holes for the plants and put all the bean seeds in the ground.

This year, in the top box we did broccoli, cauliflower, onions, Oregano, red peppers, and green peppers.  In the bottom box we did tomatoes, green beans, Basil, and Thyme.  Hopefully we can keep the rabbits out this year!

playing outside

WE LOVE OUTSIDE! Oh, and water too:)

sisters:)

From time to time, these two actually do play together...nicely...without hitting or pushing each other or fighting over every toy.  And it's so sweet when they do:) I'm hoping there is much more (peaceful) play time like this to come.

riding in our 'airplane' to Florida

coloring in the basement

snuggles for Violet and Scout:)

watching the ducks in our front yard

Uncle Adam comes to visit!

My brother, Adam, had a few days of vacation at the end of April, so he came to spend some time with the girls.  We pretty much packed every fun activity that we could think of into four days.

Saturday: steak dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house
Sunday: ice skating, hot dogs over the fire, and s'mores
Monday: zoo and lunch at the Downtown Market
Tuesday: Frederick Meijer Gardens, ballet, and homemade pizza for dinner

Kate's favorite part was when Uncle Adam would skate really fast with her

CHEERS!

checking out the butterflies at FMG

Kate was NOT going to cooperate for a picture

puppets at FMG

reading stories after dinner

I was so thankful for time together, and an excuse to do lots of fun things in a few days:) Come back, soon!