Marathon...really?

I did it!  I really did it and so far I have no regrets.  I was not even nervous when I registered...not even a little bit.  I will be running my first marathon...GOD willing...on Saturday, March 3, 2012.  The Woodlands Marathon is it and I can't wait.  I only have 309 days to wait or should I say train!

Twirling

Being a girl, I am pretty sure that I liked to twirl in my girly dresses when I was little.  If I am being totally honest, I still like swishy skirts!  Emma is the same way and I am thinking Elena will be too.  When we were picking out Emma's dress for Aunt Kristin's wedding, Emma really wanted a dress she could swish and twirl.   Her wish was granted and she had one more opportunity to be a princess on Easter Sunday.  She leaned her head back and twirled her heart out until she was a little dizzy.

Pretty before twirling

Love this face!

That was fun and must fix my hair!

A little dizzy, but so fun in the process!

Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend was jammed packed, but relaxing at the same time.  Drew did a lot of work on the family room.  I tried to stay in the mix to help as I was not feeling well all weekend.  I was hugely bummed by this because I had big running plans.  They did not pan out because I could not breathe!

 On Friday we planned to attend a KSBJ concert, but Jonah was not feeling well and it was hot.  Drew and I felt like it would be too much for him so we went out to dinner instead.  It was lots of fun because we ate outside.  The kids were able to move around without the stress of repeatedly saying "sit still".

So cute!

Watching the big kids...do I dare join?

Saturday I found enough energy to make Resurrection Rolls for a morning snack and to dye eggs with Samuel, Jonah and Emma.  Samuel thought it was hilarious that Jesus was a marshmallow.  I think they understood the symbolism of the tomb and the marshmallow disappearing...well, except for Samuel.  In the afternoon we dyed the eggs.  Elena joined in for a little while, but she was only allowed to watch from her high chair.  I boiled the eggs, let them cool, and then peeled them...WHAT!?  I do this every year...when will I learn.  So, I boiled more and was thankful that my kiddos know I will probably do this.  Emma did tie-dye eggs and the boys did dinosaur eggs.

Aren't they cute?

Sunday was of course Easter Sunday!  After church the kids received their baskets, which were so loved.  Elena liked to open the Easter eggs regardless of whose it was!  I did not try to take good pictures because they were just too excited to sit or stand still for more than 10 seconds.  I did enjoy seeing the girls in their wedding dresses one last time.  They looked so pretty and grown up.

Jonah was imitating the dinosaurs.

Emma received pj's with a matching pair for her doll, Sonny.

Oooh, what is in here?

Emma just looking so pretty in her dress!

We had Easter dinner with our friends Eileen, Patrick, Kim, Scott, Nathan, Connor and Braden...our Texas family!  All in all it was a great weekend and we enjoyed celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus!

Palm Sunday

Since tomorrow is Easter, I thought I should at least post our Palm Sunday pictures.  I know that taking pictures with four children under the age of 7 is a challenge.  I still like to torture myself with picking out coordinating outfits with the hopes of getting that perfect picture.  It has yet to happen, but the kiddos are getting better at smiling and looking at the camera (always a challenge for dear Jonah!).

Palm Sunday at our church is a big day.  The kids walk in the sanctuary with palms singing Ho-ho-ho-hosanna!  A donkey leads the group, which they think is super fun.  After church there is a petting zoo, a light lunch, and an Easter Egg hunt.  What more could a child want in one day!

Samuel and his friend Jackson walked around the petting zoo holding hands the entire time...so cute!

Jonah loved petting all the animals.  This deer was so cute!

This was Elena's expression almost the entire time she was near the animals...either that or squealing.

Jonah loving the bunny just before he dropped the poor thing.

Samuel and Elena looking for a way to escape the petting zoo.

Emma and her friend Maddie looking at the animals.

The egg hunt is a huge success.  One of our friends posted on Facebook that it took the kids 2 minutes to gather all the eggs...so funny!  Samuel really enjoyed the hunt this year. 

Samuel, Patrick, and Jake waiting for the go-ahead to hunt eggs.

Annabel helped Elena look for eggs.

Jonah waiting for the hunt to begin. He just finished dancing with his bucket on his head.

Samuel picking up an egg.

Checking out their prizes.

Before all the activity we had some pictures taken in the Labyrinth.  We also took some after we got home from church.  I am hoping for more smiles on Easter Sunday!

Me and Drew at home

Drew and the boys at home

Sweet Elena and she left the bow in her hair...yeah!

Jonah loving on Elena

Sweet girls...love the dresses!

Me and Emma at home.

All of us...notice where Jonah is looking!