We have had an exceptionally mild winter.  I definitely have appreciated it, but I love the days that I can break out my sandals and go outside in my sweatshirt and jeans.  The kind of days where the kids are outside jumping on the trampoline from the moment they get up until the sun goes down – stopping only for food and bathroom breaks.

This time of year just feels…”fresher” for lack of a better word.  Windows are opened after a long winter of being closed up.  I get the urge to get up and get out instead of spending my weekends in the house.

I love to look out the window and see the people outside – kids on bikes flying by, people out walking their dogs, and the rumble of an occasional motorcycle as it drives by.  The neighbors are outside doing yard work or just sitting out on their porches, also enjoying the beautiful weather.

Yes, I definitely love this time of year.

What makes you smile on a Monday?

Original found here.

My favorite mug that I painted myself.

My coffee maker.

My other favorite mug.

What makes you smile on a Monday?

My husband likes to climb.

And he loves an adventure.

My girls love to geocache.

Most of all, I enjoy the family time.

To be honest, I have not always been a fan of it as I am not so not good at looking for things.  It has grown on me over the years though. I like the family time that we get together.  I like the exercise.  I enjoy seeing my husband out doing something he really loves.  We also have gotten to see some really cool things out in nature.

I have been trying to convince my husband to start a geocaching blog.  He won’t, so I am going to start featuring the adventures that we have geocaching.

These pictures were all taken in the fall when we went to the state park nearby, High Cliff. It was a nice day and Brian and I each had the Friday afternoon off. We took the girls to the park so we could get in a walk and Brian could find some geocaches.  It was a beautiful day.  The girls and I didn’t really look for many of the caches, but I had fun taking pictures.

Yesterday this guy was named NFL MVP. But really, was there ever any doubt??

Congrats Aaron Rodgers!!!

My girls. I love them to pieces.

And sometimes, they can get along so well. But lately? Not so much.

I feel like every day I am playing referee over and over and over and over again. There is blaming and crying and arguing and “That’s not fair!” Occasionally, there is hitting.

I don’t remember fighting with my sister this much. I’m sure if I ask my mom, she will say we were just as bad – maybe even worse.

I ask them why they fight. My oldest says it’s because they are sisters and that’s what they do. And I know that she is right sorta. I don’t think that there’s many of us with siblings that can say that they didn’t ever fight.

It’s exhausting though. It seems like their favorites times to fight are when we have to go somewhere in the car or during the week getting ready for school. There are some days I am relieved to drop them off.

Like I said, I love them to death. And for the most part, they are good girls and we are very blessed. Lately though, I am just tired of being the referee for their fighting.

Maybe if I get a whistle they will stop?