Beach days have begun...

We have really enjoyed our "week off" this week! Wednesday's weather was reported to be the hottest for the week so we decided to head down to the bay. The wind made it a little chillier than expected but it was a nice day with friends! The kids had a great time rolling around in the sand, playing in the water, and enjoying each other's company. 

The Durnin and Jacobs kids in their matching chairs...

Let's see how much sand we can smuggle home...

I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of the full "choo choo train" but at some point all 8 kids had linked up...

And, of course, "Duck, duck, goose"...

Can't wait for summer!!

Bubble fun...

I can't remember the last time this happened...today, all four of us are home with absolutely NO obligations! This morning we visited our favorite breakfast spot, Hof's Hut (Lo, I know you are giggling right now ;)) and now the kids are enjoying their Easter basket goodies in the backyard. 

Gotta love $2 Easter basket fillers from the grocery store! Huge hit and no cavities. ;)

Of course, our little model wannabe saw the camera and had to get her vogue on. 

Where does she get this stuff?? =)

Love Easter vacation! ♥

Easter morning...

Before church this morning we had our annual Easter basket hunt. We'd hidden a few plastic eggs with clues in them to lead to their hidden Easter baskets. I was SO impressed and, I gotta say, a little ferklempt when Kate read almost every clue by herself! When I was writing them the night before, I'd considered using only the words I knew she could sound out but decided to just write them and we'd help her. That smart little cookie really only need help reading "favorite". 

Luke wasn't as thrilled that she got to read them all... ;)

Found! Hidden in "Daddy's favorite car".

 

Happy Easter from the Jacobs!! He is Risen!!

Resurrection rolls...

My all time favorite thing to do with the kids at Easter is make our Resurrection Rolls. This is the 3rd year for us and this fun tradition and I look forward to so many more. I love the way each ingredient and step represents a part of the Easter story, including the sweet results:

The pure white marshmallow = the perfect, sinlessness of Jesus

The butter and cinnamon & sugar = the anointing oil and spices put on Jesus' body

The dough wrapped around the marshmallow = the tomb in which Jesus was laid

The empty roll after the marshmallow melted = the empty tomb when Jesus rose

The sweet, delicious treat = the sweet reward of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ!!

So excited and ready to go...

We mixed up the "recipe" a little this year (using crescent rolls) to make it milk-free and Luke friendly so they didn't quite come out like they were supposed to...

 ...but, let's face it, just about anything covered in butter (or milk-free margarine), cinnamon, and sugar is gonna be GOOOOD! And they were!

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Kindergarten Easter Party...

Today was Kate's last day of school before Easter break and her class had their Easter party. They had a yummy snack, did a quick craft, and then heard the Easter story in chapel with the rest of the school.

It was also International Dress Up day so Kate wore the cover up that we got her in Cabo. =)

Kate & Della

Luke & Ethan were so good during the party entertaining themselves with the train set.

Kate & Ari

Morgan, Kate, & Megan

Now for 9 days with our Kate home with us!! Yea!!

Easter picnic...

Yesterday we joined John's co-workers and their families at their annual Easter Egg Hunt & Picnic. They always do a great job making it a fun day for the kids, this year's hunt included 6,000 eggs full of (melted ;)) chocolate, candy, and even money! After the Easter Bunny & his Mrs. kicked off the hunt, the kids had fun in the bounce houses, playing on the play ground, getting their faces painted and finding sticks. 

Goofy faces ready to start hunting

Crafting...

My new favorite past time has become crafting up some goodies for sweet new babies in our lives. My dear friend, Elisa, had her first little one a few weeks ago and before I went to meet him I wanted to whip up a little something. I didn't have much time so I sewed a couple of burp clothes and mod podged some letters for Mr. Kai Britton. 

It was so much fun putting those things together for Kai that I was inspired to do handmade gifts for my cousins' wives for their joint baby shower. Jared's wife, Amy, and Kevin's wife, Sarah, are both having their first little girls in May. We are so excited to meet our newest cousins! For those gifts I had a little more time so I added a hooded towel. (Kai will get his at our next visit ;)) I had such a great time planning and creating and was surprised by how easily they came together. I can't wait to learn how to do more!

Hooded towel: 

made from one regular sized towel, half of a hand towel, some ribbon, and letters cut from cotton fabric. 

Jared & Amy are due with Kara Joy in the beginning of May

Emma Jean is due to Kevin & Sarah at the end of May

Wrapped up and ready to go...

Yea for brand new babies!!