Easter Sunday

Easter morning we got up early and made it to church before making the road trip to Newman Grove.  We had Easter dinner at my Grandma Forre's house.  It was a really nice day.  The sun was actually shining and there was no wind!!!  The kids were able to spend a lot of time outside playing.  My Grandma only lives about a block away from the city park, but the weather is usually not nice enough when we are visiting her to be able to let the kids play there.  It was so nice on Sunday that Kyle and a couple of the other dads took the kids there to go play and burn off some energy.  I think all of the kids really enjoyed that!  I had a nice time catching up with family.  I know it really means a lot to my Grandma when we make the effort to make it to the family gatherings.  Of course we came home with way too much candy!!!!

All in all it was a really fun weekend!!  I am a little wore out from a weekend of celebrating!! 

 I am hoping for a nice quiet week :-)

The Forre Great Grand Kids.  I took 20+ pictures of this bunch and this was the best I could get.
It is so hard to get them all to look the same way long enough to snap a picture.



Jenae & Aubree

I love Bree running with her tough sticking out!!

Easter Egg Hunt at my Grandma Forre's house.

Easter Egg Hunt at my Grandma Forre's house.

Kyle & Jenae



Our attempt of a family Easter picture.  As you can see not a real successful outcome.





Saturday

Saturday was one of those days I did not have much planned, but I had 1001 things to get done.  Jenae was a big help and mopped the kitchen floor and clean the bath room for me.  I love that she is old enough to actually help out around the house!!  We headed into the Chambers Easter Egg Hunt.  It was so cold and windy that it took some of the fun out of it.  When we got home from town I let the girls color eggs.  I learned that a 3 year old still needs supervision while coloring eggs!!!  I was still working on my list of 1001 things and I probably was not paying close enough attention to what Aubree was doing.  She sure was having fun though :-)

Kyle was gone most of the day to Pitzer's horse sale.  He had to show a stud horse for a guy that he has broke some horses for a couple of years ago.  I think he had a really good time catching up with some horse people from that area that he has not seen in awhile. 

By late afternoon it actually got pretty nice outside.  Jenae & Aubree spent some time in their play house and somewhere along the way had a little too much fun with the water hose as Aubree came into the house soaked!!! 

I am kind of blogged out right now, so I will try to post pictures from Easter Sunday tomorrow!

My silly girls before the Easter Egg Hunt in Chambers.





Aubree finding Easter Eggs



Jenae checking out her Easter Eggs

Marilyn came in to help out with the kids.

Trey was excited about the eggs he found.

My mess maker Aubree!!!

Jenae showing off one of her eggs.

Jenae and her eggs



Aubree & her eggs.





Good Friday

Our weekend was so busy I decided to do a post for each day of the weekend.  We started out with Good Friday over at Hope & Ben's house.  I got off work at 3 so I was able to go home and get the girls cleaned up and ready.  Hope fixed a really good supper then had an Easter egg hunt in her yard for the girls before we headed off to church with them.    Hope had some eggs with dollar bills in them with the idea that the girls would have some money to put in the offering plate at church that night.  Well we did not do a good job of explaining that to Jenae before hand so as she is going through her eggs she is happily shoving the money in her pockets.  It mentioned to her that she needed to put the money in the offering plate at church and she said "no, I don't it is my money"  I then explained to her that is why Hope put the money in the eggs.  It took some convincing, but eventually we had her convinced to do so.  Once we got to church, Marilyn pointed out in the church bullion where is asked for people to contribute to the offering.  I can't remember for sure how it was worded, but Jenae all of the sudden got really concerned if the rest of us had money to put in the offering plate.  She was sitting between me & Marilyn and she whispered to me "Mommy, do you have money for the offering?"  I said "yes, I do"  Then she whispered to Marilyn "Grammy, do you have money for the offering?"  Marilyn replied "Yes, Grandpa has some money to put in"  She sits back and says "I really hope that Ben & Hope have money to put in since this is their church"  It was pretty funny how she went from not wanting to give any money to the church to being concerned that everyone had to give money. 
The church service was really nice.  Their preacher is a really good.  He did a really awesome job of talking about all that Christ went through & endured so that we would be able to spend eternity with him. 
After church we went back to Ben & Hope's house for some dessert and to visit.  The girls were really tired and Kyle had to get up early to take a horse down to Pitzer's Horse sale so about 10 o'clock we headed for home.  Both girls fell asleep on the way home & did not wake up until Saturday morning!  It was a really nice Easter celebration :-)

Aubree spotted an egg.

Jenae looking for eggs.

And she found one in the tree as well!

Aubree found another one!

The girls were not happy about stopping to pose for a picture in the middle of their Easter Egg hunt.

Jenae & Aubree zipping around the yard looking for eggs.

