A Good Laugh...

Carrine is Officially Walking!

A rainy day family dance party turned monumental yesterday when Carrine decided to take her first official steps in our living room to the song "Party Rock!" So glad Jake and I and the big kids were all there to witness it! 

Hard to believe we have yet another walker in our family!

Carrine's new favorite hide-out...under our kitchen table ;)

Kindergarten Round-Up...Amazing!!

Well..our Roslyn Ann LOVED Kindergarten Round-Up!

As parents, Jake and I were much more confident this year compared to last year with Andray.

What a difference a year makes!

So glad Jake could be with Roz and I at the Round-Up.

Roslyn's exact words..."Mom, I just LOVE Kindergarten Round-up!"

This lil' lady is MORE THAN READY for Kindergarten next fall.

As a mom I can't even be sad that Roz is starting school next year.

She's so excited, confident and prepared for Kindergarten.

I am sincerely and whole-heartedly happy for her.

Roslyn and Brooklyn are going to be best pals next year!

Nice to already have a friend to sit with on the bus!

Roslyn's homework for Round-Up...one of God's Wonders! 

Complete with Roz's "smart phone!"

After Round-up Roz had to check her text messages from her make-believe friend, "Aleena!"

(next time you talk to Roz, ask her about her best friend Aleena. Aleena has quite the life story:)

Choices You Make...

Easter Excitement...the Lord is Risen, Alleluia!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter with your families.

I am so thankful for my husband, my healthy children, our families and friends.

The Lord is Risen...Alleluia!

This photo reflects some of my favorite Bible verses:

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

John 8:12 Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Last weekend our Big Kids had a blast coloring Easter eggs.

We used up the last of the Smurf eggs.

Nearly 30 years old...think that was worth the 40 cents my parents paid on clearance at Pamida "back in the day!"

Thanks for saving Mom!

Palm Sunday we were blessed to have Papa Larry and Gma Carol with us!

Dad taught Andray how to braid the palms.

Hard work pays off!

And then it was Holy Week...a very somber time in our Christian Faith...

but a joyful time as well!

Happy Easter...peek-a-boo!

Easter Eve the kids had fun putting out carrots and "chocolate" milk for the Easter Bunny.

They didn't fill the glass of milk as full as they do for Santa though.

Their reasoning..."Santa is bigger than the Easter Bunny!"

Good point...

The kids wanted to leave the sliding door open so the Easter Bunny would have an easy entrance that night!

Yet again...good idea and good point!

Easter Sunday morning...three very excited kids!

The Easter bunny did not forget us this year!

Carrine had fun crawling out of her room and finding the Easter eggs.

Happy...happy

Didn't take her long to figure out how to open the Easter eggs...

 and start eating jelly beans!.

The Easter bunny delivered chocolate crosses and praying hands...

and of course chocolate BUNNIES!

and even a little CASH for the kiddos.

Can you see the jelly bean drool running down Carrine's face?

Her whole face and chest were sticky!

Another quick family photo before the Easter egg hunt!

Carrine got to enjoy her first "traditional" banana split before lunch!

She loves ice cream!

Some of the Lingl cousins...was a perfect day for an Easter egg hunt!

One of my most favorite photos of the day!

Eggs were everywhere!

Was an emotional day with Gram yesterday. She typed each of us granddaughters a poem. 

What a special keep sake...love her more than anything!

The great-grandkids had a blast in Dennis' boat in the garage...Roz driving? Kinda scary!

Ah, can only imagine what this crazy crew will be up to in 10-15 years together on Green Lake in Spicer :)

These kids deserved it. Got home late from the Stang gathering and had some toast and a BIG CUP of Chocolate Milk before bedtime.

40 days without chocolate milk...they did it!

Cheers!

Truly had a great day with family yesterday, very thankful.

What a Lenten Season...Holy Saturday is Here!

What a year with Miss Carrine...she is literally growing before our very own eyes!

Yesterday she took her first two steps. Not sure she knew what she was doing, but the big kids and I were both there to witness this monumental milestone!

And what a difference a year makes! Last year Carrine was smaller than our Hallmark Easter Bunny.

Now she towers over the Bunny and loves to dance to the music ;)

This morning the kids and I read about Easter Eve and our Christian celebrations.

(BTW - found this Easter book at the public library - great read for kids and adults)

The kids gave up a lot of things for Lent this year:

Chocolate Milk

Candy

No movies in the van (harder on me than them! ;)

No playing games on our cell phones

They might be drinking chocolate milk for breakfast tomorrow!

We are all looking forward to Easter Sunday tomorrow!

Trust in God's Mercy on this Good Friday...

God's GRACE is powerful! 

Another interesting read in our bulletin this past week.

Jake found one of his Gpa Andy's rosaries in

a tractor on the farm earlier this Spring.

There is no doubt in my mind that Gpa Andy is enjoying eternal rest in Heaven with 

Jesus Christ.

Jesus' sacrifices are endless for us.

Thankful for His forgiveness and

unending love & mercy on this Good Friday and 

always.