FLORIDA...

was AWESOME!! If you've never been, GO! It was the best trip ever. Emma thought she was in heaven, and it couldn't have been better for Tal because we were outside ALL day. Here are a few of my favs: 

  

There's more!!

It seems as though our house is quite popular with the birds. Frankly, I feel like we are running a birdie hotel. As fun as it is to see these little babies, I think it's time to hang out my "No Vacancy" sign and we'll be taking NO more reservations for this year. As cute as they are, they sure make a mess... if you know what I'm saying!

So, the babies from my previous post have all flown out of their nests, but when I went under our deck to check after we got home from Florida I discovered nest number two! As I looked a little closer I realized that 2 of them had fallen out of the nest. I thought, "You're mommy is going to be so sad," so I picked them both up, climbed the ladder and put them back in the nest where there were 2 more. All four had just barely, barely hatch and didn't have any feathers at all and there eyes were still closed. Yay! I saved the day! 

And since you all, I'm sure, want to know this it's not true that if you touch a baby bird that momma won't come back. I called a bird refuge place (yep, I did) and they said that the momma's really can't smell that well and they will come back and take care of their babies!! That makes sense right! Just because Tal stinks sometimes doesn't mean I'm going to fly off and not come back!! 

They were right! Mama came back and here they are all grown up and ready to fly away!

Our next guests were quite a surprise! My friend Cammie so nicely pointed them out after mama bird  about took her out as she was walking to our front door.

Do you like my wreath? Isn't it pretty? I made it myself!! 

I did not put this there! (I think it was added while we were in Florida)

Or these!
Or this!!!!!
Last year my problem was is the birds would sit in the middle of the wreath and poop down my door. Apparently I makes a nice place to have some babies too! Oh, boy. Although, these have been fun for Emma. Yesterday morning we checked them and 3 of them had hatched and had their beaks wide open waiting for momma and the fourth was pecking with his little beak through a little hole in his egg. SO CUTE!! Emma was dying. All four are here now, and I'm expecting more poop on my door very soon! 

Look what we found...

There were 4 of these sweet little babies in a nest under our deck! I couldn't get all four of them in the picture because a couple of them were nestled right down and cozy in the nest. As we played and were watching them, all of a sudden one of them took his first flight out of the nest!! It was so much fun. I'm so glad it's Spring!

My Five:

1. Living close to very culinary talented relatives who invite us to enjoy their yummy meals. Dita just made leg of lamb the other day. Oh, my yum!

2. Exercising!

3. Meeting new friends. 

4. Seeing Emma's smile in the morning

5. Knowing that I'll be in Florida in 4 days for a week!!! Yeah baby!

Guess who's 1!

Mr. Tal turned one years old on Easter! So it was a big, fun day. We celebrated with Grandpa and Grandma Coleman and Aunt Dita. We feel so lucky to live close to those who love us and our kids so much. It was a such a fun day!

This is Tal with his new and very cool fire truck!

And of course the wrapping paper got a lot of attention as well!

Here's the cake. I wish I could be one of those cake makers that create amazing cakes. I always start out with a great picture in mind and if I'm lucky I get it to look somewhat like I had pictured!!

Tal has been such a great influence in our home. He is so happy and relaxed. He has taught me the importance of taking time to enjoy the things I have. He loves whatever he has and wherever he is! He makes everyone smile. He has become such a fast crawler .I don't remember Emma just taking off the way he does. It's very funny! He's just a little ball of fun and joy! I feel very fortunate to be his mother! Happy Birthday buddy!

More Easter!

Just some fun pictures of Emma's Easter Egg hunt at school!

And Easter Morning! 

Happy Easter to you!

The kids and I went with some friends and had a very fun "Easter" outing. Parina Farms is a little petting zoo and every year they set up a darling Easter Village with all the new baby animals. Emma's favorites were the bunnies!

Cooper, Emma, Mr. Bunny, and Aubree

And a classic!!

Happy Easter everyone!!

My Five:

1. Wonderful words from inspired church leaders

2. Going to a Cardinals game with my hubby... even though they played awful! AAAHHH. Just once I'd like to see them win in person. Maybe I have some seriously bad karma when I enter Busch Stadium?!

3. The crock-pot. Need I say more!

4. Easter egg hunts! (pictures to come)

5. Preparing extra meals and freezing them! Thaw, bake, done! 

A visit to the fire station

Our school district belongs to a cute program called Parents as Teachers, and every so often they sponsor fun outings. This time is was to the fire station. This was perfect! Emma always asks when she can go there (because it's right next door to our church building she asks a lot...) and Matt still wishes he could be a fireman (what little boy doesn't want to be a fireman... although I really think he still wants to be one! ) they where both very excited to go.

Matt wishes this was him :

Fun Daddy-Daughter day!

Happy Spring!

Doesn't this say Spring?! Courtesy of Emma!

My Five:

1. Sunny days!

2. Emma's fun friends at school

3. Happy hour at Sonic! Blue Powerade slushies... 54 cents!

4. When Matt says, "Let's BBQ!" That means I get the night off!!

5. Emma's sweetness. She just asked me where her preschool teachers go to church, and I told her I didn't know. She asked if they learn about the prophet, and I said, "No, they don't know we have a prophet to lead us." Then she said, "Oh, well I'll tell them on Friday at school!" 

Outside we go!

Lately it seems that we've had some really super cold days, and poor Tal just stares out the windows and at the door just hoping for a chance to go out.

Luckily last week it warmed up so we took full advantage. Into the wagon we went! Tal could hardly control himself with excitement. It really is refreshing to have these kinds of days as a mom. It puts a new spring in everyone's step! We had fun.

Peeek-A-Boo!!

My Five:

1. Spring flowers peeking out of the ground. You can't help but smile.

2. Desserts! We have a recipe exchange night with the very culinary talented ladies in our ward and it was dessert night.

3. Our ward conference at church was one to be remembered. 

4. Story time at the library.

5. Being married to my eternal companion. Six years out of eternity seems kind of insignificant, but they have been so full! I feel extremely loved and blessed.

6 years and counting!

March 1 was our Anniversary, and since it fell on Sunday we partied on Friday! I left a fun surprise for Matt at work, but his surprise was far more impressive. He made us a reservation at a place called Flemming's, one of those restaurants that everyone should at least experience once in their life (mostly because it might take that long to pay off the bill you ring up... just kidding, sort of)!!! Just the experience of sitting there and receiving the wonderful treatment was such fun, not to mention the incredible food. Matt had mentioned when we made the reservation that it was our anniversary and throughout the night the manager and a handful of others would come and congratulate us. Very nice! And as we were about to leave our waiter brought out this little golden box:

And when I opened it, it revealed four of the most beautiful things I've ever seen (maybe not ever, but close):

Matt knows how much I love tulips, so starting from our first anniversary he has given me a tulip for ever year we've been married. Aren't these 6 lovely ladies beautiful!

We had a wonderful evening, and I feel especially blessed and lucky to have married such a terrific person. He is my match in every way.