Easter weekend

Easter this year was very relaxed for my family. We celebrated on 2 separate days and were able to spend quality time with both families.   I asked for all weekend off and got it so there was no worring about rushing around.

Saturday we went to the in laws for an egg hunt and dinner.  Jake did not grasp the concept of "finding the eggs", he just ran around and had fun.  His cousins had no problem with their egg hunt and found all the eggs in a matter of minutes.

After the egg hunt the kids played until dinner.  We had pork tenderloin, asparagus, pineapple, cheesy potatoes, rolls and raspberry pretzel salad.

After dinner we watched the kids play and talked.  I was sad to see Jake playing by himself.  I expected him to interact with his cousins more, but instead played in another room by himself.

We left quite late and both kids were in melt down mode.  

Sunday we went to my parents for the afternoon. We celebrated Easter and my dads birthday since he will be on vacation on his actual birthday.  We had a busy afternoon but it felt very relaxed.  Jake had another egg hunt and failed that one too.  It was funny to see him run around like a crazy boy.

After the egg hunt we ate dinner.  We had ham, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, and rolls.  We had cake and then dad opened his cards and presents.

We then spent the rest of the night outside since the weather was beautiful.  We took a walk around my parents lot, blew bubbles, drew with chalk, and Jake got a haircut.

We had a great Easter.  I'm very thankful that we were able to spend time with both families and have a relaxed holiday.

Shoppers extraordinaire

Yesterday my mom, my sister and I had a great day of shopping.  We had lots of fun and many laughing fits.  Our first stop was TJ Max.  Jen and I both got a pair of shoes for Easter and the boys got some Easter presents.

Our second stop was at Crazy Charlie's, a fashion store with purses, jewelry, and clothes all organized by color!  After that we ate lunch at Noodles and Company.

For our 4th stop we went to Walmart but couldn't find anything we needed, so we left and had froyo for dessert.

Our last stop was Target.  We spent lots of time there looking at kid clothes and books.

We all had an amazing time with each other.  It's very hard for all 3 of us to get together due to work schedules and Jenny's schooling.  I'm glad I could go out without my kids and still have a fun time.

Thanks for a wonderful day mom and Jen!

Me and my boys

Since Dan has become unemployed, he has become a homebody.  He likes to sit on the couch and play on the iPad.  The only outside interaction he has is going grocery shopping once a week.  When I'm home I try to force him out of the house but he refuses.  I know how exhausting, stressful, and frustrating it can be staying at home every day, doing the same things over and over. Getting out of the house for a couple hours can be a giant relief.  But he prefers to stay home.

The other day his friends invited him out and I luckily had the day off.  I was so happy!  He gets out and I get to spend some alone time with the boys!  Dan left a little after 3 pm and didn't come home until after 10 pm.  The boys and I had so much fun together.

We colored

Baked black bottomed cupcakes

Went outside

Took Cal's 11 month photo shoot

And watched a movie

I loved being home with them.  I have missed spending so much time with them and getting some one on one with each boy.  I love when we are together as a family, but sometimes Dan needs to not be home so much!

Helping the neighbors

The other day when we were outside playing and enjoying the nice weather, our elderly neighbors came to say hi and see how we survived the winter.  We talked for quite a while and it was mentioned that Dan is laid off from his work which is known for its plumbing and heating and cooling.  Dan has some knowledge in plumbing and can fix easy problems even though he works at a sheet metal fabricator.  They then said that their sink is leaking and not working.  So Dan went over to see if he could fix it. 

He had to go to the hardware store to buy some parts, which they gave him money for.  He was done within a half and hour and patched everything up.  As a thank you for helping them, our neighbors gave Dan $60 and a box full of food!

In the box was:

- bread

- peanut butter

- crackers

- 4 boxes of cereal

- a huge can of pork and beans

- spaghetti sauce

- 2 boxes of spaghetti noodles

- dark corn syrup

It was very kind of them to give us all that food and some money.  I am glad Dan was able to help them and fix the problem.

2 great days

Sorry for the lack of posts but our days are pretty boring.  I work most days and when I'm home I spend it relaxing.  The boys are well and crazy as always.  Dan loves being a stay at home dad and I like getting out of the house for adult interaction.  

I finally had 2 days off in a row, which is very rare and was able to spend some quality time with my family.  We took the boys to the petting farm since the weather was finally beautiful.

I thought Jake would be more interested in the animals since he points them out in books and movies, but all he wanted to do was run.  It's was kind of disappointing and not worth the $10 we had to pay to get in.

After the farm we came home for lunch and naps, then spent the afternoon outside playing.

Cal loved the outdoors.  He was so observant and eager to walk around and explore.  

Today Jenny came by for the day.  We went to Hobby Lobby first to look for fine tip markers, then went to a Chinese buffet for lunch.

After lunch we went to an ice cream/gourmet chocolate place.   Naturally we had to get both!

By then it was Jakes nap time so we came home and colored while he slept.  Jen left a little bit after Jake woke up and we spent the afternoon outside.  Thanks for hanging out Jenny!

Now I have to work all weekend and dont want to. I forgot how much I miss being at home and doing fun things with the boys.  Hope you all have a great wekend!  Think of me working while your having fun!