Here is a real update with words and pictures!

I was anxious to brag about our nice weather to all of you Utah folks on April Fool's Day. The excitement was short lived as that night I was too hot! Luckily there has been a breeze and the humidity hasn't been bad so the eighties feel nice once again! Of course we had to go and enjoy the nice weather while we had John home over the weekend. I like to go to the Zoo when he is around to help!
Grandma Valynn sent the kids these Easter clothes. They had to change into them immediately and in three days they had already worn them twice. I think they are their new favorite clothes. Sorry about the great picture. I had to finally give up on a good picture with all three of them.
This is the kids after they got their Easter package from Grandma and Grandpa. Lantz was just trying to grab as much candy as he could, because he knew I was coming to take it.
Does this little guy look happy or what? I didn't put his swimsuit on because I didn't think it would be warm enough for him to play in the water. Apparently I was wrong! This day was probably his best day in life. He wore shorts for the first time this season and he was so excited he started doing circles around the couch and laughing. He didn't like the grass on his legs so he started doing the butt up in the air crawl. And because of that he has finally mastered the getting to the standing position from the ground. He loves it outside and here is the proof!




This was a few weeks ago in the rain on a Sunday afternoon. What crazy silly kids!





So what has been going on with us?

ZAK CAN READ!! He has been learning his letter sounds so I decided to work on reading and he read a new book all by himself. He is very proud and excited! The kids also started doing morning and evening charts with all of the stuff they need to do each day. I asked Zak what he wanted on his chart and he added making his bed. He can make his bed all by himself and he does everyday! Zak loves reading the scriptures. We have these big illustrated ones and he could read chapters and chapters everyday. He loves them. He also got new scriptures for Easter from Granny and Gramps and he is sooo excited to take them to church.

Makelle loves to get out of the house. If anyone needs to run an errand or go to a store she has her shoes on and she is out the door. She is the opposite of Zak who I have to beg to leave the house. Last week she and I went to a park and she had a great time putting her feet in the stream and throwing rocks. She loves to go on dates with mom and look at pretty dresses, hats, shoes and nail stuff at the store. She would buy a new pair of shoes at every store if she could.

Lantz has decided that most days walking is pretty sweet although he still doesn't do it all the time, especially outside or around lots of action. He loves the outdoors and he loves animals. He can swing and teeter totter all by himself! He has two more bottom teeth and he has a scar on his face from his skin infection last month.

I am loving the warm weather and playing outside all day! I also just got another haircut by my stylist John Gerhauser and I get lots of compliments. Just today a lady at Club Mom asked who cuts my hair. Seriously, maybe we should just quit dental school and have him be a stylist! My babysitting job is going great although it doubles my amount of diapers and I am exhausted at the end of the day but then again I already was so I might as well get paid for it.

What do I say about John, still the same old for him. He loves life and he is thriving here with all that he does. He continues to amaze me. If only I could be more like that guy he truly is one of a kind!

We had a great Easter! We had breakfast and an Easter egg hunt in the rain on Saturday and then went home to sunny skies! Sunday we watched conference and then had dinner with some friends. I was so excited to see that they had deviled eggs! Conference was great and we had a great weekend together! Last month I was really missing my mom and my family and feeling sad about missing Easter. Luckily Heavenly Father gave me a tender mercy in allowing me to enjoy my holiday and not be sad about missing my family!!! This time of year is always a bitter sweet for me. I love spring and the green and the flowers, I love having my windows open with the sound of birds coming in. I love this time of year but it makes me think of and miss my Mom. It is a little crazy that Good Friday is the day my mom died. How grateful I am for such an amazing mom! Instead of feeling sad at not being able to chat with her or get her hugs, I can feel gratitude for her example. I owe her so much for all she taught to me. If only I can be half of what she was then I have got it made. My testimony of Christ and his resurrection grows stronger every year, as does my gratitude for him. Because of HIM I will see her again!

Last night we went to the lake about ten minutes from our house. It was a humid day so we went to play in the sand and water. We played and then had a BBQ for Family Home Evening. Sorry, no pictures I learned my lesson about cameras and sand. We also went for some hikes. Mann, do I love this time of year here! While we were playing at the lake together I was just thinking this is the life! I smile every time I go outside it is so pretty! We have already mowed our lawn twice and can I just say it looks great . We also planted our garden and it is GROWING!!!! We are so excited to see many of you in the next couple of months! We can't wait to show you all that Kentuckiana has to offer!!!!!!