Updating...

I don't have much to report! We are continuing to stay busy with life and committed to Ben's recovery! The kids are loving having him home (as am I) and we are not taking anything for granted. :) 

Lainey is fake-eating this. :) There's no way she'd eat a rib (these days).

sweet dance friends: Anna, Brooklyn (BB), Ally, Emerson, Eva, Lainey and Faith

One day, Lainey made a lot of "hats" for us out of balloons. Even her baby got in on the action. She made lots of "bunny-ear" hats. ;) 

And she made hats that were hard to define...

committed balloon artist

AND, apparently bunnies enjoy lullabies. Belle was resting one day and Lainey decided to play some lullabies on her iPad for her to ensure a peaceful resting experience. 

Reagan loves the spring sunshine. :) Such a beautiful dog. 13 years strong!

Everyone on the bed!

Walker, snuggling and bonding with Belle

These two love Bahama Bucks!

2017-2018 Mini Company

Cute dance friends!! Lainey is on the top row, second from the right.

Brooke's Spring Show

Lainey went with Yiyia and Bud to Brooke's Spring Show. Unfortunately, a crazy storm blew through our area an hour before it began throwing everything off a bit...so Lainey spent some time in 7-11 with Yiyia, taking shelter and playing around in order to take her mind off the approaching storm. (Ben, Walker, and I were at Walker's baseball scrimmage...we only got some rain during the game, thankfully no hail!)

After the show...Brooke did great!

Congratulations on an amazing show, Brooke! :) We love you!

Happy Easter!

Lainey dyeing eggs with friends Kaitlyn, Camryn, and Brayden :)

The Easter Bunny delivers cool stuff!

The basket on the left was for Belle. Lainey was so thrilled that she received a gift from the Easter Bunny. :) 

Hunting for eggs was fast and furious; I didn't get any pictures! 

Lainey, showing off a little squishy animal that was inside one of her eggs.

Walker got one, too. Thankfully they evened them out without my intervention; each child got 12 little squishy animals, one of each kind.

lots of shaking and guessing...and searching for more tiny squishy animals

the squishy animal lineup...

Of course, Lainey's bunnies were placed in front of the group!

After a full afternoon, it was time for Cascarones and Easter dinner at the Cooks' house!

Collin (14), Brooke (16), Cally (16 on April 7th), Kate (14), Ella (11), and Walker (8) and Lainey (9)

I love this photo!

Brooke with her uncle Ben

about to cut the cake to celebrate Cally...that knife looks dangerous ;)

Greg, giving Ben a hard time

about to begin the hunt...

Poor Ben...he didn't stand a chance. He got lots of eggs cracked on his head! We hope everyone had a very happy, very blessed Easter. We were so thankful to have Ben home with us; his first holiday at home since he became infected with "The West Nile." We were all so happy to have him with us, and we look forward to spending many more holidays together in the future. At home...not in the hospital! :) 

Walker's Baseball Tournament

I finally took my camera to one of Walker's baseball tournaments! :) 

8:00 a.m. games are tough...particularly if you had to receive an upset, unable-to-sleep child who was supposed to be spending the night out at 1:00 a.m. the night before...and you have to arrive 45 minutes early to a field that is 30 minutes away, and you have to load up a wheelchair...and you have no idea how long you'll be at the faraway field... :) Exhausting. :) And it was a bit chilly that morning as well!

This is what Lainey does at baseball games. She plays with the babies. Happily. 

This picture is my favorite. He's either 1) serious or 2) thinking or 3) cranky. I'm going to go with #3. ;) 

Team huddle/cheer...Walker is trying to escape (far right).

Escape successful. I think he may have seen me trying to take a picture and panicked. 

We're proud of how far Walker has come in the attitude department. He doesn't get as frustrated when he gets out, and he is crying less...he's learning a lot about this game of baseball. It's fun to watch him grow and learn with each new season. :) Good job, Walker! We love you!