Getting Ready for Easter

Jullian driving Eden's with Layton to the swingset.

Jullian being a GREAT big brother to Layton

Jullian was off of school for Easter break so he came and spent Friday with us. He was so wonderful to have. He was a big help with Eden and Cove. He played so sweetly with them both. He always asks why he can't come to Grandma's house to play. He tells his daddy that "Eden and Layton get to go everyday." LOL I love the fact he likes to come play with us.

Just thought I'd try and snap a picture of all 3 of Ashley's children together but Cove wouldn't turn his head towards the camera.

Our finished products. Of course the blue and yellow M is so unacceptable. That team logo isn't allowed in our house. I did it to get Aaron who is a die hard Penn State fan. As soon as he saw it, he threw it in the garbage. LOL

Dean of course had to have an Oregon egg. He liked it.

Jullian and Layton coloring thier eggs.

Eden's egg with her name. It had to be pink. Which made us laugh because she says her favorite color is blue.

Eden waiting patiently for her egg to dye.

We had a great time dying eggs and playing with Jullian, Eden, and Covie Wovie. We bought Apples to Apples Jr. and my niece Chloe and I played with him. He loved playing. We must have played 6-7 times. I have a magnet that I bought years ago on my refrigerator of peanut M&M's, and everytime Eden see's it she says I really like those Gram. So I bought a bag of plain M&M's and put 1/2 the bag in a bowl on the coffee table. Eden laid down for her nap and when she woke up I was fixing lunch. I looked at the table and Eden was carrying the bowl of M&M's and saying I really like these Gram. Later in the day I caught her reaching up on the counter sneaking 2 or 3 M&M's out of the bag. I guess that means she REALLY likes those. : ) What a little girl. They are just growing up way too fast.

Spring Break

Uncle Adam came home with his friends for Spring Break. Layton was glad to hang out with the boys. Wherever they were, so was Layton. I thank the boys for being so sweet with him and Eden. They played with them both while they were getting ready for whatever the day held for them. Adam has the Best friends ever. I hope Chris and John both know they are always welcome at our home. And I hope that they stay friends forever. Nice boys from nice families. It's sad to see it coming to an end. But the future is bright for all of them.

The boys found the Bucky Bear costume out in our garage and decided to take a picture so they could use it as their facebook pics.

3 Men and a Baby. John Metcalf, Adam, Layton Cove, and Chris Shaw. They were getting ready to say their final goodbye's. I had to sneak one picture of all of them.

Layton saying good-bye.

Eden saying good-bye to her friend. She loves her Uncle Adam. She was so excited to be able to see him for a couple of days. See you soon Uncle Adam. I miss you!!

Adam and the boys left our house and went up to Panama City Beach. They met some other friends that had gotten a condo. They wanted to have their big Senior Hurrah up there. While there Adam got to talking with some people from Campus Crusade for Christ and he has decided that he will be going to seminary after he graduates so that he can become a Pastor. Who knew that a trip up to Panama to party would result in the Lord calling Adam into ministry. What a praise. Dean has been praying for Adam and this calling for the last 22 years. It will be awesome to watch it come into fruitation. We love Adam and we know that when you hear the Lord's calling that Satan will be there to attack your heart and your willpower. We pray that God will put a hedge of protection around Adam as he seeks God's heart.

We have 1 more month until my son is a college graduate. Thanks to everyone that has kept him in their prayers and thoughts.

Epcot

Dean and mom posing for pictures. It was the annual flower and garden show at Epcot and they had topiaries of all the Disney characters. So wonderful and fun to see. It was mama's first time going. So she had a great time visiting all the lands and seeing Disney World. Next time we'll go to Animal Kingdom.

Bambi, Thumper and Flower topiaries.

Me and my mama. Pumba in the background. So pretty.

Posing in front of the Epcot ball.

Our Rock Star

Here's Layton with his baby mohawk.

Layton Cove playing the drum and sportin' his new do'.

