The massive peony bush along the house, cannot wait for the buds to start opening. 
Lots of rose bushes with lots of buds. 
Not sure what these are called but they're in the front yard and are beautiful!
In the midst of constantly decluttering and organizing our home I've come up with a strategy regarding toys. First, we only keep what we truly love/enjoy (McDonald Happy Meal toys and dentist trip toys/prizes only last about a week in our home). Next, there are a limited amount of toys in the kids rooms/toy closet. Everything else is packed up and stored in the basement. Yesterday we didn't have much going on so I pulled out the massive PlayMobil collection we have. The boys played together for HOURS! I've come to find out it's almost like a new toy for them. Sure they've played with this item many times before, but I can tell they enjoy rediscovering everything. Plus Jack put together the castle all by himself which is a big undertaking. 
We took the short drive over to Bigfork on Saturday and while we were there we stopped at Sweet Peaks (their second location). We all enjoyed eating enormous scoops of ice cream.
Scout Mint for Will and Vanilla ice cream for Jack
Say "Ice Cream!"
In other news we're borrowing a bike trailer from our friends. Annemarie and Doug are thrilled with it, now they get to spend even more time together!
"Let's roll!"
School's out and summer is in full swing! The boys have changed so much this year. Don't they look so much older? Taller, definitely and maybe wiser?? We'll be staying put this summer and enjoying everything our area has to offer. The kids are signed up for swim lessons in July, we have some camping trips scheduled and the Grandma and Grandpa are coming to vising in August. Only 70 days until school starts, but who's counting?
Pictures from t-ball this year. Doug and John coached the Haskill Station Cardinals and it was a great season. Jack and Matthew were quite the all-stars. Next year it's on to Rookie where there will be a pitching machine (!!). 
The coaches and their boys 
Coach Doug and the team
Jack ready to bat
team huddle
Jack with his medal
What a great season!
Here are pictures from the Kindergarten Circus. Jack's class (the boys) were Strong Men, hence the white tank tops and shorts. Such a great performance! There are 5 kindergarten classes at the boys' school, they were so entertaining and did a great job. 
Jack - front row, right side: "bending steel"
Look how strong they all are! Nice job boys!
We had great weather last weekend. Lots of sun. We went to visit the local dairy, Kalispell Kremery for their open house event. We met some cows and enjoyed cookies and milk. Stef and Tyler had us over for dinner on Sunday. The kids played in the yard while the adults enjoyed the weather and fabulous food. Thanks Stef!! 
Jack, Doug and Annemarie petting a baby cow. 
Enjoying fresh milk, cookies and the sunshine. 
"say moo" 
Playing with glow sticks at the Larkins'. 
Time for dessert, enjoying the company and scenery.
...in one night! (with Doug's help). There has not been a lot of teeth lost around here this year. Will lost his bottom two last year and Jack's still holding tight to his baby teeth. However, Will's top teeth had been loose for a while they were even pointing in different directions. So Doug took the initiative and helped them along and not a moment too soon! The new permanent teeth have already poked through. Here are some pictures of all the action...
Ready to loose another one??
Someone's proud of their handy work...
Lots of space.
Matthew, Jack and Will on their way to the Easter Egg Hunt in Depot Park. 
What a beautiful day it was. The sun was shining it was warm and the park was filled with plastic eggs (and children).
The Easter egg hunt lasted about 2.5 minutes but the spoils were delicious! Lots of candy and fun treats. 
Egg hunt number 2 was in our front yard and put on by Aunt Erin and her friend Missy. Lots more candy and even money! The kids were very excited. 
We had a lot of fun this Easter. Church in the morning (we arrived early enough to actually sit in the church), the Whitefish Easter Egg Hunt at Depot Park with the Peschels and then Easter dinner and another Easter Egg Hunt with Erin and her friend Missy. The kids had so much fun. Days after Easter the boys kept setting up egg hunts for each other. 
So Number 2 or Jackie-Jackie-Boom-Boom as we affectionately refer to Jack has turned 6! Oh, my, where did the time go? We were in Montana for his birthday but had a family celebration while visiting in Oregon. Jack received so many nice gifts...he's a very lucky boy. Jack had his well child visit yesterday and he is the picture of health so his doctor said. I couldn't agree more...he's quite independent and intelligent. He's learned to read this year and is doing phenomenally well. Doug and I are in awe of how great he's doing and how interested he is in learning (we're very lucky, we know). He enjoys going to school, but is looking forward to summer and time off. Jack has also become quite the artist. He especially enjoys writing stories and drawing pictures to go with them. He says he wants to be an illustrator. Jack bring us all so much joy...he is very silly at times and loves to tell a good joke. He's mastered Uncle Steve's smirk which we cannot get enough of, unless of course he's being naughty. We adore this little guy and are so thankful he's our son. Happy Birthday Jack! 
Homemade ice cream cake for Jack. 
Our happy boy!
A month ago the kids and I were in Oregon for Spring Break. While Doug was home working hard, we were off visiting family and having fun. It was a quick trip (they always are) but a good one. We stayed with Mick and Chris but split our time visiting both sides of the family. Corey was in town from Atlanta so it was great to see her. She took the boys to OMSI one day and they had a blast. I was able to get out and have dinner with Dianne and Dina which I really enjoyed.
Jack with the look of pure "present" joy. 
All the kids, nothing like trying to get a group shot (two of mine aren't even looking at the camera).
Make a wish! (Annemarie took this opportunity to show off some of her new dress up clothes) 
The party girl with all the leftover cake. 
Doug took some new videos of the boys skiing. This weekend was really sunny and the end of ski school. The boys are skiing so well. Enjoy!
