Backyard Play with the Rices

Back in June we had the Rices over for some sprinkler and Popsicle fun in the sun. The girls love their Dale and Rose and I love my Wendy. It's always so nice to have a chance to sit down and watch our kids wear each other out!

Elizabeth was pretty new to standing, and showed off her new skill lots while watching the big kids play.

When Addison was done playing in the water, she went inside and put together this great outfit, finished off with upside down sunglasses (her time-tested signature style) and Rose's blue sparkle shoes.

Dudette's tired

Standing!!

Easter Saturday

We celebrated what has become our annual Easter Saturday with the Rices again this year.

Of course, Wendy and I had to have our kids pose together a ton because they were all looking so cute!

It was a little drizzly that day, but we were going to go ahead with an outdoor hunt anyway. The dads got busy hiding eggs in the backyard while we played with the kids in the front yard.

But then the drizzle turned to a true rain, so we decided to move the hunt inside. A few of the eggs got wet while they were hidden outside, so when the kids opened their eggs at the end, we had a few that looked like tie die on the inside, with special white skittles.

Getting ready....

Then after the hunt, it cleared up enough to take some more pictures outside and grill our dinner.

Nice work, Chris! The steaks turned out just right!

I LOVE this picture Wendy captured of Addie. What a doll.

Our Rices

Happy Spring!

Christmas with the Rices and Sebrings

The Rices and Sebrings came over for a Christmas celebration and boy did we have a ton of fun! After feeding the kiddos, we popped on a Christmas movie and while the kids looked like this...

 ...we adults got to eat dinner and have a real adult conversation! Now there's a Christmas miracle for ya! ;)

Before the night was done, we had a little gift exchange for the kids. They had a great time, as usual, with some of their very best friends!

The Art Show Party

Believe it or not, Dale turned five years old last month. What a big kid! Dale is wonderfully creative, and because art is one of his passions right now, Wendy put on an art party for his birthday.

 The girls helped me wrap Dale's present a few days before the party, and they each made him a card. Emily had just begun saying "I love you" at the beginning of November, and she wrote quite a love note to Dale on his birthday card.

The outside of Addie's card:

The outside of Emily's card:

We knew there would be painting at the party, so the girls wore their paint shirts. So excited!

Dale's creativity has definitely been inspired by a creative mama. Wendy set up an art show featuring Dale's artwork for all to admire. For a more detailed look at the pieces that were hung, click here.

 

 

 

Birthday Boy!

We love Aunt Wendy!

Rose was looking quite stunning for the party

Dale wanted to show me how he could carry his chairs around

Thanks for feeding me lunch and cleaning me up, Dad!

After eating lunch and playing a bit, it was time for painting!

 

 

 

After artwork, the balloons started coming down from the ceiling. Endless balloons. Small person heaven.

Rose tries out Dale's new parachute guy.

Wendy's mom, AKA Monga, adopted Elizabeth for the day. Elizabeth had a great time being held, talked to, and showered with attention.

How do you do birthday cake at an art party? You decorate your own cupcake, of course! Genius!

 

 

 

After cupcakes, the party went outside for more balloon fun!

This just cracked me up. All the guys lined up at the fence, drooling over the construction site. I overheard things like, "wouldn't it be amazing to have a nail gun."

The artists with their masterpieces....

We hadn't had enough fun when nap time came around, so Elizabeth crashed on Aunt Wendy and Uncle Mark's bed.

We got to bring a couple of balloons home, and the next day the girls encouraged Elizabeth to scoot after their balloons...

And our masterpieces now hang upstairs by the girls' bedrooms.