Easter Sunday

Easter becomes more and more special as our kids get old enough to understand its real meaning.

This year our kids told us the meaning of Easter and relayed all of the events surrounding it in detail. 

The Easter bunny and egg dying still made an appearance, but they seemed to take a back seat to the important things.

I am truly grateful for the knowledge of all that our Savior did so that we can be together for eternity.

 ...and a little grateful for the bribery in chocolate form provided by the Easter bunny which enabled these pictures the happen.

horsin' around

The kids wandered into our room like this.

ali was the horse, piper was the cowgirl, and cole was the seat belt.

seeing them play together warms my heart...

much like seeing them cuddle...even if it is their last ditch effort to avoid bedtime.

Model Behavior

Ali is never more than two seconds from a pose.

because of this daddy often gets a text containing evidence of the days outfit before the kindergarten bus arrives.

this one below is especially tender to us. 

Ali was obsessed with a baby sitter named Maddie when we lived in St. George. 

I was equally obsessed with her mother.

This dress arrived for Ali in a package soon after we moved and ali had been "patiently" waiting for the day she could at last adorn her precious hand me down. 

Needless to say the day it finally fit was special day in her five year old fashionista eyes, and the tender memories it brought out for mom made it a photo worthy moment.

Luck 'O the Irish!

A leprechaun broke into our house. 

He used our restroom and must have felt badly about the mess because he left a trail of candy leading to...

a pot of chocolaty gold

the kids loved the candy coated search

but when it came to the pot of gold, little miss piper guarded it with her life.

If anyone got close she would spread her elbows up out over the pot and yell

"MINE!"

and who could disappoint that face?

Enjoy your chocolate spoils piper...your brother and sister may not always be so accommodating.

Cupids Corner

Ali's valentines were sweet.

Cole's were cool.

Ali's class made their valentine mailboxes together

and Cole and Daddy continued the tradition of constructing hilariously genius Valentine boxes.

You may remember last years commode...this year Cole's idea was a shower!

They worked for hours on this!

and it was a complete hit at school. 

Christmas Sunday Attire

Trying to document holiday cuteness shows their true personalities.

can you tell which kid is which?

the rule follower. the ham. and the independent soul.

Dancing Queen

In December Ali had her dance recital. 

She was such a little pro!

She loved every minute of being on stage. 

and she performed that dance with every inch of her cute 'lil dancer self, right down to her perfectly placed finger tips!

daddy gave her roses and she ate up every moment of the spotlight

I can't imagine where she gets that from!