Spring Break 2013!

A mere 8 weeks...that's all that remains of this school year. And honestly, I'm counting them down!! It's bittersweet as it means my 3 boys are growing up all too quickly but in the same breath I'm ready for summer and have some family fun once again! This past week was spring break and it was a break that we all needed. We didn't go anywhere spectacular, but that's a relative term in the eyes of our boys...spectacular for them was being on the 26th floor of a hotel in Reno and seeing the planes fly in for their landing so up close and personal that you could almost make out the images of the people sitting in the window seats. The thrill of swimming in a pool, finding new attractions at our favorite stores (read: monster truck photo op at Scheel's), laughing at one another's antics, jam sessions in the van, an ice cream cone....simplicity that screams relishing in the moments together. In thinking of last year's spring break overnight trek to Reno, this year's paled in comparison. (you can read about last year's here)

checking out the view

Dinner time!

Ready to do some swimming in the pool!!!

The days in-between consisted of things we love to do, whether altogether or on our own. Andy kicked off our break by working on a mural at the middle school---he's pretty amazing if you ask me!!!

the blank wall before...

...after!!! (and the artist himself!)

the 'day after' Easter

always time for playing with cars!

Even with an incredibly sore back (and that's putting it lightly), my hubby makes sure the boys get their necessary wrestle time in (even if it's a bit modified)!

Carson flying off....

....and Austin laughing (?) while being wrapped up like a burrito...

One of the things I love about breaks during the school year is the efficiency of our dining room table...it actually gets used for 3 meals rather than just one. Breakfast is savored rather than inhaled. Lunches are simple but fun. Conversations are enriched (yes, even with 3, 6, & 7 year old boys!), laughter usually erupts at some point...there is definite truth to the togetherness that sitting around a table brings to a family. (especially when there's donuts)

YUMMMMMM!!!!!

scoping out the goods

model-making time!

Nice work boys!!

lego building/creating!

movie night! :) It was a treat to have supper at the coffee table!

being crazy with my crazies...

Today, routine sets in once again and it's back to me and my mini-man and already a few times I've succumbed to the random quietness wondering what my little gents might be up to. Spring break--it was a good week. Life continues on with all it's ease and it's unforeseen challenges and the craziness of our spring calendar. But all the while our faith continues to be stretched and our knees found bent more often as we desire to seek Him first and foremost, striving to remain obedient to His will for the five of us. 

Easter 2013!

"He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are HEALED." (Isaiah 53:6)

  "He is not here; he has risen just as he said." (Matthew 28:6)  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you, always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20)


We began our Easter prep in baking style!! I finally added the Cross cookie cutter to my spring collection this year....

Carson and Jovi

mama and CJ

 



















We did the usual dyeing of eggs....and taste-tested one or two. :)

gotta love his cheesy grin :)

RESURRECTION SUNDAY!!!

 my 3 handsome goofs....never a dull moment! :)

Such good lookin' little gents!!!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE him :)

 Next came Easter baskets before we headed off to church....

Mason was pretty excited as I explained what he was about to do

yep--Austin's was in the fridge!

Carson's was in a bathroom closet

Easter baskets!!!

 My mom sent a fun Easter package with a variety of stuff and one of those items were eggs for the boys that Andy and I had to hide for them---those eggs held some pretty fun stuff! 

"a half-dollar!!!!"

more money!! :)

Grandpa's candy! (Werther's)

Next up came Easter at Nanny and Pappy's for the afternoon/evening! Started off with an egg hunt and then some Easter gifts for all the kiddos followed by one delicious Easter dinner!!! It ended with lounging on the couches as we tried to stretch out our stuffed tummies. :)

tie-dye shirts from Daniel!!

This week is spring break for us...and I will try to 'break' as much as possible as I soak up unlimited time with my boys!!!! Andy is still busy with this and that but we are looking forward to some fun family of five time together this week before finishing up yet another school year!

Andy Anderson family--Happy Easter!!