Time with Brian and Lauren

One of the great things about going back to North Carolina for spring break is that Brian and Lauren are there now.  On Thursday, we got to see their new house.  It is really cute and I am very jealous of the large crepe myrtle in the front yard.  We also joined them for some delicious Mexican food.  It was great to catch up with them, it had been too long.  

Eating at the Mexican restaurant

Lauren made us a yummy Easter basket filled with goodies.  It was perfect for the hotel and the airplane ride home.  Just so you know bunny bait is addictive! 

Posing for a picture in front of Brian and Lauren's new home 

Duke Gardens

For spring break we headed back to the Triangle.  It was time to see our old stomping grounds, visit some friends, and check in on Brian and Lauren in their new home.  Of course no trip to Durham would be complete without a visit to Duke Gardens.  The whole place just brings me joy.  It was about three weeks from peak time, in my opinion, but a lot of the tulips were already blooming so I was a happy girl.  I have a lot of pictures from the day to share. 

Ella and Sam with map in hand, heading into the Gardens

Maybe for my next career I could be a nature photographer

The kids loved how this tree made a canopy over them

Picture in front of one of the fountains

The twins pose for a photo 

Tulips...my favorite! 

You always have to take time to feed the ducks.  Some geese scared Ella so she is hanging out a little further back of the boys. 

My favorite bridge and my favorite people.  I also loved the weeping cherry tree blooming in the background.

They painted the bridge red. 

Egg-cellent Eggs!

Sam showing off one of his egg creations

Ella halfway done dying an egg

Everyone is hard at work

This was my favorite.  Ella was trying to glue sprinkles on this one but was getting holes since she didn't use enough glue.  I tried to wash them off and this was the result.  A very cool mistake! 

The finished products

Having fun decorating eggs! 

Yesterday we decorated our Easter eggs.  We all decorated this year and enjoyed watching each others decorating ideas.  This year we did try something new.  We used sprinkles and glued them on a few of the eggs.  Those eggs we won't be eating but we never eat them all anyway.  I am already thinking of ways to improve the sprinkle technique for next year.  We also used some of our tried and true decorating techniques; rubber bands, crayons, olive oil, etc.  I think they turned out well and we enjoyed making them.  

Easter... Grocery Store Style

Ella showing off the rabbit she made at Hy-Vee

We normally never grocery shop on Saturday.  But since I worked every day this last week and snow was coming Saturday night we headed to Hy-Vee.  The kids debated if they wanted to go with me or not but when we got there they were happy they did.  Hy-Vee was having a little Easter hunt throughout the store.  They got a bag and were able to go to stations set up around the store to collect goodies.  They got yogurt, string cheese, candy, pencils and more.  They made a rabbit craft and they also got a picture with the Easter bunny.  They thought it was pretty cool.  Fun little surprises are the best! 

Tag, You're It!

Sam and his friend Jonathan in the party room

Sam with our neighbor friend Stephen getting ready for laser tag

Sam playing a game with his friend Ella

Sam wanted to have a laser tag party with his friends this year to celebrate turning ten.  So we headed to a place here in town called Lazer Lanes.  It has a large arcade, laser tag and bowling.  For Sam's party the kids each got tokens to play in the arcade and got to play two rounds of laser tag.  They all had a lot of fun running around and playing.  The laser tag was a big hit!  After that we went to the party room for cake, ice-cream and presents.  It was a fun way to celebrate birthday number ten.  

Double Birthday!

Since everyone was going to have to travel to Columbia for our kids' birthday parties we decided to have one party to make it easier on our guests.  Luckily, their birthdays are pretty close together so we picked a date in the middle to celebrate.  We got some bar-b-que from a local restaurant and had a big lunch.  Then of course cake, cookie cake and ice-cream.  We enjoyed spending time with everyone and got to show off our house to a few that hadn't made it for a visit yet.  Our kids are so spoiled and lucky to be loved by so many people!  

My six year old! 

I can't believe he is double digits now! 

Kylie found Ella's bracelet collection and decided to put them all on at once!

Smiling before opening her gifts

Sam excited to show off his Kindle Fire

Unfortunately, I didn't get any good pictures of our guests except one of Kylie.  I will have to do a better job next year.  

Senior Night

Sam watching Senior Night at Mizzou Arena

While Mizzou hasn't quite had the season that we had been hoping for, their home record was flawless.  We enjoyed going to the Tiger games and have plans for renewing our tickets next year.  Sam and I were the lucky ones that used our tickets for senior night.  We demolished the Arkansas Razorbacks and it was fun booing former coach Mike Anderson after his comments earlier in the week that he would have taken last year's Missouri team to the Final Four.  
I think Mizzou's new rivalry has been born in Arkansas.  At least is still has kansas in its name.  Here is to hoping Mizzou can figure out how to play together and win games in the last few minutes as March Madness begins next week.