Easter

We're back home from our trip to Ontario for Easter.  We've been planning a visit to meet my sister's new baby boy Jack ever since he was born in January.  Easter seemed like the best opportunity for everyone to get together. 

Stratford is such a lovely little town to visit.  My favourite thing to do there (tied with going to the toy store...it's the best toy store ever) is going for a walk along the river.

The three older kiddies got scooters as an early Easter gift from Nana and Poppa.  They had fun scootin' all around the neighbourhood.  Makayla was nice enough to let me try hers out.

Time for a break at the playground...

Then there were all the Easter festivities. First off was decorating the gingerbread bunny hut (A Christmas tradition with an Easter spin).  I thought my nephew Ethan and I did a top notch job.

And no Easter is complete without dying eggs.  Besides all the chocolate, this is my favourite part of Easter.  Ya gotta be quick with all those kids around though, I was too busy capturing the moment that I missed out on decorating one myself.

The kids got us up early for Easter morning.  That sneaky little bunny came and hid eggs all over the house.  The boys were excited and had fun opening up their eggs.
 

With the kids all hyped up on chocolate, it was time to get outside for a little hike in the woods to get ride of some of that Easter energy they had so much of.



It was a really nice visit, but it always goes by too fast.  Now we're back home, and the boys miss their Nana and Poppa and cousins and Aunties and Uncles already.  We're looking forward to July when we'll see them all again on our turf.

Hope everyone enjoyed Easter...and some chocolate!

Lindsay

Grocery Shopping Shenanigans

One of the things I've come to really enjoy is a good ol' fashioned family trip to the grocery store (Yeah ok, so I don't get out much).  But when the timing's right (it's all about the timing) there's just something so relaxing about strolling down those isles.  And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who enjoys it...

When they scanned Casey, he came up 'priceless'

Hope everyone's enjoying their weekend!

Lindsay

Snowy Day Treasure Hunt

Rob and I went into survival mode last week...both the boys have been sick with a cold (poor little guys)  and we were hit with yet another spring blizzard to top it off.  It's been a challenge to say the least.  So after spending way too much time inside, we finally escaped the confines and took a little trip to the thrift store.  Why not?  There wasn't much else to do on a blizzardy day.

We found this sweet piano for a good deal, but some of the keys didn't work...not to mention we have no space in our home for a piano (as much as I would love one).  Liam and Casey played us a lovely little duet (in spite of the broken keys).

We did a lot of rummaging around, but in the end we came out empty handed....well, except for the two babies we carried with us of course.

Lindsay

Black Bean Brownies

These sure ain't your usual brownies (and no, I'm not talkin' the 'magical' kind).  These brownies are healthy...although you'd never know it unless you made them yourself.  The main ingredient is black beans.  I know, doesn't exactly sound appealing, but they're actually pretty tasty.  Don't take my word for it though and give them a try for yourself.  Here's the recipe (click here) that I used. 


Here's the mixture.  My hand blender worked like a charm to puree the beans.



I highly recommend accompanying your brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or frozen yogurt). It's the only way to go.

Enjoy! ...and don't forget, they are made of beans, so don't eat too many. :)

Lindsay

Spring Dump

Just when we were debating taking off the winter tires on the van...POW we get hit with a big dump of snow.  We declared it a snow day; we stayed in our comfies all day and watched a marathon of MTV's "The Real World" and cuddled with the boys.  It was cozy.
I did make it outside at one point to walk the dog.  Jack was so excited about the snow.  I even enjoyed it a little myself, only because I know it won't last and spring will back again soon.


 

Lindsay

A Nice Little Hike

Just a nice little hike, on a nice little day, with my nice little family.  :)

Happy April!
Lindsay