Matt's Mud Bath

Janette went to the store with William, Brad & Kyle were at their friends house and I was left alone with Matt watching him like a hawk. While I was at work Brad & Kyle filled a hole with water. Matt went outside while I finished some stuff up inside the house. I did not know about the water filled hole until Matt thoroughly enjoyed himself in it. Just for everyone's information I did give him a bath and didn't make Janette do it when she got home.

William's Special Night

William waiting for a bite

William had one on, but lost it

This one didn't get away

Not too sure about it

The fish touched William

We went fishing a couple of weeks ago and William caught a fish. I took the fish off his hook and threw it back in the water. William was sad and told Janette "dad doesn't like my fish. He threw it back". Since then he has been talking about going fishing and catching more fish, so last night William and I went fishing. It took us awhile to finally hook one. When we did I handed him the pole and luck would have it a fire truck and police car passed by giving the fish enough time to get away. Finally, I hooked another one and he was happy to get it too shore. He doesn't like to touch them though as you can see in the pictures he stands far away. In the last picture I convinced him to stand next to me for a picture. The fish bumped him, which scared him. I tried holding one for him to touch, but as soon as he got close it flipped out of my hands. William had had enough so we went home. On the walk to the car he kept talking about his fish and how we need one for the house, so overall he had fun and wants to do it again.

Happy Easter

We are so grateful that we were able to spend Easter listening to our church leader for general conference. There seems to me no better way to celebrate our savior Jesus Christ then to be uplifted and be taught and how to return to him once more.

We had a wonderful Easter. It started early, too early. We told the boys go ahead and look at your baskets when you wake up. At 4 am we hear thump thump thump down the hall, then back up the hall, then down the stairs, back up the stairs, down the hall again, and finally into our room at which time we were awoken by excited little voices telling us what was in their baskets. We got out of bed and came down to enjoy their excitement. We then watched Princess and the Frog with them and sent them back to bed until 8.

At 8 we shoved some cereal down them, trying to start the day out with at least something that wasn't candy. They then headed outside to find where the eggs were hidden.

We enjoyed watching General Conference, and our kids did very very well, especially considering the amount of sugar flowing through their veins. In between sessions Grandpa and Grandma Fredericks had and Easter Egg Hunt for the boys. Followed by a delicious meal. Everyone was thoroughly stuffed and it is a wonder we stayed awake for the last session.

After General Conference we spent the evening in the backyard watching our boys catch bugs with the bug catchers, play with bubbles, and enjoying the beautiful weather. Boys were asleep by 8, Joe and I fell asleep on the couch.

4 boys + 6 cups of dye = 3 dozen dyed eggs.

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Dying Easter Eggs is such a love hate relationship for me. I love watching how much fun my kids have dying the Easter Eggs, but I have so much anxiety about the dye being spilled. I guess the joy in my children's faces have outweighed my worry of dye because we do it every year.

Brad Method: He is the oldest and as such he is more sophisticated in how he does things. He was the last one to finish dying his eggs. He is into doing 2 or 3 colors on each egg.

Kyle's Method: Kyle is our kindergartner and preferred also have 2 or 3 colors on each egg but only by putting the whole egg in multiple different cups.

William's Method: Monopolize the white crayon, scribble excessively on each egg. Then proceed to place eggs in dye. Take out color some more and put back in dye, usually a different color cup.

Matthew's Method: As our newest member of dying eggs, Mom was on hand to provide constant supervision without thwarting his artistic desires. Basically he drops them in has fast as he can into the cups and with in seconds wants them back out. Drops them back into same cups, and takes them back out. Final steps include taking the egg out, giving it a good squeeze to get the pleasure of a break. Mom takes the egg away, Matt proceeds method with the next egg.

Mom and Dad's Method: After a few years of experience we have learned lots of newspaper, only one parent takes pictures while the other helps little hands. Setting the rule if you want a different color and one of your brothers have it you must ask Mom or Dad to get it for you. If you are under the age of 5 the spill factor goes up greatly, thus you are stripped of your clothing.

Matthew

Matthew has been giving us lots of kisses lately. He has the best kissing face. Since it has warmed up he is racing to the back door all the time to play outside. He loves playing outside, and will do it for hours and hours. On a similar note, he has been sleeping like a champ for naps and at bedtime. He is so exhausted from playing outside. Matthew also discovered that although his body is small enough to fit between the banister bars, his head is not.

Kyle learning to ride a bike

We would like to welcome Kyle to the club of two wheel bike riders. He picked it up very quickly. We are still working on building confidence, but it took him about 30 seconds to be riding down the street by himself. I have no doubt that he and Brad will be able to enjoy many hours this summer riding their bikes around.