ballerina

Yesterday Anna had her dance pictures, the precursor to the end of what has been a long dance season! As I helped Anna get ready she pretended she was going to the royal ball and needed to get her hair curled and styled, her "gown" on and more. She is most certainly both a busy, active little girl and a girly girl all in one. She is looking forward to her recital coming up in June and then it will be time to try a new activity. Currently she has her eye on gymnastics, swimming and soccer for things she wants to try. Considering the number of cartwheels and somersaults she does on a daily basis, we think gymnastics will be up next.

under the weather

This face pretty much sums up the general feeling around this house the past few weeks. Unfortunately we were all hit with a nasty bug - or two - and are still on the road to recovery. Somehow Steve was exposed to an influenza (believed to be H1N1) which hit him hard, only made worse by getting a severe case of pneumonia on top of that. A few days later both kids were diagnosed with ear infections (and nasty colds), me a sinus infection and Emmett made 2 trips to the hospital - one overnight - for treatment for breathing difficulties. We are still unsure what type of virus Emmett had but his main issue has been getting enough oxygen through his small airways.

After countless trips to the doctor and literally dozens of prescriptions, everyone is slowly recovering! Follow-up visits will take place this week and hopefully we will confirm that everyone is on the mend. Right now our biggest concerns are making sure Steve kicks his pneumonia and Emmett's breathing continues to improve.

Fortunately for us, Nana & Papa and Grandma Mary were all there to help us out when we needed it. Given our quick trips to the ER, and elsewhere, it was both needed and MUCH appreciated. We are so thankful!

While it's been a rough few weeks, we are hopeful that we just worked through all our illnesses all at once and will have smooth sailing the rest of the spring. Fingers crossed!

new wheels

Having outgrown her little Fisher Price bike it was high time for Anna to get a "big girl bike" like all of the "big kids" in the neighborhood. But nothing is more treasured than something worked hard for...and work hard Anna did. Over the past several weeks Anna has worked to earn stickers on a chart to earn this "Princess" bike she picked out.

Staying in her room at bedtime has proven to be a difficult thing for this little one. There is always one more hug to be had, one more trip to the bathroom, one more Kleenex to throw away. And of course..."just one more thing to tell you". For each night that Anna stayed in her room after she was put to bed (minus one "free pass" to come out just once) she earned a sticker.

Over the past few weeks she has told anyone and everyone about this sticker chart and how many stickers she had left to go. Finally last night she earned her very last sticker and out we ran to not one, but TWO Target stores to find the bike she had discovered many weeks ago.

Granka kindly "volunteered" (errr, he was recruited I mean) to assemble Anna's bike so she could take it for a spin immediately. Shaky at first, she soon was cruising around the driveway and garage on her new wheels. Granka showed her how to use her brakes and now she is off to the races!

easter bunny

Anna: "I thought I heard a boing-boing in the night...but I'm not sure!"

Daddy & Mommy: "Hmmm, I think you better go check!"

easter festival!

Grandma Mary enjoyed a week of Spring Break this last week, the same time Anna was enjoying hers. So...one Friday afternoon Grandma Mary invited Anna and Emmett to spend the day and overnight at her house. In anticipation of this fun event, Anna informed Grandma that it wasn't going to be an Easter party...it would be a FESTIVAL! "With balloons and streamers and EVERYTHING!"

Phew! That is one tall order! But, as usual Grandma Mary had an afternoon filled with surprises. The four of us had a lovely and delicious Good Friday lunch at her house, Auntie Tanya and Baby Tyson were even there!

Before lunch and before a thunderstorm hit, Anna and Emmett took to the backyard to hunt for Easter eggs that Grandma had hidden all over the yard. With the help of daddy, Anna found all of the eggs and Emmett found just one that made noise and figured out how to open it. He then proceeded to eat all of its contents. HA! He's no dummy.

After a delicious meal and time with the family, Steve and I enjoyed an afternoon and evening to ourselves...it was a real treat! Anna and Emmett had a great time at the FESTIVAL as I have been hearing about it ever since. Thank you Grandma Mary for a wonderful Easter celebration!

family fun

Our weekend was filled with Easter celebrations - from egg hunts to egg coloring, cookie decorating, festivals, birthday parties, church service and more. Sunday our celebrating came to a close as we enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at Granka and Grandma Penny's house. Home for a few weeks, we were thrilled to spend this joyous holiday with them, and with Nate, Rachel, Adam, Carrie and their beautiful children.

Anna & Katelyn

Amanda

The newest addition...baby Jude (2 months)

The girls table

Delicious ham...it was a fantastic feast!

Jude, Ava, Anna, Emmett, Katelyn, Amanda

Baby Tyson (3 months)...who arrived after the group photo!

We spent our time together enjoying good food, good company and lots of good times. All of the little ones enjoyed hunting for eggs, looking in their Easter baskets and just playing together. With two new additions to the party, it was a full house! God has blessed us beyond measure. It was a wonderful Easter day - thank you Granka and Grandma!

6:30am saturday

because it's NEVER too early for dress-up.

Introducing Princess Anna and her "Prince Louie" (yes, she named him that).

easter fun...preview

Look who figured out how to open the eggs with jelly beans in them when mommy wasn't looking! (His mouth is stuffed full!!!)