Spring Break, Winston-Salem, NC

The morning after Easter, we loaded up the car and I took the boys to North Carolina to visit PeePaw and Grandma Beth. It was extra special, because like last year, Marshma and Papa also met us there on their way home from Florida. 

The boys are FANTASTIC car trip kids these days. They seriously watched movies and played games the entire ride. I joked that Luke may have said 30 words during the entire 7 1/2 hour trip, and that included "press play" and "I need a snack." Caleb talked a little more, but only because he felt the need to describe what he was building on Minecraft. :) It really was nice- I had a big cup of coffee, and an extra travel mug full, and got to listen to the radio the whole way. 

Halfway there, we stopped in Charleston, WV to visit Papa Bill and GG, and as luck would have it, Grandma Kathy was there visiting too. We had a late donut breakfast and then got back in the car for the second leg of the journey. Once we arrived, we were pretty worn out, so we spent that afternoon and evening just hanging out around the house.

Since Krispy Kreme began in Winson-Salem, it was only fitting that we started our first full day there with hot glazed donuts. Yum!!! (Luke is still wearing this hat. This week he went to Wal-Mart with it on.)

Our first museum stop was the Winston-Salem Children's Museum. Caleb remembered it really well from last year and was so excited.

Climbing Jack's beanstalk to the second floor

Then they played Krispy Kreme workers. 

Next it was on to the Food Lion.

Luke also decided to try out being a veterinarian 

as well as being a fisherman.

Our last stop was the handmade climbing thing that was outside. Caleb figured out a way to the top.

Luke and I were worn out after spending the morning at the museum and took a nap together. It turned out to be the only nap that he had all week, yet he did really good!
Much more fun to come...

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter celebrating "Jesus rising from the dead," as the kids will tell you. While we don't do the whole Easter Bunny thing, the kids are always still excited to see what is in their Easter basket.

Two thumbs up for Minecraft t-shirts.

And, the highlight were these Snackeez cups. They love them, and I have to say they are handy!

After church we had lunch at Grandma and Grandaddy's house and attempted a family picture beforehand. 

Hugs for Grandaddy

The big kids (or teenagers as Caleb calls them) hid the eggs so the littles could hunt them.

They were so cute running around!

Sweet Caroline

Catching Up

I feel like we blinked and April is already halfway over! 

Our month started out with some warm, summer-like days. The boys and I walked to the back part of our neighborhood that is still under development and found that someone has made an awesome rope swing. The boys loved it!

There were also lots of rocks to be over turned and rolly polys to be found!

Then...it rained.

We made national news for the second time due to weather this year. Six inches of rain fell over the course of a day, and the field behind our house became a creek. While Caleb and Luke had school that Friday, JCPS was cancelled because over 30 schools were inaccessible due to flooding.

Having an extra day off work helped because I was able to do this... 

 On Saturday, April 4th, my mom and I hosted a shower at my house for Briana, or "Aunt Briana," as Caleb now calls her. My aunt Kim brought beautiful flowers, and I mostly decorated with pictures and monograms for Briana & Luke. The wedding colors are coral, aqua, and gold, so I tried to use those. (I also had my normal Easter decorations out as well.)

One of my friends made the MOST amazing cupcakes. I may have sampled some that morning with my coffee. 

Sandwiches, veggies and dip, and yogurt parfaits

Caroline & Baylee (Caleb was so bummed that he couldn't stay for the shower, saying he wished "it was a couple's shower" so he could be there. Ha!)

Ella is getting so big and was such a little ham at the shower!

We had a house full of family that afternoon.

Rachel (Bri's younger sister) and the Bride-to-Be, also known as Caleb & Luke's favorite babysitters. (And, also known as the two ladies that can make Caleb blush!)

The BIG day (May 9th) will be here before we know it...

The Rest of March

We are so thankful for all the warm, sunny days that the second half of March brought. 

Marshma sent the boys these "straws" that you stick in oranges to drink the juice. Luke loved his so much and has reminded me like a thousand times to buy more oranges at the grocery store.

Picnic lunch on the driveway (his request)

Caleb loves climbing the tree (that used to be a "weed" when we built out house) in our backyard. Each year he ventures a little higher. (It makes Luke so nervous when Caleb is up there-ha!)

Luke still sets up his "work" on a daily basis. Boxes, legos, notebooks, old ticket stubs, etc. He is such a character. (Notice all the empty boxes in the background...yeah, those are his boxes.)

Nap time is still pretty important for this little guy. Normally we have to wake him after an hour and a half to pick up Caleb from school. On this particular day I just couldn't get him to wake up!

Our first after school park visit this year

Over the weekend the boys dyed Easter eggs. When we were finished Luke said he was ready to put candy in them. Ha!

Since it was sunny and in the 70s today, we met my friend Kristen and her daughter Kamryn at the zoo. I can't even remember the last time we went, so Luke was super excited!

These two were hilarious...they loved giggling about the gorilla's butt. ;)

 Our "Let's see who is taller" worked to get a picture.

One last carousel ride with my little guy. I just love our time together.

 Luke then spent all afternoon and evening on the back deck. He rearranged his playhouse and played with his sand/water table for hours!