Easter Morning

And the hunt was on!!  The kids woke up at the (pardon my French) butt crack of dawn to see if the Easter Bunny hid their baskets.  Amelia was stumped for a long time and couldn't find her baskets, here she is running frantically, searching.

Luke usually finds his baskets and everyone else's in about two minutes.  Personally, I think he gets up in the middle of the night and starts searching but he is mum about how he does it.

Addison found her favorite book, "Llama Llama, Mad at Mama" and sat down to read it and that was the end of searching for Easter baskets.

Look mommy!

Finally Amelia found a basket :)

Too cute not to love.

Our sweet Addison.

Jesus has Risen!!!

Our loves.

Daddy had to work but here I am with our bunnies.  As we worked our way through Lent we tried to remind the kids that Easter was really about Jesus rising from the dead and proving He is our one true Savior.  Addison apparently was listening because when we walked into church she yelled repeatedly to everyone who would listen, "Jesus has risen from the dead!"  She even included Pastor Scott and Pastor Jon in her joyous exclamation and they even got the extra punctuation by slapping them each on the backside.  Oh, Addison.  Whatever am I going to do with you?  Happy Easter to everyone!  

Treasure Oaks Egg Hunt

The country club had their annual Easter Party last weekend and the kids had a blast like always.  It's getting harder for me to catch them to take pictures these days.  They are speedy, busy and not all that interested in mommy when they are at the club.

And she's off!  Addison rocked it out in the 3 and under category.  She eventually got so many eggs that she gave up and sat down to eat candy.

Luke and his trusty Spidy basket.  

I couldn't even find Amelia until her hunt was all over.  They really hid the eggs well for her age category.  

They all enjoyed face painting:  Amelia a cute bunny of course, Luke an Angry Bird and Addison a snake??  The face painter was talented and did these adorable Hello Kitty's, Minnie Mouse, etc.  but Addison insisted on a snake!  

Cousins Rock! (And Aunts too)

Hooray!  Max and Traci came to visit us over Spring Break.   HORN ISLAND RULES!!!!  We had lots of fun watching the dolphins swim around us, collecting shells and sea life and wave surfing.  

Big cousins are so much fun :)

Amelia and Max found and dragged this rope across the whole island, Survivor-style.

The next day we swam at the Kroc center and then headed to the Marine Mammal Institute and studied, touched and awed at sea turtles, blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, etc.  The kids learned all about native species to the Gulf of Mexico and the importance of conservation of our wildlife.  We also learned our little Mississippi sound has the biggest concentration of bottlenose dolphins in the entire world!

Then it was out to the dolphin tanks for the kids big suprise.  Their very own dolphin encounter with Bo and  Buster!  

Instead of the Bopsy Twins...we were the dorky twins.  

We all got to pet, feed and help the dolphins perform their tricks.  It was an unbelievable experience and not one we will soon forget. 

Rubbing the dolphins belly.  I think I was as giddy as the kids.

Digging for shark teeth was a big hit too!

Boys being boys.

We had to redeem ourselves after the dorky picture.  Love my big sis!

When the kids weren't on the boat or the island, they were in the treehouse where they collected snails and fed them wild blackberries and wild onions from our yard.  I have never seen three dirtier kids at the end of each day but look at those smiles.

Tubing!!!  

We love you Max!  We smashed in a lot of fun and we all miss you guys already.

Chocolate Ball

Another beautiful night for the Chocolate Ball on the lawn of the Mary C.  A perfect night with friends, food and lots of chocolate.  And alas, this year I could partake in all of the desserts because I had not given up desserts for Lent.  Everything was delicious and a fun evening was had by all.

Me and the hubs.  Conveniently mom and dad were still in town so we even had free babysitting :)  Thanks mom and dad :)

Kristen sneaking in her bootleg wine...can't bring that girl anywhere ;)

This dessert was named "Lovers Lane."  Yay! 

Lots of fun with girlfriends.

While I was having fun with the girls and chocolate martinis, Steve hit the silent auctions.  Last year, he won a golf trip for himself and three friends.  This year, did we win the art? the jewelry? the spa getaways? the bed and breakfasts?  No, we won a year supply of TatoNut!  I couldn't believe he bid on doughnuts, I mean they are heavenly, but now I need him to bid on a personal trainer.  

The spring visits begin...

Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit while driving back to Wisconsin from their Florida house.  After an exciting day of watching Amelia's field day and Luke's tennis practice we decided to enjoy some dinner...beach style.

Mom and Dad soaking up the Mississippi fun.  Look how young you too look!  I mean how young you are too, ahem, you know what I mean :)

A Boskovich sandwich :)

Field Day

Amelia rocking it out at field day.  It contained all the fun relays we all remember from our childhood, three-legged race, soccer, jump rope, etc.  Amelia's class competed against the 4 other 3rd grade classes.  

In 3rd grade, field day includes the 50, 75, 100 yard dash.  Each class competes in pre-lims before field day and then sends their top three runners to the finals at field day.  This is serious stuff people.  Amelia is the 2nd fastest girl in her class so she was up for the 75 yd dash.  She started out strong and then hit this puddle, look at her in the picture as she slammed on the brakes.  She was probably thinking, "My mom is going to kill me if I get my shoes all wet."  But through it she ran and still ended up getting 3rd place.  Good job Mimi!  We were so proud of her although I have to admit I ended up getting very nervous stomachy.  It brought me right back to my high school track days.  

YAY!

Amelia and her 3rd grade teacher Mr. Bearden.  It has been a fabulous 3rd grade year:)

Plastic eggs, bunny cupcakes...must be Easter time

23 bunny cupcakes.  A yearly tradition for Amelia and I.  I am hoping she never gets sick of making them with me.  I wonder how many kids will be in her high school class???  

Luke at his last Children's House Easter party.  Yes, I teared up.  Look at my little man.  How can he look so grown up and still be wearing bunny ears?

Little bit definitely got into the fun this year.  

I love this one of Luke showing me his eggs and Addison peeking in his basket.  Luke was so sweet to his sister and took her hand all around the school to help her hunt for eggs. 

Miss Mary Ann and Luke.  Addison ran right up to Mary Ann and stated, "I am coming to school here next year."  She then ran away.  I told Mary Ann I would take that as a warning.

Easter Bunny pictures.  Addison is pretty comfortable at Luke's school now so she runs and plays and doesn't really worry where I am and vice versa.  Well, that is until I realized Addison had perched herself next to the Easter Bunny and was in every child's Easter bunny picture.  Sigh.  She also kept running over to the food table and handing the Easter Bunny carrots which poor Easter bunny had to stash in a little pile.  

Luke's kindergarten class:)  I can't believe how big they all are...