April 2017 in pictures

Saturday morning picnic and softball with good friends.

Best friends then and now!

Date night with my love!

Big kids riding bike together!

This boy can never get enough of mommy pitching some balls to him! He's got a GREAT swing!

Brooks was more than happy to accompany daddy and uncle Adam to a meeting one morning!

My birthday breakfast in bed! And I should add that I don't just get breakfast in bed on my birthday - Joel does this often for me. I'm so thankful for him and those mornings when he brings me breakfast and tells me to stay in bed a bit longer!

Birthday love from my kiddos (except Brooks - he was NOT happy about sitting on my lap for the picture)

And this one! So thankful for him. He completely spoiled me on my birthday!

Got to get away for a couple days with these two ladies to attend a conference - and how nice that it was right on the beach!

Easter picnic fun on the Saturday before Easter!

On Easter morning we had a special family service on the beach bright and early followed by some fishing and, yes, even swimming. Brrr! Christ is risen!! Happy Easter!!

And in the afternoon on Easter we gathered together to celebrate with some close friends and also to pray for the Referendum that was taking place that day in Turkey.

So proud of these cousins and the mountain they conquered. What was supposed to be a 45 minute hike turned into 1.5 hours after making some wrong turns. These kids were troopers and persevered with (mostly) great attitudes. Although one child, after finally arriving at the bottom, declared that he is "never hiking again!" 

My husband makes such beautiful things!! He made this gorgeous end table with materials he had just lying around!

Beautiful sunset one evening.

I never want to forget these sleepy snuggles that I get almost every morning when Brooks climbs into our bed.

Vienna at her friend's birthday tea party. What fun they had being all fancy!

Their creativity never ceases to amaze me. Life with all these boys certainly keeps me on my toes.

And then they bring me flowers. Sigh! Love them so!

Yohanis surprised me by making me this one afternoon. WOW!

My elementary schoolers all got to attend a track and field day - Colson (my competitive one) was bummed that EVERYONE received a medal.

Teach them young!

My flowers are growing!

Dirty feet and campfires - a sure sign of summer!