Back in Business

Okay - so I've been hiding.  For a few reasons, but apparently some people actually want to read this sometimes, so I'm caving.

You may see a whole lotta crazy in the last few months on here, but I'm just keeping it real.  The reason behind me going private was because of a comment that someone made about what I was writing about that bugged me enough to say, "Fine.  I don't care if you read it anyway."  I sure showed them, didn't I?!  :)  And the truth is that I'm not interested in having a blog with the most traffic or comments or whatever.  I just want to write about my life and keep it all - the good, the really good, and some of the bad and buggy - recorded for posterity.

I just want to write about what I want to write about and not worry about what other people are going to say or think.  So just be nice to me.  I am usually good about letting things just roll off my back, but these days it's a little harder.  I'm working on it.

And so I've said my peace.  Goodness - I sound sassy.  And depressed.  But I'm really ok.  Just pregnant is all...so that pretty much explains everything, right?

St. George getaway

It's a lucky thing to have a free condo at our fingertips. We are very grateful. The four of us headed down to southern UT to escape the snow and have a minute away. Highlights included McKay's first totally successful movie theater viewing at Wreck-it Ralph, 2-on-2 basketball, and swimming at Sand Hollow. The boys were feeling a little cabin fever, but a change of scenery is never a bad idea...

Halloween Festivities - Star Wars Style

The Halloween party at Grandma's is always a hit. She doesn't leave one detail undone. A parade, Games, prizes for everyone, dinner, cookie decorating - the kids loved it.

After the party, Brian and I went to a couples party at Justin and Lindy's house. It was a blast. We always have a great time with this group of friends.

Halloween night the boys sat patiently waiting for us to finish getting ready.  The weather could not have been better.  We had a great night and I tried to watch closely and soak in the cuteness.  Brian and I realized that this year the boys were at the perfect ages - in their prime.  They were excited, they were grateful, they were happy, they stayed close to us.  It was perfect.  I asked McKay if he would hold my hand and he said, "No, Mom, I gotta wun."  And off he ran.  He ate a piece of candy at pretty much every house and didn't have much by the time we got back.  Gavin showed me his loot periodically and came home with a haul he was proud of.  He ate the entire thing the next day and paid for it that night with a few hours of throwing up.

Potty Training

So although those are cute buns, this potty training episode was a fail. Neither of us were ready. We'll try again when I am patient and McKay is willing...

Our Day Today

The boys are playing so nice right now.  The house is quiet except for the sound of McKay and Gavin talking quietly (a miracle!) to each other and the fire engine going across the floor.  It's going to be a good day.

Yesterday I woke up grumpy as can be.  I don't know what my deal is, but I am feeling so impatient and irrational.  It comes and goes, but it's getting old.

This week is 15 weeks pregnant - glad to get the first part over with.  My nausea is gone.  I am indeed getting bigger and the hormones are still raging.  We will get a gift that is totally worth it in the end, but man, this feels long sometimes.

Gavin is saying so many funny things.  I've been meaning to write them down.  I have been keeping this list since last month...

When we were at Bear Lake for the Snedigar reunion Gavin was sitting on the beach indian style for quite awhile.  He turned to Brian and said, "Dad, my foot feels like a pretend foot."  We have laughed and laughed about that one.

I asked Gavin if he was ready to eat.  He said, "Mom, I'll let you know when I'm hungriling."  I think that meant his stomach was grumbling.

On the first day of preschool I was picking out his clothes.  He said, "Mom, that is cute - not cool.  I'm going to be the only one who doesn't look cool."  I didn't know he was aware of 'coolness' but apparently he's pretty concerned about it and what the four-year-olds at preschool thing.  Oh dear.

A few weeks ago he was eating his oatmeal or cereal or something for breakfast.  He was pretty sincere when he slowly said, "Sugar is the BEST!"

Gavin has been really into drawing.  On paper and the magnetic sketch board.  Just a few days ago Gavin and I had this conversation:
Gavin: Mom, can you draw me a sweet picture.
Me: Like what?
Gavin: I don't know.
Me: Like candy?
Gavin: No.  Like a flower or Darth Vadar.

He's cute.  And a good boy.

Random Thoughts on a Friday Night

Brian is off camping with his friends so the boys and I went up to Melinda's for dinner and a movie.

1. The last three days I have felt better than I have in a long time.  There is something to be said for productivity.  Cleaning out closets, wiping baseboards.  Who is this person???  I have missed her.

