Easter Break

During these past two weeks in which the older ones had Easter/spring break, we had some very special guests... my parents! Or rather, Grandma and Grandpa! We are so thankful that they took the time to come all this way to visit us!  Overall, the weather was nice and the kids were all healthy, so that helped to make things even more fun! The quality time spent with Grandma and Grandpa was just SO wonderful for the kids, and it was so refreshing having my parents around. Thanks mom and dad for being super special parents/grandparents, and for taking the time, energy, and expense to come see us. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with you both, and miss you so much! We are already looking forward to your next visit in a few years.  :)  

Here are just a few photos from our time spent together over the past few weeks...

My mom is incredible. For the past few months, she has been collecting different games, toys, clothes, craft items, etc. for the kids.  Every day she would pull another fun item out of her suitcase. The kids really enjoyed it and it made them feel special and loved.  She was even pulling items out of her suitcase the day before they left!

One evening, we went to a local park for a picnic. It was a bit chilly, but lots of fun!

Hanna seemed to always seek out Grandpa's hand.  :)

We took advantage of the extra hands, and all went swimming one day at the local indoor pool place. The kids had a blast, and us adults breathed a sigh of relief when we were all at home safe again. 

 We decorated some Easter eggs together.  

So glad my mom was there to help with all that dye and little hands!

I don't have any pictures to share from Easter Sunday, 

but it was wonderful being able to celebrate His resurrection with my parents! We had a simple Easter breakfast, went to church together, had lunch, took naps, and then visited some of David's family in the evening. 

We also enjoyed celebrating my parents' 38th wedding anniversary with them!  

So neat that they were with us over their special day!

Here, Grandma is showing Aria how to use a sewing machine.

They sewed a little pillow together,

 with a patch which Grandma taught Aria to embroider on their last visit. 

Mom and I also made a pennant banner for the little girls' room... something I've been wanting to do for a long time now. I really like the way it turned out, and it was special being able to make something like that with my mom. 

Amongst all the glitter, stickers, and girly-stuff, my mom also remembered to include some special things for Micah.  Here he is, proudly painting his little wooden car.  :)

Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa, 

THANK-YOU so very much for visiting us and all that you did for us!

We love you both so very much and have made some very special memories with you these past few weeks. It was great for our kids to practice their English a bit more, and it's just wonderful that the little ones now know exactly who Grandma and Grandpa are.  :)  Hope you had a safe trip home! Come back and visit us soon!  :)

We love you!

Oh, and on a side note... we received an unexpected visitor the day before my parents left...

CHICKEN POX (Windpocken)!!!

This virus has been going around our little town now for the last couple of months, especially prevalent in Micah's kindergarten.  We honestly thought our kids had been immunized and wouldn't be getting the virus, so we were quite surprised when Micah came down with it on Friday. We don't mind so much that he has it, as it's better for the kids to get it while they are young. Yet, we don't enjoy watching him suffer with it. The poor guy has these little water blisters everywhere... in his ears, on his scalp, in his mouth, even on the little "tongue" in the back of his throat! Yuck. Yet, hopefully the worst is now over and he should be getting better soon. Although, the doctor did say that he needs to stay indoors for a total of seven days (as that's how long it is contagious). So, he will be missing his friends' birthday party this week. :(  David says that we should get rested up, as 2 weeks from now, we can be expecting the other children to come down with the virus as well.  Glad it is a "once in a lifetime" kind-of a deal!

Here's a picture of Micah's back this afternoon.  Poor guy!