March Madness

Every March we go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in our town. It's the typical local parade and the kids love it. We've got our routine down and always go to the same corner with our same friends each year.

 Grace and Lauren waiting for the parade to start.

Claira and Andrew just chillin'

 So glad this boy isn't too cool to give his mom a hug!

 

The pirates really went all out this year for the parade. 

I can't believe we got a picture of this guy but we didn't even take pictures with our cousins! Duh!

We had our annual "green" dinner--not Irish, but definitely green: pesto pasta, kiwi, broccolli, limeade. 

March 21st kicks off birthday season at our house...

(we have a birthday about every two weeks until May)

Brad celebrated the big 3-5 with a BIG card from the kids with all the things they love about him.

 BIG SQUEEZES for Daddy!

 Dad's favorite: Baskin Robbins ice cream cake.

Such a cutie...I sent him 35 text messages that day with things I love about him. He got his last one on his way home from work. It reminded me what an awesome guy I married.

California Cowgirls

In March, Lauren and I got to take a special girls' trip to Texas see the Rodeo as an early birthday present for Lauren. We were both treated like royalty and loved every minute!

DAY 1--The Rodeo

We went straight from the airport to the Rodeo--we didn't waste a minute.

Next best thing to riding a horse--Grandpa!

Check out the ear-to-ear grin she sported all weekend!

Lauren LOVES animals so it was hard to get her out of the petting zoo.

Wesley was all smiles while we checked out all the fun stuff at the Livestock Show.

This mama piggy was about to deliver--had to get a picture because that's how I felt!

Cute cowgirl with her special puppy souvenier

The girls getting ready for Sugarland to come out--they were awesome.

After the concert...time to go home!

DAY 2--Horseback Riding

Lauren got the treat of a lifetime--an individual horseback riding lesson

The horse was named Cowboy and he was the perfect size for Lauren

By the end of the lesson she could ride through the course all alone. She learned how to trot and turn and stop and go. She even rode bareback!

One of the best parts of the lesson was learning to care for the horse. She helped to groom Cowboy and put him away. She also got to feed some of the other horses. It was VIP treatment and Lauren was in heaven. The rest of us were the paparazzi filming and photo-ing every second. What a great memory!

It was a special treat to see Stacy and her little girls for a few minutes. She is such a sweet friend!

Rosie was the recipient of extra love and attention from Lauren that weekend.
Lauren loved holding her and petting her.

Wesley also got lots of attention. We just love his smiles and sweet personality.

Uncle Phil (and Ashlee)...

and Uncle Todd helped to make it a fun weekend.

Other activities not pictured:

shopping at Old Town Spring, BBQ dinner, Mexican food and frozen yogurt, movie night.

 We really packed in the fun!

Last shot of the cowgirl at the airport.