Emerald Coast

Just looking at this picture makes me yearn to go back to Florida.  We found the most fabulous house right on the beach and enjoyed every minute of our spring break trip to Seagrove Beach, FL.  I highly recommend it to anyone, unless you're going for the surf.  There is none.  I floated on our boogie board like I was in a swimming pool, gliding along with the little rock of the tiny waves.  The kids swam like they were in the shallow end of a pool.  I could even take Georgia out on the raft, although she was a little frightened.  The downside was that gorgeous emerald water also showed any shadow of any fish or - gasp - shark that swam by.  Jack and Christian swore they saw one when they took the sea kayak out, but right or wrong, by day two the boys were out of the water at the simplest shadow of anything.

The boys found handfuls of tiny crab/clams/unidentified animals that would burrow down in the sand after a wave.  We brought some of them home and what a shocker - they smell terrible!  I threw them all away while the kids were at school.  

Easter in ATL

We had a lovely time in the lovely weather of Atlanta in the lovely care of my in-laws.  Janet put on a delicious dinner - always - and had an entire table of treats, toys, bunnies, and all things easter (plus a few guns) for the kids.  She made this precious smocked dress for Georgia so as usual I had the best dressed baby at church when she wears a Gammy dress.  By the end of the day she had gotten cheetos on the front of it, but handy Janet washed it out immediately.  Could I just move in please?  She cooks, she sews, she launders.  

Aunt Jessica helping Georgia find a few eggs before the boys get to them.  What's inside?  A dollar.

And what happened to be inside Winfield's plastic egg?  A picture of Mark from the 1970's.  I wonder who planned the egg hunt?  

Mark found a kindred spirit in Georgia at the drawing table.

After the Easter program at the ward in Atlanta (it was so impressive, I might add).

Do I have to wear this?

Daddy's girl.

Janet figured she'd wear her extremely high heels for Easter Sunday.  Little did she know she'd have to keep up with Georgia in the hallway during Sacrament Meeting.  These shoes are not made for babysitting (but can I add that to her list and can I please, please move in?).

Sailing Season Already?!

Every spring Christian gets a little, well, spring in his step as the air gets a tiny bit warmer and sailing season approaches.  Inevitably some grey saturday he'll lower his Laser from the garage rafters onto his little 2-door car and proudly drive off to the yacht club to lovingly unload, spray down, and prep his sailboat for the season.  I think it looks so funny, I just had to take a picture of it.  He races every Tuesday night through the summer and this year because of the unseasonably warm weather the yacht club got going a month early.  Yet, his Memorial Day regatta (where they throw a beer to each sailor at the end of the race - the beer I found in his trunk before I knew about this tradition, but that's another story!) it was blowing 30 knots and the wreckage was so bad out on the lake that they called off the regatta.  So much for mild weather!  Still, this sailor is undaunted and even more excited for a long 4 months of time on the lake.  On my end, after a good sail I can get Christian to do just about anything for me, so I support this hobby!

Mardi Gras

I threw a Mardi Gras party (ah jambalaya we love you) and went all out with the masks this year.  Charles was a very willing model.  Just had to snap a shot of this hilarity.  

Fun in the Cold

We decided to see what Harrington Beach looked like this spring, but it was a lot colder than we expected.  Georgia has on about 4 layers - clearly not all of them fit her.

I love my three boys.  It's a miracle I got a shot of all three at the same place at the same time.

Everyone of us loves Georgia.  Jack calls her Georgie or "Georgie Girl"

Happy, albeit cold, family.

Future Ski Bunnies?

Jack and Winfield had their first ski lessons at Sunburst, the closest, respectable resort outside Milwaukee.  I use the term resort loosely because this is no Park City, but it was perfect for the kids.  They were hilarious and just looked so little out there, but the most important part is that they LOVED it.  Christian was so excited he was all set to fly the family out west for a spring break ski trip until I reminded him that we still have two little ones that will be stuck in the lodge with yours truly.

I laugh every time I watch this because Winfield nearly runs over that poor kid and neither he nor Christian seem to notice!

This is man-made snow.  In Wisconsin!!  The kids started ski lessons during the only winter in 6 years that we haven't had more than two days of snow.  Oh the irony.

Winfield was all smiles (a shocker to us), but who wouldn't be when you get a piggy-back ride up the hill every time you ski to the bottom?  I admit, nobody likes the dreaded rope tow.  Why don't they finally ban those and spare us all the rip-your-arm-out-of-the-socket yank that you have to endure every darn time?  I much prefer the chair lift, and so does Win, apparently.  

It's Great to Be 8

 Jack thought he was the luckiest kid alive and I think he might have been.  Cousin Tate flew out from Colorado for Jack's baptism so we also had a bowling party on his birthday.  The kids loved it.  They made bowling shirts, ate candy, and acted like a bunch of boys.  It was great.

What a good pal.  

My mom and Paige flew out for the baptism, my viola recital, and just to be here.  I'm pretty sure I was the luckiest girl in the world.