AAApril

     April began with our final award ceremony for the year for Hayden, and it was a special one for both Hayden and Calvin. Hayden got a special award for language arts and honor roll. Calvin got honor roll, attendance award, and a special award for overall outstanding efforts. It's a sweet thing to get to celebrate with the boys as they celebrate each step towards completion of another year.

David got to spend an evening at the county fair with his buddies Cole and Sam to celebrate Sam's birthday. These cute little goofy guys!

Easter was early in April this year, and it was a special one. It was Grandpa's last Easter service at his church before his retirement in the summer. It felt very sweet to be there one more time, as we have many many times, before we probably will never return for an Easter service. It is a sad part of ministry; the church needs you to leave so they an embrace their new pastor. So your community becomes something you lose essentially when you retire. It happened to my parents as well.

This was where we sat with the Proses and took a picture for Easter when David was a baby in Mimi's lap. I had to have been 2016 I'd guess, if not 2017. I'm surprised I didn't make a comparison shot.

Big Jim and little Jimmy. You can't find a cuter pair than these two.

Back at home the boys were ready to start swimming. This close up brought to you by Hayden, featuring David's new big front teeth.

Calvin and David got their Spring pictures back, and they were so funny that I made them into these side by side comparisons of what it reminded me of. I kid you not, these are the actual photos from school. And yes, I bought them! Who could pass up a good laugh like this??

I realized a had a couple of other gems from the previous year. None have ever been quite this funny again, but these are absolutely hilarious.

DOUBLE DIGETS!! Calvin could not have been more excited. We had his birthday celebration just before his actual birthday, so that Mimi could go to the mother/son event that our elementary school was having. A neon themed glow up night. So fun!

Calvin's code Ninja birthday party that was Ninja themed! They got to build and code robots in small teams, and then have their robots compete. It was a very chill birthday party, and Calvin was so excited. The kids were really good and worked so hard!

Mimi made Calvin an amazing cake! The bamboo detail an the throwing stars were super cool.

Our sweet guy had a great time with his buddies and brothers. Thank you for coming Mimi&Grandpa!

Calvin's actual birthday day came with some sweeet new shoes he and Matt picked out. They definitely made him jump higher.

Calvin also got some awesome new pool floats from us and from Grammy&Papa. Everyone enjoyed those! especially snorlax.

Happy birthday sweet Calvin! You are such an awesome, sweet, cute kid, and you make us so proud.

Calvin's soccer team had some pictures taken, so of course we all had to buy them. Not that they are bad, but they aren't great. I will always take pictures of my boys though!

Calvin and his buddies had worked so hard on their skit for the talent show, but one of his friends got sick and couldn't come! Hayden was the hero and stepped in to save the day. He learned all the lines super quick, and he made their skit happen. What a great big brother! The skit was a big hit and one of Calvin's favorite memories.

Super hero David and me watching Hayden get his safety patrol medal. He was a patrol for all three years! Way to go Hayden.

April comes with the excitement of Spring, but it goes so quickly into all the end of the year activities. Time just keeps speeding up on me, but I am so thankful for all the time I've been given. Thank you Lord for all these busy, crazy days keeping up with these boys. I'm so glad I get to do it. Thank you for Calvin's birthday and his sweet friends. Thank you for Easter and getting to be there with Grandpa. Thank you for my family Lord. Amen.

MMMarch

March began with the Gate River Run, as it usually does for me. I look forward to this race every year! Although on days like today when it is barely above freezing outside, it makes me stress about being prepared when the time comes to run it. Anthony went with me this time which was really nice. The race is always better with friends!

I just don't even know what to say about this photo. It should live on just for being absolutely hilarious. Spring Break came over St Patrick's Day, so James wore this to school the Friday before spring break started. I kid you not. And Bentley looks like a little kid with his mullet; I really cannot get over this! hahaha!

Spring Break for us meant a Ski Trip to West Virginia! The boys were so excited to go snowboarding, and we sent Hermione off to our Dog Trainer/Boarder while we were gone to play. She loves it.

