Big changes ahead

At the beginning of February, Aaron was given notice at work that his position was being eliminated. He was given 30 days notice. He immediately began searching for a job and we started getting our house ready to go on the market. We made a list of all of the things we wanted to do to get it ready. Our list originally had about 45 items, but I think it eventually made it's way up over 50. We worked hard over the next several weeks completing items on our list.
With the slow market, we decided to put it on the market figuring it would take several months to sale and by then Aaron would have a new position. One open house and two showings later, we had an offer.
This is the most impressive picture of our house. We have sure loved living here and will miss it tremendously. Our younger kids don't know what it's like not to have a gym in your house. Aaron has had some really strong interviews in the past week. We are hoping for some news to come soon.

Happy Easter!

Last night we decorated the eggs. We mostly do plastic, but the kids love getting creative with coloring their own eggs. Aaron was gone for all of Easter so I didn't get the best pictures because I was busy helping most of the time.
We had a ton of eggs to find, but I think the kids found them all in about ten minutes. Bruce was so sweet to share extra eggs with his younger sisters. Naomi just loved all of it. Last night Madelyn was so cute when I put her to bed. She was really worried the Easter Bunny was going to come into her room. I assured her bedrooms were off limits to EB (as referred to by Bruce after seeing the movie "Hop").
Miracle of all miracles: we were ready early for church this morning so I was able to snap a few pictures of the kids. I hope your day was spent with family and loved ones as you remember the meaning of this wonderful holiday!

Wrestling Mania

The last couple of months Will and Bruce have enjoyed wrestling two nights a week at the high school. This week we finally brought the camera, but still didn't get very many pictures. Aaron wrestled in high school and is still able to take down these two little girls, but they don't give up without a fight. Actually, they will lay down on the floor when he gets home from work and ask him to tickle them. Silly girls!
Here's a shot of Will wrestling with his friend, Dalton. Dalton is the world's biggest wrestling fan. He and his dad have a date every Friday night watching it on tv. They are hardcore wrestlers. I don't have any pictures of Bruce. That's probably because he is pretty hard to find most nights. He is very easily distracted (I know, hard to believe) and is usually trying to climb the wall or is rolling (not wrestling) around with one of the little boys. He's a little young and not as into it. Overall, it's been a lot of fun to watch the boys.

My new smile

Yesterday was my big day...the braces came off! It's not often I post any pictures of myself because I'm usually the one behind my camera, but a friend told me I needed to do a before and after shot so this is for you, Patrice!

I have seen many patients proudly walk out of the orthodontist's office with one of these posters. I was slightly embarrassed to walk out with the poster, but happy because it meant I am done! I wore braces for about 14 months. Now I'm in retainers full time for a year and then only at night. I love the flexibility to be able to take them out when I eat or want a picture with no wires.

Boy Toys!

Please tell me I'm not the only one who is constantly picking up nerf darts, light sabers, swords, nerf guns, and more nerf darts!

Madelyn turns four!

Today Madelyn celebrated her fourth birthday. She has been excited for weeks about her upcoming birthday. This morning when I went to workout at the Y, I scanned her card and it said happy birthday to her. Someone at the front desk asked if it was her birthday and how old she was. She told them she is three. When I tried to correct her, she told them she wasn't four yet because she hadn't had her party.

Madelyn loves her doll, Abby. She has been going through the American Girl catalog pointing out everything she wants which is pretty much everything. She loves to play with the play food so we bought her the little high chair.

My cake decorating skills are very limited, but improving with each birthday. We found this butterfly on line (here) and she loved it.

Bruce picked out the movie "Tangled" for Madelyn and has been dying to have her open it so that HE could watch it. Elizabeth was at dance tonight so after she opened her gifts, she snuggled up with the boys to watch new new movie! How cute is that?

Here are a few fun facts about Madelyn from our video interview tonight:

Favorite color: pink, yellow, and orange (she said this as she was looking at her cake)
Favorite sport(s): soccer and basketball
Who are your friends: Eliza, Gabi, and Eden
What do you like to do: Play Barbies, babies, Just Dance on the Wii, ride my bike with training wheels around the neighborhood
What's your nickname: Supergirl, gymnastics girl, ballerina girl
What do you want to be when you grow up: a mom

One other cute story about Madelyn: our neighbor asked her recently how old she would be on her birthday and Madelyn told her five. Cara said something to me about it and I told her she was only going to be four. Madelyn's friend Eden is already five and Madelyn is dying to be as old as Eden so she has been telling me she will be four which is almost five. I think she was thinking she would only be four for a few days and then move right onto five. We sure love our little Madelyn!

**Surprise Shower**

This past weekend we went to Ohio for my sister-in-law Jenny's surprise baby shower. Her husband and daughter were the ones to originally come up with the plan and Aaron's sister, Joy, helped carry it out. Here Jenny is arriving to pick up her daughter from a sleepover at Aunt Joy's house. She's in for so much more fun.

Joy got this cake from her favorite bakery. I don't think words can describe it's yumminess. As Dora would say, Delicioso! The layers of cake inside were filled with all kinds of berries. Joy made the cute little "Emily" sign for the expected baby.

Jenny's youngest daughter Megan (in the gray) just turned ten a few days ago. She is so excited to be getting a little sister. This baby was a big surprise for everyone and is going to be well dressed and very loved. Her expected arrival is only about a month away and we can't wait to meet her!