The Hot Dog Ham

Well, we did our own Easter dinner this year.  We had rolls, ham, ham sauce, asparagus, strawberries (Jessa's request), Jello (all the kid's requested this), creamed red potatoes and peas, and lemonade.  Everything tasted delicious - except the ham.  Yiks - I need to learn what is a good ham to buy.  This precooked ham - processed - was like a giant hot dog - it tasted kind of like baloney too.  Eeew.  The ham sauce was so yummy it was too bad we had nothing but a nasty ham to put it on. 

The kids thought we were having a feast there was so much food.  Elsie stole most the strawberries from the bowl before we realized she was snitching...she really likes fruit. 

After dinner the weather was nice, so we went outside.  The kids played in the sandbox and on the swings, and Shane took them on a walk around the neighborhood.  Very relaxing.  We had a bowl of 'Sneak in the Cake Mix' ice cream for dessert.  It was a great Easter. 

We had a wonderful Sacrament Meeting today too - our friends and neighbors the Ellingford's spoke.  I loved their testimonies of Christ and the atonement.  How blessed we are that he lives again!!!

 Elsie was making Paige laugh.

My Rubies...my gems!

 Easter 2011

 Paige, 7 months

 Caleb, 5 years old

 Elsie, 2 years old

Jessa, 7 years old

Easter Baskets...or buckets...:)

 Caleb found his bucket under Paige's crib...he got a cool plane that shoots out of gun - it can fly 30 feet!  Caleb thought this was so AWESOME!

 Elsie's bucket was behind the living room chair...she got a Lemon Meringue doll. 

 Jessa's bucket took the longest to find...it was under the movie blanket.  She got colored pencils and...

 a locket!  This is her third locket.  She love lockets...but they keep breaking.  Third times a charm???

Coloring the Easter Eggs

 Adding the vinegar and tablets to each cup.

 Watching the the egg dye fizz!

 Elsie's all ready to color eggs!

 Dyeing green grass on her egg...she's getting fancy!

Shane told Elsie her eggs were going to take a bath.  She really liked that.  She started talking to her eggs...time to get in the bath!

 Super duper Jessa sunset egg!

Ta da!!!! Caleb used some unique techniques this year...sponging color off with toilet paper...and coloring eggs over and over again. 

 Cute!  Do you see her super yellow egg?  That's her 'golden egg.'

Why I Play in My Sister's Room

 My tired little Paige..she doesn't like to got to sleep without mommy!  Love to kiss her little head..her cheeks and her toes.  What a sweet baby!

 Ha ha ha...today Caleb told me a secret..."do you know why I like to play in Elsie's room?" I am thinking this is very intriguing..."why?" Caleb's reply: "I don't have to clean up the toys. And, well, you know, it helps her out."  Ahh such a smart little boy.  Mess up your sister's room - keep your own room clean!  Elsie does love to have Caleb play in her room.  She loves her brother.  Here they are eating a little snack before Caleb heads off to preschool.

Jessa is a decorator at heart.  She loves to rearrange the toys in her room and make 'set ups.' This is the biggest 'set up' yet.  This is how she told me about it..."Mom, will you come see something in my room?" and then "Do you think you could help me clean my room too?"  When I saw THIS I understood why she needed help cleaning up. ha ha  I was too tired so I put her to bed...we'll put it away tomorrow. :)  Let me tell you all these dolls and animals are very loved!  Jessa has a very tender loving heart.

Prunes and Worms

Although my Paigey isn't smiling...she loves prunes!!!

Yesterday Caleb went out in the rain and hunted for worms...Elsie opted for rocks - smart girl. :)

Caleb showing off this creative way to wear his backpack.

Elsie says "mom, take a picture of my dress."  So I took her picture.

My best little cooking buddy. 

The Natatorium

"Swimming, swimming, in my swimming pool..."  La la la la la la la la la...

Jessa and Caleb love to swim. For family night we took the kids to the Natatorium, or as Caleb would say, "The Audatorium."  Paige and I watched from the sidelines.  Elsie is beginning to feel comfortable in the water.  Shane tried to get her to blow bubbles and kick.  When she blows bubbles she usually just drinks in the pool water...it's a work in progress. 

 Caleb is a SUPER SWIMMER!  We like to tell him he's like a torpedo speeding through the water...He is good at putting his face in the water...but he hasn't figured out the whole breathing thing yet.  He will swim for as long as he can hold his breath (which is a pretty long time!) and then he'll stop; and start again. 

 Here's Jessa doing her 'ice cream scoops.'  She's great at 'froggy swimming.'

 Beautiful Jessa.

 What up little dude!

 Peaceful and asleep...my Paigey Pea.  Sleeping on the sidelines. :)

 Off the diving board...

 Floating...

Future water polo star!