Spring has Sprung

The kids were out of school for a four day weekend for Mardi Gras. Since it was freezing and raining the day of the parade I sent Dave with the girls, while the boys and I napped. They came hope with quite a loot, as the rain chased the crowds away.

Since our Saturdays have been so full with soccer and swim lately it was fun to spend a day together as a family. We took the bikes up to our favorite gardens on the following Monday. Love this red barn that is along the road. I had to get a picture of the crew with it.

We rode a four mile ride around the lake loop. Spencer learned a new trick and had a blast riding the whole way without needing a break in the trailer. He loves that he is now big enough to ride with the family.

Everyone had a blast...with only minor complaining (there are a few really steep hills and they are all outgrowing their bikes). After the ride we had a picnic lunch and walked around the gardens, it is so fun to see spring in the south. It always amazes me the size and plethora of the flora here, sometimes I feel like I am in a story book.

Maren with a Camelia bloom

Jacob floating a leave down a stream...they spent so much time sending flower petals, sticks, and leaves down the water ways this time.

And the best was when there was a bridge to send them through.

Spencer navigating with his map.

The magnolia's, dogwoods, camelia, and many daffodil's, and this cool fringe flower, were in full bloom. Did I mention how much I love the spring here! Amanda really likes it as well, and collects tons of fallen blooms as we walk.

It was a bit chilly, but sometimes that is better, as we only saw a few other people the whole time and we had fun exploring the back woods area.

Back to our real world.

Amanda at her last swim meet.

She did FANTASTIC, and had a blast. We had to drive two hours to get to this one, so we made a mommy/daughter day of it and went to lunch, and shopped all afternoon. After the meet she had to swing on this awesome tire swing they had on the campus where the meet was held. She decided that she was definitely going to college here=)

And last but not least Dave and I celebrated our 12th anniversary this week. Since it fell on a Sunday we decided to include the kids on our festivities and served them a cookies and ice cream desert like we had at our reception in Logan. Amanda took it one step further and made us crowns, Maren served us water after our walk in our fancy glasses, and then we all did a scavenger hunt that didn't really go with anything, but was fun anyway.

Here's to another twelve!