Fiesta!

Cinco de Mayo was on a Wednesday this year, so the high school leaders thought it would be fun to have a party for the HSers at our house (instead of meeting with our small groups at the church).  Josh decorated our house in red, white, and green streamers & balloons, and everyone helped with the food & drinks.  It was a really fun night!

Taco/Burrito Bar

Mexican Train Dominos

We watched Nacho Libre... (:

The Haymans brought the entertainment: a chicken pinata!

I was in charge of guarding our TV (:

Griffin looking up at Daddy

Happy Birthday, Cedar!

It's hard to believe that our littlest nephew, Cedar, is already one!!  The Henrys invited lots of family and friends over on his special day, May Day, for a BBQ in their backyard!

Cedar standing at his new water table toy from Kenton's parents.

Griffin, Finn, & Macey

 The chicken coop is finished and the chicks are now living in it. (:

Cedar wasn't quite sure what to do with all of his presents!

Katrina got Cedar to crawl toward the presents by enticing him with tissue paper. (:

Such a big boy!

The kids all loved Cedar's new sandbox!

Cedar had help blowing out his candle from big brother, Finn.

1st taste!

Ronan trying to wait patiently for his cupcake. (:

Cedar wasn't sure about the cupcake at first, but then he made sure to get every last bit.  He kept saying, "Numm, numm." (:

Super Uncle Josh holding Macey & Emma and pushing Ethan in the swing. The kids love it and he doesn't mind it at all. (:

Audrey's Performance

On April 27th we went up to Albany to watch our oldest niece, Audrey, perform in a school musical.  It was fun to be there to hear her sing her solos and recite her lines. (:  She did such a great job!  It was a cute little production all about the history of jazz.

Good job, Audrey!  We are so proud of you!

Before heading home, we made a quick stop at DQ for dipped cones and Blizzards with Brad and the kids. (:

Women's Retreat

The weekend of April 23-25th was our church's annual Women's Retreat at Grove Christian Camp in Cottage Grove.  Becca, Sydney, and I rode to the retreat together and bunked in a cabin with some of the other women from our moms group. The theme of the weekend was The Journey--and we all had an amazing, emotional, fun-filled time!

Sisters

Sisters-in-law (:

We stayed up late each night playing games and talking.  During the day we got to enjoy some great teaching from various speakers and then discuss what we were learning in our small groups.

Group shot of the girls in our cabin~
Amy, Stephanie, Denise, Amy J
Malia, Sydney, me, Becca, and Bethany

me, Mom, & Becca

The young moms with Ann & Mom (our mentors from the Moms of Grace group)

At the end of the retreat we all stood shoulder-to-shoulder around the campfire as we "let go" of the baggage and burdens that we all carry with us on our journeys through life.  It was a really special moment being there with such a great group of women!

Happy Birthday, Aaron!

We celebrated Aaron's Birthday on April 22nd (the day before his actual b-day) with banana cream pie and snickerdoodle cookies. (:  Yummy dessert choices, Aaron!!

 Sadie with the Birthday Dad

A new dress shirt from us. (:

baby Lauren

My friend, Melissa, had her baby on April 19th and we got to stop by for a quick visit when they got home from the hospital!  Lauren Grace is such a precious little girl, who I'm sure will be well looked after by her two big brothers, Kaiser & Christian!  We are so excited for their family!

April Birthdays continue

We celebrated my 32nd birthday and Amy's 31st birthday with all the Ruddicks at our house on Sunday, April 18th.  

It turned out to be a sunny day, so the kids got to play in the backyard.
Josh with his sweet nieces, Macey & Audrey

Dylan wanted to be in the picture, too. (:

Darth Mom & Cowgirl Grammie (:

Grammie & Grandpa made the dessert~ strawberry shortcake!

One last picture of the two birthday girls!