Austin and Easter

Russ didn't have to work on Good Friday, so we decided to surprise the girls with a little overnight getaway to Austin. I had packed and loaded the car while everyone was at school, so when we picked Russ up from work we just kept on driving. We had driven like 40 minutes before the girls figured out/were told what was really going on.

We got to Austin around 7:00 PM and stopped to eat at a restaurant (which they are always begging us to do).

Then we checked in to the hotel around 8:00. And even though 8 is their normal bedtime, we decided to go for a quick swim in the pool. By the time we swam, got back up to the room, did showers and baths and got everyone to bed it was after 10:00. They thought it was awesome we let them stay up so late.

Friday morning we went to a really big park, and also took a little 25 minute train ride around the area.

   

Random man playing music along the train route. Must be Austin, right?

After the park we went to visit and have lunch with one of Russ's good friends from the Chemical Engineering program at BYU.

We debated about doing something else on the way home, but since none of the girls had really slept in following their super late bedtime they were all wasted and we decided to just head home.

When we got back to Bryan we stopped at our favorite smoothie place before ending our little family adventure.

Then Saturday morning the kids woke up to their filled Easter baskets and hidden Easter eggs. (We've always chosen to do the candy/toy aspect of Easter on Saturday so we can *hopefully* focus more on Jesus on Sunday.)

Everyone got new lego sets in their Easter baskets, so this is basically what our living room looked like all weekend.

And here are my lovely ladies in their new Easter outfits.

   

Helper

I'm letting McKell do all of my sock sorting from now on. 

She did a great job with the washcloths as well.

Spring Break

The girls had Spring Break the week after the Roses family was here. 

Because I had already used up all of my plan-fun-things-to-do energy, 

it was pretty low-key.

We played at home a lot, they ate lunch with Russ at his office, we had friends over, went to the library, celebrated St. Patrick's Day, had a read-a-thon, and set out to find the best snow cones in the area.

A read-a-thon is something I grew up doing, and when I told my kids about it
they were super excited to try it out.
Get a bunch of books, get a bunch of snacks, and spend the day enjoying them.

St. Patrick's Day menu: broccoli, green Jell-O, green Kool-Aid, and spinach quiche

Fun new Play-Doh that came in Grandma's Easter package!

SNOW CONE Results

#3: JJ's Sno Cones - 1st place we tried, disappointed to find out they weren't opening for the season until April, so . . . automatic LOSER

#2: Fire and Ice - good prices, huge flavor selection, decent product

#1: Bahama Buck's - most expensive, huge flavor selection, indoor seating option, little umbrellas, super yummy, and can include sprinkles = WINNER

Roses Family

In December Russ's younger sister Angela moved to Paris, TN with her family, 

which made them our closest relatives. 

Earlier this month they were able to make the 10.5 hour drive 

to come visit us for a week! 

Everyone LOVES Uncle Brandon.

 Angela has awesome crafting skills, so she did a bunch of 

fun projects with the girls.

(shamrocks (x2), feather pens, marshmallow launchers) 

What kid doesn't love to watch crazy gymnastics videos?

One night we all went to the grocery store to buy food for a Mystery Meal.

We separated into adult/child teams and received envelopes with cash and a card that said Side Dish, Main Dish, or Dessert. We shopped for our food, then came home, prepped all our food, and feasted!

Side Dish - chips and bread (Anne, Elise & Brenna)

Main Dish - chicken fajitas (Brandon & Ashlyn)

Side Dish - french fries (Angela & Kaylee)

Dessert - cinnamon rolls (Russ & McKell)

 One day we went to our tiny Children's Museum.

  

Cousins!

And here's Julia bringing about the end of the photo shoot with a quick poke to her sister's eye.

 Other activities during our fun week included: family night, babysitting swaps, movie night (Big Hero 6), dinner at Texas Roadhouse, and lots of games (we played our favorite game, Pandemic, FOUR times after the kids went to bed!)

And here are my three favorite pictures from the week. 

Come back again soon, Roses Family!!!

   

Victory!

Nana & Papa

Russ's parents were here for a full week. People keep asking me what we did during their visit. Um . . . yeah. We sort of just carried on with our normal life. Entertained kids. Ate dinners at home. Talked and laughed and played games. But here are some pictures to prove what a WONDERFUL time we all had together.