Spring Has Sprung!

Here are a few things happening so far this spring!
Kennedy turned 5 on March 21.  She got lots of American Girl doll stuff and a new scooter!  Plus zhu zhu pets...who knew how popular those were!  Kennedy even went so far as to say that she didn't need a real pet now!  We're still gonna work on Dad for that though. =)  We rented the Urbandale indoor pool for her birthday celebration and we all had a blast!

We visited Papa and Nana's house in Sioux Falls a couple weeks ago.  The kids loved playing outside in the beautiful weather.  It has been a beautiful spring so far!  I love it!

Easter! The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Here are just a few pics of our Easter celebration.  We had a great time with family.  My great aunt who was like a grandma to me passed away a few days after Easter after a short battle with brain/pancreatic cancer.  She passed away a month after her diagnosis.  We will miss Aunt Darlyne!

Mom and Dad celebrated their 35th Anniversary the day after Easter.  Love you, Mom and Dad!

2 of my sisters, Hillary and Heidi!  Hillary and I are Easter bunnies!

The best husband a girl could ask for:

The Hunt!

Valentine's Day!

The kids had a very happy Valentine's Day.  They got presents from Mommy and Daddy and from their grandparents.  They got to make valentine cupcakes and order pizza with Aunt Hillary, who was so ncie to stay with the kids while we went out!  Nate surprised me with a hotel stay downtown and a romantic dinner at Centro.  Too bad he had an allergic reaction to the salmon he ordered but it was still nice to get out! =)

Winter Fun!

This winter has been crazy with record setting snow fall but we've still tried to enjoy it.  The kids love sledding in our yard.  We also took a great trip with our family to the Black Hills to go skiing and snowmobiling!  The house we stayed in was amazing, right on the slopes!  Kennedy went to ski school and did a great job! Here are some pics from our trip.

Kennedy's 2009 Ankeny Dance Christmas Performance

We are so proud of Kennedy for her performance in their dance charity week event.  She looked so cute and has so much fun.  Her teacher is awesome.  I am so glad we signed her up this year.

Kennedy's First Day of 4 Yr. Old Preschool

Kennedy started 4 yr. old preschool this morning.  She will go 3 mornings a week (last year she went 2).  She was excited but as with every big event she gets a little nervous and resisted every little thing this morning...getting dressed, brushing her hair, eating breakfast...blah blah blah.  Once we started taking pictures with her backpack and started loading up in the car all her nerves vanished! =)

Kennedy in front of her school.  She was so excited to see meet all her new friends she could hardly stand still for this picture!

Pick out your name tag!

All set to go!  She had tons of fun and we are so proud of her!  Parker and Paityn kept asking where Kennedy was but I am sure they will get along fine. =)  How time flies! =)

My little munchkins...our recent family pictures by Andi Laine

These pictures were recently taken by Andi Laine...the most wonderful photographer recommended by my sister, Heidi.  She did an amazing job!  Unfortunately I screwed up my neck by sleeping on it wrong the night before (probably didn't help that I have fallen with the kids a couple times on our stairs)...I couldn't move which made "candid" pictures really difficult for me! =)  Regardless these are just a few of the pictures she captured.  I haven't seen the others yet but I can't wait! =)

Kennedy was such a poser!  She did great!

Paityn on the other hand was not as cooperative...but she still managed to get a few good ones. =)

Parker's big blue eyes...he started off slow but loved the camera eventually! =)