Nostalgia

Sometimes Jason will find an old video game he used to love online, and the kids are always more than happy to help him relive his youth by playing it with (or without) him! 

Spring?

Spring is taking it's time to arrive this year, as it often does. And as they often do, some of my kids have decided they just can't wait any longer for it to warm up before they go play outside. On this day it was cold and drizzling, but Jake and then Eli just had to be out! Don't let the picture fool you--Jake loved every minute of it except for the one where I tried to get him to hold still for a picture!

Mall Train

I finally gave in and bought tickets for Jake and I to take a ride on the little mall train. This face made it all worth it!

Pinewood Derby

Logan spent quite a long time painting and prepping his car this year, the Arrow-Dynamic (his clever play on words since it was cut like an arrow). He placed 7th out of 30 and won the "fine craftsmanship" award--well deserved I'd say.

Potty Training

We've been potty training around here, and for the first few days Jake got to play with my phone while he waited for "the pees to come," so I ended up with a lot of pictures like this.

He really caught on very quickly, but was quite hesitant about #2, and so would often hold it until a nap or bedtime diaper (could have been worse!). So we picked out a toy for bribery, and in less than a day he got the toy! Hopefully he keeps it up now without the incentive!

If you ask Jake if he's a baby, he'll point to his nose and say, "No, I'm Jakey!" He really is growing up, but he is still just as wonderful as ever.

Ali's Toys

This girl is more than happy to play legos, the wii, or run around outside with her brothers, but sometimes she likes to play with her girly toys too! She still loves her barbie and monster high dolls and their dollhouse, as well as her Calico Critters. 

Take a Picture!

I liked the outtake too:)

Happy Easter

We enjoyed an Easter watching general conference and keeping with our traditions. We dyed eggs:

Enjoying the baskets the bunny brought (every bit of them):

Hunting for eggs (in the basement because it was too cold outside!):

And humoring mom with the egg nose picture:

Truly, though, we love that Easter reminds us of the unfathomable love of our Savior. We love Him.

Three Years Old

We've gone from this:

To this:

To celebrate our Jake's birthday we took him to--where else-- a movie! Notice the empty box of popcorn? Happy Jake.

I was pleased with Jake's car cake, and once he got a look at it he had to have it: success!

I did everything I could think of to help him understand that today was his birthday, and we were celebrating him. After I put him to bed, I was upstairs and I heard him singing to himself, "Happy birthday to Jakey Eldredge, happy birthday to you!" I was glad I heard that and glad he felt our love for him. We adore our book-devouring, movie-addicted, toy-collecting, loving, forgiving, fun, happy boy!

Webelo

Logan earned his bear quite awhile before he turned 10, and his leader suggested he start going to Webelos about a month early since everything he was doing with his bear den was a repeat to him, and of course Logan was just fine with that! He still loves scouting and wears his full uniform every week, proud to display all his awards!

Errand Buddy

Even when he was a baby, Eli was a fun and easy errand buddy. He continues to be today, and when Jason or I ask the kids, "Who wants to run an errand with me?" Eli is quick to say, "Me!" He makes my errands more fun with his point of view and silly antics.