Easter with the Big Heads

With all the kooky, crazy news we've had to deliver to the kids lately, we decided to whisk them away for the weekend. They had no idea until we loaded up in the van, that we were headed off to South Dakota. We tried to squeeze in as much as we could in two days. They "big heads" were a family favorite. So amazing. I know they just look like big heads on a mountain in the picture, but when you go through the musuem and watch how they were made and why -- very proud of our big American ideals.


The badlands area was beautiful, but the snow hampered a bit of the trail adventures. We able to do a couple, small jaunts in. Most of them were unpassable with snow for the kids, so we stuck to the simple trails and just amazed at the rocks around us.
We were home in time for Easter, although, we were a bit wore out. Too little sleep and WAY too much junk and candy causes for a crash. Though we all loved our quick, little get away, we are really not looking forward to getting back to the real world on Monday.

Like a Bad Penny

So, like a bad penny, we are returning to Illinois. Tate & Lyle is transferring Brant back to the commodities department in Decatur. We are not sure exactly of the timing of it all right now. Hoping to finish out the school year, since there are only seven weeks left. Brant may have to go on without us if worse comes to worst. I am thankful that Brant still has a job. That was our prayer priority, but. . .moving again after less than a year is not savory.

I'm having a huge stew pot of emotions over this. First, it will be great to be back near family we haven't seen this year. Second, I do miss being near conveniences and, um, culture. HOWEVER, this is such an awesome place to raise a family. They still have potlucks and church picnics. Neighborhoods have block parties. No one cares what they wear as long as you are decent. It's such a slow pace of living. Things that are really important push to the forefront in Humboldt: family, church, friends, community. *sigh* As much as I poke fun at our little Mayberry, I'm so going to miss my Aunt Bea way of life.

Lambow Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2hFm_HQg4

So I don't know how to post a video -- trust me people, I've spent like twenty minutes trying. Any way, look past my technology challenges, and the next time you are on YouTube check out Brant's commercial for our contemporary Easter service. He is doing a spoof on the Shamwow, called Lambow. He is just so cute!

Also -- yes, it snowed all day Sunday. I had a few phone calls from inquiring, warmer-weather friends. It snowed from before I got up at 6:30 to almost 5 in the evening. The kids are curious if we will have to hunt for eggs in the snow? That would be quite an egg hunt, very challenging. :)

April Fools!

Look at those devious grins! Paige and Claire have been planning for a month now to switch rooms on April Fool's Day! They really think they'll be able to pull it off. . . hmm, I don't want to disillusion them because I can tell them apart in an instance. We tried really hard to make them look as alike as possible. This was fun for me, because they haven't wanted to be "twinny" in a long time. I loved making them all matchy right down to the pig tail holders. Ike and Ava are full of April Fools' jokes -- "There's a spider in your hair!" "Brom ate your pillow.", and so on and so on (all day). They barely wait for the joke to set in for screaming all giggly, "Ap-wil Fool's!"

This is not an April Fool's. This happens almost every evening. These are our pet deer -- there's about seven that gather in our yard at dusk. In the morning we have a few pheasants that run along that back hedge row. It is fascinating to see them so "tame". They won't let us near them, but they aren't really startled if we watch them quietly. Now my husband loves to ruin this serene Eden by pointing out how many he could shoot in one minute. Yuck.