Easter Dinner

Nathan wanted to try something new on his grill so we purchased crown roast of pork for our dinner.  It turned out so yummy.  The pork had a Jamaican Jerk dry rub.  Nathan created a barbecue sauce from apricot and peach jam, chipotle peppers, and mango juice.  The rice stuffing complemented the barbecue sauce.  The dinner was rounded out with aparagus, zucchini, squash, and rolls.  We had our good friends, the Fagers, over and had a great time eating and chatting.

Easter

Sadly I didn't get any pictures of the children in their Easter clothes, but we did get some great pictures of the egg hunt we did Saturday afternoon.  Emily was our egg hider this year.  It was fun to see the kids hunt and discover all their loot.  Little A was so excited to be outside and carrying an Easter basket around.  He would put it down. I had to open an egg and show him what was inside before he decided to let go and eat some candy.

Birthday

My 32nd birthday came at the begining of April.  It was the start of the kids spring break and Nathan was off for the day.  Nathan and the kids made me breakfast.  Later in the morning I took H to her dance class along with E, and K (tagging along).  Nathan stayed behind with the boys and played Wii.  After dance class my good friend watched the kids while Nathan and I went out to lunch.  We had a simple dinner and then had friends over for cake and icecream.  It was a great day!

2 of my very good friends came with their kids for the celebration! 

There were 16 kids here for the festivities!

The yummy salted carmel chocolate cake that Nathan made me.

March Madness

During the month of March we did our house hunting.  We had been looking at homes in the area for about a year knowing we would likely return to PA.  We found a house that we really liked and was priced well.    By the time we had decided to call our realtor (about 5 days after it was listed) we found out it was already under contract.   A week later a different home came on the market that we just loved.  We decided that instead of waiting to see if it would still be there in April that I would drive up that week and look at it.  The house came on the market Saturday and Monday morning I took off with the 2 youngest and went up to PA.  I looked at 9 different homes that day included a chance discovery of a great home which was for sale by owner, which we made an offer on, and they verbally accepted.  They then led us on a week, ultimately accepting a different offer from another buyer the next week.  We were really bummed.  We started looking at the other homes that were still on the market and decided to make an offer on a different home altogether.  The offer was accepted and we are now in process of making it ours.  It is a new construction, nearly completed.  We are having them finish the basement for us while they are already set up in the house.  We are really excited and happy about how things have worked out.  Can't wait to move in 7 weeks!

Tea for Six plus One

This little girl turned 6 on the 18 of February. 

 The day after E's Harry Potter Birthday, and on K's real birthday, we switched gears and had a Tea Party.  The table is set and all ready for the guests.

The first thing we did was decorate a hat.  Every girl needs a beautiful hat for a Tea Party.

Then we read Tea for Ruby.  Then played pass the tea pot.  After the book and game we sat down to tea.    There were cookies, popcorn princess mix, strawberries, grapes, chocolate dipped pretzels, M&M's, and pink lemonade.

After all those yummy treats we sang Happy Birthday and had cupcakes and icecream.  K had so much fun with her friends and it was a big hit!  Happy Birthday K!  We love you!

We were tired after all the birthday fun so we took the family to Red Robin so both E and K could get their birthday dinners.  A nice ending to a Very busy week!

An Owl Post was sent

E and her best friend both turned 11 in February. In fact they are only 11 hours apart. They are also both related to William the Conqueror so this make them practically sisters. They have had a lot of fun this year. To celebrate turning 11 the girls received their letter to Hogwarts along with their friends and got to experience a Hogwarts visit. Here are some pictures from the party!

Our first stop was Diagon Alley

Olivander's Wand shop (you can see the brick "wall" we had for platform 9 3/4)

Everyone with their wands

E and her best friend visiting Gringotts

All the students were able to pick out an owl and bring it along!

After Diagon Alley we had them run through Platform 9 3/4 and board Hogwarts Express.  They were able to partake of some Trolley Treats.  We had cockroach clusters, Bertie Botts every flavor beans, pretzel wands, chocolate frogs, and popcorn. I somehow didn't get  picture of the table.
After the treats we went to Hogwarts and the sorting ceremony.  Nathan was delegated to be the sorting hat. 

E was sorted into the Slytherin House :)

Somehow both birthday girls were sorted into Slytherin.

Here are our Gryffindor House.

Ravenclaw

And the Hufflepuff students didn't sit still long enough for a picture!

After the sorting ceremony the students reported to their classes.  First was potions.  They preformed the Elephantitis Denticatis potion.

After potions we went outside for Herbology.  Then it was on to Divination.  Our guest teacher did a great job (E's best friends Grandpa).

After Divination we had the closing ceremony celebration with cake and Butter Beer.

The cake had a different layer for each house at Hogwarts.  My friend Bethany did an excellent job!

This little guy enjoyed the cake the most!

While we were cleaning up we couldn't find J.  We found him right outside our bedroom door meditating!  What a funny boy!

It was a very fun party and I decided that we may do this for every 11th birthday in our house.

Spirit Week

The kids had a spirit week at school.

Here are the boys in their Duke Shirts!

Crazy clothes day.  They had a lot of fun getting ready!

The kids had a lot of fun dressing up for spirit week this year!