Mystery plant

This plant "appeared" in our back yard last year. I love flowers and plant A LOT of them each year but I do not have any memory of planting this one. When we first moved in I ordered a lot of bulbs from Michigan Bulb Company. It is possible it snuck in on me. I have no idea whether it is a weed or a flower but it's really pretty. Does anyone know what it is?

My girls

Baylee heading to her tennis lesson today

Mom...it's too sunny to smile!

Baylee was doing cartwheels all over the yard and stopped long enough for me to snap a picture

Mini Marathon

This morning I took the girls to see my dad finish the mini marathon. We are so proud of him. He has been running the triple crown races for many years and has even run the full marathon. He would never brag on himself but I can do it for him. Dad you inspire me every day with your self discipline and determination. One of these days I am going to run beside you and make you proud! You are the best. We love you!!!!!

Thunder 2009

Our third annual "Thunder on the Hill" or as some are now calling it "The Willows of Thunder" was a success!! The only positive thing about our country being in a recession is that with the housing market struggling, the hill behind our house remains. With this comes our Thunder celebration. We have decided that if they try to take our hill away we will have to silently protest by laying in the hill. Okay, so anyway, Shadd was such a trooper yesterday and braved the hill and cleared it off. I think once he got started he let it get the best of him. I looked out the back window and he had somehow taken the lawn mower to the top and was mowing it. Then he came down looking for stakes and string to rope off the edges for everyone. Then he used flags to mark the path on the way up. Great work honey!!!! We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and neighbors!!!

The Stewart Family

Say cheese everyone!!

Elise and Olivia

Presley and Landen with their adorable smiles!

Presley wasn't too sure where they were taking her

Scooter and Bethany

Bryce and Landen

Cornhole and our firepit on the right that Shadd put together yesterday with pavers and rock. He was a busy boy!

Aaron and Catherine

Our family

Matt, Olivia and Elise(who at this point was zonked out!)

The Fuller family

My adventurous husband. He was leading the hike up to the top with all of his supplies in tow. He had beverages, fruit snacks, etc. I think he is a boy scout at heart.

Here's the gang waiting for the fireworks to begin. Notice the official looking rope. Gotta love it!

Our view of the fireworks. It's not as close as the river but it is great for the little ones. Not too loud and absolutely no traffic!!! Let's hope our hill is here for 2010!!!!

The Easter bunny came to visit!!!

Somehow I got these pictures reversed on here so they go from last to first. I think that means my brain has shut down for the night! Anyway, the first picture is of the girls after they have hunted all of their eggs.

Bethany finding out that her sister is a little faster at hunting eggs. They didn't have an equal number of them.

the hunt

Baylee and her basket

Bethany and her basket

Getting ready for the Easter bunny

Our tradition for the Easter bunny is that the girls go and get their Easter baskets and empty them and leave them by the fireplace for the Easter bunny to fill. This year they were really xcited to get them all ready.

Decorating Easter eggs

The girls (and mommy and daddy) had fun decorating Easter eggs. Baylee had HSM accents of course and Bethany had princess.

Mommy made daddy a special egg

Tennis

Baylee has started her tennis lessons again with Miss Morgan. She loves to play so we'll see what happens.

Bethany came with me to watch sissy. I'm hoping she will love it too. Maybe we we will see the Clarke sisters on tour some day! :)

Literacy Night

Last Thursday Baylee particiaped in her school's Literacy Night. Her class read aloud a couple of stories. Each Kindergarten student had a part. I know I'm her mom but she did such an amazing job. I am in awe at how quickly she has absorbed everything. She is like a little sponge. Shadd and I are so proud of her and it melts my heart to see her up there looking like such a big girl!!! She is changing so fast, I'm trying not to blink so I don't miss anything.

Mrs. Kendrick, Baylee and classmates
Baylee reading her part

Our girls

The perfect sunrise

If only each morning could begin this beautifully!!!!!!

Spring is here!!!

Sorry...more flower pictures. These are from our yard. Not too much blooming yet. I'm ready to dig in the dirt!!!!

I really like this one!!!

Nana and Pops

The girls and I visited Nana and Pops Sunday. Some of their flowers were in bloom so we took a few pictures. Their yard is one of my favorite places to take pictures. I think maybe they are quite responsible for my love of gardening. Thanks mom and dad!!!!