March 2013

These pictures are horribly out of order, but I don't feel like trying to sort them... so... here goes!

At some point in March we visited Oma and Opa up in Madison.  No warm-ish trip to Madison is complete without a trip to the zoo.  Their zoo is amazing and totally free.  Elena's favorite animal to see is always the giraffe.  

And Anni's favorite, well, you might have guessed is the bear.  We got really far behind the others because she kept running back to see him : )

But, the most favoritest part of any trip to the zoo is the merry-go-round/carousel.  We buy armbands and go until the adults are sick to their stomachs and the kids are still screaming more.  Seriously.  I had to step outside to calm my stomach!

As usual, sad goodbyes.

It really is a pity these two can't live closer.  I pray that they'll always stay close at heart.  Cousins and best friends!

Easter Sunday was a beautiful celebration.  This young man was baptized in the later service that we usually attend.  It was very sad to learn just weeks later that he passed away in his own home.  I don't know the circumstances of his death, but I'm glad that my first, last, and only memory of him is a happy one.

A family Easter pic.  I'm holding my choir folder.  Our church had its first attempt at a choir on Easter morning.  I'm not sure how much you heard of us over the band (we weren't miked), but we had a great time!

My princesses in their Easter dresses!

A very, very cold and blustery Easter egg hunt!

I can't wait until this hill is vibrant green and the kids can run all over it... without coats on.

And then there's my haircut.

I've been growing out my hair for a very long time in order to donate it to charity.  I made the mistake of dyeing my hair a few months ago (I thought it wasn't a permanent dye), and was devastated to learn that most charities do not accept dyed hair.  After some web searching I came across a company called Children with Hair Loss.  They accept all sorts of hair, dyed or not, AND do not charge the children who need the wigs.  Win, win.

As soon as Sheila was good and married, I headed to the salon, and had my friend cut off as much hair as she could possibly cut.  This darling cut reminds me of  Moe from the The Three Stooges!

Not too much longer I had my very own pixie cut, and four 12-ish-inch (30.48 cm) braids to send to Children with Hair Loss.  Hurrah!

One Friday afternoon I decided it was time for our family to try eating out at a restaurant.  Nate and I have hated taking our children to restaurants for as long as I can remember.  The kids are usually running around, being loud, and nearly breaking things, which equals no relaxation for us.  So why pay money for food that is cold and not really enjoyed?!  All that said, I thought that maybe our kids were old enough to try again.

So... we went to our local 50's diner.  And we had a blast!  Anni had pancakes, Elena a corn dog, and I had a gigantic chocolate shake.  We definitely want to do this again : )

I think I can title both of these photos something like "Hoping for Spring".  One sunny and cold day I took the girls down to our lake.  Annika was so excited to be near the water that she went in, and stayed in, the lake until I tore her away.  

And we also are getting the jump on ice cream season.  Ice cream is so... chatter chatter... delicious... shiver shiver!