Big Cedar Sunday

The first Sunday of Spring Break we went to church and spent some time with the Lowes.  Then it was time to hit up one of our favorite Springfield restaurants that has a new location for lunch.  Bambinos was a hit with all of us and after not having it for a few years tasted even better!  I love their new location because it is much more convenient.  We got our bellies full then headed for Branson.
We had never been to Big Cedar Lodge before and were excited to stay there.  The property is beautiful and I'm sure it is even more so now with everything blooming.  We rented a cabin for a few nights and were excited about our accommodations.  Well mostly excited, we had this stuffed raccoon hanging on the wall by our refrigerator that gave me the creeps!  The room was nice though and the back deck was great.  The kids loved the jacuzzi tub in the bathroom with all of its different settings and it even had colored lights.
After checking out the cabin and a short rest it was time to check out the rest of Big Cedar.  We took a beautiful walk around the property and explored for hours.  We even played a little sand volleyball.  We walked back to our cabin as the sun was setting and watched some of the basketball tournament to end the evening. 

Ella is happy to be here! 

Hanging out on the back deck. 

I love this bridge! 

The sun setting on the lake. 

bump, set, spike

Boys v Girls

Time to Blow out the Candles

We had a joint family party for Ella and Sam's birthdays on the fourteenth of March at my parents' house.  Ella stayed with the art theme for this party too and Sam decided he wanted his theme to be the Kansas City Royals.  It was a great afternoon for a party because the weather was wonderful and everyone was able to spend a lot of time outside.  While inside we enjoyed BBQ and watching the kids open their gifts and blow out their candles.  It was a great day with family. 

Birthday banners

Ella with her paint palette cookies.

Sam racing Emma on his new bike. 

The Royals birthday boy. 

Emma taught Ella how to climb a tree! 

Hang Time!

Sam spent a lot of his time in winter and early spring playing basketball.  He played CYBA again with kids from his school and also played intramural basketball after school one day a week.  His CYBA team had a rough season.  They did not win a game but they did definitely improve from the beginning to the end.  While Sam didn't enjoy losing he still loved being on the court.  

RBE Showcase

The Rock Bridge Elementary showcase was the Monday after Grandma had come into town to help with Ella's party.  So, that morning we headed into school to see what Ella's class was going to share.  They had prepared some readers theater.  Ella did a good job with her part and we were glad we got to see it.  

Girl Time

My friend, Christi, was turning forty so we got together to surprise her for her birthday.   We all met at a wine bar downtown and had a few drinks.  The rest of the ladies headed to dinner afterwards, but I had to get home to help Sam with his homework before his bedtime.  It was still nice to have a little girl time and to celebrate Christi!  

Art Party

Ella decided she wanted to have an art party for her birthday.  There is a place downtown called The Canvas where we decided to book her party.  She got to choose nine friends and what they would paint.  Ella chose to make a penguin painting, and one of the artists at The Canvas walks the girls through how to paint the penguin picture.  
Kevin's memorial service ended up being the day of Ella's party so my mom met me halfway the evening before and picked up Ella.  She got the final arrangements for the party together, took Ella and helped host the party.  I don't know what we would have done without her.  Ella and my mom told me that everyone had a great time and their paintings turned out amazing! 

Amelie, Ella and Ava posing with their finished works. 

Treat bags

Ready for the party! 

Paint palette cake

Everyone hard at work creating their masterpieces. 

The finished products. 

Saying Goodbye

One of the hardest things we have to do in life is to say good bye to someone we love.  Unfortunately, that is what we had to do when Kevin passed away from an apparent heart attack.  While it has been six weeks since that tragic night, it still hasn't fully sunk in for me.  When I go to the Lowe's a part of me still expects to hear that loud voice and contagious laugh.  

Kevin didn't know a stranger.  He could talk and joke with anyone he met and you would think watching the conversation he had known that person for years.  He had a great way of making you feel comfortable and welcome in his presence.  He would also keep you entertained. There was never a dull moment with him around.  He always had a story to share or came up with a new game to play.  We would often go out to eat with their family and because the table would be for so many we would find ourselves waiting at many restaurants around town.  He always involved the kids in some type of game and they never knew the wait was long.  

Kevin was a fiercely loyal family member.  If somebody needed something you knew that he would be there, no questions asked.  He helped us more times than I can count and sometimes he didn't even have to help just knowing he was there if you needed him made all the difference.    He never asked for thanks or recognition for his deeds he would respond, "That is what family does."

Our family will learn a new way to live without Kevin beside us but it will never be quite the same.  We will cherish the memories we have and look forward to the day we can meet him again and see what stories he has to share and games he has planned.