2. Potty training is the worst.  If McKay poops in his pants one more time I may slit my wrists.  Not really, but I don't remember it being this hard with Gavin.  We are so so so close.  I need to stay focused and pay attention so I can get this kid on the pot in time.  Tomorrow.

3. I am a little nervous at the thought of packing up this house so we can stay at the parent's while they are on a mission.  I hope we can find great renters.

4. I fall asleep and wake up thinking about details of Enrichment dinners.  I find that annoying.

5. I am going to finish up Papa's history.  I am struggling getting started.  I hope I really can do it and get it done sometime this year.

6. Could this baby possibly be a girl???

Fall Festivities

I love love love love fall. The weather, the colors - it's pretty much perfect. We always take a chance to head to Gardener Village and Cornbellies. Neither disappointed this year.

Gardner Village

Cornbellies

This year McKay was chosen for the pig races and his pig won!  He didn't want to wear his pig nose, so his big brother took care of that for him.

It was especially fun to have two kids that could walk around and do stuff on their own.  They were free to play and explore and the time flew by.  Bouncy slides, duck races, hayrides, spiderwebs - all part of fun.  But the best part of the night was smuggling in our own hot dogs, ketchup, and s'more ingredients.  We thought we were pretty smart.  Turns out the people sitting next to us who paid an arm and a leg for 6 marshmallows did too.

The moments I want to remember...

Friends

I may have mentioned it before, but I have great friends.  This group of neighborhood gals have become especially special and I am so grateful to have them close by.  Transitioning to motherhood and permanent stay-at-home momness with two littles was a little hard.  And lonely.  But I don't feel alone anymore.  These girls are one in a million and we all count on each other.  We laugh hard, can cry and keep it real, and band together when something needs to get done.  I have made lifelong friends here on 1010 West and consider myself very very lucky!

Not myself

I am not kidding when I say that sometimes I am an unfit mother.  Seriously.  Especially lately.  This is all so confusing to me.  The part where we planned on having another baby and then in the past two months, while that very baby is finally with us, I wonder why on earth I have been given another one to take care of when I can't take care of the ones I've got.  I don't even feel like myself.  I am grumpy beyond belief.  My patience is paper thin.  Everyone is an idiot.  I don't even know why anyone would want to be around me, since I can hardly stand being around myself.  I hope this all goes away soon.  I know that this is not who I am, but I'm sure it's hard for my husband and kids to continue being forgiving.  Brian finally figured out to not do those big weirded out eyes at me anymore or he was really going to get it.  Lucky for him, now he chooses to keep those eyes to himself.  But I still know that he knows.  And it's hard.

We have good moments and then in an instant it can change, and it's usually because of me.  Because of how I react to things.  McKay stepping on a loaf of bread is really not the end of the world.  But you would have thought that today.

And on top of all my craziness, I decided it's time to potty train McKay.  Things are going pretty well.  Until the last two days when I decided that I've had enough poop in the pants (3).  So for two days we haven't left the house.  I've watched his every move and I know this kid needs to go to the bathroom.  The final straw was when Brian wanted me to help with his friends birthday (a totally reasonable request, in my normal state) but I am flipping out inside because I CAN NOT LEAVE BECAUSE MCKAY NEEDS TO POOP.  So I took him to grandma and left for 30 minutes.  Drove up to pick him up the very second he is pooping his pants.  After two days of me waiting, he pooped his pants while I was gone.  I am bugged.  And sad.  I've got to get a grip.

The News

Well, it worked.  I found out mid-August that we are going to have another baby.  I surprised Brian at work with a gift of pink and blue M&Ms and a father's day card that said, "Third time is the charm!"  He was pretty excited.   I was pretty grateful to have an explanation this time around for my naughty behavior.  (I get that way when I'm pregnant, or so I've been told...)

I am due around April 20.  I go in to the see the doctor next Wednesday.  I am anxious to see if things are good.  I have been tired, moody, grumpy, and dizzy.  I have thrown up a few times, which I never did with the boys, so Brian wonders if it may be a girl.  Who knows.  This morning, out of the blue, Gavin said, "I SO want a girl baby."  He doesn't even know we're having one and he's made several comments like this.  Hmmm....maybe he knows something we don't.

