Spring Break?!

So this last week was more of a how-much-can-we-stuff-into-7-days kinda week than a 'break'.
Here's a look back...

Monday: We finally got some new trees for our front yard. We lost a few trees to the frost this winter and the tree on the side of the house was just U-G-L-Y. So after 5 years and a few hours with the chainsaw (it was as dull as a butter knife, I swear) the yucky tree down, new trees in. It is funny to hear the comments we get from people now the tree is down. Like one of our neighbors parents "Oh, dressing up your yard finally, eh?" Too funny. Guess we weren't the only ones who hated it! We also planted some a new rosebush, and other flowers and shrubs and I just love my yard now! The best part will be the shade from the trees!

Tuesday: We went out to Mesa to my Mom's while the cleaners were at our house. Unfortunately, as bad as my allergies are at my own home, they are worse at my Mom's. Combine that with a day of digging outside and a trip to the nursery, and I spent the better part of this day in a benedryl/claritin/zytrec fog..And in true Braden form, the boys played outside once we got back and he 'accidentally' got himself and Berk in the sand box.

Mental Mommy Note to Braden, Sand + Mom's squeaky clean wood floors = irritated Mommy. Wednesday: We ran errands, looked for yet another allergy medicine to try and since my floors were already gross, the boys played out back again...

Thursday: We sure had a ton of fun this day, but by the end of the night I honestly could NOT breathe! We woke up bright and early to head to Phoenix Zoo. Braden had only been once, nearly 2 years ago and Berkly had never been, so with the beautiful weather this was the time. We went with some good friends, Marcie and her 3 boys, her friend with her 2 boys and Parie with her step-son and newborn baby girl. Four ladies and 8 boys under 5 between us, it was crazy! By the way, Berk is obsessed with airplanes, and routinely calls out "JET!" whenever he hears or sees one. So, anytime you see him in a photo pointing, it will generally be at that.

Then that night we headed out to Freestone Park to have a family picnic with Nana & Bopy (Rusty's grandparents) and his uncles Todd & Wade's family. We had so much fun. Burgers, frizzbe and the summer sleds. If you have ever ice-blocked at Freestone, this was so much funner. They brought us these sleds that had 6 huge wheels on them, and we cruised down the park hills... Man, there were a few major wipe outs but everyone had a blast...



Friday: Rusty played hookie from work and he took Braden and the rest of the Texas cousins out to the desert to ride quads. Why didn't I go? Um, dust, dirt, wild blooms... pick any of the following... (have I mentioned I HATE allergies?). Braden is getting better and better at controlling the quad, as well as more daring. He is quite proud that he can do doughnuts like his Auntie Kelcie.

Then Saturday rolled around...keep in mind I have been cleaning, so I was pretty spent by then. I decided we should color eggs and get ready for Easter. Braden had a blast. Honestly, I hate eggs, but hard boiled eggs -no way. So pretty much everyone in my family has made fun of me for asking how you make hardboiled eggs. Sure, it's easy now I know how, but I was told 2 totally different way by my Mom and my Mom-in-Law...Anyway. Mission accomplished. Braden also peeled the carrots to leave out for the Easter Bunny. A few year's ago he decided it wasn't fair Santa got cookies and the Bunny got Nada.
Easter Sunday: We have 9 am church, so the time was quick with their baskets. They got new jammies, chocolate bunnies, small toys, and other stuff. We made it to church on time, whew, and sat through the meeting but ended up taking the boys home. Good decision. Berk puked three times, Braden has a gross cough and I, well I needed a nap to sleep off the allergy med haze. We did manage to have our egg hunt and make it to my parent's house for dinner. My sisters and their kids and my brother all came. Rusty even made the twice baked potatoes and deviled eggs. Delish! I took the chance to take some fun photos, and we had a lively evening as usual.

Hope you all had a great Easter. It was great today to take the time to remind Braden what this holiday is really about. I love Easter decorating second best to Christmas, so I will be sad to put it away. I am however counting down the minutes till preschool is back in!