texas bluebonnets

I absolutely love taking pictures in the bluebonnets, but the last few years I have waited too long in the season and it's harder to find a beautiful patch.  This year, I was actually timing it well, but as I drove past our favorite spot earlier in the week, I saw that it had been mowed down!  I couldn't believe it, all those beautiful flowers just GONE!  Thankfully, Joanna told me about the place they usually go, so we went to check it out.  It had rained the few days prior, so I told the kids to wear their rain boots in case it was a muddy mess.

The flowers weren't growing close together like our favorite patch, but it was still a great location because you could park right next to them and you did't have to worry about snakes.

My sweet Texas girl...

And my cute Texas boy with a silly side...

Colby knows that he can't pick the bluebonnets since it's our state flower, but he brought me some beautiful yellow wildflowers instead.  He is such a sweet and thoughtful boy. 

I always take a selfie with the kids as well, so we checked that off the list :)

And then Colby decided that he needed to take MY picture in the bluebonnets.  I tried to say no, but he insisted.  I figured since I make them take lots of pictures, I needed to do the same at his request. 

One last picture at home for good measure.  I adore these two and the love they have for each other.  They definitely have their disagreements, as all siblings do, but their love runs deep.

art showcase

We were so thankful that Brooke's performance wasn't long because I wasn't sure that we'd have enough time to get over to the Center for the Performing Arts in time!  We planned on going the next afternoon to see his art work, but Kevin wouldn't have been there, so this was a million times better!

He was so proud of himself and eager to head inside and find his work.

The art teacher was able to select a few students from each grade, so this really was an honor for Colby to be selected for the district-wide art showcase. 

He told us all about using oil pastels to create the design and I adored watching the whole thing play out. 

We took a picture of him with grandparents and a family picture, but then Colby requested pictures of just him and I, him and Kevin, and him and Brooke.  I think he was feeling pretty proud of himself!!

We finished off the night in downtown Mansfield for some dinner and dessert.  Being parents to these two is the best.  Seeing them excited about their accomplishments is seriously one of my favorite things as a parent.  They definitely make us proud!

third grade music program

The third grade performed School House Rock at the Willie Pigg Auditorium in Mansfield.  Brooke had been singing the songs for weeks, and she was excited that they were performing in an actual auditorium. 

 We arrived super early because I wanted good seats, but I never imaged that we would be the second family there, haha!  

Brooke and Zoe

But it was all worth it because I saved seats front and center for Kevin, Jerry, and Bev. 

I loved watching Brooke sing her little heart out, and she was even chosen for a speaking part. 

The whole third grade...

Brooke and the music teacher, Mrs. Edwards...

It's so nice that Grandma and Papa are able to attend all these school events and performances.

So proud of you, Brooke Girl!  The whole program only lasted about 20 minutes, which was great because we were able to rush over to the performing arts center to see Colby's art display. 

easter

The Easter Bunny visited our home and left the kids with full baskets...

They have been setting our their empty baskets in the office the last few years, and I always enjoy watching them run in to see what the Easter Bunny left for them. 

Love their sleepy faces and messy hair :)

Colby loved his new sunglasses, but I couldn't take him seriously as he roamed the house wearing them. 

Brooke was eager to color some of her stickers, put on her fake nails, and try on her new sandals and nightgown.  These kids are definitely spoiled!

We were all eager to bake our cinnamon rolls and eat breakfast together. We are all BIG fans of the Rhodes cinnamon rolls, especially me since they are incredibly easy to make.

Sunday morning selfies :)

This picture of Brooke and I makes me emotional. I really can't believe how fast these years are going.  Feels like she was just baptized, and now she's nearly NINE!

We were shockingly early to church, so we sat in a classroom to make a few cards.  

As I watched them work, I noticed that Brooke is getting more freckles and I gently asked how she felt about that.  She said she liked them, which made me happy.  She is beautiful, inside and out, and I hope she always feels that. 

The Easter program was beautiful, and I appreciated the opportunity to really think about the Savior, His atoning sacrifice, and His resurrection.  We studied about the last week of Christ's life as Easter approached, and it helped us all keep the real reason for the holiday in our minds. 

Since we were waiting after church for Kevin, and I realized I hadn't taken a pic of just the kids at home, I made them take one more picture together. They were right outside the women's bathroom, so they both acted like it was the most embarrassing thing of all time, haha. I just didn't want the water fountain or the brown walls as the backdrop. 

We headed straight to Flower Mound after church, which meant that we got a family picture that wasn't a selfie.  

Pictures with Grandma and Papa...

Then the cousins arrived and you better believe they were anxious to start the egg hunt!  I adore this sweet picture of them, but I love the "crazy" one even more, haha. 

We hid a ton of eggs, and they managed to find each and every one of them. 

Kinley found the golden egg and all the kids were jealous. I can't remember if I put $2 or $5 inside, but either way, the fact that it was money was definitely a novelty. 

One quick picture with Grandma and Papa before continuing the hunt in the backyard.  We feel so lucky to live near family.  I love gathering on holidays and allowing these cousins to build friendships while they're young. 

The kids were running all over the place so I hardly have any pictures, but I did manage to snap this one. 

Then the sorting began...

The Monday after Easter, we celebrated with one last egg hunt at the park.  Joanna always coordinates a night of family fun and it's a tradition my kids love. 

It's mostly ward friends, but a few friends from the Grand Prairie 1st ward come as well. 

Brooke with her basket full of blue eggs...

Colby informed me Easter is one of his favorite holidays because he loves all the egg hunts, but I hope he will also remember the true meaning of Easter and the things we studied about the Holy Week :)