sharing the love

A week and a half ago we welcomed spring with lots of enthusiasm. Since then Evan has been quite confused since the tulips are poking out of the ground and yet we have had rain, snow, wind, sunshine, and 70s all in the same week. Yesterday was the latter three of the list so we set off on a morning hike with two of the other teachers at St. Paul's and the Pastor and Missus from Abiding Word. We hiked Boulder Hill south of Rapid on Hwy 16. This was our third trip up the hill but each time it's been with different friends or family so it's never the same hike. If I were to make a list of things we'll miss about living here days like yesterday would certainly be on the list. We'll just have to enjoy them while we still have them. :)

One - Evan and Pastor Wilcox became fast friends.

Two - Me: "Hans what to you see?"

Hans: "Just hills."

Three - Nathan and Lydia looking to the east. Can you see Rapid City?

Four - Hi-ho hi-ho, down the hill we go.

Egg Hunt

On Easter, after church the kids hurried out of church clothes while Nathan and Jordan hurried to hide eggs. Then the hunt was on! The boys have gotten to find eggs at school a time or two with Nathan's class but it was a first for Lydia. Gleeful doesn't begin to describe her reaction to the candy and hidden treasure. The boys thought it was great that they had new "treasure bags" to hold the found eggs (thanks again Auntie Kristi).

Picture 1: The boys "guiding" Lydia to an egg.

Picture 2: "Eeeeeeeeeeeeegg!"

Picture 3: Evan counting his loot.

Picture 4: Hans on the hunt.

Easter Fun

So far our Easter vacation has been wonderful. Here are some reasons why.

-Nathan has six straight days off of school!

-We each have had a morning to sleep in. Glorious!

-We had our dear friends the Smiths over for dinner on Maundy Thursday.

-Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services were not only beautiful but deeply meaningful.

-Jordan is here for three days. Yeah for family!

-Aunt Kristi and Uncle Matthew sent fun presents. Thank you!! :) (Pictures 1 & 2 are airplane assembly.)

-We are having turkey for dinner tomorrow but I baked it today and the house smells sooooo good.

-Nathan has had the opportunity to keep studying for his FAA test he plans to take early this week.

-We colored eggs this afternoon.

-Nathan and Jordan are going to hide 24 eggs for the kids tomorrow.

-A card party with the faculty tomorrow evening promises loads of laughs.

-Most importantly, JESUS IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

SPRING!!

On Thursday, the first day of spring, we taught the kids how to stand up eggs. We still had some brown eggs from my parents' visit so those are the ones that did the honor of standing tall.

HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!

Sunshine and Visitors

These show quite a change from the last pictures I posted. Right after last weeks' snow the weather took a turn for the warmer. The last week has been wonderfully spring-like.

On Saturday my parents and Grandma came to visit. These pictures were actually taken on Monday when the grandparents watched the kids while I subbed for Nathan who had a princpal's meeting in Sioux Falls. The day started off with the making of homemade donuts with Grandpa. Then they were off to Canyon Lake Park (CLP). Kites had been bought the night before and it was a perfect day to fly them. CLP is also home to ducks, geese, and a few swans so they took a turn sharing some popcorn with the friendly fowl. After a picnic lunch of McDonalds treats the group headed off to our favorite ice cream shop, Armadillos. When I got home from school we had a pizza party supper and delectable dessert Great Grandma made. All in all it was an awesome few days and the kids will be begging for Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma to return for quite awhile. Love you all.

Then they got snow....

This picture is from last week already. On Tuesday it snowed about three inches which all melted on Wednesday. Then Wednesday it snowed another three inches which stuck around to be enjoyed by the boys on Thursday aftetnoon. When I stuck my head out the patio door to snap a quick picture this is the pose they gave me. Brotherly love I guess.