Week ending 4-26-15

I got to do some fun things with my precious children last week. On Wednesday we went to the famous Duke Gardens. On Saturday I took Kylie, Madalyn, and Alexis to Virginia Beach for a Sister's Conference to see the General YW president. We did a little sightseeing beforehand and had a great time. 

If a lot of pictures annoys you, feel free to scroll. If you want bigger pictures, click on them. I'm posting a lot because this blog is part of our scrapbook and these are memories never to be forgotten. We love looking back over pictures and remembering these special times. I'm so blessed to have wonderful children whom I just love hanging out with and taking places. They couldn't be any sweeter.

 My favorite field-trippers at Duke Gardens.

 Standing on the Japanese Bridge.

 Can you spot the two turtles Thomas was watching?

 Kait and Kenna

 Sam comes to photo bomb.

He wanted his picture taken too, but didn't sit long enough for me to get a good shot. Then he was up and running again.

 I love little girls!

 Running around a little meadow.

 My five girls.

 The kids in front of the Terrace gardens, watching the Koi fish.

 I was standing on a path across from the pond and it was one of those moments where I looked at them from a distance, almost as if I were another tourist there, and thought, "Are all those kids really mine? Wow! I'm so blessed." and "Where has the time gone? They're growing up so fast." 

 A great picture on the first and only try!

(Sam ran away a second later.)

 He loved playing on whatever this is.

 Not a good picture because of the glare, but this is a giant bird house.

 That's all for Duke Gardens. What a terrific day! 

 Our trip to Virginia Beach on Saturday could have been better if had been sunny and warm instead of cold, rainy, and windy. Bummer! But I still had a great time. My girls are so pleasant and easy-going and fun to be with.

 Last year when we went we stuck Samuel through this, so Alexis and Madalyn wanted their picture.

 Cape Henry Lighthouse. 

Built in 1792. First one federally funded. Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. It is near the spot the pilgrims landed in 1607. 

 About to climb the 191 stairs to the top.

 We made it! 

(It was actually very quick and easy; not as hard as they made it sound in the gift shop.)

I have videos from the top but these were the only stills I took. This is our first time up in a lighthouse and it was really neat.

 The steep ladder at the very top.

After the lighthouse we went to the stake center where I received YW leader training from Sister Bonnie Oscarson, the YW General President. It was amazing sitting in the front seat right in front of her in this little YW room. Afterward we went into the chapel and got to hear her as well as Sister Linda Burton, 2nd Counselor in RS and Mary Durham, 2nd counselor in Primary. What an experience! The chapel was packed clear to the stage of all women ages 8 and up. There was the sweetest spirit there and uplifting messages. I hope my girls never forget it.

This is a picture of Sister Burton as she was talking to someone. I should have gotten a good picture of her with us, but we talked to her and hugged her in the chapel so I didn't want to ask for a picture and I didn't want to hug her again in the foyer when there were so many others wanting a chance. So I just snapped this as I walked outside to get our dinner out of the car.

 Meanwhile, Nathan took 5 kids to the ward campout and had a good time. A friend took these pictures and sent them to me.

Week ending 4-19-15

 Ballerina party when we were supposed to be cleaning the house for my sister's arrival.

 Kids are so cute when they fall asleep in the stroller. I love taking Samuel on walks.

 Coordinating outfits for church when my sister was here. 

Every Sunday Kylie plans our matching outfits so when Lori was here she first saw what Lori brought and then found things the rest of us could wear to match. I think it turned out cute! I love having 5 pretty girls.

 Aunt Lori and Makenna Muffin

 We went to the duck pond for a picnic lunch on Kaitlyn's birthday. Someone got carried away with pictures and wants me to post them all. :) You can click on them to make them bigger.

 This is the traditional spot I take the kids' picture every year.

 Age order (The extra boy between Kait and Kenna was a boy we were baby-sitting for the weekend.)

 Putting Lori in line according to height.

 I love these two pictures of Samuel trying to figure out what everyone is doing and then copying them.

 Just my kids. Kaitlyn and Makenna were so cute hugging and smiling but when I tried to zoom in and get one of just them it wasn't as good.

 Still trying to get a good picture of the 8 of them.

 All down.

 One up, one down pattern.

 Samuel slept in the car on the way to the duck pond but when we got home we forgot to give him another nap. I was busy doing school and making the cupcakes and dinner. During dinner I suddenly remembered the nap when he fell asleep. My kids are such good nappers and I'm strict about staying home during naptime, that I rarely get the "falling asleep at the table" thing. It was adorable and hilarious. I posted a video on facebook, but it's too long to put here.

 Kaitlyn opening her birthday presents. (Two extra boys are the ones Kylie was baby-sitting.)

 Nothing like cheap after Easter candy. :)

 They're supposed to be presents on the cupcakes. They looked better in person.

 Kaitlyn turned 5!

 Samuel loves to ride this plastic alphabet caterpillar. It's so funny.

 Reading party after a trip to the park and library. There's no way I can get my kids to do school after going to the library. They just want to sit around and read the rest of the afternoon. Since it was raining and I felt like reading too, I let them. We all read non-fiction books and had a great, relaxing afternoon. When's the next one? 

 Samuel and the caterpillar again. He alternates between pulling it around the house all day and riding it.