Easter

Well blog friends, it's happened again. Every time really... I get all caught up and then get lost in life and don't blog for months.

Much has been going on. Lots of playing outside, lots and lots of rain, a change of seasons, and a trip to the army. I'll get to all of that. Remember that holiday back in April? Well, it's my favorite holiday we celebrate each year. The price of our salvation, the love of our Savior, our future hope. I love Easter.

I thought we'd been transplanted to Seattle with all the rain we had this spring. Seriously, days and days on end.....rain. Between storms we had an egg hunt with some friends. The kids loved it!

Sweet Maya. She's just gorgeous isn't she?!

The boys' Easter buckets. I know I know, Jackson has no clue. But he can't not get a bucket like big brother right?
We ate lunch over at my parent's house. Nana joined us since the rest of the Steels were out of town. Someone was thrilled.

Pretty table.

After naps we let the boys check out their buckets. Graham loves "guys". He found 5 new guys in his bucket. They're always hanging out together, even to this day.

Oh, and there were some little candies in some eggs.

"Oh boy, I love candy!" (He actually said that.)

Rarely are they sitting next to each other happily. This is a treasured moment.

"Hm, this is a cool fing. What it does?"
"Look Jackson! You like it?"

We're never in pictures together. Believe it or not (you other big families know where I'm going), we took no less than 30 pictures trying to get one of everyone looking, smiling, and just not looking weird. This was the best we got. Ha.
Matt is quite a ham. It's true, he's usually all put together and serious. Just under the surface is a true clown. If you've spent any amount of time with him, you've probably heard him do an impression or make a face.

This picture is a true miracle. Seriously. I love it. Yes, when we all get together it's a fun, loud mess of toddlers and drool. But it's awesome! Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Hope y'all had a wonderful holiday celebrating our Savior's resurrection!

the park and some bubbles

My mom's birthday was in the beginning of April. We usually all try and share a meal together to celebrate our birthdays. My brother had a rugby game on the afternoon of our celebration, so we went to cheer him on before heading to dinner.

G was just thrilled that I remembered to bring the bubbles.

And he was also thrilled that he got to hold it by himself.

J just enjoyed rolling around in the sunshine.

Not a great picture considering neither boy is looking. But I never get to be in the pictures!

I can't explain how cute Graham was being. He loves watching The Incredibles. He loves pretending to be "thuper dwaham." He found the bag of one of our chairs and draped it over him to be his cape. He then carried around a pile of sticks and was shooting all the birds and squirrels. I just love watching his imagination grow!

little cowboy

bedtime stories

family day

A couple of weeks ago we took a family sabbath at the zoo and park.

We never just skip church. But the boys had been battling sickness and with Matt's crazy hours, we really needed a day to be together.

Plus, it was the first beautiful weekend and I knew Matt would want to see Graham enjoy the penguins. G loves the penguins.

After the zoo, we headed out to find a picnic spot.

In the 4 minutes we were in the car, Jackson pooped all over the place. Don't even get me started about his bowels and the car seat. It's rediculous.

The camera accidently got put on a weird setting. Cool though right?

We had so much fun together. Family Sabbath was wonderful.

three cheers for Spring!

We have really been enjoying our time outside with this nice spring weather.

In between the days and days of rain.

Someone is some kind of in love with the sandbox. We looked over and caught him swimming and throwing sand in the air. Summer is going to be awesome!

to eat or not to eat.

This little booger doesn't like food.

As in he won't eat any at all.

Yep, he was 7 months old when we tried some first sweet potatoes. After all the teasing and prodding at his mouth with a little taste on the spoon with no success at getting anything in - I resorted to squeezing his cheeks open just enough to put the taste on his tongue.

What do you think he thought of that little taste?

And right after this picture of sadness, he proceeded to throw up everything he'd eaten all afternoon.

Can we say sensitive gag reflex?

He's now 8 1/2 months old and still won't eat a bite. Still throws up if I try anything.

Oh, and he still doesn't take a bottle.

He is such a sweet little baby. So generous with his smiles. Can get a snuggle just by catching my gaze. Now if only he'd be a little more flexible with his eating preferences....

Just kidding, he'll be grown up and throwing goldfish before I know it. I'll take all the snuggles I can get now!