Odds and ends.

Tonight was a big night of blogging catch-up.  Here are some photos that didn't fit into any one specific event like Cami's wedding or Harper's birthday, but which are noteworthy nonetheless.  

I just wanted to preserve the nightly chaos during the brushing of the teeth process.

Evelyn came for a visit, so we painted.

Harper and a monster truck.

BEFORE

AFTER
What a handsome boy!

Cutie pants.

I just like this.

Grammy Deb came to visit!  She is starting a new job in June, and wanted to come visit before then.  YAY!  It was so fun to have her- the kids loved every minute of it.  Finn is still asking me when she's coming back.  It was a busy time while she was here, but she jumped right in to all our activities with gusto.
We took advantage of the lovely weather by going  to the Willow Park Zoo.  "There are a lot of birds in this zoo," Jake said.  He is right.

Look what a cute Grammie she is!

Harper was being a little over-bearing with her cute cousin, Blue.  Hence the teary eyes.

Baby cousins and their dads.

Meet Mrs. Hauenstein!

My little sister, Cami, got married last week!  Congratulations to the bride and groom!  

Here's the lucky fella, Luke, with Cami and Blue (Jaime's baby).

Cousins Shaelynn and Nicole and Aunt Carolyn with Cami at her bridal shower.

Jaime and her BFF Anne.

Gorgeous Codi Ann, Blue, and my Mom.

Cami and Shaelynn.

Kate and Clara.

Yes, it was a flamingo shower because yes, Cami really likes them.

The back of our car- filled with cheesecake, on the way to the wedding!

Little nieces and nephews singing "You Are My Sunshine."  SO cute!

Cami and Harper.  (This is Harper's face if anyone but her mom tries to hold her.)

Kitchen helpers: Grammy Deb, Clara, Kate, Codi & Margie.

The candy bar.

Post-ceremony dog-pile.

Shhhhhhh, this is Lee's new girlfriend, Natalie.  She is amazing and we love her so very much!  But I think Lee's trying to play it cool at this point.

Naomi out on the porch of the Ben Lomond Stake Camp, where the wedding and reception were held.

The hanging of the pom-poms.

I will never make another pom-pom as long as I live.

Brothers.

Cutting the cheesecake.

Katherine and Harper Katherine.

Harper and Jason relaxing on the deck.  (Jason performed the ceremony.)

Stealing berries in the kitchen.

Holy handsome boys!  Even Jake, with his traditional weird camera look.

Congratulations, Cami.  Love you so much!

UNO

Somehow Harper turned one a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe it. I kind of feel that sense of relief that PHEW! We made it! But at the same time I feel so sad when I pack away her little clothes, and look at newborn photos of her. I knew to expect this with our last baby, but it's just so bittersweet.  Harper is becoming her own little personality in our house...  we all adore her.  I think Jake might love her most of all though.  Really.

Swiss meringue buttercream frosting with real strawberries...  It's great to have a pastry chef living next door!  Thanks, Natalie!

She wouldn't touch it with her hands for awhile...

And then she discovered the true bliss of eating cake with your hands.

mmmmmmm...

Happy girl.

With her new shades which were by far her favorite gift of the day.  Oh, how she loves her sunglasses.

Lounging on mom's legs.

Random, cute picture of Finn.

Sugar and spice and everything nice:  That's what little girls are made of.  (Okay, I don't think it's quite that simple, but OH, how we love this little monkey.)

Easter

Every Easter we have these terrible sun-in-the-eyes photos taken right after church before the kids run in the house and rip off their church clothes.  Also, it's really, really hard to get 5 kids to look normal at the same time.  BUT!  I made the boys' ties!  Aren't they cute?!  I'm proud of them.  But I am NEVER making ties again.  What a pain.  Expensive too.

Cutest little bum.  I had to sneak in and take a picture of her napping.

Annual Easter egg hunt at Grandma Olsen's:
*Look at all those cute kids!!!