Medication

We have been anxious to have a baby for over a year now.  At first I thought that I needed to plan every detail out.  (If we have a baby in *this month* then I'll have all of the clothes and won't have to buy new stuff.  McKay will be two in April, so we should have our next baby in May.)  I have obviously learned that we don't get to plan it all.  At this point we are aware how *not* in charge we are.  So, after many months of not getting pregnant, I decided to go to the doctor and make a plan for the next few months.  There have been blood tests and for the past two months I have been taking Clomid, hoping to get my body back on track.

I have a love/hate relationship with Clomid.  I love that our chances get better as each month passes, but I hate the way it makes me feel.  My moods can change in an instant and I feel like I am all over the place.  The worst part is feeling like I want to scream and yell at the people I love most.  It's been hard.  Hard.

I am trying so hard to contain my irrational emotions and get a grip.  Here's hoping.  And sorry to my three boys.  I'm glad that still give me hugs and tell me they love me despite all of it.

Thoughts at 3:00am

I accidentally took a 2 1/2 hour nap that ended at 5:00pm.  And now it's 3:00am and I'm still awake.

The house is so quiet.  My typing, the hum of the refrigerator, and the clock ticking are the only sounds.  Quite a change for this busy-with-boys house!

So this morning my thoughts are loving the quiet but at the same time so grateful for the people in it that will bring it to life again in a few hours.  They are my life...and I have such a good one!  I often tell Brian that I have everything I have ever wanted.  And I do.  Sure, sometimes I feel like we could use more money or I want a different body, but the real stuff - the important stuff - is all right here.  Brian is so good to me.  He loves me despite all of my strangeness.  (And I've been especially strange lately.)  He works long and hard for us.  He's been off work this entire week and I love having him around.  It's nice to not be alone and have someone to talk to and share the load.  And I genuinely love his company.  He is without question my best friend.  And the person I could hang with anytime.  (Good thing, since we're married and all.)  Gavin is a real boy now.  He is big and independent and wants to do what he wants to do.  Yesterday I told him that he wouldn't be able to play a game on the computer and he was all sass and said, "Yes I will.  I will just go get the computer and play it."  And that was that, in his mind.  He went to his first soccer practice today.  He was a little shy with his finger in his mouth until his daddy came and flicked it out.  Then he was all excited waiting his turn to kick and run over for a quick drink before he had to get back to the team.  Serious business, this soccer practice.  :)  Lately Gavin's sure sign of a good time is two fists in the air pumping.  That is joy.  And he and McKay are regularly breaking into Chewbacca and Yoda voices.  It makes me laugh out loud.  McKay is killing me with his cuteness.  Officially three weeks ago he became the cutest little boy on the planet.  Up until then, it has absolutely been up for debate.  But he is fun and wants to be tickled and have conversations.  I've always loved him, but now I am loving being around him.  He walks around the house and asks, "Mommy, are you in the kitchen?"  And then will walk in and find me wherever I am.  When we've had one-on-one time when Gavin is wherever he's been (birthday parties, hikes with Grandpa, work with dad) He is still the daredevil and loves fast rides at 7 Peaks and racecars at Trafalga.  He wants to be big so he can hike with grandpa.  I am so excited for him to be my little buddy when Gavin goes to preschool in September.  We're going to have a great time.

So my eyes are heavy, my brain has been dumped.  Time to try sleep again.

Reflection is good - but remind me to not take a nap that long again.

Where I Am

There's been a lot going on lately.  Nothing earth shattering but mostly a lot going on in my head.  A lot of learning.  It's been hard - a daily struggle - but it's really good for me.

I am a "Yes!" person.  My friend Barbara taught me that.  There are some people that others ask a lot of because they will always say yes.  And for the past 11 years, that is the person I've known myself to be.  (A lot of 'who I am' starts 11 years ago when I graduated from BYU and became a working person.  Before that, I'm not really sure I knew who I was...but that's another story.)

Anyway, two weeks ago I changed my mind.  I decided that while I'm not completely done saying yes, I don't have to say yes all the time.  And I don't have to explain myself to people as to why I cannot do something.  And gosh, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!  After a few minor (major) emotional meltdowns, I canceled everything I had planned for the rest of the week and just was.  I just needed to be still.  I just needed to sit and play legos with my boys again and read them stories.  It was refreshing and calm and peaceful and so so good.  I have realized that in my efforts to do so many things (good things, mind you) that I was missing out on the most important things.

Being a wife and mother are the most important things I will ever do.  I would hate to look back and wish that I would have spent my time differently.  Getting dinner ready for a neighbor is hardly worth me being a grump because my kids keep getting in the way....  I will serve these people in my home first.  And that's got to count for something.

