chops...

Sam was just telling us a story about a boy in his class who showed them a picture of him eating "cereal with pork chops."

?????

We thought for a second and realized what Sam meant to say was, eating "cereal with chop sticks!"

I'm baaaaaaackkkk....

I was so excited at the start of the year to be blogging more often...and then I got lazy. There's really no other way to put it. Sorry.

So, here's a glimpse of what we've been up to the past several weeks.

I took these goofy girls shopping..what was I thinking?!?!

I had the opportunity to chaperone H's class on a field trip to Phil's Friends...such an amazing organization and experience for the kids! 

Shootin' hoops at Matt & Stacey's house, Easter weekend. Taylor taught Brian how to box out! :)

Shopping in Grand Haven with the girls...oh my!!!

While the girls shopped, the boys hiked! 

Easter morning beauties...

Our handsome little guys

There was still ice in the lake...it was CRAZY!! 

Not sure about this one...:)

H even got her feet wet...that girl is nuts!

I say it all the time to the kids, "Stop Growing!!" I'll say it again, these girls need to stop growing! 

 Back home at the Giere circus

Oh my, these guys...the smiles, the joy, the mischief! :)

Mmmmmm, ice cream

My little Knight in Shining Armor...one of them, anyway. :)

Soccer fans. Nolan was ready for some down time. 

It's soccer season, so coming up...soccer pics! Hopefully sooner then later. :)

Talent Show 2014 - H and friends

Hannah and a few friends decided to Dance Thru the Decades this year for the school talent show and they did an awesome job!

So, without further adieu....Dancing Thru the Decades!

p.s. please ignore the "announcer"...he was a little confused...yikes! and forgive me for the blurry spots. :)

DSC 0173 from Sarah Giere on Vimeo.

Feb 23 - March 9

Don't let him fool you, Sammy has a soft spot... Isn't this just so sweet!?

I knew there was a reason I've kept this all these years (thanks to my mom for saving it!). Ellie found my Strawberry Shortcake tray from when I was a child...ahh, the memories!

Sam got all dressed to go outside and then got a little distracted...apparently he didn't mind!

These two monkeys discovered how fun it is to climb on the top bunk in the girls' room. I now lock their door as soon as they leave for school, so the boys stay have to stay out! Oh my!

Hair cut time!

 See those two towels rolled up on the counter...they're the boundary for Sam NOT to cross over during lunch. Yeah, it's come to that...for my sanity. That boy is a true big brother...a pest!!!!

 Nolan & Nathan got to join me for the opening songs at BSF last week...I think they liked it. :)

 Craft time!

Snack time! Check out NS's concentration and NG's style! 

Last week we headed to Chicago for some fun on the rink and at G-Ma's and G-Pa's (and a date night for mommy and daddy!)...it was a win, win, win situation!

Cabin fever has hit with full force so I headed to the local restaurant play land and this was my little buddy who chose to sit with me, while his two brothers played. :)

Even though it doesn't feel like spring, we're spring cleaning here...first up, selling some items we no longer use. So, naturally when I pulled out the backpack carrier we used for the older 3, Nathan decided he needed to test drive it before it got sold. Too bad I can't carry two 30+ lb boys in one of these! 

Happy Almost Spring Family! 

Major Catch-Up! Feb. 6 - Feb. 22

We LOVE Meijer...I don't shop there often (it's a little further to drive then other comparable stores), but when I feel the need for some Dutch love, I head to Meijer. 

Who need a visit to Shedd Aquarium...

Desperate times call for desperate measures...

This little buckaroo LOVES "Sandy" and has ridden several times 

(for free, by the way!)

This guy, however, usually refuses and sits in the cart..."no Noley ride"...okay, buddy. :)

Until a few days later (we had to go back to return something)...

he was ready for his FIRST ride! And LOVED IT!!! 

Hannah Rose has been growing her hair out for quite some time, but one day she came to me and said the words I was waiting to hear, "I want it cut!" Her hair was beautiful long, but with her blessed THICK hair, it was getting difficult to manage. I told her about several organizations that accepted hair donations to make wigs for those with hair loss. She was totally on board and after researching, we decided on Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. 

The big day arrived and although she admitted to being a little nervous, she was thrilled with the result!

Usually it's the 3 boys home for lunch each day during the week, but on this day, Sam was at a friends' house for lunch and a play date. So, Nolan and Nathan had the ENTIRE counter space to themselves and I just couldn't help but find it interesting how they chose to sit...super close. Love it! ;)

After 2 of the 5 battled a stomach bug for a few days, we got out to enjoy the SUN and Snow!! 

(mainly the sun:)

These two handsome guys are just growing up so fast! We just had them in for their 2 1/2 year check-up. They look great and Nolan has maintained is 5lb advantage over Nathan. But, don't you worry, what Nathan may lack in girth, he makes up for with his ferociously sharp finger nails! Watch out!

Oh, and they're good at breaking things...ugh.

Boys' best friend

I needed to wash the twins' winter coats one afternoon, but they really wanted to go outside to play with their older siblings...so, out came the WAY too short snow suit! Poor Nolan!! He had no clue how silly this looked! Or, maybe he did...

 Nathan's alternative wasn't as bad...

 Weight Lifting at the Giere house...

And, finally the entire crew having a blast in the snow! Don't get me wrong, they love to play in the snow, but a few of them have mentioned time and time again how much they CANNOT wait for summer and I couldn't agree more! Bring on the heat!!!