Gotta love the water

I love this time of year! The weather is so nice (usually) and that means it is a great time for boating! We went on our first trip of the year this past Sunday.

Jake's first time on a boat! He looked so cute in his life jacket.

Once we started going, Jake was a little nervous at first and wasn't crazy with the wind blowing in his face. But soon, he was able to relax. Jimmy's mom, Crystal, came with us and Jake laid on her, enjoying the ride...

he was so relaxed, he even had his feet crossed!

We drove around for a while, stopped and took a little dip (Crystal and I didn't go all the way in). Jimmy jumped into the water (only 59 degrees!). We took some pictures then drove around some more when Jake fell asleep on me.

(eek!! me without make-up)

I don't know how with all that noise and movement. But he must have had a good time and a long day because on the way home... there he was again, sleeping.

It was such a blast and I can't wait for the thousands other trips we will make on our boat.

Springs preserve

Last Friday, Stephanie and I took the boys to the Springs Preserve. My aunt told me about this place and we figured it would be a nice outing for the kids and us. It was a lot more fun than I had anticipated, even though Jake was a little cranky the whole day... he didn't get his afternoon nap.

We got there, and before we even got our tickets, there were beautiful flowers, a small river and some caves that we took the boys pictures in. Once through the gates, we went into a building that had so many different things going on. There was a train car for the boys to look around in,

statues that us girls took pictures with,

and interactive learning games we played.



Outside were different animals and we took the boys pictures with the large statue animals. So funny!

There was also a flood reenactment room that was really cool!

The gardens that were at the Springs Preserve were so beautiful. There were so many different types of flowers and plants. I loved it! There was also a playground for the kids that had a train that Jayden loved

and Jake decided to be a turtle!

The last place we went through was how to be energy efficient. They had a garbage truck that showed how to help energy, a car simulator and a couple other cool things.

It was a great day.

Tarzan away!!!!!!

I finally got it on video! Jake acting like Tarzan! After many failed attempts, last night Jake was in a good enough mood to let Daddy video tape him as we did his Tarzan. It's really a silly thing. I help him bang (tap really) his hands on his chest as he yells (it's a soft yell) like Tarzan. We've been doing this routine for friends and family for about a month and now I'd like to share it with you. Personally I think it is the funniest thing!

Also, just this morning, he has been getting on his knees and hands and rocking back and forth. I give him a month and he will be crawling. This kid wants to move SOOO bad it frustrates him. I got a couple pictures. I just don't know how well they are, or if you can really tell.

He got a little tired after all that hard work...

Man, my little man is growing so fast!

Easter Bunny stopped by the Belanger house

I was really looking forward to Easter this year. It was Jake's first Easter and I just love that now I have a family of my own to enjoy these holidays and I get to see it from a parent's perspective. It's just an incredible turn of events that makes you appreciate the holidays and your family (mainly your parents) that much more.

We woke up Easter morning and opened our baskets. We let Patches go first because she was snooping through everything else and thought it would distract her. She got a stuffed animal lamb that Jake picked out, a doggy cookie and some tennis balls.

Then Jake's turn! He got several outfits, some swim outfits (trunks and a full piece suit for the boat), a couple movies, a stuffed animal elephant and a truck.

I got Marley and Me!!!!!! I'm so glad the "Easter Daddy" got the hint that I wanted that movie. HAHA Patches was really excited about the movie too!

And Jimmy was the final one to open his basket. He got some swim trunks, candy galore, a movie and some silly little toys.

The rest of the day was filled with me baking, Jake sleeping and Jimmy working in the yard. We then went over to Justin, Stephanie and Jayden's for dinner. It was delicious! We had ham, ribs, beef sandwiches, all the sides and desserts. The kids all opened gifts from Nana and PopPop. Jake got a basket from them with an outfit, a movie and treats as well as candy for mom and dad and another basket from Justin, Stephanie and Jayden with some toys and treats. Auntie Autumn got Jake a little bunny that chirps. He's pretty fascinated with it. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures from that night...

It was such a great day! And next year we can have our Easter Egg hunt!

Crafts!!!

I finally finished another craft project. It is a Spring sign for our house. Next, I'm planning on making one for our front door, then one for each season to hang up. Here is a picture!!!

I actually planned on doing it differently, but I like how it turned out this way more! I modge podged it. (SP??) YAY! I had never done that before.

Picture time...

Last night, Jimmy's family all got together to get Belanger Family Pictures. They really turned out so cute! The boys were so good. I'm happy they were both in good moods and smiled during the pictures! Here are some of them.

Peter Cotton Tail is Coming to Town!

This past weekend, our little family took a trip up to my dad and step mom's house. My step brother is leaving for basic training and we wanted to see him before he left. So we loaded the truck and drove up to St. George on Friday. Saturday, there was a nice lunch prepared for the family. Brock, Alicia, Atley and my grandparents were there too! It was a lot of fun and the kids got to open some Easter gifts.

Jake got a cute dancing bunny from Brock, Alicia and Atley and some bath toys, a book and some cookies from Grandma Dawn Ann and Grandpa Curt. The kids all went and played outside after lunch. Jake and I sat on the grass while the girls played with some flowers.

Sunday, we got ready and Grandpa Curt, Grandma Dawn Ann, Brock, Alicia, Atley and the three of us got some lunch and headed over to the park. We didn't get a ton of pictures but Jake and I did a little swinging and sliding. Atley was going up and down the slides too! It was such a beautiful day! (Don't mind the hideousness of me in the pictures)

Earlier in the week, Jake got his first Easter present from Granny, Gramps and Aunt Maddie. He got an adorable outfit for summer, a stuffed animal dinosaur (which he loves... I swear this kid is obsessed with stuffed animals) and a sippy cup with his name on it!

Jake and I also made gifts for our family for Easter. We made Easter bunny suckers and jelly bean carrots and put them in little baskets.

It's so crazy to think that this Sunday will already be Easter... the middle of April, and the start of spring! Where has time gone? It's causing me to go CrAzY!!