A fun and dangerous family get together

 Bryce's family (dad, mother in law, sister, another sister, brother in law, 2 kids and 2 dogs) came to visit us for a weekend. We made 3 batches of cookies, 2 batches of muffins, and a double batch of spaghetti and meatballs in preparation for their arrival. We were worried about space and keeping everyon happy but the weather was great and we had a fabulous time.

 But, the first morning one of the dogs escaped. While Gary was chasing after him he fell on his face on the sidewalk. He came back with the dog and a bloody face. He had to get 7 stitches. Tessa and Hathaway ran into each other on bikes and smashed Hathaway's finger. She cried all night in pain and it was swollen and bruised. We worried it was broken but thanks to a pediatric consult with our good friend at church, it was determined that it was just a bad bruise. Sunday we went for a walk at some gardens. Right before we left, Tessa ran right into a tree. Blood started spurting from her eye. We took her to urgent care where she got her eyebrow glued.

But, we still had lots of fun! And who will forget this weekend?

Dance Recital

 Hathaway finished a year of ballet with friends. They had their final recital.

Hathaway's Birthday, April 16

 Hathaway, unlike her sister, loves big groups of friends and princesses. She wanted a Cinderella birthday party and Cinderella cake.

 She invited over a bunch of friends and we played games that helped them act out the Cinderella story. Hathaway is dressed a "bridal" Cinderella (in case you were wondering).

 All of the girls got dressed up (with make-up too) and played freeze dance for the ball.

 Here are our "helpers": 2 mice, the Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and the announcer and picture taker.

 Opening presents with friends.

 The whole group! What fun!

One more present to open when dad got home.

Tessa's Birthday, April 10

 Tessa's birthday was much anticipated. She wanted to open her presents from mom and dad on her birthday, but it was a busy day. So, she woke up early to open the present before dad left for work. A new bike! She was excited and is riding like a wiz now.

 Tessa just wanted to do something with her friend Nina for her birthday (she doesnt like big groups). We invited Nina and Bridget (her sister and Hathaway's friend) to a play place and then back to our house for pizza.

 And, she didn't want cake. She chose chocolate caramel tart instead (and who can blame her?).

The two birthday girls. They love having basically 2 weeks celebrating their birthdays.

Conference

 Here we are watching conference. The kids played bingo with cheerios and chocolate chips (as well as eating them). Hathaway was a bridal princess dancing in the background. Mom tried to listen to talks.

Anatomy of a Spring Break

Day 1: Hike in the Sourlands with dad

Day 2: (after Easter weekend) Spring cleaning. The kids cleaned out 4 garbage bags from the basement for donation or garbage and deep cleaned their rooms.

Day 3: Play with cousins while mom works.

Day 4: Drive to Ocean City, MD. See cool hotel with atrium full to rides, games and a swimming pool. Play on the beach. Swim in pool.

Day 5: Drive to Assateague Visitors Center. Drive around Assateague Island: see wild horses, go on nature walks, have a car picnic lunch. Visit large candy store.

Day 6: Drive home. Clean out the car. Play boxcar children while mom cleans out the car. Watch Matilda for movie night.

Day 7: First soccer game and conference.



 This is one of the rides in the atrium at our hotel.

 The visitor's center at Assateague.

 On the island--this is part of an old highway that was destroyed in a storm.

 One of the famous wild horses (we saw 16 total).

This is at the candy store. Oakley picked it up and said...."how many licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop". For some reason Bryce thought about that commercial a month or so ago and we showed it to the kids on youtube. They thought it was hilarious.

March 2013

 In March Oakley earned his Weblos in Scouts. He worked hard all year, especially during the summer.

 Bryce had a happy birthday. He took Oakley and Tessa  to the natural history museum in NY as his gift to himself. I don't know who liked it more--him or the kids (probably him). They said they had to force him past some of the bird exhibits so they could keep moving.

 We had a cold March--even a snow storm. Hathaway took advantage to play in the snow.

 Just a few weeks later we were out looking for Easter eggs.

 Bryce hid them all over the yard with nothing in them and they were just as happy to look for them as when they are filled with candy (they did get some candy in their baskets, in case you were worried about them).

 Easter clothes are hard because Tessa does not like dresses or wearing anything too girly (ie pink). Hathaway loves fancy dresses. So, we came up with these skirts as a compromise--the Easter bunny is pretty smart.