Easter with my Family!

Have I mentioned that my mom rocks?  She is amazing & had the best contests for the kids!  She did two egg hunts (Jo by herself since Elizabeth was not there & can't walk yet and one for Anna & Jacob). 

She had a contest for Rosie & Caty:

Softball Throwing

Basketball Hoops

Soccer Throw-In

It was so fun, and the kids loved it!  Rosie won the Susan B. Anthony coin, but it was some tough competition against Caty!

Here's my cutie Jo practicing basketball all afternoon.  That kid did not take a nap & did not get crabby once!  She was the energizer bunny on Easter!

Thank you Mom & Dad for a great Easter!  What a perfect day at your house!

Pictures from Easter!

A little late, but I don't want to forget our awesome Easter!  We all attended Holy Thursday & Good Friday services.  Rosie also wanted to attend the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, and I am so glad we did. It was long but beautiful!  We went with our good friends, Tera & her daughter, Gabriella.  Easter morning was a beautiful day, and we invited the Gombas' over to celebrate with a delicious brunch. 

I snapped some cute photos before brunch began!

A great hunt for eggs was just about to begin!

Thank you to Tera & Robert & Caroline & Gabby - you made Easter morning very special!

My little Taylor Swift

She loves Taylor Swift's songs, and I caught Josephine singing one of her songs in the car.  It was so cute, and we both sang along to the radio (I like her too!)  I couldn't believe she knew so many of the words, so are we in the car too much or is she just a quick learner?  Ha ha - probably in the car too much!  I can't forget she listens to her sisters' iPods whenever she can.  I think I have my own little diva.....

First Softball Game

Great game this afternoon!!  We played so well & won 21-6!  We were close to throwing out a couple of steals (this is our first year stealing), so I was thrilled!  Practices have been going so well, and the girls are really throwing hard, hitting & listening to me.  They were very happy with the game, and I loved how they cheered each other on.  Most of all, they hit their cut-offs & knew what to do when the ball came to them.  They were on!  Nice start to the season!!

Trout Lodge Day 2

My cutie Jo got to do a pony ride while the big kids made rockets.  She rode the biggest horse, and it made me nervous.  The guide kept saying "this horse likes to run & is not used to just walking around."  Telling me that did not make me feel too comfortable, but we made it around the pasture two times without an incident!

Anna Jones & Jo on their horses!  Too cute!

So the "big kids" made rockets & the launch was at 11am!  They all patiently waited to for their turn....

All successful rocket launches - super cool!

Trout Lodge Day 1 continued...

Wall climbing was our late afternoon activity, and it was incredible!  It is physically hard but it is also a mental challenge!  I was so proud of my daughters - they both made it to the top & I know they struggled but were so determined.  They made me want to to do it as well, and it is really something to remember.  It gave me chills as they all rooted for their friends & parents & offered encouragement all the way up the wall.  I'm proud to have such great kids!!

Rosie & Megan making their way to the top!

Anna challenged my friend Carrie, and they had a blast!  Anna is little but mighty!

Touch the top of the wall & then repel down! My competitive spirit got the best of me, and so Pat King & I climbed it at the end!  So glad I did it! 

Trout Lodge Day 1

We are having the greatest time at Trout Lodge.  The weather could not be more perfect for our three days.  The best thing from a mom's perspective is the meal program - cafeteria-style home cooking - no clean up & delicious & way too many choices!  The kids can run & play for hours outside & we have the place to ourselves (most Spring Break weeks were in March).  We started today off with archery, rode bikes, alpine swing, miniature golf & more bike riding.  While Jo naps, the girls are doing arts & crafts & then it is off to the Pike's Peak for wall climbing!

Rosie doing the Alpine Swing!!  Woohoo - it was crazy - yes, I decided to do it as well & what a rush!!!

Too small to do Alpine Swing but she is happy riding a bike!!

Party On!

Stephanie turned 21 in February, and her cool aunts finally took her out for some cocktails!  She chose the casino which was something different for all of us.  We didn't win (or lose) too much - we mainly played the penny slots.  We forgot that smoking is allowed at the casino so after an hour or so, we ended up at a restaurant/bar buying her more drinks!  Very fun & good to be with my sisters & my awesome niece!

Having a bite to eat before we tried to win the big bucks!