Monday, March 30, 2015

Palm Sunday

Our first Easter celebration is in the books, and it was a great one filled with many memories made!

Tradition is we get together with my Dad's side of the family on Palm Sunday to celebrate Easter, which works out really well.  We kick off Easter a week early, get to see everyone, have fun and fellowship, and yet not have to rush off to anywhere else that day.

This year was a little different for us, as we weren't able to get to Diane's until a little later than normal, but we made it all work.  We attended the United Methodist Church service that morning with Carl's entire side of the family to witness Jared's dedication, which put us in Hudson later than the norm.  But that's ok, we made it to both, which was important to us.  The boys looked so handsome before church that I couldn't resist a picture of them!  I feel so extremely privileged that I get to witness these little souls grow up.  


We got to Diane's, ate a terrific meal, and then moved right on to the Easter egg hunt.  The kids were obviously very excited, and this was the first one of the year for the boys!  Each kid was given a bucket, and they were instructed to find the color of eggs that matched their bucket.  I don't think they really followed that rule, but they were all ok with it....so it all worked out.












After the eggs were all found, they emptied the candy into little baggies, and stashed it away in the Easter baskets that they got from Papa.





Then, it was onto the BIG SURPRISE!!  Each puzzle piece was put together to reveal we were heading to ARKNA acres that is located outside of Dike!  Diane had talked with the gal that owns the farm, and she was expecting our group of people, and they were going to have 10 bottles ready to feed the baby goats, and a few bottles for the baby lambs.  I am not quite sure if every little person knew exactly what was going on, but they were excited nonetheless.


Natalie rode with us to the farm, and Carson and her chattered the whole way there.  It was rather funny and cute to hear what they talked about.  Ohhh, to be 3 and 5, and the things they came up with to pass time and talk about :)


It was a nice day out on Sunday, but the wind was a killer.  The temp was great for Palm Sunday, and it being the end of March, but pair 35-40 mph winds with the open country, and it wasn't the most ideal for all the little people that we had.  We improvised, and headed straight for the barn, and you wouldn't have guessed that they fed the goats any other way.  The lady said they normally let the baby goats run outside with the kids while they feed them, but everyone was content as could be in the barn, and it worked out perfect.


I didn't know how the boys would respond.  Sometimes they surprise us and are shy, and sometimes they surprise us and jump right into things.  They both have pretty reserved attitudes when it comes to new environments, so we just don't ever know.  This time I was so happy to see they jumped right into the new surroundings with huge smiles, and had so much fun.  They aren't strangers to animals, per se, but when not around family members (like Grandpa Brouwer with his sheep) we just don't know what they will think of things.








Carson and Weston both held a baby goat, and had a smile from ear to ear the whole time!  It was so cute how they tried their best to get that goat to stay on their lap.  They are so tame, but wanted to break free, and roam.








Kaylee had fun holding the baby goat too.  Natalie was content to be sitting on Mom's lap next to the goat.



Everyone got to bottle feed a baby goat, and it was too cute to watch them suck that bottle dry in seconds flat!













We finally got a group pic of all of us (minus Karlee.  Bummer!) and it turned out so good!


We were there for about an hour, and then decided it was time to make our way back home.  We were all getting a little chilly, the bottles were gone, and the boys had enough in the barn.

(Some day I will remember my good camera, and not have to rely on my phone camera which gives me pixel-y/blurry pictures.  I didn't have my big camera with me that day, so the phone did the job and captured the memories.  It was either that, or nothing....so I am glad I got something.....even if they aren't very good quality.)

What a great and fun first Easter celebration of the year.  Huge thanks to Diane for making the special arrangements!
Now, onto the great week.  Warmer temps, and APRIL.  Which means.....it's BABY MONTH :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

These boys

......sure make my world go round!


They are both different in so many ways.  Their personalities are crazy opposite, and I love that about them.  What works with one, doesn't work for the other.



There are moments in the day that I swear I am going to lose my sh**, I am not going to lie.  The moments that feel like you are in the trenches, and bed time will never come, you are just sure of it.  But I think we all need to feel those feelings.  We all need to experience them, to really appreciate the little people that we are trying to mold.  It helps us, and makes us become better parents.  These 2 little boys know how to make me go batty one moment, and then melt my heart into a puddle the next.  They are talented like that, those tiny little humans them.


My love for them is fierce, and so unconditional.  I am so thankful the Lord has entrusted us with them.  Here is to our last few weeks with just them, before everyone's world is rocked a little bit with a tiny precious little girl to love on!