Yummy!

Getting a jump start on spring...

bring it!

Saint Patrick's Day!

We had a great St. Patrick's Day with our traditional Topeka Downtown Parade.

Each year we gather with my mom's family and do it up big!

Believe it or not but this is only just a smidge of us!

Eleven my mom's twelve siblings were able to come and only a portion of us cousins could make it. We always have a blast when we are together and this year was no different. This is why I always tell people the more the merrier...this is how I grew up.

(thanks mom for not letting me in on the matching shirts!)

We were the only float with our own Saint Patrick and our own bagpiper!

I love how my kids look forward to this holiday every year...

they like to get decked out all in green...

they even dress up their pet dogs!

(no Walter did not get glasses, he found them at Mimi's and insisted on wearing them to the parade.)

Sharing a smooch with her Papa!

My older three had the honor of riding in my uncle's convertible again this year. The older cousins had volleyball tournaments this year and couldn't fill the spot.

They loved it!

Margaret didn't stop smiling and waving the entire parade. Isabella's smile faded about halfway through, but she kept her hand waving. The only way that Walter would wave was if his eyes were closed. He said that there were, "too many people looking at me!"

Walter had to hold his own with all of these little ladies.

Aunt Rachel!

My Lucky Charms!!!

Sunshine Lovin

The weather has been awesome here and we are loving the sunshine!

Put away the dust rags and the vaccuum (sick of keeping this house like a museum) and spent the day at the zoo! Loved every minute of it!

And I think that these monkeys did too!

Nothing better than a day of fresh air and friends!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look'em over with care.

About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any

you'll want to go down.

In that case, of course,

you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen

and frequently do

to people as brainy

and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,

don't worry. Don't stew.

Just go right along.

You'll start happening too.

~ Dr. Seuss

Walter chose this book tonight for his bedtime story. I almost talked him out of it because I am a bit Dr. Seussed out. Maybe it is because we just celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday, or it could be that I just got back from taking the kids to see The Lorax (loved it btw). He flashed those big brown eyes at me and of course I couldn't tell him no. As I read this part of the book I felt comfort, something I have been searching for for a few months now.

It is offical...we are moving!!!!

Kyle got a fabulous job out of state and we are off to start this next journey of our lives in the upcoming months. I am so incredibly proud of him that all of his hard work has paid off and he is getting to do exactly what he loves. I also feel very blessed and thankful that he got a job so quickly.

I am also so very sad to leave this wonderful town that we started our lives together in. Our first cozy house, the comfort I feel as I pass the hospitals that my babies were born in, the comfort of our family being so close, our friends, our church, as you can see the list goes on and on. It has taken me so long to share this on my blog because I just wasn't ready, it was almost as if it would make it too official and I certainly wasn't ready to answer a bunch of questions about it. Instead I dove right into finding a school for the kids and getting the house ready to sell. It went on the market on Friday so I have finally faced it, this is for real!

This journey is going to be a hard one for me but I truly believe it will be good. We are headed to a great place! The city is good, the people are good, the job is great, and it is within driving distance from home. Another plus is that I already have family in town! My cousin and her family just moved there in October and are loving it. A big thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Hogan for having twelve children...this means that between Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins where ever you go there is always someone in your family that lives nearby :)

A big THANK YOU to those who helped get this joint "de-cluttered" and ready to sell. Now the task of keeping it tidy with four energetic children...any advice I would gladly take!