The past two weeks have had some good memory making moments.  And I'm ready for more!

Wasatch Back Ragnar

Ragnar is one of those things that I've always wanted to do.  I'm not sure why.  You know, the no sleeping, running a ton of miles in the middle of the night, etc. etc. doesn't sound like much fun when you talk about it.   But for some reason there was a draw and when I got the invitation to join Viva La Familia.  And I'm so glad I did.

Highs

-hanging out with my bosom bud Michelle.  I love her.  We've been friends for 11 years and ours is one of my most comfortable friendships

-meeting Michelle's awesome family.  Clicking with our van right from the start

-running in the stars at 3:00 in the morning.  All alone yet safe.  The fact that I hadn't slept and was running uphill didn't phase me in the least.  That was the moment that made the race.  

Lows

-running a 5.5 mile leg as my final run in the middle of the hot hot afternoon uphill on one hour of sleep.  That was the longest hour of my life.  

-trying to sleep for three hours and not being able to.  So frustrating!

Ragnar is one word: Crazy.  Crazy fun, crazy hard, crazy people, crazy costumes.  Despite the hard, we crossed the finish line and for some reason it's instantly We're totally going to do this again next year!  I've decided it's kindof like being pregnant.  You forget all the garbage and then can't wait until you can do it all again.  An odd phenomenon, I think.  Thank you to Michelle for letting me be part of your family for a few days.  Certainly an experience I will never forget.

These are the moments that I am reminded that I am stronger than I think.  Even as imperfect as it feels sometimes, I am so grateful for a healthy body that can run and do hard things.  

And then he was Four

Oh Gav...  You've been planning your Lego birthday for about the past eight months.

It all started with this cake:

Gavin is super into Legos since he got his first Ninjago figure in January.  We've been earning and collecting small pieces since then.  I had this idea for a Lego head.  When Brian's family decided to celebrate the Sunday before, I figured I couldn't reinvite them over for more cake on the actual day.  Brian said that we should just do our own thing - meaning the four of us.  "But there are FIVE layers!" Who on earth would eat all that?

And the seventeen-child-count four-year-old birthday party that was never supposed to happen came to pass.  And the boy was happy.

Neighbor friends: Owen, Alec, Andrew, Savana, Robby, Ander, Kaylee, Chase, Tad, Truly, Ayda, McKay, Elsa, Van, Rome

Balloon games.  Brian was awesome as he headed up the organization of the activities.  I was cutting cake and such and afterwards when I told him what a rockstar he was, he said, "Hey - I've got a kid switch."  And he does.

A taste of cake and 'green' ice cream.

The kids were so generous with their gifts.  Gavin was a spoiled boy.  It was so funny with that many kids.  He would grab a gift and try to start opening it and five kids would magnet right to him.  He would move away a few feet (the kid needs his space) and they would all follow.  I think he was wondering why the heck they were following him around, but he handled it well.

And this is how we knew it was over...

The day after Gavin asked if we could go to Chuck-E-Cheese for his 5th birthday.  I said, "Don't even talk about it..."  No way dude - not yet.

Dear Gavin,

Do you know how much we love you?  Really.  You are such a sweet boy.  We call you Tender Heart.  You are sensitive and aware.  You are generally compliant and as of late have been the super helper.  I can send you to run random errands for me around the house and you know exactly what I need and how to get it.

At age four, you:

• love Legos
• just watched the Star Wars Triology.  You are walking around humming the theme song
• have memorized the first five Articles of Faith 
• are getting dare-devilish on your bike.  You lift your legs and stand up while you are riding and think you are hot stuff
• are still cautious
• HATE bees and other large bugs.  
• your favorite color is green
• can count to 50 on your own and practice every day
• can identify all of the letters and their sounds
• can write your name and can copy letters that I show you
• are getting pickier with food.  Still a great eater and usually willing to try a bite of anything, but are starting to have opinions and say "yuck!"  
• shared an Article of Faith and said a prayer for the first time without wimping out (I may have teared up just a bit...)
• love to be with your friends.  Buddies you play with regularly: Savana and Robby, Lorin and Luke.  I would say Ander is your best bud and you two play so cute and nice together. 
• are ready for preschool.  I think you will do great with other kids and be eager and interested to learn
• will watch TV all day if I'm not careful.  I finally had to limit your shows.  
• can navigate the TV without me.  You know the remote and TV buttons and can flip back and forth on Netflix like nobody's business. 
• love to play the iPad.  Likewise, I don't even help you with it.  
• make your bed and get yourself dressed everyday.  It's kindof nice to not have to put on your shoes and buckle your seatbelt.  Let's hear it for independence!  
• tell me I'm beautiful and that I'm a princess.  And that my hair is nice.  And that I paint toes good.  
• ask me where we are five times while we are driving - trying to figure out different cities.  You have an amazing sense of direction and know where this or that is even if we've only been there once  
• wonder how God talks to you and why you can't see Jesus.  You tell me you want to be baptized and make good choices.  Your questions and statements are sweet and sincere.  One funny thing that happened last month was when I had the music up loud in the car and you yelled from the back seat, "Mom!  I can't hear Jesus!"  

