Will is Six!

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Will's sixth birthday. He turned six on Thursday, and we had a family and friend party for him on Saturday. This was his first friend party...yeah, mom guilt is getting me a little on that one...but he had an awesome time!! That's just a cute shot of Will at the park where we spent the afternoon on his birthday.

For his party, he requested R2D2 for his cake. Yeah. So, they stopped making the cake pan a long time ago and they now sell for like $50 on ebay. You guys know me...I am WAY too frugal for that! Creativity time. This was fun. It had been a long time since I had made a cake that was this complex. It was a big thrill for Will (and an even bigger one for me) when it turned out exactly how we expected!

I was a total sucker and bought a few extra light sabers so most of the guests could be properly armed for maximum Star Wars fun. However, the girls took it to a whole new style...notice each girl armed with not only her weapon, but also her purse!!!Will was so excited about all his gifts...but he made me smile when the party was all over and my mom handed him an envelope from his great grandmother. It was a card with $20 inside. He just looked at me and said, "I want this money to help us go to the Dominican Republic"! What a kid. That is something I love about Will...he knows contentment in a way that I think is amazing! I pray God will continue to guide him to know what HE wants and not what the world values. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIE G!!!

Easter Sunday

It is Easter! WOW...we had an amazing morning at church. We had pancakes for lunch...yummy Kirby Lane Cafe. This morning we woke up to dark skies and lots of rain. The afternoon has turned out to be sunny and warm. Great metaphor for the day...dark times during the death of Jesus, but joy and brightness with the news of him being alive!

I remember always getting a new dress for Easter. Not just for Easter, of course...Mom was always making me great dresses. So, this year I have been working more on my sewing skills and decided to tackle a dress for Brooklyn. It is not perfect, but it is pretty and everyone thought she looked beautiful this morning.

I did not endeavor to make the boys shirts...or pants...though my Mom would have. I do not know that I will ever be that good...for now, store bought works for them!

I hope you felt the amazing love of our perfect Savior today. I hope the message of Easter...the willingness of someone perfect to take our punishment, to die in our place, and be willing to give us a place in His family...was fresh to you today and will never loose power in your life!

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt

Today, we were at Zilker Park in Austin for the Austin Stone Community Church egg hunt. 4,000 eggs were hidden for this event! WOW! The kids had a blast. Here are some pictures of them searching for candy goodness!

There is also a really neat fire engine on an amazing playground at this park. Usually, there are tons of kids climbing all over it and I cannot get a photo of the boys playing...but today I got a few cute ones!

Yes, Jackson would probably not approve of this next photo...but he was looking right at the camera when he made the goofy face. Will is working on sound effects!!It was a chilly morning, but I was happy for the cloud cover...no Easter sunburns, and it makes for better pictures. Now I am happy to be cozy inside with socks and warm pants!

Texas Bluebonnets

This is probably my favorite thing about spring in Texas. I love the bluebonnets. Really, I love all the flowers. I miss that huge wisteria vine that bloomed in April at our old house. (note, that is about all I miss about that house!!) Anyway, I can never resist taking the kiddos out in the flowers and getting some great photos. Honestly, this year all the ones where all the kids were looking at the camera just turned out goofy. So, enjoy some serene looking shots where they are gazing at flowers!

If you have not gotten the chance this season, get out and enjoy the flowers. They are such an amazing part of God's creation!