Way Too Much Fun for One Week!

 We decided that spending two weeks with my family wasn't enough, so they stayed an extra week!

 We had some family from Tenn. join our party for a few days.

 My grandma on the right and her sister Theola (Koka)

 Both boys love their great grandma Brown

 Collin talked both Koka and grandma into playing in his room. When I went back to check on them they were putting puzzles together. The "ladies would point to a puzzle piece with their canes and then point to the space it went and Collin would then put the piece where they directed. It was cute.

 Pre- General Conference

 Since both sets of grandparents were in town we watched Conference at our house this year.

Sat. morning, before the first session, the boys and I joined grandma and grandpa Boyd at the Winter Garden Farmers Market.

 This is one of Collin's favorite stops. He likes the interactive window. When you tap a certain spot the train goes around the track.

I'm sad I didn't take more pictures of the actual market. It was so cute. I love our little town of Winter Garden and all the fun stuff they do!

 They were having races while we were there and every time a cyclist passed us Collin and grandpa will yell, "go, go, go!"

 And of course we had to visit the train!

 Collin also learned to ride his tricycle this week. So guess what we had to do during the other sessions of conference?

This was Daddy and Tate's idea of pre-conference entertainment

 A Garden Party

We started our garden again this year!

 Collin loves watering the plants (when he's not watering me of course)

 We also started Tate on solids. He pretty much downs a whole jar in one sitting.

 Family Home Evening

We had BIG plans for fhe one night. We planned to walk around downtown Winter Garden, eat at the mom and pop BBQ place there on main street and then stop at Mrs. Bee's to pick up popcorn for dessert. 

(they have over 70 flavors!)

What we got, was BIG disappointment.

A lot of the stores were closed on Monday's including our BBQ restaurant and Mrs. Bees. :( We decided to walk around anyways and ended up at the splash park.

 Collin and Logan wanted to see if they could run through the fountains without getting wet.

Mission: unaccomplished

They were having so much fun I just let Collin go, shoes and all. His shoes still smell even after repeated washings and a whole bottle of Febreze being poured on them, but I don't regret it. It makes me sad to think how short his time as a little boy will be. I'm slooooowly learning not to sweat the small stuff.

It's still a work in progress though. 

 The rest of us were perfectly fine just watching the water fun.

 Since we had our hearts set on BBQ, mom and dad treated us to Sonny's BBQ after the water escapade. (Thank goodness I had the foresight to throw a change of clothes in the diaper bag for Collin!)

Tate slept almost the whole time we ate!

 Collin and I entertained grandma while we waited for our food. Because you know how hard it is for grandma's to sit still and wait ;)

 This is our angry face

 Sad :(

 Michael looks very entertained in all these photo's too. :)

 I really enjoyed having my mom there to help me out with the boys.

 They sure act extra spoiled when she leaves though. Wonder why? :)

I had to throw in these pictures of these beautiful Peacocks we saw in the parking lot one day. Mom keeps saying that she wants some peacocks for her farm, but we lovingly remind her of THE PIG! Click here and scroll down for that story. They are beautiful though.

And last but not least, this guy turned 5 months and weighs 17 pounds!!! My, but I do love me some chunky baby!!!

A Week of Easter Fun!

 Happy Easter!

After our visit with my family, my parents and little brother drove us back home. That meant they got to spend Easter with us! We tried to do something Easter related every day.

 We died eggs at Aunt Patti's house one day while Tate chilled in this HUGE chair.

 I think he got a little too relaxed :)

 Collin and grandma made chick cupcakes.

 They turned out way cute but....when grandma turned around for a split second Collin snatched two black jelly beans and ate them.

 So we had to scrounge around the house for some candy and improvise. 

That is one scary looking chick!

 We also did a glow in the dark egg hunt and we did the Resurrection eggs with Collin but didn't get any pictures of that :(

 After church on Sunday we went back to the Arnsdorff's for a family Easter Egg Hunt. Over 150 eggs were hidden around their house.

 My little brother Logan and younger cousin Austin hunted for some, but Collin was the only child there.

So guess who found the most eggs?

My cousin Maggy was his partner in crime :)

 

 Grandma entertained Tate with her dancing and singing bunnies.

 And Collin ate waaaay too much candy.

 I love Easter and am so glad we were able to be with family.

I'll end this post with a quote I found 

 "Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the resurrection." -Gordon B. Hinckley 

I still can not fully fathom the atonement. I get glimpses now and then and sometimes, if I really try to understand, my heart fills with so much joy and gratitude that for a few split seconds I really feel like I get it.  I can comprehend in at least a small measure, the sacrifice that was made. I love what Jeffrey R. Holland said.

"I ask you, what father and mother could stand by and listen to the cry of their children in distress...and not render assistance? (Heavenly Father) had the power to save, and He loved His Son, and He could have saved Him...

In that hour I think I can see our dear Father behind the veil looking upon those dying struggles, His great heart almost breaking for the love that He had for His Son. Oh, in that moment, when He might have saved His Son, I thank Him and praise Him that He did not fail us. I rejoice that He did not interfere, and that His love for us made it possible for Him to endure to look upon the suffering of His Only Begotten and give Him finally to us, our Savior and our Redeemer."