The Varner Family

I am obviously very behind and very out of order in my blog posting.  In addition to having Papa here for Spring Break we also were able to squeeze in some other fun!

Flying kites was a big hit!

You know those days that are very simple but yet so perfect?  This was one of those days and the sweet memories made and the feeling of happiness I had on this very simple day won't soon be forgotten.  These pictures remind me of it!

The kids had been asking to do Build a Bear for months and finally on Spring Break we did it!

Feeding geese with Cousin Huston!

We went to the Thunderbird Riding Stables in Norman!

They were very patient as we waited our turn!

She loved every single minute of it and did awesome!

This guy got tired at about the 50 minute mark and decided that he would only go horseback riding again if it didn't exceed the 49 minute mark!  Such a fun day!

As I mentioned in my last post we are now the proud owners of a second dog!  Annie is our yellow lab!  So here is the back story on how we ended up with a puppy even though I said I would never own a puppy!  I thought they would be way too much trouble!  A friend of a friend had a little of puppies on accident and offered us one for free.  Bryson had been wanting a hunting dog and we both agreed that the kids are at the perfect age to help with a puppy and enjoy it.  So on a Monday night we loaded the kids up and told them we had a surprise for them. 

We blindfolded them! 

And then they got to open their eyes and pick out which sweet puppy we would be taking home!  We had already narrowed it down to a yellow female.  The kids thought they were each going to pick out one to take home.  That was a little bit of a bummer for them!  We all loved the way the one that Meg is petting looked but I made an executive decision that we would be getting the most calm puppy there was!

I mean isn't she the sweetest thing ever?  We had to wait a few more weeks to pick her up.  That gave us enough time to decide on a name and get all the supplies we needed.  We were torn between Birdie, Annie, Molly, and Ruby.  I decided on Annie!

I ended up getting a call that I could pick her up a few days early.  It worked out perfect because I got to go by myself and then get her used to our house before the kids came home from school!

I got to surprise Meg first.  She was so happy!

We enjoyed the next couple of weeks of her just being a sweet, cuddly, sleepy puppy!

When Papa came up for Spring Break he brought their dog Charlotte's big kennel.  It has been the perfect place for Annie.  She loves it and sleeps in there at night and when we are gone during the day!

This was on the way to the Alexander's on Easter!  May be the most precious picture ever!

I had serious reservations about getting a puppy but it has turned out to be 100% better than I could ever imagine.  She is already house trained and can already retrieve things from the pond.  I won't lie and say it wasn't some work, but I have actually really enjoyed it.  The kids adore her!  She has gotten much bigger and is no longer a cuddly puppy, but I have decided that puppies are a lot like kids.  The more time you spend with them the better they act.  We walk her a ton and play with her a ton so she doesn't have time to get in much trouble!  And for those who think having a puppy is like having a baby.....I would disagree.  Puppies are a lot easier!

Our Easter this year was a busy but fun day!

Started off with church!  Brody hated his outfit and decided to go for the squinty eyes look!

 

Ready to get the show on the road!

Happy with the eggs he found!

Could she look any sweeter?

 

So happy Mimi and Bumpy were able to spend the day with us!

And a visit to the clowns for balloon animals is always a must!

Mimi and I were impressed with their Bunny ice sculpture!

Annie had been in the car with us so we got her out and she enjoyed her time with the Easter Bunny as well!  After Twin Hills we stopped by my grandparents house for another Easter egg hunt with our cousins and then we headed out to the Alexander's farm for an evening of fun!

After the egg hunt we had some old fashioned games.  Sack races and egg toss!  So many laughs for sure!

This girl loves Mrs. Mandie! 

Miss Annie joined us at the farm too but she was pooped out!

Showing off his prizes!  We were exhausted when we finally rolled into the house about 9:00 that night!  Such a fun day with family and friends!