Blast Off

The boy's had their school carnival on May 2. The Blast Off Carnival is something that they look forward to all year. We needed to go back to Norfolk Friday night because I was co hosting Megan Lund's bridal shower but I just couldn't make them miss it. Instead I ran around like a crazy person all day getting food ready, picking up flowers and cake and then back to the school to help with the carnival. This was one of those times that I should have said "No" but I am bad at that!

The kids had a blast! They had wrist bands so they could play all the games and the inflatables. I also bought them the extra tickets so they could do face paint, crazy hair and the dunk tank. Robb walked around with them at the beginning while I ran the dog race game. I some how got stuck with a really lame game! Half the time only one person was in line for my game at a time so I would have to race the other dog. Even Robb made fun of my game. After the first hour I caught up to Robb and the kids. They were having fun! what a difference a year makes! The boys weren't stuck to our side, instead they were running around having fun with their friends. Abby was still a little nervous in a crowd though.

This is the only picture I managed to get.

Back to work

The day I have been dreading for a while now finally came. I had to go back to work. I am still just supplemental in Endoscopy and Nicu but just the idea of leaving my baby for the day still makes me sad and nervous even with #4. I was scheduled to work an 8 hour shift in Endo so it wasn't a big deal but still hard. We will be having Makenzie, the neighbor girl, nanny for us 2-3 days this summer but we had to fill the 4 week gap of my maternity leave being over and school ending for daycare. Thankfully, Susie has agreed to come hang out with the girls for a  couple of the days and Robb has taken a couple of vacation days so that I can work a little bit.

My first day back Robb was the one that was watching the girls. He was excited to spend the day with them but I was nervous how Emerson would do. She is having more "happy awake" time but she still is kinda a mommy's girl and likes to snack eat during the day when I nurse her. When I left in the morning I didn't cry but was a little teary on my drive. I was a little worried I forgot how to do my job since I was going back to a position that I had only worked in for a couple of months before my maternity leave. When I got there I had 3 patients waiting to be admitted so I hit the ground running. It was good that I stayed busy because then I didn't have a chance to be sad. It was nice to see the girls that I work with and the day went fine. I got this picture from Robb when I text him to see how the day went. I guess only a dad would think to put the Bumbo in the stroller, since she wanted to sit up. I had to laugh!

I met up with them on my way home. They were just headed home from the park. I think the day went pretty well all in all. Abby thought it was pretty fun to spend the day with dad and of course he was more fun than me. My disclaimer is that he didn't do any of the laundry or housework therefore could be more fun. They look pretty cute on their walk.

Easter

We finished off our Easter weekend by having Easter supper with my mom, sis and grandma and grandpa. It had sprinkled a little out but the weather cleared up enough so the kids could have an egg hunt after supper.

These boys are too cute!

Me and the girls

Aunt Steph laying down the rules of the egg hunt.

Having a good time finding eggs. Abby was a pro by this point.

Happy Easter everyone. We are Thankful for all the family that we got to spend this special holiday with.

Happy Easter

We spent Easter day with the Lutz's. Church was very nice and then we spent a relaxing day letting the cousins play and chatting with each other.

 

Abby in her beautiful Easter dress that Grandma made. This was Abby's first "big girl" dress. It was more fitted and less poofy than her other dresses. It was adorable!

I don't think I have ever gotten a picture of these 3 together. AJ might be pretend shooting me but that's okay. At least they are all looking at the camera.

All the girls in their matching dresses.

They could jump on the trampoline all day!

 

It was a great Easter!

Easter with the Matterns

We went over to Dad and Cindy's house on Saturday night for Easter. I felt bad because Jess and her family were suppose to come but they all had colds so we were going to stay home just because Emerson manages to catch any bug that someone has. Jess and her family came earlier in the day and we went in the evening. I was bummed we didn't get to see them though! Steph had to work so we took Draven with us.

 

Grandma and Grandpa and the kids

Our family

 

We had a great supper and it was beautiful out so the kids got to do their annual Easter Egg Hunt. They always love hunting eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house because their is so much space to hide the eggs. Grandpa usually ends up finding a couple eggs throughout the spring and summer that the kids never did find.

We completely filled up our van by adding just one more child. Robb joked that we will soon need a short bus for our family. He isn't far from right! Look at these boys, it looks like we have triplets. I love that they are so close in age and have so much fun together!

The Easter Bunny Came (April 18)

 This year the Easter Bunny came on good Friday since we were going to be in Norfolk on Easter Sunday. The boys have had a lot of questions about the Easter bunny this year and my guess is they no longer believe. A guy in a red suit and a sleigh delivering gifts in one thing to explain, a rabbit putting together a basket of candy and gifts and hopping it into your house in the middle of the night is a whole different thing to explain. You can either go the route of telling them it is a really strong rabbit like the ones you find in your yard, or you can tell them it is the rabbit that looks like half person half rabbit but then they are just creeped out that something that looks like that is going to come in their house. Not to mention the Easter bunny brought them the shirts that they had tried on the weekend before at the store. Either way they all acted like they believed and had fun finding their baskets and digging through them.

 

Abby got some clothes, a Frozen water bottle and plate and plenty of candy!

Bryce and Caleb are definitely growing up and no longer want little toys so they got some Under Armour clothes which I guess they have decided is the "cool" brand. We were pretty practical with gifts this year and they also got boating shoes and sport sandals for this summer.

All the kids were a little concerned that the Easter bunny would forget Emerson. They even offered to share their stuff if he did forget her. Bryce thought she would probably get a basket of baby milk and Abby thought that God probably sent a letter to the Easter bunny and Santa when a baby was born so that they were added to the list. I love how their minds work! Thankfully the Easter bunny did not forget her and she got a sleeper, toys, bowls and spoons.

Football

Bryce and Caleb are playing flag football this spring. They are super excited about it and talk about football plays and strategies all week. Robb is coaching so they really like that too. Almost all the kids on their team are in their class so they are a little crazy when they all get together. I haven't been able to go to many games, since the weather hasn't really cooperated and it's been too windy or cold for Emerson but the ones I have got to go to they have done a great job.