Easter Pics

We were so glad to have Sara, Grant, and Ella come visit. Here are a handful of photos which they took.

Cousins came quickly!

 J's cousin and her family came to visit for a quick overnight stay on their way from WI to SC.  We are so glad they were able to come.  The boys played really well together last night... well, B and S did.  They built towers with some blocks.  The little guy is not quite big enough to play with the big kids yet.  Here are some photos from their visit:

Settling in, ready for Spring

 

standing on the bench... only allowed with mommy right there... even that scares me (it's a long way down)

 "helping" daddy examine where the screen will go

 someone is looking at the steps....

 Our neighbor built the gate here to keep someone from sneaking up.  We should use it, huh?

new, soft area rug over the hardwood... so much cozier

A month ago, we were frantically packing up boxes, Hannah was helping Grandma pack the kitchen, and Buddy was climbing over barriers that were supposed to keep him out of our way so we could pack without having things unpacked by mr. curious.   The "big, big house" is starting to feel like home. Our home.

Bear can't quite pedal up the sloped driveway to the street, but that's not a bad thing.  While Buddy "napped" (after flooding the bathroom floor yesterday afternoon while I cleaned the kitchen), I helped her up the hill, and then she pedaled to the end of the cul de sac and back.  She is my cautious one.  We live on the quiet end of the street, about 4 houses from the end.  It's not very busy.  But thankfully she IS cautious and aware of cars, I'd rather have it that way.

Living in the apartment, with a flight of steps separating us from outside, dragging the outdoor toys out was a pain.  I am lazy, and so my girl has almost outgrown her bike.  She also still needs training wheels, but that's ok.  The trike/stroller combo?  Well, Brandon tipped it on its side yesterday ,trying to take it up the driveway and cracked the joint where the handle meets the parental steering column.  It is now even more of a pain to control.  I need to get B a regular plastic trike that he can learn to ride himself.  At least he likes to wear his helmet.

Spring is here in Tennessee, and that means J doesn't mind helping cook (grilling).  My job is to marinate the meats (or in the case above, make the burger patties, well seasoned) and make any sides. (Sometimes that means opening a bag of chips).  I can handle that.  The starter on our old fancy gas grill went out after 3 years or so, this time we bought a less expensive basic Weber charcoal grill.  The flavor is so much better.

We are so thankful for our new home.  J's commute is 30 minutes on the  very worst traffic day, which is half of what it was in Georgia.  He has been home more, and we know there was a reason we could not bring ourselves to buy a home there.  God had other plans.

Merry Christmas-time

Here are some more recent photos... our little tree has since received more decorations, but this opportunity presented itself when the kiddos were all dressed up.  There's a good chance we may not send photos out with our cards this year, so... here you go!

Bear is 5 years and 2 months, Buddy is 2 years and 4 months, minus a couple of weeks each.  She's enjoying her Pre-K class 3 days a week, he enjoys tackling Mommy and basically being a stereotypical little mess making boy.  They love each other, and are wonderful blessings.

We spent Thanksgiving with GranWendy and Grandaddy in FL (along with Uncle Adam, Aunt Amy, and cousin Benjamin), and look forward to invading Uncle Nate, Aunt Cheryl, Emily and Madison's home along with the rest of  Daddy's side of the family in about a week or so.

The big 5!!!

My girl is growing up!  This time 5 years ago, I was in the hospital, pretty medicated and wondering when the real labor was going to hit.  We had scheduled an induction to make sure Daddy would be able to be there thanks to a new job requirement that would begin a few short days after her estimated due date.
In some ways it feels like yesterday that my baby girl was born, in others ways, it feels like she has been part of my life forever.  I love that.

My girl is whimsical.  She loves all things Princess-related. (It's a good thing, too, because her friends really spoiled her with dress up costumes, tiaras and wands as party gifts!) She also has a bit of a dark side, as impersonating all the Disney villains is great fun for her.  However, the scary scenes in Beauty and the Beast do still frighten her, and I am not along to sing along with Gaston or his cohorts because they are mean.

We celebrated over the weekend with a gymnastics party.  Grandma and Papa, several of her classmates and local friends came, as well as Kelly, Juliana and Catey from TN:

On her actual birthday, we went out for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant:

Here are some flashbacks from birthdays past:

FOUR!!!!

THREE!!!

TWO!!

ONE!