Tucker's 6th bday

 Happy Sixth Birthday to our big boy!  Each year passes quicker than the last and this year was no exception!  What a joy you are to have in our life, in our family, and in our home.  You constantly surprise us and make us genuinely laugh at your goofy faces and funny things you do and say.  You're prayers are so deep and thoughtful and your understanding of the scripture stories is surprising and wonderful!  You're a great example to your little siblings.  I love seeing that you and Cooper are bestest friends and you are so good at playing with Kyla.  Your smile can light up a room.  You're such a bright spot in our lives! We love you bud!

 We had a simple party at home on his birthday, knowing we were going to have an outdoor friend bash later that weekend.

 

I think Kyla enjoyed the cupcake the most!

 

On Saturday, we had a "Jumping" friend party.  Our friends, the Smith's, let us borrow their bounce house to make it quite the extravaganza!  Thanks guys!

 Grocery sack races (don't work nearly as well as potato sacks!)

 

And what started the jumpy-themed party-- Tucker's intense desire to have either a bunny rabbit or frog cake! :)

 That gift is enough to make mom jump!!  eegghhh.

 Too bad the adults didn't have any fun at the party...

Strawberry Patchin'

 Yummy strawberries, lots of mess, and lots of fun!

 Apparently its hard work pickin' strawberries!

Tucker's T-ball

 Tucker had a fun first season of T-ball.

 Cooper had fun at the games...

 Coach Mike did a great job, Tucker really learned a lot.

 The Team

Good Goode buddies- Luke Gaylor and Caden Sheldrake

Easter

I love Easter!  The Earth is coming back to life, weather's getting warm, and a wonderful day to focus on the Savior and His Resurrection! We had a wonderful day going to church, finding Easter baskets, enjoying the afternoon and dinner with good friends, the Malones, and loving a chance to Skype with the cousins and extended family in the evening.  Couldn't ask for a better day!

 Tucker had an Easter egg hunt at school on Friday.  We all went to watch and Cooper actually got to help and have treats in his class afterwards!  Love little schools! :)

Trying to get a picture of the kids in their cute Easter clothes... this is the best we got.  The second one just makes me laugh.  Somehow during the picture taking process, Rudy thought he'd get better smiles out of the kids by giving them ipods and phones.  Kyla: "Mom, Really? Can't you see I'm texting??" 

 Cooper found his basket!  T-ball bat! Yess!

 Finding the eggs, then celebrating the spoils by swinging!

 Made my first official ham- with funeral potatoes and jello salad, of course. :)  Turned out not too shabby! Then we were able to Skype with my family.  Miss you all terribly!

Good food, good friends, family, fun- all the while remembering what the day is truly all about!
Happy Easter!

Playing Dress-up

 Lots of families play dress up...most just aren't this weird about it.

 

Tucker phase 1: came downstairs with a 'few' extra pieces of clothes on.

 Tucker phase 2: starting to unveil just how many articles were on his body.

 Tucker phase 3: final phase of taking off the 22 pairs of underwear he had somehow gotten on one over the other! 
Final article of clothing count on this 5 year old frame- 58!  Why??  ...we have no idea.

 Maybe this helps clarify...

 

or this.

 

 Seems it's genetic.

 Starting at a VERY early age.

This was the boys 'dressing up' as their hanging towels.  Yup. They're in there!

Spring Fun

 Just a few fun shots of Spring randomness...
The kids LOVE playing/getting rides in the little red wagon that our cute neighbors gave to us.

 

 Kyla's first piggies...yes, those totally count as pigtails! :)

 Tucker's "Spring Musical" at Otter River Elementary.  So fun to have a 'big kid' :)

Christmas Fun!

This year's Christmas was a fun and laid back one.  We weren't able to visit family, but still enjoyed the

day.

 

 Here are the kids showing off their Christmas Eve PJs. The boys wanted footie pjs just like their lil sis.

 

 Santa definitely came!  There was a note left on the fireplace that he and the elves couldn't lift the 'big gift' up the stairs.  The boys ran down to see a trampoline in a big box!  Luckily it's been a very warm winter so we were able to set up the tramp the next day and the boys enjoyed a day of jumping in 60 degree weather!

 Since Christmas was on Sunday this year, we opened our stockings...

 Then had Nana's tradition of buttermilk scones (of course, no where near as good as what Nana makes!)...

 Then what better way to celebrate Christ's birthday than to go to church?!  So we held off opening presents and off we went to church.

 After a great, spiritual meeting, we headed back home where the boys got back into a different new set of pjs...and the opening began!

It was so fun to have the addition of Kyla this year and to have the boys be really excited about the prospect of Christmas.  We missed being with family, but at least we were able skype and share a little with them.
What a wonderful season and time of year!  We're so grateful for the birth of Christ and all the joy and love that comes from celebrating His birth and who He is!  Merry Christmas!