Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Spring oh how we love thee!

Of course I started this post on a gorgeous spring Saturday and now as I write we have had rain all day mixed with occasional snow flakes...so a sunny spring isn't fully upon us. But rain is part of spring and we have been so happy for the tastes of sunshine we have had the last few weeks.
We were very excited to have a family Saturday this past weekend. Matt has been busy with his stake sports obligations every Saturday for the last 2 1/2 months, and it's finally done so we happily headed out without time constraint or obligation on Saturday as a family to a gorgeous wooded park in Ashland called Lithia Park. Any of you who have visited us have been there because it's just such a beautiful way to spend a day.

We had a picnic and then whipped out a classic and favorite ball game of ours - track ball. Our set is literally from decades ago, but you can actually now get this outdoor game at Target as it has been re-released. It's definitely worth the $10. We have a lot of fun with it and Matt loves having anyone to play catch with.

Boys ready for some picnic goodness! (And Luke just trying to find the cookies...)
Carter, like a lot of kids, can be Jekyl and Hyde when it comes to picture taking. Here is what I call his "anti-paparazzi" face:


Then, minutes later, the goofy smile we love him for!

The track ball action begins!




After our picnic and sports, we headed off down the trail into the woods to enjoy the nature. The boys had a fun time trying out the simple pleasures such as stick races and Nathan got a kick out of this natural seat.

In the midst of the woods is a pretty (though probably manmade) duck pond, with the occasional otter spotting. No otters were seen this trip, but we loved this duck that looked like someone painted it.

The boys looking handsome in front of the beautiful spring blossoms!


The boys were determined to wade in the water. So, we let them try and then laughed at their squeals that somehow this snow run-off wasn't very warm!

Nathan's GQ pose infront of the duck pond

It was a perfect family day. Beyond that I guess you could say I am "nesting", though in my mind it's totally practical to be cleaning and organizing - I don't want someone coming over to my house in the middle of the night if I make a mid-night run to the hospital and be met with a dirty house! Plus, the more that is clean now, the more I know I will be able to relax and enjoy our baby.
These pictures are what happens when mom is in a cleaning mode and is in charge of the FHE lesson. We had a lesson on WORK! We read a bunch of scriptures about the eternal nature of work and cleanliness and then our activity was...(drumroll please) bathroom cleaning. You had better hope there was a good treat after that one! Actually, the boys love cleaning and "wiping", and will clean a whole bathroom for me (decently well) for only a nickel each. I love cheap labor.


4 comments:

Amanda said...

I am totally doing a FHE lesson on work. Can't wait for a post announcing a new baby!

Kristi said...

What a great family outing. It must be nice to have family Saturdays back. What a sacrifice for the whole family.
I love how Carter and Nathan are so buddy buddy in those pictures together. Is anything cuter than brotherly love?
I love the cleaning lesson. The kids got to learn it some time right? It might as well be when Mom is in cleaning mode and could use the extra hands.

Brandan and Becky said...

Lithia Park is a treasure--there's something for everyone, even the biggest kids.

I love my industrial strength cleaners and bleach to clean with, but maybe I'll give my kids some plain soap and water and let them wipe up today.

allison nadauld said...

I just thought ahead to 20 years when all these brothers are laughing and still wanting to play together. Congratulations on the new boy. We can't wait to meet him.