For Posterity's Sake

Just in case you thought it was all peaches and cream:

At least one of 'ems happy.

Dishwasher

Randomly, B decided she was going to do all the dishes after dinner one night.
And she did.

Scrub a dub dub.

Fingerpainting Redo

Well, this time little sis just had to get in on the action.

Can you tell she thought it was the coolest thing ever?!

And B very skillfully mastered the art of making brown out of all the colors.

While S explored the off-the-paper technique:

For Livy

When my sista visited just after Easter, she brought this egg with.
We were to crack it and find some dirt inside. Then, with daily waterings and sunlight we would see:

A magnolia.

Livs, this is about as good as it's getting cause I think it's had it's time in the sun on our window sill. Now I'd like not so much dirt and a clearer view. It was nice while it lasted.

Artwork

This is just for kicks.
Here's some of B's artwork from this past year:

Don't know who/what this is: If you could tell me that'd be great!

And you can see S's first attempt at holding a crayon and scribbling:
(she may have had a little help from the mothership with the spots)

One of the first freehand drawings B brought home from preschool. Apparently they were studying E for Elephant.

I am

Quotable

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Tidbit

Yes, that is the name of our newest visitor.

We are fostering another dog. This time we have a mini grandma on our hands. She is precious and only 7 lbs but mostly blind with cataracts. As well as hard of hearing. So it makes it interesting watching her "Helen Keller" it, ever sniffing, to learn her way around our house. We have a baby gate up since she doesn't seem to be able to make it down stairs well by herself.

To learn more and see pics of her go to:
http://www.smalldogsminnesota.org/viewPet.cfm?petid=16307094

Disclaimer: I did not write that description of her and tend to have it changed soon as it bugs me since it is kind of lame as well as misspelled and grammatically incorrect.

I should have been an English major . . . .
;)

More pics

Here's our wonderful Floridian hosts: James, Alesia, and my only American cousins: Brianna and Abigail--both with their eyes closed, but beautiful smiles.

It was very fun to see them!





They not only picked us up from the airport, but showed us around Cocoa Beach, stopped at a tourist trap for us to buy some souvenirs, treated us to a Rock Shrimp dinner, and took the hide-a-bed for the night--even though it was Alesia's bday!

The next morning, after Alesia whipped up a yummy breakfast (we were spoiled I tell you!), we toured Deseret Ranches--the largest cattle ranch in the U.S., and as you can see from Abby's face below, it was fun. Watching for gators was the highlight of the morning.

Also, let me tell you, this girl can melt anyone's heart.

We're glad we were able to see them--even for a little bit!
What wonderful hosts!


And here's a few more pics from our time in Nassau, Bahamas:

Loved it!

The Wranglers

Introducing . . . Aunt Livy! Don't these two look like they had fun? (yes, B has a mouthful of green jelly beans)

After successfully completing the Easter Bunny house:
Both girls just wanted to tear off those jelly beans.

Aunt Livy stepped up big time to be B's older sis and Oma's big helper.

And of course Oma, took care of everyone and everything wonderfully! As she always does.

Our trip would not have been possible without these two generous ladies.

Thanks Oma and Liv!

A few pics . . . more to come

Nassau, Bahamas

A BIG Thankyou

One week ago, E and I were able to get away without the kids for a little time together. It was something we have planned and looked forward to for a few years. And with residency and all, it was soooooooooooo nice.

A big thank you to our Florida hosts, James & Alesia, Brianna and Abigail. We are so glad we were finally able to visit!

But, most of all, a BIG THANK YOU to Aunt Livy and Oma who wrestled the little kiddos here to make our trip possible. It was our first trip together since we've had kids. So we didn't know how they'd do. But I know they were loved, cared for, fed, and traveled where they need to be. And I couldn't have asked anyone better to do the job!

Thank you SOO much!

More to come on this fun trip, later.

First Haircut

Our story begins at Great Clips.

Can you sense the anticipation?!

Astonishment as she realizes this is a defining moment.

What will her "Streetsmart" portfolio become?

She was slightly chagrined when she was told she would have to sit on Mom's lap during the do. Because you see, Mom had just been to the gym. Peeeeyu!

But, I guess it's all worth it for a sucker!

Sisters

These girls are delightful.

Of course, we have our fair share of biting, scratching, hitting, crying . . . ;)

But for the most part they are getting along better and better as they get older.

Thank goodness for sisters!

Monkey

Well, S has discovered her love of the outdoors now that it's warmer weather. (yay!)

Before I know it she's run outside scaling our little playset.

Climbing up the ladder with no help from anyone.

Success!

I've got to keep an eye on this girl.

She's a little monkey.

Haircut

What d'y'all think?

Yes, I know my sidekick is cute . . .

She is quite the little poser lately.

Yes, I know I look tired . . .

That's because I am.

But, although I do have more of a "mom" look, I do love my new do!

Dying Easter Eggs