Happy Easter!

We had a bright and early Easter morning at our house, as we had to fit in the Easter basket and egg-finding festivities before 7:30 (Matt and I had to sing in the choir at the 8:00 service). The kids had no problem getting up, though, and headed straight for their baskets, filled with candy that I will be eating for the next few weeks.

Both kids do, however, love Reeses Pieces, especially when they're in packages resembling carrots. I will have to be fast to get in on those goodies (good thing I bought extra this year).

Here they are, ready to go, fueled up on Grandpa's cinnamon bread.

Later we went to Angie and Jason's to celebrate. We had our annual sunroom photo shoot.

The cousins: Laura, Karl, Colin, Justin

Mom and Dad

The whole group: Matt, Laura, Me, Karl, Colin, Jason, Angie, Justin, Dad, Mom, Jennifer, and Brian.

Hope everyone had a happy Easter!

Pre-Easter Fun

On Thursday the kids and I dyed Easter Eggs, and I always cook extra in anticipation of the ones that will break during the decorating (and then I get to make egg salad), but this year, none broke, and I shed another tear over my babies who keep growing up (I actually had to break a few eggs myself, because I was looking forward to an egg salad sandwich for lunch that day).

Laura makes sure they don't stay in the color too long, because she thinks they should be light and pastel instead of dark and bright. I think they look pretty springy indeed!

Today we went to St. Paul to an orchestra concert at the Ordway. Here we are in the mezzanine before the concert.

And it's now tradition that we eat at Pop!! after any St. Paul Chamber Orchestra show. Laura says it's the coolest restaurant in the world. My pictures didn't turn out there though, so you'll all just have to wait until I get my new camera...

Stay tuned for tomorrow's Easter pictures!

Matt's Birthday Weekend

Poor Matt had to get up early on his birthday on Friday to have his birthday doughnuts and carmel rolls before the kids left for school. But this super cool mug the kids gave him totally made it worth it!

Luckily for Matt, it was also a short school day and the school carnival on his birthday. He got to take the kids while I was working there. Here's Karl doing some minnow-racing.

Both kids always go for the crazy hair booth.

Pam and Fred met us there and took over so we could actually go out. Laura and Karl stayed overnight with them, so we also got to sleep late. The house was eerily quiet when we woke up (at 9).

Then Pam and Fred took the kids to Como Park with Aly and Emily, so we got the whole day to ourselves!

Laura's Music Program

The third- and fourth-graders had their music program tonight, and Laura was, as usual, more than happy to perform. She was chosen to be in a small group of singers, so she was really excited. The program was called, "I Have a Dream: Songs of Peace, Hope, and Freedom." Laura wouldn't tell us anything about the program beforehand, so the whole show was brand new to all of us.

Laura wore the dress she got from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas.

While we were trying to get a good picture of Laura, Karl got jealous and started leaping across the frame. After this one, we scolded him and he started crying. Now we feel bad because it's a pretty cool picture!

Laura is in the very back row, just to the left of the director.

Of course, we all wanted to have our pictures taken with her after the show!

Laura with Grandma and Grandpa

Laura with Oma and Opa

Laura with her music teacher, Jaime Holmstrom

Nice job Laura! Brava!

Belated Birthday Pictures

A couple weeks ago, when I turned the fabulous age of 35, I was the lucky recipient of a three-pack of bamboo back scratchers from the kids. Yay! Just what I always wanted! (Seriously, you have no idea how often I make Matt scratch my back-- "use more nails!") After the birthday doughnuts, we immediately tried out the new scratchers. Note the huge pile of Girl Scout cookies in the background. 15 boxes. All gone (except for a few Trefoils, but they don't really count as cookies; they're more like crackers who really want to be cookies but fail).

Later that day, we went out to Applebee's for dinner (it was a school night so we couldn't go too far...).

And here's a picture of Laura right after her "Treasure Hunt" class at the Science Museum yesterday. She's wearing a pirate hat, but she said the class wasn't all about pirates. Nor did they do a proper treasure hunt (Laura said they did one on a map, but I'm not sure what that means). She was very vague about the whole thing, but said it was fun. Ok. Good enough.

Matt's Trololo

Matt has been singing this nonstop for the past week and a half. For the few of you who haven't seen it yet, here it is. Enjoy...

Minnesota Meissner Cousins' Sledding Weekend

Aly and Emily were in town this weekend, so the four cousins had fun hanging out at Oma and Opa's, and doing lots of sledding.

Laura, Karl, Aly, Emily

Laura and Aly

Emily and Karl

Matt and I had a nice afternoon and evening to ourselves on Saturday. It was win-win-win for everybody!