I have been impressed to watch you handle McKay.  He really loves you, you know.  He copies everything you do.  Everything.  Sometimes (okay, often) he hits you and it makes you cry.  But you are starting to talk through it and tell him not to _____ (fill in the blank.)  Last week I moved his crib into your room and you are officially sharing brothers.  I think you like being together.  In the morning you chat and come in and tell me what he needs.  I was especially impressed not too long ago when I was busy doing something and McKay was crying and needed a hug.  You pulled him onto your lap and he layed his head on your shoulder and you talked to him nice and soft, just like I might when he's feeling sad.  You are kind and a great brother.  I am excited to have him be able to look up to you.

You are such a sweetie.  I am happy to see you every day and am excited to see what four-year-old stuff you'll do this year.

Love,
Mom

Saturday Hike

Sometimes an afternoon away is just what we need. Brian and I hiked up Battlecreek Grove and had a delightful time. It was pretty, it was hot, it was cool. We ate a simple lunch next to a stream while we watched a bird fly back and forth feeding her babies. I really, really like Brian. And although sometimes I've got to wonder why, I'm very grateful that he likes me too.

Garden: Take 1

Ask and ye shall receive... Look what Brian made me! (Us!) I read a book called Square Foot Gardening and three week later this beauty was born. It's a little nutty how excited I get to check the progress every day. There is something especially cool about making a salad or smoothie with stuff that WE. GREW. I need to take new pics - it is now starting to resemble a small lettuce jungle.

Primary talks and other thoughts

Last week Gavin was assigned to give a talk in Junior Primary.  The second we told him what that little slip of paper said he was pumped up.  "Jesus Christ Teaches me to Choose the Right."  Brian and I wrote a simple talk and Gavin worked on it with us all week.  I bet he's done it 20 times.  At least.  He had that thing pretty well memorized.  I made little cue cards with the first letters of the next line or a picture so he could remember which part came next.

The excitement continued to today.  "Is today my talk day?  Let's go to church!"  Grandma and Grandpa Robinson even came to watch.  He looked so sweet as he plopped himself in the front of the room in his pink and white striped button-up and fancy new tie.  He looks so big to me now.  I was sitting in the front row next to the other kids in his Sunbeam class.  I told him I would sit right there in front of him and show him the cards.  As the scripture boy went up, he looked at me and I whispered, "You're next!" and he smiled.  He was ready.  We had practiced for this!  Once Chase sat down, he slowly walked up those two little steps at the podium.  He seemed brave and ready and knew just what to do.  All week it was: "Don't be silly.  Don't be shy.  Be brave.  Talk loud."

He looked at me and seemed okay and then glanced around that big, crowed room full of faces.  The look on Gavin's face changed in an instant.  And I knew.  He was so so scared.  He looked at me again.  I held up the cards and gave him the first words and he started backing up - like he was ready to make a run for it.  I'm surprised he didn't, actually.   I went up next to him and told him the first line.  His face went into my arm and he was all sorts of done after that.  Of course, in real time his six sentence talk didn't take that long, but the coersion, the prompting, the "You can do it!" seemed like it lasted forever.  I promised him gum and treats and Jesus will be so happy and all sorts of things in those few seconds.  I ended up giving his talk.  One line at a time, seeing if he was ready to join me or help or take over or anything.   Nothing.  Even in giving his talk for him my throat started to catch.  I mean, how scary is it for a three-year-old to get up in front of thirty people and do that?  It ended and he jumped down and I walked him back to Brian to say hello and give Grandma and Grandpa a hug.  I walked out of the room after I handed him to Brian and I cried.