Marilyn helping Trey find eggs.  Unfortunately I think his cousins found them all first.

Aubree & Trey playing in the yard.

What is wrong with this picture??  Trey is pulling his big cousins around!  He is
a strong little fella as he is probably pulling 3 to 4 times his body weight!

Trey's turn for a ride.

Marilyn playing with the kids.

The Whitaker grand kids.

Chip & Marilyn with their Grand kids.

Aubree sharing her dessert with Trey.  She is a huge fan of whipped cream
so she would eat a bit with whipped cream and then give Trey a bite of the chocolate.

It is so nice to see the sun :-)

Today we finally have a nice day.  It sounds like we better enjoy it as the winds are supposed to pick up this afternoon and blow for the next day or so.  Hopefully the wind will help dry out our roads.  They are are muddy mess!!

Wednesday Aubree & I spent most of the day in the house.  I was feeling like baking so we whipped up this cake.  Aubree was a good help and really enjoyed getting to help decorate the cake. 

When Jenae got home from school we did an Easter Egg hunt in the house since it was so cold outside.  I had the girls fill the eggs with coins.  They were to use a variety of coins from penny's to quarters & there was one egg that had a 50 cent piece in it.  It was a lot of fun and kept them busy for awhile. 

I am afraid we are entering a new phase of life with Jenae.  She and one of her little friends at school have decided that they need to talk on the phone to each other every night.  I did not realize the phone stage would happen so young!!  Her little friend is a super sweet little girl & it is so cute to listen to what Jenae is all telling her.  She is at her friends house today having a  play date.  She was so excited when she went to bed last night and this morning when she was waking up I said "are you excited about getting to go to Emma's house today?"  Jenae got a huge smile on her face while rubbing her eyes still trying to wake up and said "yeah!  I thought I was just dreaming that I got to go to her house. "  She was so excited to find out that getting to go to Emma's house was not just a dream!

My little helper



She was so proud of our creation!!




Jenae filling her basket with eggs.




Aubree spotted an egg she was a little to short to reach. 
No big deal with the help of the couch!! 



Where is Spring??

We have had some cold wet weather here in Nebraska.  It sure does not feel like Spring around here.  Friday is started snowing and by Saturday morning we had 3 to 4 inches of now on the ground.  It warmed up nice on Saturday so it was all gone by noon.  Saturday ended up being a decent day, but by Sunday we had more rain.  Yesterday it was a high of 38 degrees and it rained off and on all day and by this morning we were completely white with snow again.  Our country roads are a muddy soggy mess and with the new snow on top of the soft roads I knew there was no way for me to make it to town in my car.  My sweet husband took me in to meet up with my carpool.  Thankfully he is home right now :-)  There is rain in the forecast for the next several days.  I think tomorrow is the only day that we are not supposed to get any moisture. 

I took advantage of being home in the house this weekend.  I know when the weather gets nicer I will want to be outside more.  I spent most of the weekend working in the girls bedrooms.  It is such a good feeling to get them a little more organized. 

Kyle was in Madison WI on Friday night.  He did really well at the rodeo.  He won the steer wrestling and split 2nd & 3rd in the Saddle bronc riding.  He didn't get home until 4:00 Saturday afternoon. Saturday night we went over to Chip & Marilyn's house for supper.  Marilyn fixed her famous ribs.  It was cute to watch Trey eat the ribs off the bone.  He really seems to enjoy them :-)

Sunday we got up and went to church and from there we headed to my brother & sister-in-law's house for dinner to help their daughter Brooke celebrate her 4th birthday.  The kids all had a great time playing together. 

We are excited for Easter this coming weekend.  It is going to be a busy weekend, but all holiday weekend are busy :-).  Friday evening I want to try to go to Hope's church for a Good Friday Service.  Saturday I think will be the annual Easter Egg hunt in the park.  Hopefully we can color Easter Eggs on Saturday as well. Hopefully sometime this weekend we can get together with Kyle's parents & the Blackmore's.   Sunday we are planning to got to to my Grandma Forre's house.  We always spend Thanksgiving Day with Kyle's side of the family so we try to spend most Easter Sunday's with my side of the family to say in good graces on both sides.  I think splitting up holidays is one of the hardest adjustments to being married.  Kyle and I have been married for almost 10 years and it is still hard.  I want to make sure that no one feels like we are leaving them out. 

After reading the book Heaven Is For Real, Easter has a whole new meaning for me.  If you have not had a chance to read it I highly suggest it.  I am so thankful for the gift God gave us of his son and that Jesus was willing to die on the cross  for us so we can spend eternity with him. 

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Easter weekend! 

Jenae & I planted onions, potatoes, radishes & horseradish. 
Last week we had 2 really nice days in the 60s and 70s
I am glad we got them in the ground before the snow arrived! 

