I am becoming brave, trying new things!!! I don't know what I've been eating or what's in the water but I've been trying some new things. I know, I know, it's not that big of a deal but I'm the kind of person that sticks to the things I like and am comfortable with for a very long time. I've always had certain "favorites" and they don't seem to change, and I'm fine with that. Chocolate ice cream will always be my favorite, my fav color is always been purple, I've never liked shoes, I like certain styles in decorating and clothing even if they aren't the most popular (like those plaid shirts from the 80ies that are finally coming back in style). But lately, I've been trying some new things. I ordered some shoes online. They are nothing like I have ever worn, I probably won't be able to walk very well in them, and they are super high. Nothing like me. Then I cut my hair. I've had the same "do" forever. It's not the biggest change ever but it's a lot shorter then I've had it since 5th grade. The only reason it was so short then was because of all the medication I was on for my ears so my hair would never grow. I like it so far, still not sure what to do with it, but as long as I can pull it back I'm happy, and it will still go in the ponytail. Also, the dogs have never been allowed in the house but since Penny had 4 puppies I have to let her in the kitchen a lot to feed the rolly poly little fur balls. Also, I had to teach a lesson at church, to the adults!!! That was a first for me. I was trying really hard not to be too nervous and just go with the flow. I feel it went well. Chalk up another new thing for me!!!

Filling in the last foundation hole

-We filled the whole back of the truck up, by hand, with the remaining foundation dirt and unloaded it into the last hole we have!! So now, most of the dirt is gone and we just have 2 feet left to fill in and then we can start putting things back together on this end of the yard! Em was loving every minute of playing in the hole and digging in the dirt!!

Aunt Sherry's visit

-We always have so much fun when Aunt Sherry comes to visit! My mom had us over to dinner one night, so did Christy and we just get to spend a lot of time as a family and catch up!!! It doesn't matter if you live out of state, you can still be close to someone. When Aunt Sherry comes we get to really talk to her and find out what's happening down in sunny CA with our family. She always takes time to ask us about our lives and is very good at listening! I really enjoy our time spent together when she comes!

-Dad, Aunt Sherry and Grandma

Easter dinner

My parents always have us over for Easter dinner. I thought this was a cute picture of my parents and all their grandkis! There's Trevor, Lucy, Lainey, Emily, and Kevin!! Getting all of them in a picture is a little challenging at this point!!

My parents have us over for dinner, do an Easter egg hunt with the kids in the backyard, and we decorated Easter eggs. I know it's a lot of work for my mom but we all enjoy it. The kids have a blast.

backyard

Emily's favorite thing to do in the world is probably swing on the swingset!! She can be pushed for at least a half an hour straight without complaining!!!! The grass that this swing set is on is newly planted, it used to be the dirt mountain we had from doing the foundation. Behind these two you can see the unfinished garage!!

Me and Em, right after I got home from work one night. We have some gorgeous tulips. We have red, yellow, orange and a few pink ones!! Since Jason's mom was from Holland we planted a bunch of them when we moved in. They remind us of Lidy and spring!! Behind us is a section of the yard we've been working on. We have another small dirt hill, which is mostly gone now. I'm making it into a raised flower bed. To the left in this picture behind us is our "grave". We have had it covered with huge boards so no kids fall in. We got all the boards moved and filled up the truck with dirt (from the foundation dirt on the side of our house) and filled in most of the hole, there's about 2 feet left!! So we are making progress around here! At least the tulips give us a nice backdrop to our projects!!

-Jas and Em with our dogs, Penny and Ranger. Penny is the black and brown one and Ranger is all black.

-Em loves to help mow our jungle! We've been getting so much rain it's hard to keep up on keeping the grass short! It sure looks nice and green this spring.

family pics at Em's party

-My mom and Em playing with her new polly pockets

-me (in a rare picture) and Em

Christy, Lucy, Becky

-Kev, Teri, Trev, Em, Craig, Hope and Lainey


-Trying to get a picture with my parents, grandma and all the grandkids is quite challenging at this point!! Usually you can get one or two of the 5 to actually look at you!!! And usually one or more is trying to escape or crying!!! I'm glad we celebrate birthdays in our family. We don't go over the top but birthdays have always been a big deal in our family and we always get together for presents, cake and ice cream and a few pictures!!! I think it's cool that the kids have a great-grandma that is so involved in their lives. Not many kids can say that! Not many 32 year olds can say they have a grandma that attends so many family functions!!