all day recess.

spring is in the air and the sun has peeked out from behind the clouds a few more times yesterday and today.  the fresh air and fun i have outside has cheered me up considerably.   i even busted out my beloved chacos.  the BEST sandals ever.

the three munchkins and i took every advantage of the spring weather and spent more time outside than inside on friday.  pretty sure we were all craving sunshine and fresh air.

we went for a bike ride/walk, played in the yard, went to a park, had a picnic lunch and then went for another walk when my brother got home from work.  pure awesomeness.  i got zero accomplished for the day but didn't feel guilty at all.

during our adventures i could't help but notice the two convertibles with their tops down and countless cars with all the windows down.  i love how excited everyone was about the measly 66 degree day.  i can't wait for summer!

it's been awhile...

...since i have posted pictures of these three sweet faces.  :o)

bouncing bubbles!

i got this idea from a video clip i saw and had some fun with the boys.

normal bubble solution + a glove (or socks even!) = bouncing bubbles!
check it out...

several blog posts rolling around in my head...

today has been a day of accomplishments.  :o)  it feels so amazing to get things done and checked off of my to-do list!

i sent in my application to YWAM!!!  after much procrastinating, technical frustrations and some deep thoughts i was finally able to complete it and send it on it's way.  i'm sure i'll let EVERYONE know as soon as i hear back regarding whether or not i get accepted.  the next step will be raising support.  any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

the weather over the last couple days has me craving summer intensely!  yesterday's sunshine has now been hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, but i figure that editing a few pics i took while hanging out with the little ones will bring back the warm fuzzy feelings.  :o)  enjoy!

is summer over?

even though my favorite season may be coming to an end, today's weather felt right.  here is a peek at my day today...

this time of year seems to encourage me to bake more.  add two overripe bananas and i just couldn't resist making banana bread.  i used this recipe and added a little bit of chocolate and walnuts.

 my poor boots have had a lonely summer hiding in a corner in my closet.  now all i need is a few puddles to go jump in...

while waiting for big brother to get home, the twins were being so loving towards each other.  i love catching moments like this!

here is the big kindergartener!  i am so proud of how well he is adjusting to the long days at school.

the only missing from today was a nice long run around the block...and that one appointment that i completely forgot about.  oops.  :o)

is summer over?

even though my favorite season may be coming to an end, today's weather felt right.  here is a peek at my day today...

this time of year seems to encourage me to bake more.  add two overripe bananas and i just couldn't resist making banana bread.  i used this recipe and added a little bit of chocolate and walnuts.

 my poor boots have had a lonely summer hiding in a corner in my closet.  now all i need is a few puddles to go jump in...

while waiting for big brother to get home, the twins were being so loving towards each other.  i love catching moments like this!

here is the big kindergartener!  i am so proud of how well he is adjusting to the long days at school.

the only missing from today was a nice long run around the block...and that one appointment that i completely forgot about.  oops.  :o)

multnomah falls : april trip

this is a delayed post too, but i couldn't resist sharing these pictures.

for future reference... if you are in need of a good workout, strap a thirty-five pound kid on your back and go hiking.  really, it is fun!

the babies toddlers {LOVE} to ride in the backpacks!  mari tends to fall asleep eventually and azariah quietly takes in all of the sights.  i seriously can't think of a time when they were grumpy while on a hike.

meshach impresses me with his energy and stamina.  typically i am the one slowing the group down by asking for breaks.  :o)  he loves to explore and find little creatures.

this is my new favorite recent picture of mari...such a beautiful little girl.

we spent quite a while hanging out near the top and eating snacks near the river.  (oh...did i mention my brother came too?  ha ha ha!  he carried mari.  there is no way i could carry both of the little ones!  not sure why i didn't get his picture...)  chipmunks joined us and we gladly shared our crackers.  it was so fun watching the kids take in the whole experience.  i can't wait someday to experience this with my own kids.

multnomah falls : april trip

this is a delayed post too, but i couldn't resist sharing these pictures.

for future reference... if you are in need of a good workout, strap a thirty-five pound kid on your back and go hiking.  really, it is fun!

the babies toddlers {LOVE} to ride in the backpacks!  mari tends to fall asleep eventually and azariah quietly takes in all of the sights.  i seriously can't think of a time when they were grumpy while on a hike.

meshach impresses me with his energy and stamina.  typically i am the one slowing the group down by asking for breaks.  :o)  he loves to explore and find little creatures.

this is my new favorite recent picture of mari...such a beautiful little girl.

we spent quite a while hanging out near the top and eating snacks near the river.  (oh...did i mention my brother came too?  ha ha ha!  he carried mari.  there is no way i could carry both of the little ones!  not sure why i didn't get his picture...)  chipmunks joined us and we gladly shared our crackers.  it was so fun watching the kids take in the whole experience.  i can't wait someday to experience this with my own kids.

proof that azariah can read...

well, kinda.  check this out!

proof that azariah can read...

well, kinda.  check this out!

the kids are fighting.

 

the squirt gun fights have already begun.  i'm lucky the camera hasn't gotten wet.  i'm apparently the best target.

the kids and i have been soaking up all the sunshine we can.  i can't wait until we can consistently be outside everyday.

 

mari hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet.  she still thinks it's fun though.  

azariah being gangster.  :o)

the kids are fighting.

 

the squirt gun fights have already begun.  i'm lucky the camera hasn't gotten wet.  i'm apparently the best target.

the kids and i have been soaking up all the sunshine we can.  i can't wait until we can consistently be outside everyday.

 

mari hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet.  she still thinks it's fun though.  

azariah being gangster.  :o)

angel's rest + kiddos = tough!

brandon and i decided to attempt a 4.6 hike with the kids yesterday.  i am so out of shape and my muscles are screaming at me today, but it was worth every minute of pain.  check out the view!

i love sharing moments of God's phenomenal beauty with them.

angel's rest + kiddos = tough!

brandon and i decided to attempt a 4.6 hike with the kids yesterday.  i am so out of shape and my muscles are screaming at me today, but it was worth every minute of pain.  check out the view!

i love sharing moments of God's phenomenal beauty with them.

we had a friend over today!

 

emma came to hang out with us all day!  we had so much fun.  the kids didn't know she was coming, so they were surprised when they woke up.

at breakfast, meshach asked what bug she should be. {i call them big bug, doodle bug and lady bug.}  he came up with honey bee and called her that sporadically throughout the day.  :o)

meshach loved to help take care of her and offered his hand to her on our walk.

 

  

  

  

it was such a beautiful day!  after lunch we went back outside to play with chalk.