Aubree before Church on Sunday.  She can be such a silly little girl!!

Brooke opening her presents.  It is crazy to think little Brooke is 4 already. 
Where does the time go?

The kids playing Ring Around the Rosie. 

Riley & Tyson playing ball.

The cousin's with Brooke & her cake.



kids say the darndest things!

On our trip to Grand Island last week, we had an interesting conversation with Jenae about "bad words".  It went a little something like this.....

Jenae: Mommy what is an apsule?  Is it a bad word? Taryn & Ellie said it was.
Me: I don't know, I have never heard of an apsule?  Do you mean capsule?
Jenae: Yeah what is a capsule
Me: Well it is a pill, and no that would not be a bad word.
Marilyn:  I think she may saying (then she spelled) a***ole.
Me:  Yes, Jenae apsule is a bad word and you should never say apsule!
Jenae (pointing at her bottom): They told me it is another word for this mommy.  Is it?
Me: yes it is you should not repeat that word! 

The other day Jenae asked me :Mom is asp a bad word?
Me: Yes it is!!!

I am learning my lesson that even if the word she is saying is not a bad word I should probably tell her it is, as I might not understand what it is that she is saying.!!

Yesterday Chip brought Aubree to O'Neill to the cattle sale.  They stopped by the office to see me for a few minutes and Aubree stayed with me while Chip ran to the bank.  I took her in the bathroom and washed the frosting off her face that she had left over from the doughnut she ate at the sale barn.  When Chip came to pick her up she said "now Mommy, you stay here, don't come with us"  I guess she thought I would ruin the fun she & Grandpa were having :-)

We are having a lovely spring snow storm here in Chambers, NE today!!!  You got to love Nebraska :-)

Husker Volleyball

We had a great weekend!  It started off great with Kyle coming home.  He had been in Nevada for a little over a week.  The rodeos did not go as he had hoped, the girls and I were sure happy to have him home.  Marilyn fixed supper for everyone that night.  It was fabulous as always! 

Saturday morning we stayed close to home and got caught up on some house work.  Kyle & Chip left about noon to go to Halsey's branding.  Marilyn picked the girls & I up about 1:00 & we headed to Grand Island to watch a Husker Volleyball game.  We met up with Marilyn's nieces, Melinda & Raquel along with their daughters Kassie & Karsen. We all met up at Whiskey Creek for supper then headed to the Volleyball game.  Jenae & Aubree were trilled to get to see Kassie & Karsen.  We all had a really good time!  Aubree slept all the way to Grand Island & Jenae slept most of the way home.  They were good little troopers on the road trip and at the game.  Aubree was wound up when we got home and did not go to bed until close to midnight.  She is such a night owl!!  Jenae really never did wake up when we got home. 

Sunday we went to church and the girls & I spent most of the day at home.  Kyle went up to Wakefields and helped break in some steer wrestling steers for a stock contractor.  Jenae wanted to go over to Grandpa & Grammys for a little while in the afternoon.  Chip was over to our place feeding and the girls went home with him for a couple of hours.

We have had beautiful weather the last couple of days.  Yesterday it was in the mid 60's and today it is supposed to be in the 70's.  Unfortunately all good things do come to an end and tomorrow is only supposed to be in the 40's with rain.  We will try to get the most out of today :-)

Last night the girls and I spent much of the evening out working in the yard.  I will spare you the details, but Jenae & Aubree had way too much fun playing with a dead snake!  I tried not to freak out as I do not want them to have a fear of snakes like I do.  I did make them wash really good when they were done playing with it & they both took good long soaks in the tub last night. 

Kyle took this picture of us before we headed out for the game.

Jenae, Marilyn & Hope at Whiskey Creek

Me & Aubree Joy at Whiskey Creek.  She really enjoyed the peanuts, but she & Jenae could not get over all the shells on the floor.  They just did not understand why people would throw things on the floor.

Aubree, Karsen, & Jenae

Aubree watching the Huskers warm up.

Jenae looking over the program looking to see who player # 9 was.  She had wrote all over her hands the number 9 with stars.  I asked why she did that and she told me "9 is my lucky number and I am going to cheer for #9 who ever she is."  She was a little disappointed to see there was no #9 playing for the Huskers.

Everyone waiting for the game to start.

Jenae & Kassie

Husker Volleyball

Husker Volleyball

Aubree, Jenae, Karsen & Kassie enjoying some Dippin Dots at the game.  I do not know if everyone realizes it or not, but Dippin Dots are a cure all for everything!!  Jenae had been complaining about her canker sore bothering her when ever she would try to eat anything and Aubree had a cough that day.  Both girls told me how the Dippin Dots sure made their ailments suddenly better.