Dad's Party

We had one more surprise for Dad to celebrate his 60th. 

We all very quickly dispersed from the work day to go home and get ready for his next party. 

We had a pizza party at John & Chris's, including all of us and Mom & Dad's small group. He realized the location, but didn't know who was celebrating with him. It was a fun time, other than the very cool weather/wind..we enjoyed celebrating his 60th one last time! The grandkids and we kids both sang the same song we did on Sunday...and then Carissa had put together a very nice slide show to very fitting music covering the past 60 years. 

I wish the pictures I took weren't so blurry...but that's what they are, and I wanted to remember the evening regardless!

Christian and I on the way there...ready to PARTY!

We sang Happy Birthday as he walked in...

I had to get a picture of 2 of my 3 handsomes..Jonah was wrapped in a blanket most of the evening, but underneath he was all decked out, including a tie :)

Dad...

You are loved. You are special. You are worthy of being celebrated for sure.

So grateful for your 60 years...and looking forward to the many, many more to come.

I love you. Happy Birthday, Dad.

Work Day

As a gift for Dad's 60th birthday, we all had a work day for him on Saturday.

 Landscaping, putting up walls/ceiling in the pool house, painting the windmill/putting it up, and weeding the strawberries were the main projects we worked on. And there was also a very fancy "coffee break" provided by Mom...delicious monkey bread and coffee, as well as a grilled lunch. 

I'd say we all had a productive and good work day.

Tim and Carissa worked on planting the plants around the pool.

Our "break"...it was pretty windy out all day, but the sun was nice!

 The kids wanted to help too...so they raked up grass clippings.

It is so cute to watch them all work together.

Ben and Brent worked on the pool house.

 Mitch painted the tips of the windmill, and then put it up outside.

When we all work together, together, together,

When we all work together how happy we'll be!

I like working together,

whether it be right along side or just knowing we're all doing something in the name of the same cause. It's fun....I think anyway. (I guess by the looks of it, I wasn't working...ha. I helped with some planting and weeding.)

Happy 60th Dad!

HC Preschool Program [2015]

Christian's preschool program was Thursday evening. 

It's always so cute and entertaining to watch.

Christian likes going to preschool, it is so interesting how much he has changed and grown from last year to this year.

Here's one of the songs they sang...Three Little Ducks.

I was standing in the back holding Jonah..so these got fuzzy.

This is so typical of Christian, creating a side conversation whenever he gets the chance. This was immediately after they were done singing and they were all lining up to get their certificate.

We're proud of you Christian...

you are such a joy to watch grow and develop in both social and academic abilities.

Easter and a Surprise

He Is RISEN!

We have so much to celebrate and be grateful for this Easter.

These three handsome fellas were mighty excited about dressing extra fancy for Easter.

Jonah's first Easter!

After church, we went to Mom and Dad's for an Easter meal. Carissa & Tim's family all flew in to surprise Dad...both for Easter, and for his birthday (which isn't for a couple weeks). They arrived Saturday evening, and thoroughly surprised him! 

An additional surprise for Dad was having his family that lives in KS come to have a pre 60th Birthday party at noon on Easter. He had quite the surprises going on.

They had quite the bright cake by the time all 60 candles were lit!

We had a couple special songs (written by Carissa)...

the grandchildren sang one, and we children sang one.

He was also given a book, compiled of letters/notes/pictures from various family and friends from past to present. He's a pretty special guy...so hopefully he felt how loved he is!

Before Grandma and Grandpa Sweigart, Cindy & Jim, and Mary Ann had to leave..we were able to take a few pictures outside. It was rather chilly and windy.

Ben was being the 'Easter bunny' for the kids to look at...oh my...I don't know as if he'll switch careers, but it was pretty entertaining anyway!

Four Generations

The four youngest grandchildren had matching outfits...they were so handsome.

Later in the afternoon, we had our tradition Easter egg hunt...by Mom and Dad outside.

We had a very fun filled day.

Remembering Christ's love for us...giving the ultimate gift of eternal salvation.

And adding on an additional celebration of Dad's 60 years of life..

we have much to be thankful for!

We love you Dad!

Mama's boys

Just some pictures of my boys over the last month or so....

Christian and Noah doing some light reading in their new chairs from Grandpa & Grandma..

Jonah needed to test it out too!

One day, I thought they were playing downstairs while I was upstairs...

it was "too" quiet, so I went to check on them.

Christian said, "We got too hot." They were looking at some kind of "World's Records Book"

"Quien se esconde?"

Daddy reading one of their favorite Spanish books to Noah.

Noah is in the beginning stages of potty training. We have better days than some.

One morning, they both needed to take care of business. Christian has recently enjoyed looking at a magazine while he goes..."This Old House". So naturally, Noah decided he needed to do the same thing. It was quite the sight.

In Preschool, they were discussing incline planes...and they built a creation using scrap wood and wood glue. Christian made two VERY large ones...using a LOT of glue!

These are the moments that I want to freeze time....

Noah reading a book to Jonah..he's still so in love with his baby brother.

Two of my loves...

Noah was saying something about "Che-chen??? (Christian)"

We all enjoy a good Freddy's visit.

They have such sweet moments while Christian is at preschool..

the house is usually so much more quiet. Not to be mistaken with dull, or boring...just less noise.

We've all enjoyed being outside more.

This is at Grandpa and Grandma's...oh how they have the fun things to play with!

I was in the kitchen, and I knew Noah went down the hall...

when it got really quiet, I went to check and he had climbed into Jonah's crib to play with him.

They both thought that was just fantastic!

One day, these two were playing outside at our house while I was inside feeding Jonah. Normally, this is not a problem. But on this particular day, they were pushing around their cars that the kind they can sit in and scoot. They decided to take them for a stroll down our street, all the way to the corner, by the motorcyle shop. Needless to say, when I walked out to see where they were and then walked to the front to find our neighbor lady walking on the road towards the corner...I knew. 

Long story short, we needed a different change of scenery by the afternoon..so we loaded up the stroller and Christian's bike and strolled around town for a couple hours. 

This was at Hesston College, where we started, and had to stop for a break after about 3 minutes in.

These two in the morning are often quite snuggly.

These boys keep things interesting...often funny....sometimes wearing...but very rewarding. 

I love them all to pieces.