She heard it on the radio!

We were waiting in the credit union drive thru lane and a familiar song came on the radio. I haven't heard these guys in forever and I guess since there is supposedly a "comeback" in the works they are going to start playing their songs more. So anyway....The Right Stuff by New Kids On The Block...you know..."oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh" I'm just listening away all the words coming right back from when I was probably 9 years old! And what do I hear?? My little Hailey in the back of the van singing all the little "oh,oh's" and "the right stuff!" I just had to laugh....I don't think I would have ever thought that my four year old would be singing a NKOTB song! I mean she love's Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys, but I never thought she'd sing along to these guys :-) Too funny!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

My dad's birthday was Monday...but with all the Easter hoop-la I'm just now getting to this post. I went through some old pictures last night and wanted to share these.

This is "little Steve" playing with a neighborhood friend. I think he's a cowboy/fireman!I know this is sometime in Elementary school...My dad is the youngest of three girls. The oldest is like 20yrs older than him and the youngest is about 8yrs older....he was definitely the baby of the family....they call him "baby Hewie"Here is his Senior picture. He graduated high school in 1974. He got his blond hair from working in the Orlando sun at a local car wash. Here's my mom and dad...And this is probably one of my dad's favorite pictures. He keeps it in his Bible. It's got his favorite girl and favorite car. He had to get rid of this GTO when he got stationed to Turkey. Early AirForce days....This was before he became an OSI agent. He served 20yrs and retired in 1996. He loved being an agent. Teaching me how to sing...I was telling him I wanted him to lead Paradise Valley :-) My dad is a very talented song leader and does a great job singing at church. This was in the Philippines (1991)

I could say a ton of things about how great my dad is but I'll just list the top 5!

5. He's very calm and doesn't over react. You can tell him anything without fear that he'll freak out. And when times are hectic he's always the best to have around especially during emergencies!

4.He's very tender hearted. He crys when I give him cards and during sweet commercials or movies. I love that he's not afraid to show his emotions.

3. He's a great husband and father. He has been a wonderful example of what a man should be and given me and my brother a stable home life. My husband grew up without a dad so he looks up to my dad too for guidance and direction on being a husband and father.

2. He's very through. When reading directions he reads them over and over and in every language before starting a project or going on a trip :-) {just kidding} But he is very through!

1. He's a wonderful Christian example. I was blessed to grow up in a home where we went to church every Sunday and Wednesday and lived a Christian life everyday in between. He continues to show me even today how to grow and love the Lord and be thankful for all our blessings. And I'm definitely thankful for him!!

And this is what he does now....plays with my kiddos...now he's the best dad and papa!! This was his birthday last year, we went out for Chinese this year (but I didn't take my camera!)

Happy Birthday Dad and Papa!!

Love,

Darren, Sissy, Hailey and Jack

Easter Day Pictures

My mom made this centerpiece for me. Isn't it pretty?!?

Easter morning was fun. Daddy was working so the kids had fun telling him all about it after we got back from church.
Hailey got a new Bible from the Easter bunny and Jack got a cool bubble blower!
We did a quick photo shoot in the back yard before Sunday school! Talk about Mommy stressing out!! Between only having like 5 minutes to spare, the dog wanting to jump on us, and my heels sinking in the grass it was so much fun!!!
They were very cooperative though....I was very pleased. I even convinced Hailey to touch her brother :-)
Hey mom, what's the dog doing?!?

Easter Pics...

Okay...first things first. I thought it was so cool when my Grandma got a Facebook account a couple of months ago but tonight she made me super excited. She started a BLOG!! Everyone needs to go visit her and leave her a "Welcome to Blogworld" comment :-}

Now on with the Easter weekend...

We had a wonderful Saturday. A bunch of friends came over to have lunch and egg hunt! We even celebrated little Riley's 1st Birthday (which was today). He had such a good time playing with all the BIG kids! Now he's not a baby anymore...it's a little sad. But Marissa and Amber are next :-} Papa and Hailey-B Miss Allyson... She was all pretty in pink!
I wish I could have gotten a picture of the kids coming out the door! We made them line up smallest first...to give them a head start :} They were so ready to get some eggs...there had to have been like 150 eggs in our backyard!! And a big thank you to Andrea and Neato for bringing the chalk! It was such a big hit!!

Hailey was off and running!Since Riley was the birthday boy he got the most awesome basket..."Thanks Ms. Jeanette for helping me"Hunting by the woodpile....Jack did much better egg hunting this day...he was going in all the bushes looking for eggs!

Ralston had a great time! He just kept wondering where the Jeep was?!?Looks like Rachel has a full bucket!

Hailey looks like she's ready for a break...time to check out the loot!

Uncle Bubba even got off work early and came by to check out Mike's awesome ribs and all the excitement!L to R: Jack, Riley, Ralston, Allyson, Rachel, Hailey, and Noah!

We managed to get all the kids on the swing for a Kodak moment! I think between these two shots you can see every one's faces :-)

By the end of the hunt Riley figured it out....The best way to get a basket full of eggs is to be like Swiper and take one while they are busy opening candy!!

We had a wonderful afternoon and missed all who weren't able to make it.

I will post pictures of the kids in their Easter outfits tomorrow...this post is a little long and if you're still reading it you are a great blogbuddy!!

Happy Easter

My friend, Dawn sent these to me and I thought I'd share a few of them..... Happy Easter!!

And my favorite.....

We had a great Egg Hunt today and I'll post pictures soon! I've got to get to bed or the Easter Bunny won't come! :-}

Lizards, Peeps, and Eggs...Oh My!!!

So the kids and I found a new friend in the back yard a couple of days ago! He's little, green, and very fast! We've seen him two days in a row and they just think he's so cool!Can I keep him, Mommy?!?

Darren helped me make snack for Jack's K-2 class last night! We had fun...they turned out really cute. I got the idea from the current Family Fun magazine.

Didn't they turn out cute...Peeps driving Swiss Rolls!

Today was Jack and Hailey's Easter Egg Hunt at school. Jack's class went first. Here they are on their way out!

Jack had lots of fun but really didn't want to reach for any eggs that were hidden in the bushes

:-}Love this pic! You can see his little dimple under his eye!See my eggs!! Hailey's class went later that morning. She was so excited!!Now she's getting intense!

I found one in the tree, Mommy!!

Look at all my eggs, aren't they beautiful!?!My sweet girl.... Jack mowed the grass at recess!
Hailey wanted a picture of her going down the slide :-}

Hope everyone is having lots of fun with all their Easter activities!!

Happy Friday!