Spring Break 2015

 Don't worry.  There are only 97 pictures in this post.  Ha!
I have to admit, I was not really looking forward to Spring Break all that much.  The kids had been fighting a lot right before school let out, and I was dreading the constant bickering without a break.  However, it turned out to be a wonderful week.  The kids were awesome and had little to no fighting.  It was wonderful.  I loved being able to relax in the mornings and not have to rush off to school.  I didn't have to worry about packing lunches or signing papers.  We just relaxed and had a GREAT time.  I've learned that the way to have a great day is to have some things structured and planned and to leave some things open and carefree.  That pretty much summed up our week.  We did really fun, active things in the mornings and then rested and played in the afternoons.  I am now really looking forward to Summer.
I love the pure innocence and happiness that these first pictures shows.  It was a perfect Spring day.  The sun was shining, it was warm, we had bathing suits on and sprinklers going.  I loved hearing the kids' giggle every time they got hit by the sprinkler.  The top picture though is my favorite.  Doesn't that just scream Summer to you?  Love it!

 The kids love getting the slide wet and then slipping down it.  It's the little things in life.

 Pure joy.

 We also thought it would be fun and a good learning experience to plant a garden this year.  It was more work and more money than I thought it would be.  The kids liked putting it all together though.  However, if you look at our garden right now, you would be ashamed at how awful we're keeping it up.  That's our next task to do this week.  ;-)
Look at those hard working boys.  They were trying really, really hard to help.

 We always tell our kids that we don't raise lazy Lees.  They were good sports about it that night.

 Jenna did not appreciate the lack of attention.  She has no trouble showing her emotions.

 We also had St. Patrick's Day during Spring Break.  I slept in that morning and Anna got everyone breakfast.  Everyone had green bowls, green cups, and they were all forced to eat Lucky Charms.  She was such a good little mommy.

 On one day during the break, we took a bike ride to the playground.  It could not have been a more beautiful day.  All of the trees were blooming, the weather felt like paradise, and the kids were happy.  We had a great time!

 You can hardly see Anna in this picture but I wanted to show the Tallahassee trees.  So beautiful.

 We had to stop to see the turtles, of course.

 We brought our picnic to the park.  ;-)

 Melts my heart every time.

 Jenna went swinging for the first time and laughed the whole time.  She loved it!

 Ha!!

 The kids made some Easy Bake Oven cakes that night.  They love being able to bake by themselves.  They are always so proud.

 Daniel's new "cheese" face.  Oh boy....

 Jenna needed her picture taken too, of course.

 We even went swimming that week.  By we, I mean the kids.  I need the pool to be about 78 degrees before I'll consider getting in.  It was about 61 degrees that day.  The kids had been begging us all day.  I told them they could get in if they wanted but if I saw their lips turn blue, they had to get out.  They agreed and after about 15 or so minutes, we all went inside for a warm bath.  They loved swimming so much though, and it made me super excited to be able to swim every day in the summer time.

 Love this picture!

 Josh got called to be on the high council so my parents came down to be with us that weekend.  It was so fun to have them here.  I love living so close to them.  Amongst other things, we went to a park.  I love this park.  It has this huge dock that you can go see about 20 turtles swimming at the same time.  We brought bread to feed the turtles and the geese.  It was so fun.

 Daniel was obsessed with the turtles.  His favorite line was, "There's a BIG ONE right there!"

 We had some fun playground time too.

 Even Granny got in on the action.

 Crazy ol' Dad.

 Jenna's face pretty much sums up the day.

 We had just come from t-ball practice, hence the dirty clothes.

 We also packed a picnic lunch to enjoy outside in the fresh air.

 This park also had a little hiking trail.  The kids LOVED it, and so did I.

 Anna ADORES her granny.

 Granny found a turtle for the kids to see up close.  They thought it was super cool..

 We also went and saw Cinderella at the theaters.  It was so cute.  Anna was in heaven the whole time.

 By the end of the week, we were all pooped and ready to relax.  We spent our Sunday night with blankets and popcorn as we watched home videos together.  This has been a fun tradition that we've started in our family.  The kids love watching videos of themselves and we love seeing how much everyone has grown in just the past couple of years.  It really was a fun week and now we can't wait for summer!