Fun Spring Break!

This year we decided to take everyone to Amarillo for Spring Break and stay at my mother-in-laws for a few days, so that Brad could have back surgery. He had a microdiscectomy (you can see a similar one done on Youtube) Yeah, lots of fun, eh?
Well, Brad seems to be recovering well and apart from the fact that he can't drive, bend, twist or lift, he is still pretty helpful. The recovery is supposed to take 2-3 weeks. So, we'll just enjoy having him around. He'll probably take this week off for sure and then maybe work half days next week.
Unfortunately, he has already been back to work. The surgery was on Wednesday, and right about the time he went under his work started calling. Problems that only Brad could fix. So, just minutes after they let me see him he was trying to fix problems via phone, and then the next morning too. By the time we got back home, he decided that he'd better go in for an hour, so I loaded everyone up and drove him in. I hope they appreciated it, and that they don't call for a few days! I'm definitely grateful that Brad is indispensable to them, nothing like good job security these days!
Anyway, that's what we've been up to. Schools back in today. I wish the kids only had to go 3 days a week, or maybe every other week. I love having them home.

We're in... not yet settled

I have felt like I have been on vacation for the past couple weeks. I think mostly because I don't have any responsibilities apart from my own family, and I see my family so much more!
I love my new house and I can't believe we had Brad commute for so long. I love having him home in the morning, at lunch, and home for an early dinner. It is so nice! I feel like I have been given 3 extra hours a day.
The kids are loving school and only have occasional moments of missing old friends, school, etc. Luckily, we aren't too far away and can see most of them when we want.
We are enjoying our new church experience. We are now in a Branch instead of a ward. So everything is a little smaller, and we have to drive 30 minutes to church, but we already love it. The branch is growing and they were thrilled to have us move in and increase their numbers by more than 10% with just our family. The great thing is, that the church is true wherever you go, and it is just great to be a part of it.
I have promised to post pictures of the house, so here are a few that we've taken. Unfortunately, we didn't get all new furniture with our new house, but that's just not the way we roll!

Front of House (with Samuel)

Audrey's Room (loved how they did this room. It is perfect for Audrey!)

Backyard (this was the picture I stole from the realty site. Of course it is still winter here.)

Kitchen (I admit--this was the room that sold the house. It's huge and I love it! We will eventually get some stools to put around the table/bar. It is so nice to be in the kitchen with all the kids and not feel like we are on top of each other! I am also venturing in to the world of convection ovens. If anyone has any tips, let me know. Luckily, the ovens also work conventionally, so I haven't burned too many things!)

Dining Room (okay, so we did get new chairs for the dining room table. For those of you who have ever visited me in my married life you know that we have never had anything but folding chairs to go around our table. This was my house warming gift to myself, and I love them!)

Living Room (right after we had the carpet cleaned--I didn't want to move the furniture in, and I really want to buy a carpet rake!)

Storm Shelter (We traded our basement for this cutie in the back yard. The kids like to play in and on it!)