TEN FISH!

It has been a long time dream of the boys to go fishing with our Uncle Bill on his "big boat" . . . It happened last weekend at Hagg Lake and expectations were not just met for them but Travis and I also had the BEST time! 

We thought we would be lucky if the boys made it a couple hours out on the water if that and we never thought we would catch much. . . but more than 5 hours later, we were driving home TEN fish.  So much fun. 

THANK YOU Uncle Bill!  You have been the talk of the household since!

In the boat waiting to be put in the water.  Excited but skeptical.  (Carter left)

Fish #1 Took a while. . . So I started this "game" to hopefully bring us luck: We took our own goldfish (crackers) and started feeding them to each other to motivate the fish to start biting.  It worked like a charm!

The boys' First Catch

Uncle Bill and Carter

  

They loved holding and playing with the caught fish (poor things) but one wiggled up towards Tyler's face and gave him a big kiss.  Tyler threw it down TERRIFIED.  I caught the latter moment.  His disbelief.  It was hysterical.

Happy Dad



Just hanging and waiting



 

The conversations these two had were too funny.  Talking about the fish, how to catch them with their "bear claws". . . classic. The three adults were laughing all day.



The boys fell asleep within minutes of leaving the boat dock.  We followed Uncle Bill back to his place for him to clean and gut out the fish for us.  Then the moment came I was nervous for. . . Tyler and Carter woke up HOURS later (exhausted boys!) and came downstairs begging to see the fish.  "Uh oh" I thought as I was sure they expected to see them in a tank or something.  But being the realist I pulled out the ziploc bag of headless fish and Tyler looked up at me with huge eyes and stated  "They look DELICIOUS!"  Okay then.

Carter blue/Tyler green

The boys are obsessed with their new bikes they got for their birthday from Gigi & Popi.  The bike helmets are also what happens when you take three-year-olds on their big day to pick out their own gear (yes, I would have loved a simple blue or something). . . But they were too excited about the obnoxious sharks (and you can't say "no" on a birthday!) and now wear them around even when not riding bikes. . . which actually seems like a pretty good idea now that I think about it.

My monkey watching her brothers

Tyler thinking he can climb trees

Looking for fish.   I am so excited for more nice days like this and seeking out good trails.

It is amazing how fast they have picked up riding these bikes!  They are really fast and have great balance now.  I am a big fan!

Happy Birthday Tyler and Carter!

My two sunshines turned 3 this past weekend.  They are so big to me now.  Such tall, talkative charmers that it seems God is taking more and more of the "baby" out of them daily.   I had tears putting them down to sleep as their last night as two-year-olds. . . I know that sounds pathetic.  But I was also so excited for them because they both just beamed from excitment to have a birthday and "be a big boy" . . .

For their special day, the fire station up the street let us come up with friends to take a station tour.  They all got to go on the firetruck- it was a wonderful treat for all the kids.  Then it was back to the house for some dinner and more importantly the cake.  The boys asked Gigi for an alligator cake and it was amazing- she outdid herself, once again.  Thank you Gigi!



The Junior Marshalls



 

Inside the truck conjuring up a plan on how they could touch something and not get in trouble

Carter SO excited to be sitting front seat.  He just gasped with his hands in his mouth beside himself!

Carter was boasting all week "Gigi make Tyler and Carter alligator cake for birthday."  I must have heard it 30 times.  But boy did she!



They huffed and they puffed!





With Gigi & Popi
(Tyler green, Carter red)



Anna's gift came this morning.  A rocket ship.  They couldn't stop hugging her and saying "Thank you Baby Anna" . . . yes, they liked it.

 Today, I am exhausted. . . and Tyler and Carter just want to ride their bikes, go camping, and fish. . . reminding me again that they are growing up so fast.  Too fast.  But I adore them.   They are my sunshines.

Hoppy Easter!

 We had the most wonderful Easter.  Auntie Rhonda came in to share the holiday and join in celebration after celebration!   The pictures say it all:

The boys were making candy bracelets and told me they wanted me to send them to their cousins Luke and Brinn.  Wow- they really miss and love them . . . even more than sugar I guess!

Everyone attacked Daddy after a long day at work.  I love Anna trying to get in on the action.

The boys at our fav park (Camp Rivendale/Jenkins Estate) . . . above: you never know what one will dare the other

Tyler looking for alligatators

So cute of Auntie Rhonda and Annamarie

Saturday we headed to Uncle Bill's and Aunt Devon's for an Easter lunch and egg hunt.  Everytime we visit, the boys love checking out Uncle Bill's fishing boat but he had an even bigger surprise for Easter. . . he pulled out his rods and let the boys practice casting.  What a wonderful treat for them.  (Tyler:Green Carter:Blue)

Uncle Bill with Tyler



It really looks like Carter caught something- they were so excited.



Cousin Nick helping out Carter

The Aunts planned an egg hunt for the boys. . . The boys got the hang of it quick- anything for M&M's!

Finding even the trickiest eggs



Carter checking out his eggs



She really is an angel.

Aunt Joanne and her famous ears.

That night we had our first egg dying experience ever!  The boys went right to it.  Carter dying every egg blue, Tyler green (their favorite colors). . . It turned into quite the race- Tyler would quickly dunk, say "here Mama" and grab another egg just to have as many green as possible. Amazing enough- the shirts ended up clean and no dye was spilled!



Another Green One!

The Egg Dyers and Eggs

Easter morning it was all about baskets and another egg hunt.  Then off to Gigi and Popi's for a family gathering and yes, another hunt! 

Reading the note from the Easter Bunny

Carter loving his Easter Basket treats

Hunting

Easter at Gigi & Popi's:




(Tyler Green/Carter Blue)

 



Rhonda tried to get a nice picture with our boys.  It was a nice try.



I thought girls were not supposed to be climbers.  She is starting to worry me!  Found her standing on top of one the boys chairs the other day waving her arms laughing.  oh my.

 

The Egg Hunt was all about cousins helping cousins since their eggs were color coded. 

Carter points our Holden's egg



Lani points out Tyler's egg

Popi's assist

Anna adoring Gigi

Annamarie in her adorable new Easter hat from Rhonda & Ben.  She loves to wear it and look at herself in the mirror and laugh.

When I told the boys Auntie Rhonda was leaving, Tyler ran and grabbed her suitcase away from the door saying "No, I get her bags. Auntie Rhonda stay." Thank You Rhonda for deciding and flying up to spend Easter with us.




Not long after Easter came Popi's Birthday.  Cheers to another year dad!  We love you so.