My Loves...

It was our Spring trip to visit my grandparents at the farm this past weekend! It was so wonderful and perfect- the weather was super nice and the kids had a great time as usual. I got to spend some of the best hours with those I love and treasure- couldn't ask for more- except that they could be in better health. My grandpa's body has too much sodium, so his legs are seeping fluid because the skin just can't stretch anymore. My grandma's memory is getting worse, so she isn't much help in remembering that he can't have salt! I am going to get back up there in the next couple of months- these are the times that can't wait!
But here are some pics of while we were there- the kids and the horses in the pasture- and our pic of all of us together.

So, till we see them again, I am counting on a bunch of prayers and hoping all is well with them. Oh how I love them.

D

C

Popi Pandemonium

Well, our visit and fun time with Popi is over for this year...so sad...we love our time with him and cherish it, so when he flies home, we are heartbroken for a long time. The kids thoroughly enjoyed every minute with him, hardly giving him breathing space at times. They loved bringing him things, showing him their stuff, helping him eat peeps, and watching movies with him. Celeste got the most time with him, since Alex and Leah were in school, so she relished the opportunity to sing to him, dance around, and bring him yogurt for breakfast everyday. She could not get enough of him. They cried when they woke up and he had left- even though they said goodbye the night before...a Popi's love is like no other.
It was cold and rainy for the first few days this week. Then, I came down with a horrible flu, so he took care of me and Celeste- such a blessing. Then it got nice, and we went to one of Dana's games and then on Friday, when it was really nice, we went to Campus, like we always do and spent time there- we even took the kids out early for that and they loved it. If only we could've had more days like these...

Personal space?!

He actually bought that hat!

Alex told me today that he wishes Popi could stay 2 weeks with us- I said maybe next year! We will see, but the best part is that they will hopefully be moving back in 2 years, possibly 3- that's not that far- they have been gone 9 already! We hate it! We hope Popi knows how loved he is and how we are already counting down the days till he comes next spring!

11

11 years, 3 kids, and 2 crazy parents still in love! Sounds surreal, but it is my life- honestly, it is all I dreamed it would ever be- I love you, Dana! I am looking forward to more of this amazing, wonderful, fun, quirky, laughable, joyful life with you....it seems like just yesterday, except that I had long hair- I am pretty much the same, right?! Ha! Another reason I adore him!

Festivities...

This week was full for us! I mean, full! It went by very quickly, and then the Easter weekend was upon us, and it was even busier! It started on Tuesday, when Abby and Emma were here and Leah had an egg hunt for them. She really wanted to hide the eggs for them, and then help them find them- she is going to be a great babysitter someday!

Friday night, Leah and I had a girls night out- we went to see The Hannah Montana Movie! Opening night, no less! We met up with my friend Katie and her daughters Julia and Anna- it was so fun! I even liked the movie!! Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture, but the memories of Leah at the movie are priceless- she danced and sang throughout the entire movie! We loved it!

On Saturday, the kids and I colored their eggs- I don't really love the mess of this activity, but thankfully since my kids are getting older, they don't make too much of one! I only gave them a few colors, and 10 eggs, so it was fast and not so bad. Before the community egg hunt, we had our own....Dana had a youth activity, so it was just me hiding all the eggs- I hid 74! Well, hiding them is an overstatement- I pretty much just threw them all over our yard...it was a beautiful, sunny day, and the kids just love finding them- they actually filled them, so no big surprise there! We don't do baskets, or the Easter Bunny, so they just find a "prize egg" and turn that into me for a surprise. They get baskets full of candy and fun things from Grandma, so we just do Starburst jelly beans in ours, because we know that they will get eaten!!

The community egg hunt was a first for us. The weather has been terrible all the Easter's we have lived here. But Saturday, it was sunny, but windy- so we headed out there- wow! There were people everywhere! We even had to park on the street! We made it just in time! I sent Alex and Leah to hunt with friends, so I could take Celeste. They made out way better than her- she only got 3 eggs! Some of the eggs had candy and money! They got over $6 between them, but some kids got $50 gift cards! Now that is a prize egg! We had a house showing later in the afternoon, so admist all this happening, and being without Dana, I was really stressing! The house got ready, and to kill the time, we took a family drive- what a really nice day for that! The girls fell asleep- bonus!
Before church today, we took some pics of everyone looking their best for Easter Sunday! After church, we headed to my parent's house for dinner- so good- and an egg hunt with fun treats and prizes- the grand finale to the festivities. I love Easter! I love the true meaning of it all- this morning before church, we watched the Easter movie "To This End Was I Born"- it solidified all that I know to be true of our Savior's life and mission on this earth- all that He came to do- I am so grateful for my testimony and knowledge that HE LIVES! I love the Resurrection and that I can repent and strive to live my life in accordance with His commandments that I, too may live again with Him and this amazing family of mine. I love my Savior and I love all that I have been given here on earth. I could not ask for more.

Park, Popi and Pancakes...

Last week, I took Celeste to the park, since it was really sunny and nice...problem was...the WIND! It was so windy, we only made it last about a half hour, then I convinced her that we could go home and eat lunch outside, which we did, but before we left, I snapped these.







On Friday, 12 of us went to dinner at Bob Evans with Granny for dinner! It was so fun and we just love having dinner with Granny. Here are some pics of everyone.
Oh how the kids love Aunt Ivy!

She practically drank the syrup.


4 Ortman boys
She really is crazy like that!

We have thoroughly enjoyed having Popi stay with us! The kids haven't left him alone- poor guy. We watched and loved all of General Conference on Saturday and Sunday- so much good stuff- hard to remember it all. We look forward to Popi's return in a week. It is our Spring break this week, and it is freezing here! Sleet, and all! Sometimes Ohio is just that way-

Jumping Beans

Till We Meet...

Yesterday, very impromptu, a few of us gathered to say goodbye to Jackie, our great friend, who will be moving next week....so sad that we haven't even had that long of time together, but how close we have become- Jackie is amazing! She is multi-talented in more ways than I can count, and is the BEST storyteller- she is hilarious! She even came on our exclusive girls shopping trip last winter- she is one that I will remain friends with no matter where we live. I am sad that she has to go so fast! The spring and summer are just coming and that is when we get together and have the most fun- winter isn't so great! So, to honor her, we had a delish lunch with better than uh, you know what, cake, and cookies....my friends are the best food and treat makers! So see you later, for now, but not forever...Jackie, you will be MISSED!! At least we have Facebook to keep in touch! Heaven bless the internet!

Thanks to Spencer, Suzanne's 6 year old, for being the only one able to take the picture!!