Spring...Finally!

Ok...so I said I would do better about posting this spring, and it hasn't happened.  But I have a lot of new pictures and will do my best to update.  I can't believe that it has already been over a month since my last post!
 
After a winter that seemed to last forever, we are slowly getting warmer and spending more time outside.  The days are getting longer and every so often, there is a glimpse of hope that summer is around the corner!  A few weeks ago, we were able to have an evening that wasn't too windy or cold to light a fire outside; hot dogs, smores, and all!  No camping yet, but it's nice to go outside and not freeze.
 
 Gracie and Owen enjoying the bonfire.
 
 Owen sitting with Nick watching the fire.
 
Easter!  Easter weekend was a busy one!  Gracie had her first t-ball game, we went to a local Easter egg hunt, and Nick took the kids down to his mom's to spend the night.  I had a whole afternoon all to myself, which I spent cleaning and enjoying and uncluttered house for about 12 hours before everyone returned.  I took pictures just to prove that it was clean, but didn't want to post those.  Easter was spent with Nick's side of the family.  We had lunch, did an egg hunt, and many other things outside.  We were so lucky to have such a nice day!  I think it was over 80 degrees for the first time this year!  The kids had so much fun and were outside all day.  They fell asleep around 5:30pm on the drive home and didn't wake up until the next morning!  Guess they were tired!
 One of Gracie's eggs that she found at Grandma Deb's
 
 Owen is going through his eggs
He's so goofy sometimes!
 
 Gracie giving Mallory a ride in the Barbie Jeep
 
 Owen is patiently waiting for Dad to fix the little dirt bike.  Nick told Owen as soon as he can ride his bike with no training wheels and no help from us, he would let him ride the dirt bike.  Owen was very dedicated in learning to ride his bike without training wheels, so here we are.  I'm not sure he liked it all that much on the dirt bike, though.  It was more complex than he anticipated, requiring a lot of concentration.  He did ok, for his first time, though.
 
Gracie lost her first tooth on April 21!  It has been wiggly for quite a while and Nick was finally able to pull it out.  She was so excited and couldn't wait for the tooth fairy to come!
 
 
Gracie with her tooth pillow.  The tooth fairy left her a silver dollar!
 
Gracie with Ryleigh at Easter 
 

 First t-ball game!  Nick is coaching this year.  This is what our Saturdays will consist of from now until mid-June.
 
 Gracie up to bat
 
 Owen keeping himself busy at the playground during Gracie's t-ball game.
 
The past weekend Annie and Chad came to visit and see Courtney's new baby.  They got to see Gracie play t-ball and spent some time playing inside when it was raining.  At least Saturday was a decent day, although it was pretty windy again.  I took the kids to the Forest Reserve and hiked around for almost 2 hours with them.  It was sheltered from the wind a little and they loved exploring.
 

 Gracie and Owen posing on top of a bench
 
 My little monkey in the tree
 
 Gracie climbing up to join him
 
 Both of them in the tree
 
 Mom's first time cutting Owen's hair.  He really needed it and Nick hasn't had time.  He looks like a little boy again!  Nick does a better job, but it'll do for now.
 
Somewhere in there, Nick and I had a night out in Huxley at Casino Night!  This is a fundraiser for the Ballard Schools.
 
We are winding down the school year and from now until the end will be busy for both Nick and me.  I can tell that students are getting a little anxious, too, as the seniors have reverted back to acting like freshmen again.  I'm sure it will fly by and June will be here before we know it. 
 
I have two raced coming up; one is less than two weeks away.  I'm on a relay team with 5 other girls and we will make our way from Jefferson to Des Moines for a long day, in which I'm sure there will be stories to tell.  We'll see how that goes.  Dam to Dam is also at the end of May and is now a 1/2 marathon.  I'm looking forward to both!

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