Eggstravagant Easter!

Easter morning is like a mini-Christmas at our house. First, we read part of the Easter story in the Bible (parallel: Christmas story). Then the kids are surprised with baskets filled with goodies (parallel: stockings). And, finally, the kids get to hunt down and open all of their Easter eggs (parallel: presents)!

And they're off!

Hayden filled her basket first and soon declared that she didn't want any more eggs. What? Yep, her basket was so heavy that she had to call it a day.

Payson on the move.

The actually hunt didn't take long, of course, and the kids were soon in discovery mode. It was so fun to see the excitement that each new egg brought them. And it was even more fun to see them initiate passing toys and candy to each other because it was that other siblings' "color" or was something that everyone knows that child likes.

Sunday afternoon brought another egg hunt with the extended family. Gam and Grandad's grass, once again, made for the perfect setting.

Hayden collected her eggs first and opened them later.

Madison, on the other hand, did a little snacking along the way!

Madison gave her best effort to reach the purple egg tucked high up in the tree. But unfortunately her Go-Go-Gadget arm wasn't working so she had to settle with Daddy's help instead.

Finally time to dig in!

Payson and Nunie enjoying life together.

Payson inspecting a Dandelion as little boys do!

All aboard! Hayden, cousin Addison and Payson go for a spin in the golf cart with Pops and Nunie.

So, we finally had that Easter egg hunt that Payson has been talking about since last October. I think it definitely lived up to his expectations!

Repeat Warriors!

It's April and what has that meant for me in 2010 and 2011? Warrior Dash time! This year "Team Warmonger" was made up of Keith, Rick, Barry, me and a few of our friends. Check us out on the news HERE!

The Warrior Dash is TOO. MUCH. FUN! I just love it! I told a friend what it was about, and she replied, "You're going to get all muddy ... on purpose?" Yep, that's right!

This year's course was more challenging in some ways than last year. It was a longer course this year and the obstacles were cooler and more difficult.

I exercise pretty consistently from year to year so I guess it's expected that I would finish with the same results as last year (19th out of 700 women in my age bracket). But this year we were stuck in the back of our group of 500 for the first half mile so it was hard to run and maneuver the course. It was more like being a part of a huge herd of cattle!

Last year the cleaning process consisted of a long line of people waiting to be cleaned off by small hoses with low pressure. This year a few men stood on a trailer and sprayed groups of us down using large hoses with high pressure.

Check out that glob of mud in Keith's ear!

Here I am seemingly submitting to the water gods. Ha!

We had a lot of fun with Keith's family in town. There were lots of sweet moments including this one of Grammy telling the kids fictional stories. They couldn't get enough!

GP and Madison bonded over T-ball.

Saturday night we enjoyed a barbecue dinner...

... followed by some baseball. It wasn't organized play but it was so fun to have kids old enough to get into some family game time!

And then they surprised me with a little birthday celebration.

Here are Rick and Roxanne with their two kids and six grandkids! Well, seven if you include the one on the way. No, not me, people! Chelsey is expecting a baby boy in August. Payson has two sisters and five girl cousins so he'll be good and ready for a little buddy!

And to keep up with tradition, we had spring family pictures made. The kids did great and didn't cry or throw a tantrum the entire session. AMAZING! Here are all the kids with Grammy and GP.

I think the kids even had a bit of fun!

Boys Travel, Girls Party!

This month Payson and Daddy took a boys trip to Minnesota to visit friends and family. Hayden went with me to Minnesota in 2009 and Madison to Boston in 2008, so it was Payson's turn. He was so excited and asked us questions about his upcoming trip all week!

Daddy and Payson waving goodbye at the departure gate after a round of hugs and kisses for their girls. Unbelievable, I know, but Payson wooed his way into the pilot's seat. An experience of a lifetime and he's only 3 years old!

They boys stayed with our good friends Justin and Stephanie, and I hear that Payson and their darling daughter Kylee hit it off right away.

They had a full weekend of great food, visits to the Mall of America, the aquarium and the park. Here's Kylee and Stephanie (with baby #2 on the way!).

Justin and Stephanie were so sweet to read to Payson several times throughout the weekend. Here Justin is reading a girly book, My Pretty Ballerina. Just like at home, he can't seem to ever escape pink and tutus!

Here are Payson, Keith, Justin and Kylee playing outside in the chilly weather. Soon after getting home Payson told me, "I was cold on my trip."

While the boys were gone, we girls went to a Spring Fling with my multiples group. Hayden had a smile on her face the entire time she rode the rainbow pony.

Madison was a bit less sure about riding her pony, but she remained brave and enjoyed the ride.

The petting zoo was a big hit, as always!

This was the first time that the kids have ever approached a giant dressed-up character besides Santa Claus. They are notoriously terrified of all things giant, fake and furry, but Hayden marched right up to the Easter bunny and even reached out to hold his hand for the picture.

In lieu of face painting, the girls decided they wanted matching "princess watches" painted on their wrists. Such a clever idea that even the face painting artists had never heard of!

The girls bonding over their watches.

Easter egg hunt time!

Hayden totally unfazed by the paparazzi.

Time to find their treats!

That afternoon we picked up cousin Addison to stay the night with us. We soon headed down to our neighborhood spring party. We fed the ducks...

Splashed in the water...

And got more faces and hands painted!

The girls had a blast with their sleepover and can't wait to do it again soon!

"Peep Peep!"

Last weekend we went to see Thomas the Tank Engine. The kids have been talking about riding Thomas ever since we went last year. It amazes me that a toddler can carry a memory like that for a year. All month long they were playing with their trains, reading their Thomas books and requesting to watch it on TV. To say they were excited would be an understatement.

And the kids couldn't be more thrilled that Pops and Nunie would be joining us. Pops and Madison walked up to the event together while Payson, Nunie, Hayden and Daddy walked hand-in-handbehind them.

Once again we stayed several hours, this time closing the place down in the afternoon. We could have easily spent another hour or two there so next year I will plan on making a day of it!

Madison, Hayden and Payson proudly compare their Thomas tattoos.

Of course the petting zoo is always a hit with toddlers.

This year the kids knew how to approach the animals calmly and pet them more gently so the animals didn't run off. They all loved the super-soft bunnies.

The blacksmith made little cowboy hats out of nickels for each of the kids a they watched in anticipation of their pocket-sized treasure.

For some reason the kids LOVE this particular sandbox! Probably because it has such great toys and trucks. They played almost in silence for over half an hour before we had to move them on to the next activity.

Madison and Payson take a digging break to watch as Thomas peeps by. The first time Payson saw Thomas drive away, he got sad and began to cry. He thought he had missed the ride and didn't realize that Thomas was coming back. Such a sweet little boy he is!

The back-woods view on the train isn't very interesting, but the kids love riding in the passenger car as they take in the surroundings and listen to stories and facts about Thomas on the intercom.

The kids enjoyed the magic show.

But the best part was when Hayden volunteered to help the Magician on the stage. She was a fabulous assistant and was so at ease on stage in front of all of those people. I always admire that little girl's self confidence!

After the show was over, Payson began to cry out of sadness that he didn't get to go onstage. So the man let him assist in a quick magic trick. Payson wasn't fooled as he new it wasn't the real deal, but it was enough to stop the tears. It's hard when you have three toddlers the same age and you can't use the excuse, "You can do it when you're older" or something similar. Toddlers expect fairness in general but especially when they are equal in age with all of their siblings!

Payson and Daddy checked out the model train display.

Madison snuggled with Pops at the end of a busy afternoon. Bye-bye Thomas. Until next time!