Here comes Peter Cottontail

Hoppin down the bunny trail!

We had lots of fun Easter activities this year. We went to the Egg Hunt on the Square, which was pure chaos. Imagine hundreds of Moms hyped up on Starbucks vying for hundreds of plastic eggs full of silly bands and whatnot while their kids looked on in delight. Haha!

They asked the moms not to participate in the older kids hunt...you can guees how long they stood on the sidelines!

Kate was so good with the EB! I told her she had to help with Preston, and she just ran up there and sat down beside him!

We also had an Easter Eggstravaganza at our wonderful church. Reed and Preston love each other!

Preston and his new bracelet.

Kate picking out a frame from Mrs. Becca. We are so blessed to have friends give up their Saturday mornings to love on our kids.

Kate loved the EB again! Score!

Preston is thinking, "Does no one else find this a little strange!?"

We left church and went to KKs to dye some eggs. Daddy and the uncles (Blake, Brett, and Brent) went to the Grizzlies game downtown!

Who do you think deserves this kind of sass?

Uncle Jake, of course!

On Easter Eve, I had a special night planned for Kate. She got to paint her nails for the first time!! One of my friends learned in a class in college about the lack of milestone-type rituals in the American culture and how important it is. We are trying to purposefully build these into our kids lives. What better way than some painted finger nails! haha!

Of course we did her piggies too!

She got a little confused about putting out the EB carrots on his plate...they all ended up tangled in the Easter grass in her basket.

Kate's goodies

Preston's goodies

Daddy's goodies

Poor Bandit!

Even Bitty Baby helped with the hidden eggs!

Getting ready to see what the EB brought!

Hunting for eggs

Just thrilled about this chick



Yummy Breakfast



We were all ready to leave our house by 9:30! That is a full hour before church starts which would leave us plenty of time to stop by the square for some beautiful pictures. I had been planning our outfits since Christmas, and knew exactly what I wanted and where.

And then Preston pooped on his outfit.

And then my dressed ripped.

And then Kate got chocolate egg from one of the 13 she at that morning on her dress.

And then we barely made it at 10:37.

And I couldn't help but laugh at it all.

Duck face

Laugh.

Beautiful centerpieces

My dad and his parents laughing at these dolls from Kate's Easter basket. They get in pitch with each other and sing together. So funny!

Good nap

When my mom was in the hospital to have me, my dad gave her an Easter lilly. He gets her one every year because the smell reminds her of giving birth to her favorite child. I have planted lots of them in their front flower bed.

This wasnt the best picture of everyone, but I love how everyone is looking at the centers of attention.
Our family with Nannie and Pawpaw

Our family with Daddy Doc and Granny T

I hate that Nana and Grandaddy Ned left before we got their picture! We had a wonderful celebration of Jesus saving us!

Later that afternoon, Grammy happened to have a layover in our airport. We were able to go visit for a while before she flew home from visiting Katie and Audrie in Jackson. I didnt get any pictures unfortunately!

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

April Showers

My two boys in their blues

We have survived what has been the worst run of tornadoes ever. I just read an article that said there were over 600 tornadoes in the South in the month of April. The previous record was less than 250. Unbelievable. Thankfully, this just means more time at home for us. My heart goes out to those that lost theirs.

Kate borrowing Dad's shorts

We celebrated my birthday and my grandfather's at the begining of the month. I only missed his bday by one day!

When it isnt raining, we have loved being outside. I think I will see this look in their teens...Kate looking mischevious and Preston grinning.

My boy turned 6 months old! He is just absolute joy. He has given me one night of sleep, but he usually wakes up about every 3 hours to eat. He loves every food he has tried, but I think bananas and sweet potatoes are his favorites (just like his sister!) He absolutely loves bath time, and will splash around in there until I force him out. He practically jumps from my arms to get down there! Speaking of jumping, he has figured out how to squirm off the changing table. In fact, he never stops moving!!

Cant get enough of that!

We were able to watch my two cousins, Jake and Cole, get confirmed at their church. It is always so interesting to me to attend other churches with different traditions. I loved their church! It was so sweet and was full of sweet people. Also, the bishop was in town...so thats a big deal too!

loves that Daddy!

dont worry, Luke was standing right there!

I love this picture because everything looks calm, like I really Got It Together.

And then I zoom out! My friend, Audra, took a pic of what her house looks like with small littles running around, and I thought I would appreciate this one day. It seems that as soon as one room is clean, the tornadoes are not far behind. These two keep me busy busy, and I love every minute!

We also got to meet Jaxton, Meg's friend Amanda's little boy. Kate was her flower girl last April, and this precious was born in Hawaii. I was so proud of Amanda for flying all the way home, by herself, with a three month old. You go girl!

Luke's exams have started, and you can always tell when Kate misses him :(

On the days that I work, Kate gets to nap in our bed with me (this used to mean I got a longer nap, but since Preston has come along, I havent quite gotten their schedules together.) Anyway, one day I was drifting off and heard paper rustling from the other side of the bed. She had helped herself to the chocolates on the pillow, I guess!

Rare snuggle time with Mommy!

Easter goodies!

Tricia, here is my Cheese of the Month-Gouda Edition. Luke surprised me with wine and cheese one night, and I enjoyed every single bite!!Ok, so I am just 2 months behind. I cant wait to share my brie from this month, and then I will just have to work with some goat cheese. Yum in my future!

More 6 month shots of Booger:



I thought this one was funny, b/c his legs are always moving.



Kate is saying so many words now. Bubbles is one of her favorites followed closely by No Ma'am, I walk, Sit, and Hush! Bossy?

Here is my awesome herb garden Luke got me the supplies for for my birthday. It is flourishing with the help of my compost that finally composted!

Remember this guy? Still sweet, still cute, still shedding!

Cause and effect.

This is the truth!

Poor Bandit thought he had found a good hiding spot!

Mom, why am I in this bucket?

Old Man!

And here is my assistant trying to get a good smile.

She always can get one outta him!

I know these posts dont have much writing, but my kids are cuter than my writing is good. We have been so busy, and I have so much to catch up on! I am just trying to soak up every minute with these two. They are a blessing everyday; even when my house is a mess (see above), or Kate has an attitude (see above), or Preston still isnt sleeping through the night (see above). At the end of the day, I can sit back and smile and cant wait to do it all again tomorrow.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”

Wanna help?

My sis is a teacher at a school here in Memphis. Her students are precious (well, she doesnt always think so, but I can come and leave!), but they don't always have the things they need. They are in a high poverty level, almost all are on free lunches, and their stories will break your heart. Some of them have very loving families that give good support, but most do not. Megan spends alot of her own money in the classroom just to meet their basic needs.  If you would like to help her out with a project, I would really appreciate it!

Here's how:

1. Go to http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/898113.-2057977854


2. Click on the blue words “Mrs. H’s Hoppers Need to Make the Technology Leap” (The full project will come up.)

3. Read about our project and click on the drop down box of “Give any amount”

4. It will give you different giving options. Click on a dollar amount.

5. The next page will prompt you for paying options.

6. Pay and wait for your Thank-You letter from our class. :)


Here is her class. We made a visit with a king cake for Mardi Gras!

Oops...I thought I posted this a month ago...the project is funded, but these pictures are too cute. They loved Preston's head! haha!