Easter and a Track Meet

Well here I sit trying to think about what has been going on since I blogged last.  We've had a lot going on, but I'll just stick with what we have pictures of. 
The Saturday before Easter, Kristin and I took the girls to an Easter egg hunt at Truman University.  Granny and Papa came to watch the girls and of course Luke came too, although he'll have to wait til next year to get in on the hunt.  The Truman bulldog was there and the Easter Bunny.  Lauren did not want her picture with the bulldog, but I did get one of her with the Bunny.  The egg hunt was basically a free for all.  The eggs were everywhere and it was so fun to watch the kids run to a big pile of eggs, pick up one egg and then look around like they can't find anymore.  Lauren made out pretty well.  Easter morning we went to church and celebrated our Risen King!  After we went to lunch with my side of the family.  Later we had another Easter egg hunt with Granny and Papa.  Granny was smart and stuffed the eggs with stickers and small toys, which helped reduce the candy intake.  And we finished out the night hanging out at Matthew and Kristin's.
Oh and I would like to mention that Lauren and I did color a dozen eggs and even did some of them with glitter.  So I think I earn my award in patience, cause doing things like that, that can spill and make big messes stress me out big time.  It actually was fun and Lauren had a great time.

Today Lauren and Ellie got to play while Andrew took Jackson turkey hunting.  The girls made paper dolls with Granny and then headed outside to play.  They played on the swing and even figured out that they could both fit and swing together.  They also played with bubbles and chalk, and tried to fly Lauren's kite. 

This afternoon we took Lauren to a community track meet.  It was something for kids ages 5 to 14, so I check to see if Lauren could participate, since she's still 4 and she could.  So she got to complete in a softball throw, a long jump and a 50 yard dash.  We've been practicing racing here at home, so she was excited about the race.  The throw and the jump she liked, but the race was the most fun.  Brad helped her practice throwing the soft ball for a while before it was her turn.  She did great on her first and third throw and well... we'll just say her second throw was more like a bowl.  For the race, she did great.  She ran with the 5 and 6 year olds and started slow, but once she saw she was behind she ran so hard to catch the others and finished well.  We spent this evening running race after race with her.  I think she's got the racing bug, which I like, because I loved running when I was young.
It was so fun to see her compete today and try to do her best.  Brad and I were so proud of her!

A Very Special Sunday ChurchLeaders com Christian Leadership Blogs, ...

Found this on youtube and loved it.  How important is it to make sure that our children know that Easter is so so much more than just a bunny and candy.  Let your kids know what Jesus did for them and everyone.  The great love He showed on the cross and still gives to us today.

Remember, Mud Puddles

Saturday, Lauren went outside to play on the swing.  Brad looked out the window to check on her and she was playing in a mud puddle.  Since she had on rain boots we thought it was ok.  A few minutes later, she was out of her boots and barefoot.  By the time she was done playing, which was probably 45 minutes to an hour later, she was in nothing but her undies.  It was fun to watch her, and remember how fun it was to be a kid and play in mud, get messy, and make mud pies.  Even my parents puppy, "Buddy" played with her for a while. 

Enjoying Warmer Weather and Ready For More

Lauren has gotten to go out and help Brad work a little since it is starting to warm up.  She loves getting to go with him.  They went to check cows and calves one day, and put out mineral (which is basically salt for cattle) another day and she has helped him bottle feed the baby calves a few times.  I'm sure the warmer the weather gets, the more she'll want to go with him.
Saturday, I got to help throw a Baby Shower for Sarah (one of my friends from high school and we grew up in church together).  It was lots of fun and she is now stocked up on stuff for the baby.  I made her three little diaper cakes, which were partly for decoration, but mainly a gift.  My other friend, who helped with the shower, did most of the decorating and it really looked sweet. 

While I was setting up for the shower Saturday morning, Lauren stayed out at the ranch cause her cousins came out.  They got to take turns riding one of the horses "Bob" around my parent's front yard.  My mom took pictures so I stole some off her camera to post on here.  I also heard that when Lauren was riding, she got Bob to start trotting and he kind of took off on her away from everyone and she couldn't get him stopped.  So Brad and Andrew had to run and catch the horse.  She survived and didn't seem upset about, so I guess it was just a new experience for her. 

Notice how they are both standing the same way.