I'm ba-aack! Let the blog-a-palooza begin!

I am FINISHED with tax season 2013.  Yahoo!  The last few weeks have been WILD to say the least.  I have been working 40-50 hours per week, Tyler has been working 60 hours a week, Wayne has baseball 2 nights a week, and we of course still have Speech and Occupational Therapy on Mondays.  And did I mention our driveway was hauled away and a new one poured?  Yup - it's been a wild ride.  I can't wait to get you all up to speed on the Silves happenings, and especially to update you on each of the kids - Addison in particular is changing by the DAY!  She continues to be the sweetness in our day, and each of her brothers absolutely adores her. 


So.... here we GO!

He is Risen!

Easter is always a celebration for us - but as the boys get older and understand more, it is all the more joy-filled.  Even Wyatt knew to respond to "He is Risen" with "He is risen INDEED!"  It was a much needed day off for both Tyler and myself (he's been working a bunch, as have I) and so to have a day together as a family, and in the SUNSHINE was a blessing beyond measure!  After church we were home for a bit and then headed to my parent's and were outside all day.  I'll let the pictures say the rest!

Socks and Tees

Diane and Duane stopped by on Saturday night for a quick Easter basket delivery between dinner and bed.  Those "early to bed, early to rise" Silves boys melt down around 7:30, so we enjoyed our company for as long as we could!  The boys could not have been more excited to find t-shirts, socks, and Dairy Queen gift cards in their bags.  Grammy knows what they like!

First you see it, now you don't!

The great driveway project of 2013 is underway!  We finally saved our pennies and were so sick of the narrow driveway flanked with MUD, and we decided this is th year....  out with the old and in with the new!  We had to first move the entire line of boxwood bushes over about 3-4 feet so that the driveway could be wider.  Next Dad and Mike came with the min and broke up the concrete and hauled it away.  Then came the dirt - the old driveway was too high, and so the new one will be dropped down to nicely slope the 6 inches from the garage to the street, like it should. The sidewalk also came out, and will gently slope to the driveway. Woohoo!

Our bestest friends

Words can't describe how special these kiddos and their mom are to us.  They are the SWEETEST and most fun loving kids - we ADORE them all!  Amanda watches the kids on Tuesday's while I work at the office, and her and the 3 DeHoog kids schlep it up our driveway with coffee in hand faithfully every week.  Would you believe that we've made it through an entire tax season with NEITHER of us cancelling because of sick kids!  God is GOOD!  I love that Wyatt wakes up on Tuesdays and asks if "my auntie manda and my vince are comin today?  YESSSSSS!"  I must admit that the shock of our kids not tackling me at the door when I get home has worn off... Amanda usually has them all so preoccupied with something that they hardly notice I am home (or that I've been gone????")  Now, I am sure that things can't all be smelling like roses all the time - okay - I KNOW they can't - she's watching to 8 month olds!  Anyway...  they might have their moments but I never hear about them, and I am so grateful for that.  I also don't worry for a minute while I am gone.  There have been so many funny stories, I'll try to remember some of my favorites:

1. Amanda says, "We've had a casualty, we can't find Wyatt's glasses."  Me, "I had them with me, they needed new nose pads."  Wyatt, turning towards Amanda, "Oh yeah, I forgot."  
2. Wyatt's report, "Vince was crabby.  Then I was crabby.  No, we were not crabby it was Grace."  
3. Addison had some "markings" all over her face.  Apparently her and Vince got to rolling around on the floor together, and she got a bit scratched.  Wayne told me, "They weren't fighting mom, it was more of a love and laughter kind of scratching happening."  :-)

THANK YOU DEHOOG's, we love you and think the world of you!

PS - There is going to be a cement truck pouring concrete here on Tuesday!!!

)

I am giving him this one.

Ever the practical child, Wayne has not for a MOMENT been fooled into thinking that Santa, the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny were real.  Not that we've tried that hard to convince him.  But for some reason the little green man celebrated in March caught his attention.  He was ADAMANT that we build a trap to attract and catch him, and so we did.  Do we believe in luck?  No way!  We believe in the sovereign plan of God.  But I also don't think a little fun can hurt anything.  So...  while Wayne was sleeping, the "little bugger" fell in his trap and somehow got back out.  Wayne found his coins taken and the trap empty.  Shoot!  Maybe next year!