Quick catch-up

Okay, I’ve got Easter egg hunt pictures and flower cross pictures to post, but I have a few miscellaneous pictures hanging out in the “to blog” file I want to get to first!

We had half of a French baguette loaf the other day, and I sliced it up for French toast.  Yummmmmmm… Everybody love the little French toast bites.

Joanna made a bunny hat at school.  :)

This one has nothing to do with anything, but I like it.  :)

James went in to the kitchen and dragged this little pot out.  He’s boiling Little People.

I so love it when he’s happy.

Sadly, he is often…not.

Friday night I was feeling quite lazy (and we were about out of cheese) so I sent Matt to Wal-Mart to get a take-and-bake pizza instead of making one from scratch.  I did however pile on spinach, leftover chicken, and cheddar on top before baking it.  YUM.

James has hit what I think is my least-favorite toddler stage.  He has to do everything for himself, by himself.  It’s brutal.  I know it will pass; I just don’t like living through it.  :)

I love it when they all eat the dinner.

I’m in a dinner rut.  I think it’s because I’m having to switch from winter-cooking to summer-cooking.  And I’ve forgotten what I like to cook in the summer.

Emma’s Fourth Birthday Party!

We headed to Lisa’s house for Emma’s party on Friday!  I can’t believe she’s going to be FOUR!!

We played out in the backyard for awhile.

There’s the birthday girl!

And we played inside too.  Natalie is “pinning” the rainbow on the My Little Pony.

A yummy lunch!

And a yummy cake too!

I’m taking a picture of James taking a picture.  :)

It started on his head…

They love to swing!

We had such fun – thanks Vandenberge’s!  We are just so happy God made our Emma.  Happy birthday sweet girl.

Children

Tuesday morning I got an early call to sub at SLC.  But then I felt Natalie’s fever and had to stay home with her instead.  I’m not gonna lie – being home with a sick Natalie is almost like being home alone. 

I told her I wasn’t going to make her take her thumb out of her mouth that day.  She’s my little self-soother.

We laid down in my bed to snuggle at about 11:30.  I got up because I remembered nine thousand things I needed to do.  When I came back to check on her, she was out.  She slept until about 2:15!

She felt much better after that day of sleeping, and she woke up the next day totally fine.  Yay for a very quick mystery fever bug!

Last night when I went to check on James, I found this:

He looked just soooooo cute with his head on his arms I had to take a picture.  I didn’t want to use the flash, but I chanced turning the lamp in his room.  His eyes twitched a bit, but he didn’t wake up!

My sweet big girl, who looks about seventeen here – oh my! 

Exciting News:  Today April 5, 2012 at 3:25pm my great-niece was born.  (Can you believe it?  I’m not even 30!)  Congratulations to Josh and Ashley on the birth of baby Brooke.  We can’t wait to meet her!!!

Palm Sunday

Before church on Sunday…

James and Daddy were still in their PJs as James was sick and they’re weren’t coming until later.

I was running all over the place with my children’s choir, so I didn’t get to play with my camera as much as I might have liked.

When I got finished with my choir kids, I found Matt and all three of our children in the balcony.  The chancel choir had their special music that morning, and it was a pleasure to sit and listen with my family.

Of course I couldn’t help but take pictures of the children with their palm branches.

My lens is wonderful and I love it… but it’s hard to take pictures of people sitting right next to you!

These are James’ baby fingers:

Natalie was waving the palm here – I kind of like how it’s blurry but the ceiling of the sanctuary is in focus.

My sweet baby.  :)

Toot.  I love her.

The children, James and Joanna in particular, were very engaged in the music.

Matt had a death grip on James’ pants.

After the service…

I love this goofy little position he has!

I like this one a lot:

It’s Holy Week my friends, though I can hardly believe it. 
Lots of worship and thinking to be done this week before Easter.

Reunited, and it Feels so Good!

The Vandenberges came home yesterday!!!  They were in Australia for THREE WEEKS!  We missed them A LOT.  Junior missed them A WHOLE LOT.

I had my camera ready for when they got to our house.  Unfortunately my camera did not know the door was going to open, flooding the entry with light.  Whoops.  I’ll have it better trained for next time that happens.

I’m pretty sure Junior thought they’d left him forever, and he was going to have to live with us.  Boy was he glad that wasn’t true!

I love this one:

Joanna was just so happy that her friend was home!

We’re glad they’re home too.

But today after dinner there was food on the floor of the dining room.  And I had to bend down and clean it up.

I miss you Junior.  :)

(But not enough to go and get a dog of my own.)