Easter project, paper mache.

The girls beginning the project.

The project was perfect for a couple of rainy days.

The finished project. It came out so cute we may do it again, this time we will include Daddy.

Alison's finished project.

Ashley's finished project.

Our new love.....soccer

I never thought enrolling Ashley in a team sport would finally drain her energy and help her appetite; boy was I wrong. She loves playing with the other kids, she has even made a new "guy" friend ~ Josh. What is it with guys named Josh, anyway. Daddy even showed up for this practice and Ashley performed right on cue.

Thud! Thud! Thud! That was all I was hearing this morning on the porch. Low and behold it was Lady Cluck, the chicken, knocking over all the starter pots Rusty is trying to grow. So I cleaned up the mess and when on about the day. Just as I put the girls down for nap today, again I heard one THUD! That was it, I was going to eliminate this chicken. Instead of the plants being knocked down, there it was Lady Cluck's first egg. Just in time for Easter. I rushed and got the girls out of bed so they could witness this. That chicken was just a cluckin' like a proud momma. So around here, the chicken came first...

National Geographic Nap Day

Since it has been raining around here for a couple of days, Daddy and the girls have taken part in naptime. It consists of the National Geographic channel, a few afghans and favorite pillows. Mandy has joined in on my reading quilt.

Soccer Chicks Rule

So Ashley had her first soccer practice tonight. I was pretty amazed. Come to find out not only is the Coach really good but he is also the Director of the Coaching staff. Boy we lucked out. I was expecting a little magnet ball or a bunch of kids watching birds, I was wrong. They actually learned a few skills. Most importantly Ashley enjoyed playing a team sport and Ally admired her big sister while having her own mommy time.

Trip to Kansas

The trip to Kansas exceeded all of my expectations. We had an amazing experience watching a wonderful friend get the chance to lead a unit. To have the opportunity to embark his wisdom and life lessons on men that he will lead into combat and teach them tools that could change of save their lives. We are so proud of Josh and his loving family. And speaking of family, I am absolutely ecstatic they will be welcoming another beautiful child in this world.

This week in Kansas started with watching all five kids while Josh and Heather attended their Battalion Ball. And that is when the craziness started. Feeding 5 kids, washing 5 kids, reading 5 kids their bedtime book, snuggling with 5 kids and taking a deep breath once all 5 kids are sleeping peacefully. I would not change the controlled chaos for anything.



True to form Kansas proved to keep us on our toes for the week. The morning after we arrived it snowed a couple of good inches and by the end of the week, the kids were playing in the pool.
This was a blessed and refreshing trip. We finally had the chance to meet Jack and Dona Eggar, Josh's parents and Becca (sorry if it is misspelled), Josh's sister. It was truly a family affair.
Thanks again for the amazing trip. See you next year.

But while we were gone, everything continued to blossom and grow. First, is the reward on Rusty's hard work, the blossoms on our peach trees. Secondly, is the infamous Lady Cluck, she is not a figment of my imagination.