DeBoer Days: Spring Break

Can I just say I LOVE being on a school schedule! Working in a school is not without its challenges but what other profession gives you a week off in the fall, two weeks at Christmas, a week in the spring and the summer for vacation? I don't know how I managed working year round before! What's more awesome is that Matt and I are on the same schedule- talk about some quality family time! What's even more awesome is that the women on the DeBoer side are all employed in schools too (Andrea and Candice are teachers and Mom DeBoer is a school secretary), so that definitely works to our advantage. Our spring break coincided with Andrea and Candice's spring breaks this year, so we hosted a sibling reunion of sorts. It was SO much fun to have all the DeBoer siblings and their spouses together! We had a blast. To say that our kids got spoiled by all the attention and love would be a serious understatement. It is such a blessing for Matt and I to watch his siblings interact with our kids! We look forward to the day that we get to love up on their kids (hint, hint Andrea and Candice! ;) - no pressure.)

We had glorious weather for entire week. We spent a day at Huntington Beach. The water was too cold to swim but we had fun playing in the sand, laying in the sun and throwing the football around. (sorry, no pictures.)

We went hiking up in Forest Falls. The road was closed to go up to the falls, which was a bummer. But we still had a nice hike and saw some beautiful sights. Luke was a champ and walked pretty much the whole way. Matt may have carried him on the way down, I don't really remember, but Luke did so well! Elin was nice and snug in her sling -even Jordan got in on the baby K'tan action!

We had a 'dance party' in the living room one night. The boys (especially Luke) really got into it! I promised the men that the videos would be "just for us" so the rest of you will just have to settle for the still pictures. sorry.

Shaking their booties! (video is much better)

We had an early birthday celebration for Luke and Elin while the family was in town. Bill and Harriet Bierling came over for dinner and cake.

We had wanted Bill to baptize both our kids but it didn't work out for him to baptize either Luke or Elin. When Luke was baptized, Bill and Harriet were in Israel, so Bill brought back some water from the Jordan River to wash Luke's feet in. We froze the water and were able to have the same sort of ceremony for Elin - a blessing on her Christian walk. It was incredibly special.

Luke and Elin were definitely spoiled by their aunts and uncles. Uncle Eric and Aunt Candice gave Luke a 'big boy' bike! He loves it - he still needs to get the hang of pedaling (he pushes the pedal backwards which triggers the breaks) but he'll get there eventually.

The week was not 'all play and no work', however. We put Andrea and Jordan to work shoveling and packing down dirt in our front lawn. (Eric and Candice left early that morning, getting out of the yard work day!) :) It was so great to have the help. Matt was able to plant grass seed that afternoon and now we have bright green grass springing up! I am SO looking forward to having a nice lawn area where my kids can go barefoot.