Springtime

Finally it has arrived...the family update. I really do this for my own "journaling" and to look back at the end of the year and see what I ever did to pass the time. So don't feel like you have to read it. Except my sisters, because of birthorder you are obligated to read it - sorry. :) Here it is in reverse order.



Brandt performed a special program with his preschool for Mother's Day. Kim Meyers of Kinderheights preschool really does a great job. Brandt had the sillies that day unfortunately. They sang some songs and recited some poems. Also they filled out a questionaire about their moms - I loaded the video at the bottom of this post, if you'd like to see some new things about me I never knew.

The boys did the opening day fishing pond at Columbia Park this year. As you can see they got some oversized shirts and a free fishing pole. They got to keep the first 3 fish they caught...good thing because we caught none in about 3 hours. About halfway through,the boys quit fishing and started playing with friends, Cole and Mae Hawks who had joined us that day. Apparently there was not enough excitement to keep them "hooked"..if you catch my drift. So Brad and I did lots of casting and realing in seaweed.

Brandt started playing Little League Tball this Spring. Brad's friend, Kent Sanders, got him on his team and Brandt has been loving it. He especially loves to put on his uniform and begs every game to play catcher so that he can put on the gear...I sure that he thinks the mask has something to do with Star Wars. He is fun to watch run around the bases and he manages to chit chat with everyone on the field... or maybe he is just talking to himself.

Caught Macey snuggling up during one of her naps. She is a real snuggler - fun for mom and dad.

Macey got her first mullet cut off. She had the cutest little curly ringlets in the back center of her head but the rest of her hair is straight as straw and the look just wasn't working for me. Brad forbid me to cut off her curls...well the first day that he was gone on his 8 day cattle show in Reno...look what happened.

Kaden needed a picture to send to his pen pal in Japan that he got in his class at school (Mrs. Powers 2nd/3rd Spectrum). So quickly before school we shot this dog show portrait with our beloved dog Ringo, the perfect kid dog.

The kids caught a flick at Grandma's house while we were visiting with Carrie and her family and then Julee and her family were able to make it up so that we could all be together, well atleast for one night. It was good to be all together; we keep getting bigger and so do Carrie and Charee since they are both 9 months pregnant. Excited for the new additions!

Carrie's little Lillie puts Mace to shame in the language department but they had some fun together. Lillie is potty training and that adds for some excitement and nudity in fact. But it inspired Macey to want to sit on the potty every so often, although nothing has happened yet except a mark on her chubby buns from the seat. Check out the video I loaded at the end of this post for some fine music that they made.

Here is Brandt with a powerful shot against his defender. It looks like they both missed the ball. Brandt is aggressive and gets the job done. I had to make him sit out for a while to give the others on his team a chance to kick the ball. He loved soccer and wasn't so sure he could give it up and miss his last 2 games in order to start baseball, but now he loves baseball. He's easy to please and gets very excited about everything. I love that about him!

Brandt doing a throw in while our friend, Vernon, his coach looks on.

Kaden also ended his soccer season, and maybe career. Although he really likes it and wants to sign up again...we'll see. Some games he showed up to play soccer and some games he showed up to play on the bench. The incentive system is the only thing that works with him. He doesn't have an aggessive bone in his body unless he is wrestling with his brother. We loved our team though. Go Eagles!

I love springtime because it means the kids get to play outside. They love to go exploring and have lots of imaginative play. I love that because it reminds me a lot of what I did as a kid. My mom was always getting us out of the house with limited tv time so we did a lot of explorations. Here is Kaden down by the cellar.

And of course, here is goofy Brandt striking a pose for his exploration pose heading to the barn.

Macey begs to go outside and says something similar to "owsi" and "ki-ee" that lets us know she would like to wrangle up any cat that will let her carry them in a choke hold. She has had very little scratches although she definitely deserves some.

She just loves to hug and pet the cats and especially the dog, Ringo. He lets her do anything to him although he is not really very fond of when she grabs his tail.

The cat is hoping she can just get away...Oh but Macey will hunt the cat down and catch it once again. It's the funniest thing.

We did do some egg hunting at Easter and since I never posted anything...here it is. Kaden and Brandt love all the prizes they can get in their eggs. Good thing...so mom can eat the candy.

Macey taking time out of the hunt to give Ringo some attention, or maybe to feed him one of her plastic Easter eggs...one or the other.

Brandt with some friends in the background, particularly cousin Grady and his buddy Cole.

Macey finds her first egg. Yes, and please notice those beautiful tulips. I love spring and I really love tulips! Of course, they are long gone now.

Some friends for the big hunt: Mary and her kids, Charee and Grady, Mom and Lisa hiding back there.

The kids also got to do some egg hunting with their Beus cousins at Aunt Angelas - the egg queen. Macey found herself an egg.

Brandt and Macey enjoy playing outdoors. Usually one of the boys is assigned to keep her out of the road, apparently it was Brandt's turn this day. The boys are really good with her and know that when she's happy, mom is happy. So they are great helpers, especially at retrieving diaper supplies and entertaining her when mom needs a moment to finish something.

Brandt's Mother's Day report - notice he walked to the front like a robot and I just catch the end of it when he is lowering his robotic arms. His mother was shaking her head.

Kaden was so excited to perform in his school's Mother's Day program. Of course, as one of the shortest 2nd graders, he gets placed in the very back row corner. Let me know if you can spot him.

Macey and Lillie making some serious tunes until her mom has to swoop in for an emergency potty break.