almost spring...

Yesterday's weather was absolutely gorgeous.  The sun was shining, the skies were blue, and the temperatures reached into the 40's! (It's all about perspective, right??)  I opened all of the windows and let the fresh air roll in - it was amazing.  When I started thinking about what I wanted to prepare for dinner, I had the perfect plan...I wanted my favorite simple summer meal.  Zach and I hurried in to the grocery store while the other kids were at school so I could buy the ingredients I needed.  I did some prep work and then waited until I got the phone call from Brad saying he'd be home in an hour.  It was then that I excitedly opened my back door, walked outside, and started the grill!!!  Yep - we grilled out on the patio last night.  I was so excited I couldn't resist grabbing the camera to document it - mmmm...

And as long as I only looked at the back of my house and the food on the grill (which, by the way, was filling the air with the most delicious aroma), I could almost imagine it was summer...well, at least spring. 

But I couldn't turn around, because then I would see this:

and it would ruin the whole illusion because I would remember that it really isn't spring yet.  It's still winter.  It's supposed to snow again tonight.  I don't care though - because for most of the day yesterday, I tricked myself into thinking spring was here.  It's coming though...eventually...and I can't wait!

Apparently, neither can these two.  They had to drag a bunch of the sand toys out of the shed and play in the little bit of sand that was revealed where the snow has melted a bit.

(this is pretty much the only smile style I can get out of him lately...love the big gap where his two front teeth haven't grown in yet)

(And this little guy was definitely the most excited - he didn't even want to come in for dinner...he just wanted to play outside)

Speaking of Spring...it was my turn to share a layout on the Making Memories blog yesterday - and of course, it was all about Spring.  Check it out here for more details and to read about the challenge.  I hope you'll join me in all of my in my spring-y excitement!

Patterned Papers (green glitter, stripes, raindrop)

Notebook paper

Cardstock (brown, cream)

Felt flowers

trims/ribbons

Slice

butterfly and branch die-cuts

word die-cuts

border punch