The kids just got their pictures taken by Becca Martin, who did a great job with them. I got a preview...

Her new photography blog is www.agirlnhercamera.blogspot.com

Here comes the sun...

It is finally getting warm enough for the kids to play outside. Ezra has always loved being outside, but I think Chandler is worse. She will slip outside with whoever opens the door. She loves to play in water, dirt, mud, anything. The kids have a play sink they fill with water and the faucet turns on and there are dishes in it. Chandler will seriously play in that thing for hours. I have finally resorted to just taking her clothes off because she usually starts the day clean and cute, but not soon into it she looks like she has never seen a bathtub. And it never fails that as soon as she gets sopping wet all the kids decide to go play in the dirt/mud.

Ezra's preschool is just about finished for the year. He is sad that he cannot go to school for the summer. Miss Jana and Miss Nikki do such a good job. He LOVES them. He is constantly talking about school and his teachers. Last week they had a police officer come to their class and they also got to go to the fire station. Today they went to Woodland Lake to feed the ducks. When I went to pick him up last week Miss Jana looked at me, smirking, and another mother (of 2 girls in preschool) and says, "I better tell you before you hear it, Brooke got kissed today." Brooke's mom kind of gasps and looks down at her daughter, then Miss Jana points at Ezra, who, might I add, had a HUGE grin on his face. She explained that they were all gathering for circle time, Brooke and Ezra were 2 of the first to the circle. Brooke was laying on her tummy holding her chin in her hands when Ezra looked at her for a second or two then planted one right on the poor girl's cheek. I guess she didn't really care, but man was her sister mad! Ezra begged me not to tell his dad, but of course I did and let me tell you, his father was very proud. ("Gonna be a ladies man like me, I guess.")

A girl's best friend...

Chandler is now 15 months old. Here is a picture of her with her best friend...

I know it is probably about time to get rid of it, but how? That is the question. It is the only thing that gives us both a little peace. She has been terribly clingy lately, and the three hundred pacifiers lying around are the only thing that seem to give her any comfort. She is constantly crying, holding onto my legs, reaching up for me to pick her up. Don't come near her once she is in her momma's arms, because you will likely either get a grunt or a slap from her. Now don't get me wrong, she can be very sweet, but for a week or so she has been so GRUMPY! Give her 100% of everyone's attention and she is very happy and friendly. So again, here is the question, how do we rid her of her best friend? I miss that pretty, smiley face, that we don't see often without her buddy.

Good deals this week

I am too lazy to do it all myself but here are a few of the deals this week for Jolynn and Kiara. Call me if you have any questions.

I hope they call me on a mission...

One year ago today, Dustin, my younger brother left on his mission. He is in the Rapid City, South Dakota mission. The mission takes in part of seven states. He has been serving mostly in Minnesota, but is now in Brookings, South Dakota. They have terribly cold winters and he is glad to report that it is "warm" now, as it was 35 degrees yesterday. He was tracting at like 20 below zero for a few weeks. He said he looked like a burnt marshmallow after he put all of his layers on. After reading his letters it is apparent that he has grown so much. He sent pictures recently, which he was quite proud of, of himself in Walnut Grove. I swear every member of my family has seen every episode of "Little House on the Prarie" more than once. My mom used to watch it every morning. She now has the entire series on DVD. Dustin was happy to brag about being there before my mom. Let me tell you, he is still just as goofy as ever.

We are all so proud of Dustin for setting such a good example to our family. Ezra looks up to his uncle so much. He prays for him at every prayer. He also talks about going on a mission already, like it is just something you do, not something you wonder if you will do.

We miss Dustin like crazy, but he is doing the Lord's work and know that he and all of our family are being blessed for his service.

You are halfway finished Duddy! One year down, one to go... We miss and love you and will see you in 12 months. Can't wait to talk to you again on Mother's day.

SICK!

So we are getting ready to re-paint my mom's walls, which are in dire need of a new coat, when we start moving things around to tape up the moulding... Behind the entertainment center we find....

After the initial shock and poking it a few times with a stick we realized it was dead. I now know that my kids should no longer be watching "Man vs. Wild" with their dad.

Bear Grylls has nothing on these kids, seriously. Ezra will knowingly eat anything, and Chandler unknowingly will eat anything. They will both eat raw fish, veggies, and lots of other stuff I won't even touch.