We started off by sending the boys through ski school, so here we are getting them all set to go with their instructors. The snow flakes were so big and beautiful, I had to snap a picture of the one that landed in Mimi's hair!

I love when the trees are covered like this. It is just magical.

Mimi and Grandpa make all things more fun. We spent lots of time playing games around this little coffee table. I think maybe our first time playing one night werewolf with them! Card games are more fun than tv time and make much better memories.

Our rental house had a hot tub on the deck of the bottom level. The boys decided to go out in the evening, and Matt threw snow in over their heads! haha. They of course took it up a notch by rolling in the snow and jumping back into the hot tub. These wild boys; they sure did have a blast. Then momma made them come in and have a warm shower.

Mimi always has a fun plan; here they are making snow ice cream. When you have real fresh snow, it is the perfect time!

The boys had so much fun playing outside the cabin in the snow. Luckily, we had enough of a slope yard that they could play and build snow forts and make snow balls. The huge snowflakes were so pretty!

They did slide down some, but thankfully not very far!

The boys were not worried about being cold, but Matt and I were! We thought we looked much older with our snowy white hair and lashes. It is so lovely to be able to enjoy the snow and then go in for a hot cup of coffee. 

James caught lots of snowflakes as well, and Mimi was out there in the snow with the boys for a long time. She enjoyed building with them. I watched from the kitchen window!

Matt and his snowboarding boys. So tough.

David and Calvin and I going for a few runs on the top of the mountain. I remember taking videos of them to show their skills after their few days of practice. Lots of falling, lots of laughing, and only a couple of wipeouts. Good job boys!

I cannot understand why you would want to be buried in the snow, but my boys do! Here is James, and I really don't know how you would not be freezing doing this. haha!

More buried boys in the snow! Never a dull moment, and these boys loved it.

The weather cleared and gave us some sunshine for a few more pictures. I stayed with the younger boys and then spent some time doing runs with the older two. They are really getting the hang of it, and I try to keep up.

The snow in these trees is at the top of the mountain. The snow blowers create this by running overnight when it will freeze in the tree before it lands on the ground. It makes some really crazy shapes!

James and Hayden at the bottom of the mountain in from of the lake, still frozen from the winter and covered in snow.

We found some wild icicles on the porch after the sun came out. Calvin really enjoyed this one, but Grandpa wished it had stayed outside. Matt gave him a hard time!

Our matching snow shoe tshirts for our family picture! Ski Trip 2023 with a sunset background. What a lovely time we had together.

We finished our vacation with St Patrick's Day, so James came prepared. Little pots of gold and his best leprechaun costume. Grandpa loved it; you can tell by the look on his face. From what I remember, Mimi and Grandpa left the day before we did, and they had a hard time leaving early. Not because we found a mouse in the kitchen drawer, but that did happen too.

Looks like these pictures were from our final day. I think the boys were pretty well worn out by this point. Seems like this was our last day on the slopes. It was a bit warmer weather, and we didn't take as many pictures. Looks like we spent quite a bit of time playing in the ice fort in the middle of town, and maybe less time on the slope. haha

These are the faces of boys who had a great trip. So long Snow Shoe! Until next time.

We made it a point to stop at this diner in West Virginia on our way home. Obviously we recommend it for the food but the dessert was the really winner.

Back at home, the boys talked us into a Waffle House dinner. Hayden made a cell model in 3D using felt and other pieces from my sewing bag which he glued onto his poster board. He did a great job!

Hayden's card collecting and trading with a couple of his good friends Noah and Stu. Calvin got a turn to bring home the team trophy. Always a good day!

Thank you Lord for a month filled with family, friends, sports, and fun. Thank you for our school and our home. For the chance to go away to do something new and to come home again and feel such happiness to be back. Thank you for our sweet town and our community. Thank you for our church and the families that we love and appreciate. Thank you Lord for the time to look back, and for the things you help me to remember. Help me to finish these projects, so that I can remember for many years to come. Thank you for the opportunity to preserve these moments in time. I pray my gratitude will always overwhelm any expectations that try to creep in. Amen.