Swingset & Friends

 Keith & Jessie got the girls a swingset at the auction - which they LOVE.

 The day it arrived, my friend Jessica & her three kids got to stop by for a quick visit.

Silver Creek Falls

 To celebrate Ellen's birthday the week after, we went and had a picnic lunch and wandered around Silver Creek Falls for a little bit.

Emily's music program

 Emily had her music program at school back in April, and it was fantastic.

(I'll get back to the wedding when my computer cooperates)

Wedding pictures

I have better pictures to add, but my computer is not letting me right now.  I'll just add the few that I can.

Since the wedding was on Ellen's birthday, my awesome sister bought a cake and pinata for Ellen to celebrate with.

 EARLY Thursday morning (April 3rd), we started our trip to North Carolina.  Our first flight was at 6am, and it was a quick one down to San Francisco.  Unfortunately, when we landed at 7:45am, we learned that our connection had been canceled, and the next flight we could all get on was at 10pm.  Yep, 14 hours in an airport with four kids age 7 and under.  Every family's dream.  

Our kids were AWESOME, and enjoyed the play area by our gate.  They even napped under benches.  

Our new red eye wasn't direct, but had a connection through Philadelphia.  On the flight from Philadelphia to Raleigh, we were able to sit in the back of the plane and have a bit more room to wiggle around (and actually sit NEXT TO one another, which was an issue on the earlier rescheduled flight).

Making cookies for Daddy!

Preparing for the flight to NC

 In an effort to make sure my kids behaved on our long trip to North Carolina for my sister's wedding, I packed TONS of snacks, all labeled and in baggies.  It sort of looked like I was smuggling something.

 Another good packing tip: put your kids in boxes.  They'll play and leave you alone to pack.

 

This girl.

Shopping. Driving.

New bed for Ellen!

Thanks to a generous donation, Jon was able to build Ellen a new loft bed, complete with under-bed cave!

Ducklings!

Our friends who have the chickens added three ducks to their "farm." So cute!

Spring!

Snow!

 Back in February we got the most snow I'd seen in years! It was good for two snow days and a 4-day weekend!

Sick Ellen

 Ellen got sick back in January, and it was so sad! She even fell asleep on the exam table.

Cindy's shower

Back in January I got to fly to California - by myself - to attend a bridal shower for my sister.  It was great to have a girls' weekend!

 Breakfast by the palm trees...

Chickens!