2 things

*I must have needed some change in my life. I have traded the locations of the kids car seats and rearranged the living room. Its a crazy life I lead.

*Yesterday, we saw 3 of the 5 chicks had hatched in our nest on the front porch. They must have been only a day or 2 old. Pretty cute and ugly at the same time. I didn't take a picture because I wasn't sure what a flash would do to the brand new little ones.

Cinderella

Laura's anniversary present for me:

Cinderella

Eggs! 2010

We colored eggs again, but we missed Aunt Kim this year. Adam was "helpful", of course. And we continued to hone our natural dye knowledge.

Red cabbage - excellent blue! (thanks Michelle)

raspberries - very light pink. I'll go back to beets next year.

turmeric - continues to be perfect for yellow

spinach/broccoli - yucky smell and yucky color

The last of the birthday pics

The amusement park at MOA is one of Laura's favorite places. She usually gets to ride one, maybe 2 rides every couple months. But they give you free unlimited rides on your birthday. So Jim took the morning off and we celebrated the actual day of her birthday riding whatever she was willing to try. We had a great time and enjoyed Ruby Tuesday's for lunch, Laura's favorite restaurant.

My old stomping grounds

I took the kids to Oklahoma last week for several days. It was probably our best trip home since Laura was born. Everyone slept, no one screamed in the car or on the airplane, and everyone was happy at least 75% of the time. Quite an accomplishment by my standards. Here's a few photos of Laura at a playground that I played at when I was a kid, and the equipment was old even then. Anyone from Ponca will recognize this park.

More photos of the rest of the trip to follow...

First water tower in Inver Grove Heights

I came out to the backyard a few weeks ago and saw my family working hard. Laura proclaimed that they were building the first water tower in Inver Grove Heights. ????

Father Daughter Dance

These pictures are from a couple weeks ago, but I can't seem to find time to put anything else together, so here's something to keep Mom happy.

Aren't they cute?

Lovely thunder

One thing that Minnesota has that San Diego didn't - thunder. I really like gently rolling thunder. Its sounds lovely right now.

Bring on the rain.

Angel Adam - April Fools

"I'm sad because my mom dressed me in my sister's fairy wings."

"Tell me the truth, do they make me look tough?"

"You! I know you can help me. Make her take them off!"

More Laura's birthday

As I mentioned before, Laura celebrated her birthday for a good week or so. Between a small preschool celebration, an early gift from a friend, a family party with Jim's folks, and the morning at the Mall of America with Jim, Adam and me, she had plenty of fun. I haven't downloaded the MOA pictures yet, but here are the rest of the pictures. I'm disappointed that I didn't get even one shot with her and her Grandparents.

"Helping" with the cake.

Decorated to her specifications

The finished product

Happy Birthday Laura!

Surprise!

?

See ya later!

An outfit worthy of a birthday.

She bought the pinwheel and basket, along with a bouncy ball and rubber duck, with birthday money.

And special breakfast on the actual morning of her birthday.