Easter Weekend

Easter weekend started Thursday after Scott got off work. We loaded the van and raced off to Cedar Rapids. To say our kids like Nanny and Papa's house would be the world's biggest understatement.

 We went for walks and the weather was really nice.

Macker claimed the bike seat with Papa and he was the happiest person ever.

Best friends! 

My poor (nearly 70 year old) dad rode Macker's chunky buns all over town.

 Amelia jumped on to the handle bars, just like I did as a kid.

 This is a picture of our whole family during the egg hunt. A nice lady was walking by and we asked her to take our picture. It's not perfect but we're thankful.

 Macker loved the hunt.

These 3 big kids were serious hunters.

 Time for the bunny hop race.

 

Competitive Uncle Lee raced Sissy and LOST.

 Brunch.

 Wagon rides.

 Matching girl cousins.

 After the Good Friday service at my parent's church we stopped for ice cream.

 The kids cried at we left Iowa. It's never easy for them to say goodbye, but we had to get home to get ready for Easter at our house. Here are my matching sweeties.

SAM. IS. SMILING. Hooooooooray!

Could he be any sweeter?

Our family at church.

After church our friends James and Sabrina came over to celebrate Easter with us.

 They don't have kids yet but they were awesome with ours. Sabrina said her arms hurt from lifting little Macker. (Yes, he doesn't have pants on, what's new?)

James was so sweet to Sam.

 I feel sorry for my big kids, James kicked their buns in backyard soccer.

 He didn't go easy on them one bit.

 He nearly took out poor Junie.

 Macker and Sabrina made scary faces. ( Sabrina is a blog stalker of mine, sorry about this picture, I just couldn't resist)

We love them and the day went by way too quickly. Macker even told James that he was the "best visitor we've ever had!" That's a big deal coming from Spice Cake Macker.

 We are thankful for the gift of Jesus.

Annabelle

My life long friend came over to Nanny and Papa's this morning. She and her family live in LA but they are in Iowa visiting family. It was so fun to see her kids. I wish we were next door neighbors.

C A M

Macker wrote his name!!

Eggs

I need to confess, I'm NOT a fan of dying eggs. As a matter of fact, I hate it. But my kids LOVE it so I do it for them. You're welcome, kids.

 I asked them all to put on their jammers. Of course, Macker came down in unders only.

"Oh, SNAP!" 

 Self portrait.

 My babies.

 Happy Easter.

 

Smoothies

Several of you have asked how I make my Jen Green Smoothies, so I thought I would show you.

I start with 1 banana, 8-10 strawberries and one mango. I add about a cup of carrot juice and a cup of vanilla yogurt. (You can really use any fruit that's on sale: apples, pears, kiwi etc) 

This is the TJ's juice that we like.

 I blend all these ingredients until they are completely smooth.

Next, I add my secret ingredients (and by secret I mean the kids don't know they're in there). This ground flax was at Costco but you can also get it at Whole Foods. I use about 1/2 cup in each smoothie. I also add flax mill when I make cookies and the kids never know.

Jen introduced me to CHIA SEEDS and I'm so glad she did. They don't have a taste at all so again the kids have no idea. Jen sprinkles them into her cereal and salad too.

I put 2 big scoops into the smoothie then I blend it for a while until its smooth.

 Finally, I smash big handfuls for spinach into the top. Put in as much as you want. If your smoothie becomes too thick, just a little water or juice.

I let it blend until there are NO chunks. The kids can't stand any lumps.

 I taste it and if it's not sweet enough I just at a little bit of honey.

 

At the very end I add ice. I personally don't add too much ice. Just a big handful.

 Ta-Daaa!!!

 The kids MUST have a bendy straw.

 Everyone is happy.... well almost everyone.

 Sammer is addicted.

 

Happy smoothie making!

Just a Normal Morning...

Tulips

 

 

 

 

 

Gungor



Our friends treated us to the coolest concert.  We got VIP passes for a Q&A time with the artist and we sat in the FRONT ROW! Seriously amazing.