Estes Beauty

We spent the morning doing the only 2 things we had on our agenda for this trip (besides Sarah's graduation)...a boat ride and miniature golfing. It was an absolutely perfect day for both! When we looked at the weather forecast before we came, we weren't sure we would get to do much of anything...it called for rain every day with highs in the 50s! But this morning it was clear and near 60 when we got to the lake. By the time we got to the golf course, we all shed our sweatshirts and enjoyed the sunshine!

 Jacob didn't want to come. He was too busy playing with the Legos and wanted to stay. But then we got on the boat and he quickly changed his mind!

 This was the main reason he changed his mind about coming...he got to drive the boat!!

 All three of the kids got a turn being Captain. They loved it.

 Isaac took his role very seriously.

 Golfing! The boys practically ran through the entire course, but they still had fun. :)

 Anna took her time and was very serious about her game. She remembers playing last summer and the lessons from Mr. Len and Ms. Kathy!

Bear hugs for the boys! :)

Summer Ball is Almost Here

Anna and Jacob are signed up for summer ball this year. Anna is VERY excited! She is serious about doing well and has been asking Aaron to teach her all the rules of the game. When the weather (and Daddy's work schedule) cooperates, she begs Aaron to practice with her.

Jacob is not nearly as interested in it. He plays for a little bit, but just really doesn't seem to have much interest. I think he'll have fun with all his little buddies, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's the kid in the outfield who snuck a tractor and disc in his pocket...

 One afternoon, we headed up to the ball diamonds to get some real practice in...it was ridiculously windy.

 Grandpa and Grandma came to visit last month. We borrowed a game to play...it's basically like charades. The kids absolutely loved it!

Of course there was a trip (or two!) to Dairy Queen while they were here. I asked Isaac if he had anything on his face...this was his response! :)

AWANA Closing Program

The kids had their closing program for AWANA last week. 

We got to sit next to this cutie :) I love a baby's squished-up-nose-grins! Ella is the happiest baby I have ever seen. Always smiling!

 Anna took her part of the program very seriously. I don't think she smiled even once!

 The Sparks group was HUGE. Of course, it covers kindergarten through 2nd grade. The sang several songs, did sign language to one, and recited a couple of verses. I have videos, but I can't get them to upload on here for some reason.

 This little guy was playing peek-a-boo with me while I was taking pictures of the kids. I think his Mama takes a lot of pictures of him...he knew exactly what to do when I pointed the camera at him! :)

Our church does an awesome job with the AWANA program. The kids love going every week and I love hearing them learn their verses every week. The carnival was incredible! I think I only got a few pictures from that on my phone since I was wrangling Isaac all evening. We're so thankful for our church family!

Easter in Iowa

The kids and I spent the week before Easter at Papa & Binga's. The weather was pretty nice, so we got lots of time playing outside. So get ready for a BUNCH of pictures! :)

They're doing some construction at a nearby park. Jacob was in hog heaven with all the dirt!!

 She's still in that "I don't want my picture taken" stage.

 The giant dirt pile made the perfect spot for playing King of the Hill!!

 Back for more...

 ...and determined to push Papa off the hill!

 He didn't succeed this time...

 ...but what's that gleam in his eyes??

 Wait for it...

 Wait for it...

 Did he get him this time??

 Not quite!

 Anna's turn!

 Never one to be left out, Isaac quickly had to join the battle!

 Except he couldn't get up the hill by himself!

 And he wouldn't stand up straight and take the last couple steps by himself! Aaron was wearing sandals so he kept slipping.

 Finally! Now, to get Papa!!

 Or maybe it'll be the other way around??

 Ah ha!! Anna and Jacob had to team up to dethrone Papa as King of the hill!!

 Daddy had to bring up the baseball equipment so he and Anna could practice, of course!

 Jacob still isn't very interested!

 Isaac isn't going to be very happy when he doesn't get to play this summer when Anna and Bubba do.

 Then Isaac decided it would be fun to throw the baseball straight up in the air.

 And try to duck...

 He got hit a couple of times (and it's a real ball!)...

 ...but he thought it was hilarious!

 So he kept doing it!

 Telling Papa a story. (his poor face...evidently he's allergic to the bubble bath!)

 Jacob kept begging to go to "the big wooden park". It's pretty impressive.

 Back at the house, the kids wanted to race Daddy.

 To make things a little more fair, Daddy had to jump rope (with a very short rope!) in the race.

 This Daddy doesn't let his kids win just so they don't feel bad! haha

 Daddy got Isaac "pumped up" for his race.

 We went the their church's  Easter egg hunt again this year. 

 The weather cooperated this time so the older kids got to be outside. They had 4,000 eggs!!!

 Mr. Sugar Man was all over getting as many eggs as he could!

 Isaac got an egg with a prize in it again this year. He could choose between a stuffed animal or a ball. No surprise here...he chose the ball! He had fun playing with Papa :)

 The kids love Binga's new car...a convertible Bug!

  Jeremy's family was planning to come up for Easter, but they all got sick :( So we had a lot of eggs to dye!

 Papa took the boys for a ride with the top down!

 See? She doesn't want her picture taken.

 It took Isaac quite a while to find this egg! haha

It was a very fun week!