Kaylin's new bike

Here you go, Mom.
This was about 1 min after she got her bike.

Easter 2009

HE is Risen.... HE is Risen, indeed!

Here we are taking our annual family picture on Easter Sunday

Waiting for the egg hunt

1-4 year olds got to go first.

(sorry Kaylin, you're FIVE, now!) ;)

Go Krystin Go!

Krystin ran out in the field, got 1 egg and came back to Dad (Mom was off chasing Ethan and Kaylin). Dan had to inform her she could keep going :)

She found these eggs closer to the church.

Ethan and Kayln's turn

Parents enjoying their kids having fun

(A momentary break in the hectic weekend)

Back at home, we relaxed for a bit before we celebrated KAYLIN's FIFTH Birthday.
Dad helping Ethan get past a tricky part on Mario.

Krystin enjoying a cuddle.

Our backyard egg hunt

We went for a nice family bike ride before supper

(meaning the kids rode and Dad and Mom walked)

Ethan's 7th Birthday

Our card holder is full.

I guess 2 birthdays and Easter will do that

It is hard to believe we have a SEVEN year old!

Wasn't it just yesterday I was holding this precious baby in my arms and just stared and stared?It seems ages ago, and yet it's like I blinked and he is 7! Either way, he remains one of God's precious gifts to Dan and I and we enjoy watching him grow into a kind, tender hearted, patient, intelligent boy.

We love you, Ethan. Happy Birthday!

Is anyone surprised Ethan chose chocolate cake?

Still loves the mixer ;)
I noticed this year he perfected the "clean out the inside rim of the beater with a finger" trick.
(He's too neat to attempt the similar "tongue" manuever)

See? Always tidy :)

Making sure not a morsal goes to waste!

Good catch, Ethan :)

The set up

Ethan's breakfast of choice - chocolate muffins

Yep. We had a soccer game at 10:oo.

Ethan had a great throw-in

On the side-lines

(When she wasn't kicking her own ball around or picking wild "flowers")

Home from the game and time for lunch.

Burritos and Pears

Waiting to open presents

Thanks, Gpa and Gma Jordan

(Both he and Kaylin loved the dinaosaur booklet)

Birthday gifts.

(The blue thing is a Nintendo DS lite)

Gatherin' around

Concentration

... still playing (...and still watching)

After Ethan opened his presents, Dan went on his leisurely 16 mile run

With Dad back (and showered) - it was cake time!

Digging in. He wanted his "E"

Okay. You knew this was coming.

(What you maybe didn't know was that Mom got addicted. Ethan's birthday present is a hit with Mom and Dad, too. Don't tell Ethan, but it gets a lot of play time after, say, 8:00 pm) :)

What were the other 2 up to during Ethan's game-athon (when not watching Ethan) ?

I decided it was time for them to learn V-Smile.

Steak, corn, cole slaw, and mashed potatoes made up the supper menu

Gpa and Gma Collingwood calling to say Happy Birthday

Kaylin wanted to talk, too

And Krystin, too