In those moments I felt for the little guy.  I was in no way disappointed in him.  But for some reason I just wanted it so badly for him.  It's not even something that really matters, I guess.  It's not for anyone else, really, but I just knew that he was ready.  And excited.  And that this little boy can do this.  Not that it's a failure, because it's not.  But today was a defining moment for me a mother - for the first time I've really hurt for him.  I felt so sad that he struggled and couldn't do it.  And the thing that got me the most was that he was so. scared.  I've thought about it all day.  I wouldn't have done anything different.  I just know that this is the first of many times that I'll hope that something goes one way and it ends up going another.  I know that he will be scared again.  I know that he will be asked to do hard things that he doesn't want to do.  I know that I will have to watch him struggle.  And probably fail.  And it was just hard.  Even though today I could fix it, I know that as he gets older I won't always be able to (and shouldn't!) do that for him.

I gave him a squeeze and just loved that little guy today.  He doesn't have to give the best Sunbeam talk known to man for me to be proud of him.

Mornings Like These

Mornings like these don't happen all the time.  Usually while the boys eat breakfast, I can clean up the kitchen and get things put away before they finish.  That's the easy part.  It's the after part that's hard.  I want to pick up other things and look at my computer (a habit I'm sure I need to break) before the day gets started.  After all, it is only 8:00am by this time.  That's when the whining and fighting generally begins.  But today is different.  More important than doing 'my thing,' I can hear them playing forts and campout in Gavin's room.  They are running around like pals - not screaming, not fighting over a toy, and not pinning each other down and hitting or biting.  Just getting along.  And those are the best times.

Just last night I told Brian that I don't want to look back and regret this time.  I don't want to have regrets about not paying enough attention or not being patient enough or not teaching them how to handle themselves well.  Sometimes I don't handle myself well.  I don't want to regret my overreacting about things that don't really matter just because I'm tired.  I lack motivation and energy by midday and wish that I accomplished more than I do.  Sleeping sounds all too enticing by 1:00 and often I give in.  But then we live in a dump, I get grumpy, and the cycle begins again.

So today is a new day.  And I've got a new plan.

St. George Spring Break

After celebrating our 8th Anniversary on Monday the 9th, the four of us headed down to St. George on Tuesday of Spring Break.  (Eight years!  Holy cow!)  It was nice to have Brian to ourselves for an entire week.  That hasn't happened in a long, long time.

The boys were happier than happy.  We were out in the open and free from the day-to-day cares of home.  Making room to take the bikes was the smartest thing we've ever done.  Brian and I were able to take our bikes down as well and switch off going on rides.  So fun.  I love love love riding my bike.  Minus the prancing around in spandex part (I swear - I never thought I'd live to see the day...who do I think I am?) it's one of my favorite ways to exercise.

We went to the SK8 George skatepark (clever?) twice during the week.  The boys loved it.  McKay is a crazy person out there.  How we didn't end up in the hospital with a head cast is beyond me.  And if he's not the first child to break and arm or have stitches I will be shocked.  He flew around on that plastic trike like he owned the place.  Whether we were there to save him or not was of no concern to him.  Gavin, on the other hand, is a bit more cautious.  Almost obnoxiously so, but better safe than sorry, I guess.

The rest of our time was spent playing at the park, swimming at the indoor pool, watching movies, playing Guess Who and Hot Wheels, mini-golfing, and just plain bummin' around.  I love my boys.  All three of them.

Easter 2012

The boys were sure excited when they went out to the couch first thing and saw that the Easter Bunny had made an appearance. This year, they each got a t-shirt and a stuffed animal, along with the usual sugar stash.

We ate a breakfast of creme brule french toast and watched The Lamb of God all before 8:30am. We went on a walk and bike ride to burn some energy so McKay would take a nap before our 1:00 church. We hung out at Rhett and Alison Mitchell's for awhile and had a fun time talking to them.

The pre-church pictures are always required. This year things went from okay to sun-in-your-face freakouts in a matter of seconds. But we did manage to get a few good shots.

Church was wonderful. I loved the lessons and the boys were happy. I love that Easter will always and forever be on Sunday. Just how it should be.

 We headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's for the annual bbq, deviled eggs, and easter egg hunt. McKay knew what to expect this year and minus a few prods to keep it moving, had a great time looking for eggs. He loved the ones with money inside.  Gavin left no stone unturned. He was bugged that I wanted his picture since he was clearly busy. He had better things to do...

The final hurrah was grandpa pulling out the lawnmower and taking the kids for wagon rides.  McKay could hardly handle it when his turn was over.  (He's not good at sharing these days...)  All in all, a perfect day.