Instagram

Has it really been over 2 months since my last Instagram dump?  Wow, we've been busy!!!

I went down to run on the treadmill one Saturday morning.  Evan warned me it might be a little warm because Carter had the fireplace on while he was playing Wii.  I had no idea what I was in for:

Ryan got into trouble before I got up on a Saturday.  As a result, he had a little writing to do:

I moved offices from City Center (downtown Minneapolis) to TNC (Brooklyn Park).  We packed 41 boxes before I left on vacation and we ended up with many more than that!  The move was seamless and we were settled into our new, gorgeous facility within a week.

Boys and I had dinner at Texas Roadhouse one evening after Carter's speech:

The boys at Blaine Bengals football camp:

Carter and his friends, Charlie and Luke, racing wheeled creations on their class field trip:

Ryan at the school carnival, after he won a game he was playing:

The donations that came out of the master closet and the toy room when I spring cleaned (21 bags total):

Bullseye came to visit us at TNC:

Carter's birthday - Dad had lunch with us, Grandpa and Grandma were the guest readers in Carter's classroom, and we stopped for ice cream on the way to Ryan's soccer game:

After Ryan's soccer game, Carter celebrated as the birthday boy at Buffalo Wild Wings, with a strobe light and happy birthday song on the loudspeakers:

Beef stew in the crock pot on a cold, damp spring day:

Ryan's allergy testing (he was negative on every single one):

One busy Saturday - 4 miles on the treadmill and 7 hours of yard work.  I've never surpassed 20,000 steps since I've gotten my Fitbit Force!

Carter donated his bike for kids in need at church on Sunday:

Evan had spinal surgery yesterday at Unity.  The boys came to visit him and try to cheer him up.  Carter was so sweet and wanted to sleep right next to Evan all night.  He also said it was hard not to cry seeing Dad like that.  :(

Today I'm thankful for Evan's successful surgery and everyone that pulled together to help me out this week.  THANK YOU! :)

Jewelry

I had several orders to get out today.  I had a hard time getting motivated to get started, but once I got everything out, I was on a roll!

This was a necklace I had made previously, but there was another grandchild added.  We put "skye" in her heart. :)

Carter came home from school today with a note asking for a playdate with at one of his classmate's house...in 30 minutes, for her birthday party.  Thankfully I had my jewelry tools out, and his friend ended up with a new necklace!  :)

I found a new heart at my jewelry supplier last week. I like it for something different!

Happy Easter from the Mackeys!

We had a great Easter weekend.  We started by coloring Easter eggs on Saturday evening, hunting for Easter baskets and eggs on Sunday morning that the Easter Bunny had hidden, attending an early church service, and then spending the day at my Aunt and Uncle's on the Farm.  It was a great time with family - the kids really enjoy that time with their cousins!  My Aunt does a great job hosting - I am so impressed with how she whips up a meal for 20 of us without breaking a sweat.  It's always delicious and goes off without a hitch.

Coloring Easter eggs:

With their finished eggs:

Easter morning, with their baskets:

Evan and his boys:

Me and the boys:

I don't know what I was doing with my left arm, but I clearly look like I am trying to contort into some strange position:

Carter's turn with the camera:

Our group at Auntie and Uncle Rich's:

The kids heading out on the farm for their Easter egg hunt:

Carter with his stash:

Goofball:

Opening his birthday gifts from Auntie and Uncle Rich:

Cupcakes with his cousins:

Singing Happy Birthday to Carter:

Carter's Birthday

Carter turned 7 yesterday.  He celebrated at school with cupcakes in his classroom, with our family last night, and with his friends today.  Lucky kiddo to get 3 celebrations! :)

I set out his gifts when he was in school.  He finally got to open the Lego set Kyle put together for him a couple of months ago!  He LOVED it!

Grandma, Grandpa, and I were the "mystery" guest readers in Carter's classroom at the end of the school day.  He was so surprised and excited to see us, especially his buddy, Grandpa!

Grandma, Grandpa, and the birthday boy.  We received a beach ball that his teacher had printed on the side: "We had a 'ball' listening to you read.  Thank you!" and each of the students in his class had signed.  Cute idea!  :)

All of the guest readers:

Carter with his stash after school.  He was so excited to see the Lego City Police Station and Minecraft tools.  After school, we went to our favorite ice cream place, Big Dipper.  Ryan had a soccer game and following that, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner.  Carter received a birthday crown and held up a strobe light while the restaurant sang happy birthday to him.  :)

Carter with his birthday cupcakes before we left for his party at Brunswick Zone today:

The boys getting instructions for laser tag:

Carter and Zach racing in Batman:

The boys played through $70 in the arcade very quickly.

Carter and his friends:  Caeden, Jack, Lukas, Griffin, Ryan, Charlie, Luke, and Zach:

Eating pizza after laser tag and the arcade games:

Opening gifts:

Minecraft was a huge hit!

He will wear this Kane mask all the time now (Kane is a favorite wrestler of his):

Singing Happy Birthday:

Blowing out the candles:

Cupcake toast to Carter!