Poor kid. He's getting all four teeth at the same time, so he's droolin' all over, but I wanted to snap a pic of him and his mohawk. What a cutie pie. He say's "Hi" and he rubs his fingers together. That's his wave. I just love it. He doesn't want to eat baby food. He want's to chew on the crusts of bread or baby teething things. He blows when the spoon gets close to his mouth when he is finished eating. He growls at you too. He is just a sweet little guy.

Fun with the grandkids.

That's my princess swinging with her daddy. She loves to be outside. She's just learning to swing on the big swing. She has a tough time letting Evan and Layton play in the other swing.

Evan absolutely loves to swing. He just has a ball.

Layton Cove loves to swing too. He's my smilely happy boy.

Evan Joseph with his mama Kelly. What a pair. He was leaning over to try and get his granny.

There's the boys. Riding in the wagon for the very first time. Layton was having a ball, Evan wasn't too sure he was thrilled about this new adventure. I'm so glad they are going to grow up together. They have a lot of fun trying to do what the other one is doing. I love these little guys.

Aaron's 26

Aaron and his two helpers blowing out his 26 candles.

Aaron being sung to for his 26th Birthday!!

Yep, this is my oldest child when he was a year old. Aaron just celebrated his 26th birthday. We had the family over and we ate fajita's and birthday cake. I can't believe that my little boy is OLD!! Because I just stay the same. Ok maybe fatter, but I don't feel old and I sure don't act old, so.... I must not be old. Happy Birthday Aaron!! I pray God richly blesses your year!!

Life

My beautiful Eden Rae. She's growing up so fast. She's jealous of Layton but other times she loves him so much. It's hard to make sure you're giving equal amounts of love to both of them. And where ever Eden is that is exactly where Layton wants to be. We're struggling with the potty training. She just isn't interested. I'm trying to remember what it is that we did with our kids, but let me tell you she doesn't want to use it unless she's already gone poopie in her big girl panties. Ugh.... I swore I'd never potty train again. Poor baby girl had pink eye this week. I felt so bad for her when her eyes looked all swollen and sore. And you'd think we were pulling out finger nails trying to get the drops in her eyes. I don't think she believed me when I told her I wasn't going to hurt her. Poor kid.

Layton is almost 9 months old. He is crawling all over and he wants to be standing up more that he wants to crawl. I don't think it will be long before he's walking. He wants to be just like his big sister. He loves to grab things and then throw them. And if it's something you don't want him to have... it's the first thing he'll go for. He wants to rip my glasses off my face all the time and poor grandma loses her oxygen hose as soon as he gets up to her. He's finally starting to put on some weight although he's still thin. At his last appointment he was 29" and 20 lbs. No teeth and no lumps that we can see either. But man is he drooling all over. Eden loved to be held and cuddled. Layton just wants to grab, throw, crawl. He is a ball of energy and ALL BOY.

This is a rare occasion picture of Eden loving on "Cove". I had to snap the picture quick because she wanted to go play without him.

Dean went to Denver for a company meeting. And then he was flying out to Oregon to see his parents. The kids and I dropped Dean off at the airport. As I was getting back on the freeway, Eden says " Go get Papa, I can't see him." So yesterday I gave her a bath and when I was letting the plug out, she said "Papa will be here any minute." Because Dean usually is coming home about the time I'm giving her a bath. So Friday, I made this sign and took this picture to send to Papa, she was not happy when Papa said he wouldn't see her this week. Her little lip stuck out. The Pookie Pie misses her Papa.

This is a rare pic of me with the kids. Usually I'm the one with the camera. But Dean snuck and took this one. Love my babies. Glad to have them back in my arms. Eden is asking for her bible story at breakfast and she makes me pray with her before her nap. I love the fact that she knows the routine and is happy following it.

I struggle with finding anytime for myself during the week. I get up at 6 and then I'm running non stop until 6pm when I just want to fade into nothing. My brain is fried and I just want peace and quiet. Dean had a chance to have both kids the other day for 3 hours while I took my mom to the doctor and when I got home, he was more than happy to lock himself up in the office. He said "Bless you, I don't know how you do it." I told him he only had the kids. I have to deal with my mother on top of the two kids. Life seems overwhelming at times, but I have to tell you God is certainly the one giving me the strength. Because left up to me I'd be a basket case by now.