Mitchells + Leutwylers = Fun!

This past Sunday we went to visit our good friends Dusty, Diana, and their kiddos. We had a great time playing the Wii, running through the sprinkler, and just relaxing and talking. Not only that, but they fed us steak! It was yummy. When the girls left, they were exhausted. When Justin and I woke up the next morning, we were sore. His soreness was probably due to the thrashing he received from Logan, Dalton, and Kaleb. I suspect my soreness is from boxing Dusty on the Wii. My shoulders STILL hurt! Atleast he was kind enough to let me beat him. Good times :) We're blessed to have such friends.

Dalton and Diana play the Wii

Anna looks on

Princess Rayleigh

Dalton

Justin and Laura Kate

Dusty runs from the sprinkler

Logan is a dinosaur

Laura Kate didn't want to play in the water, so Kaleb kept her company

Kaleb shows off his muscles

All of the kids show how strong they are

Happy Rayleigh, pretty in pink.

Time for a "running race"..

..and yet here we still are.

Easter

Sorry it's late. I've been scolded for not updating the blog. I apologize.

We had a great Easter- wonderful message Sunday morning and fun times with family. It was cool and a rainy that morning, so the girls wore jeans instead of dresses. We got up early and went to the first service at church, which is something we don't usually do. There were a lot of people there! I was pleasantly suprised. The egg hunt took place during Sunday school. I had one child in my class...little Larkin. She's such a sweet baby. I'll miss her when her when she and her family move to Alaska this summer. They could have picked somewhere closer. I'm just sayin'...

We spent the rest of day in Gatesville, which is always fun. We spent the morning with my family at my sister's house, then made our way over to Justin's parents' for the dinner. Nana and the Benskin were there as well. We are so blessed to be close to most of the folks we love.

By the way, my girls don't look at the camera now. Have fun looking at their profiles or the tops of their heads!

This is Larkin. Isn't she darling?

Aunt Kayla and cousin Sara dying Easter eggs.

Laura Kate decorates eggs.

Baby Maddie

Getting ready to hunt.

Candy! Eggs! Let's eat!

It's Friday, but...

The Zoo

Justin is now working Tuesday-Saturday, so Monday is now sort of like our Saturday. So, on Monday we took a trip to the zoo. The weather was perfect-a little overcast, cool (not cold) breeze, and the sun poked out just enough to feel good and not get scorched.

After our trip to the zoo we visited Chick-fil-A for lunch. I'm sure you're surprised by the revelation. Justin went fishing as soon as we got home and the girls were supposed to nap. Well, that never happened. When I finally let them come out of their rooms, we all loaded up in the truck and we headed for the discount movie theater for an evening of "Bedtime Stories" and hot dogs. Very cute movie, mediocre hot dogs.

"These aren't the colors I picked out."

You can stop looking. The kids "found Nemo."
"Crikey, it's a croc!" No. It's actually an alligator.

This actually started out as a neat picture. The cougar's face was right next to Anna's. I suppose she didn't want her pic taken and this was her silent protest.

Buzzards on top of the Mexican Eagle exhibit. They were everywhere, actually. I guess the zoo just threw them in free of charge.
Psychedelic: I like how this pic turned out. Anna was trying to interact with the otters, but they were napping and wanted no part of it.
This is what we saw as soon as we entered this particular exhibit. Anna said "Mommy, that's a paddlefish. You can use it to spank our bottom." What kind of mother must I be?
Laura Kate's new friend
He whispers in her ear and she replies: "Uh huh. I see. Hmmm. I'll need to think on that one."
Here is Anna's new friend. As soon as we walked up to the glass, this guy sauntered over and cozied up to the glass. I couldn't decided if he wanted a hug or a snack.

Anna was willing to lend an ear and figure it out.