spiderman is from alaska

either that or he's just a big fan.

The sweater was pulled off this sweet moose that my aunt and uncle sent Neland from their Alaskan vacation. Look how sweet they are together back when it first arrived.

July 2007

Back then we joked the sweater could fit Neland, apparently now it fits Spiderman.

observation park

I honestly cannot believe it took us so long to discover this park. Since Neland was a year I've heard of it from friends, but this past Saturday we finally made a date to visit with a picnic lunch.

Needless to say it was hit with our airplane loving boys. Neland probably asks Teague once a week if he'd like to fly to California. And while airplanes tend to make my heart race a little faster and my stomach churn, the smiles they bring to my boys makes it totally worth it.

 Neland made binoculars with his hands. 

(Note to me - real ones would be a great gift for this guy)

The boys saw big and little planes take off, little planes land and while we were driving home beside the runway a huge plane was landing beside us. It is really crazy to think about how it all works. Nothing like observing physics in action.

Today the Sunday school lesson was about Jesus surprising two friends, but at the beginning was a reminder about last week and Jesus rising. The kids played with balloons and in Neland's class they drew pictures of things that rise up. This is definitely one of Neland's best pieces of art.

 The picture has Neland and Chris, the airplane, a bird and two clouds. I love that the windows have people with smiles on their faces. Such a sweet picture!

Easter

These baskets of goodies were awaiting the boys when they awoke last Sunday.

Teague woke up earlier than Neland and since he was clueless to the whole Easter situation, we plopped him in front of the tv to wait for Neland. He's pretty cute sitting there waiting.

Once Neland was up, it was a basket frenzy. Teague was not into it at all. He begged for a cinnamon roll the whole time. Probably shouldn't have mentioned they were in the oven to him.

We made it to church, just a bit late. Afterwards the boys grabbed cookies and lemonade on the green and I was able to get smiles in a family picture.

We arrived home to Grandpa and Mumsie (Grandma stayed with us during the week). The boys were very excited to see them. We had appetizers and presents on the patio. Grandma and Grandpa bought the boys a new soccer goal which many a goal has since been scored in. Mumsie gave the boys really cute books (which they have shared very nicely) and Auntie Olivia and family sent the boys their own gardening totes and a sprinkler.

They took it upon themselves to get to work immediately.

With a bright sun and warm weather outside, we moved our lunch inside. 

Then we could not have the egg hunt fast enough for the boys. Neland had been anticipating this since looking through his basket.

Neland is just too fast for my camera. He's always a blur. Here's one good picture, tongue out and all (serious concentration only happens when the tongue is out).

Teague received The Muppet Movie in his Easter basket so as a final celebration to the day the boys watched a movie. Exhausted and stuffed with sugar, they sat so sweetly together on the couch.

I'm not sure there's a way to sum up this wonderful Easter. Every holiday just seems magical with these little guys (exhausting, but magical).

milkshakes with salad

We've been making a lot of smoothies recently. Neland (and Chris) love them. When I make them, Neland always calls it a milkshake. I also add a handful of spinach which when Chris came home the other day, Neland told him "Mommy made milkshakes with salad in it". Teague enjoyed wearing as much as drinking.

Easter eggs

After Teague's party, Neland dyed Easter eggs. He was very excited to take this task on, and very cautious.

 Tongue out = concentrating

 very proud of his work

While he dyed eggs, I took the time to decorate a few left over cookies from the party and snap a pic of Teague's cupcake on his birthday plate (which we forgot to use on his birthday - hence I will be buying a plate display rack and it will be on the wall to view from now on and hopefully we won't forget it next year).

 The plate has "Teague Thomas Mitchell" written at the top and "April 2, 2010" at the bottom. The middle is a present with a tag that says "Happy Birthday Teague!"

After all the eggs were dyed, I let Neland try out a "pin" I'd seen floating around pinterest. He took the egg dye and put it in baking soda to make mini-volcanoes and mix colors. This was a hit. He asked to do it again when he ran out of clean baking soda.

strawberry picking

On Saturday we skipped our church Easter festivities to take advantage of an early strawberry season. We headed to our local, across the traffic light, farm and were ready to pick! Before we made it to the field, Teague made a mad dash for any tractor in sight. Luckily there were three adults on him in no time (thank goodness Grandma was visiting).

 The kids lasted about 15 minutes before they were ready to go to the play area. Grandma headed over there with them while Chris and I continued picking 10 lbs of strawberries (it was hard to stop).

 Neland did not forget the strawberry slushies from last year. These were a huge hit.

 Big smiles for the camera and then back to business.

 There was the maze from the fall, which we had completely forgotten how to get through, and a new maze as well.

 And the very popular duck races.

 They will have hayrides once the ground is a little more dry, but the boys enjoyed playing even though it didn't go anywhere.

We also left with two dozen eggs (of which I have 4 left...they are delicious). They were bringing the chickens back to the farm while we were there (they live at there house during the winter). The boys enjoyed chasing the three chickens that were lucky enough to arrive first while we were there.

Neland has begged to go back and I'm sure Teague would enjoy another visit as well. I plan on taking them one Tuesday or Thursday when Neland doesn't have school. I'm truly going to miss having time with him during the week next year when he's in school every morning Monday through Friday (maybe he'll need to skip a Friday or two).