Let's Go Swimming!

Before it started raining all day, every day - like the kind of rain that makes you think you might have moved to Seattle but can't actually remember packing any boxes kind of rain - we were swimming almost every day. Summer arrived early in Central Florida (as it often does) and the only appropriate outside activity is swimming. Otherwise, I would surely melt.

Thankfully, all of the money and tears invested in swim lessons the past few summers have produced children who love to swim and are good at it!

During a recent visit with Grandma and Grandpa, we visited their community pool. It was a perfect afternoon. Well, except for the swarms of love bugs that followed us wherever we went. It was beyond crazy.

Helpful tip: it appears love bugs do not so much enjoy the swimming pool. So, we were safe while we played and swam the afternoon away...






These kiddos LOVE to jump in the pool! Their energy is quite impressive.




They also loved this fountain that was in the middle of the pool. Can you tell??








Grandma is so much fun! She invents cute games for the kids and is always willing to go along with the funny ideas they come up with on their own.


She sure looks happy, doesn't she?


But don't forget about Grandpa...


He's pretty fun too!





What a fun afternoon at the pool!

Egypt Is Farther Away Than You Think

Last weekend, we traveled to Tampa to celebrate Mother's Day. I really cannot imagine that anything would have made Grandma happier than having all of her grandchildren with her to celebrate! All of her children and grandchildren in one place on a day dedicated to moms - perfection!


We really did have a wonderful day. Matt had the kids make cards for me this year. I had thrown a few hints his way that I would prefer handmade cards. There is just nothing more precious than their handwriting and knowing that they wrote exactly what they were thinking. As you can tell in this next picture, I loved Drew's card! I also love how proud he looks as I am reading it!


Abby wrote on the front of the card she made for me and she signed her name on the inside. However, Matt had to write the message because it was too long for her to write. It read, "I love Mommy all the way to Egypt and the ocean. She's the bestest in the whole wide world."

I told her that I couldn't believed she loved me ALL the way to Egypt. She solemnly nodded her head and added, "I do love you all the way to Egypt. It's where the pyramids live."


They each had a gift for me. Daddy had taken them into the playroom the day before so they could help wrap their presents. When they were finished, I went into the playroom to put a few things away. There was still tape and wrapping paper on the floor. I teased them, "Hey! What's all this wrapping paper doing on the floor?"

Drew didn't miss a beat, "Oh, don't worry Mom. We are wrapping presents for Father's Day." Abby chimed in, "Yeah, Father's Day. We had to get Daddy some presents. Don't worry, it's not for Mother's Day."

They gave me lots of scrapbooking paper and stickers. Drew's was all for baseball and Abby's was all for dance. Love it!


Thanks, honey, for making my Mother's Day so special!


We had to get a picture with all the Moms!


Uncle Joe used the leftover paper to "wrap" Abby up as a gift! She loved it and then Drew wanted to be wrapped up too!


These two precious little people really are the BEST Mother's Day present I could have ever asked for.


I love them all the way to Egypt...and back.

How My People Watch TV

Better Than Counting Sheep...

Here are the videos I promised to share of Abby singing to Drew with her new guitar. Sorry the video quality is not very good. The lights are dimmed because it's bedtime.





Obviously, we are quite proud. ;)

And, we'll be contacting American Idol in about 14 years...

Yep, I'm Still Talking About Easter...

Easter was weeks ago. A tiny blip in most people's rear-view mirror. Yet, here I am, still blogging about it.

But, I finally made it through ALL the pictures and the memories are so sweet that I'm not afraid to document them even though it is practically May.

So, who wants to see more Easter pictures?!

Anyone?

*Tap-Tap* This thing on?

Ok, it's just me then. Here we go!

We traveled to Tampa on Saturday to spend the day with my nephews and their parents. We had lots of fun playing with Ryan and baby Tyler and the kids were BEYOND excited to spend the night - what an adventure!

Easter morning I got some cute pics of Drew and Abby lovin' on their baby cousin.






We waited for Matt's parents and Joe & Kelly to arrive before we did Easter baskets and the egg hunt.

Here is what the baskets looked like this year -


The kids seemed thrilled with their gifts. Actually, only Abby seemed thrilled. She was genuinely excited about every single thing she pulled out of the basket.

Drew, on the other hand, seemed happy enough. He was pleased, but definitely not over-the-top happy about any of the items. Truth be told, I think he was just ready to get on with the egg hunt.

The boy is turning out to be quite competitive.

Being the tallest one does have its advantages...


Abby and Ryan held their own though!


How sweet! Drew is pointing out a princess egg to Abby -


We put coins in all of the Easter eggs this year. For Christmas, my Aunt Kris got the kids some money jars that count the money as each coin is added. Drew and Abby both have about $40 in their jars and they are always asking (read: begging) for more coins to put in their money jars.

I also had special eggs for each child that contained a dollar bill. Drew's were baseball eggs, Abby's were princess eggs, and Ryan's were Elmo eggs!








After the egg hunt, Grandma called everyone inside and put on some music for dancing!




Then it was time to eat the chocolate bunny. I cannot even begin to describe Abby's delight in this fine piece of candy. Those bunny ears were gone mere seconds after this picture was taken.


But, we had other bunny ears for a fun photo op!


It was a fun family weekend made even more special by all the people we were able share it with.


Happy Easter!

Egg Hunt!

We headed over to my friend Danielle's house on the Saturday before Easter. Danielle and I have been friends since we were 5 years old. We have shared many happy memories and seen each other through many trying circumstances. We have 5 children between us and they all love each other - everyone especially loves new baby Graham!

However, let's be real.

I'm really only friends with her anymore because her backyard is so rockin' cool. Seriously, it's like an amusement park without the cost of admission.

They host an annual Easter party with an egg hunt that has become a huge hit with the kids. When I told Drew and Abby where we were going they knew just what to expect. Lots of eggs, lots of prizes, lots of kids, and lots of fun!!


And, they're off!


Look at this! They are finding eggs while climbing on a tree fort - so much fun!






Our pretty girls!


Checking out the loot in the Easter eggs!


Trampoline time!




This is a regular swing that hangs from a tree. It can go amazingly high!


Dewane recently added this tire swing - Abby loved it!




Giggles on the seesaw!


We had such a fun morning!


Thanks Snyder Family!

And, I was just kidding before.

We don't just love you for your awesome backyard.

That would be shallow.

We'll always be best of friends, no matter what kind of backyard you have.

But we are going to have to ask that you don't let baby Graham get any bigger...cause we sure do love playing with that sweet baby boy!