Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year! I was so excited about this Easter because it was the first one where Addalie could really participate and we could explain to her what Easter is about. Of course she cannot fully understand (can any of us?) what Christ did, she has said several times when she sees a cross, "Jesus died on the cross!" So she has little seeds of understanding. I pray that one day she fully understands and celebrates Easter for all it is and because of what Christ has done for her personally.

We had the Shocks, Aimee, and Leah over for Easter dinner and an egg hunt on Easter Sunday. It was so fun to host at our house! We loved having everyone here and loved watching the kids hunt eggs!

I got these pictures in the opposite order I intended!

Asher loving on Aimee! She's become a part of the fam and we love having her around!

Everyone trying to fit in my little kitchen! We made it work!

Addalie and Emry were too excited to eat.

All the kids looking through their goodies.

Addalie got so excited after just finding a couple of eggs and we couldn't get her to hunt for any more!

So many of these pictures are of Addalie and Emry. I just can't help it, they are too cute!

Walking to their class together at church- they started holding hands all on their own!

All dressed up for church!

So handsome!

Showing off her pretty dress that Gran-D bought her!

See it's all backwards! Here Addalie is decorating boiled eggs. She had fun putting stickers on the eggs and getting her fingers as colorful as possible!

We hope all of you had a blessed Easter! We are so thanful for our Lord who gave it all for us to live in relationship with Him!

Family Time Around Austin

Why is it that I feel like I have so much to say when I'm vacuuming or something, but when I sit down to write on the blog, I've got nothing? I have deep thoughts sometimes, I promise. I used to want to be a writer, so why does my brain feel empty now? Is that what happens when you have a baby? Anyway, here are some pictures of what we've been up to lately.

Asher decided to help Daddy do some yard work the other day!

 Daniel has been trying to introduce me to Austin more, since I've now lived here for almost two years! So, we've been going to some family friendly Austin places lately, and they've been so fun! These pics are from Phil's Ice House and Amy's Ice Cream. They have a really cool playground that Addalie loved.

 

Daniel took this of the kids this morning! They love laying around in Mom and Dad's bed watching Barney!

My Joy

I never thought I could love another child or be attached to another child like I was Addalie. She has been a constant joy to me since birth with her sweet personality and contagious smile. I know I sound like a proud mama, but I just didn't think I could have another child that I found as delightful as her. But here I am, with two absolutely delightful children, and I just don't know how I could ever be more blessed. Asher is such a sweet boy. He constantly grins and just seems like this sensitive, sweet baby boy that I can't get enough of! I need more hands and more time becuase it's so hard to divide it between my kids! I don't want Asher to grow up, but it will be so fun when he can participate in what Addalie and I are doing!

Please pray for me though because my first joy, Addalie, is a two year old who is pushing boundries and exploring all she is capable of right now! It's been quite the learning experience for me!

Asher loves it when I hold him up and tickle is belly with my nose. He giggles everytime! Oh, and look how he's grabbing my hair- like sister like brother?

Oh yeah, I took Asher for his 4mo appointment last week and here are his stats:

Length: 24.5 in 25%

Weight: 13 lbs, 13 oz 25%

Head: 42.2 cm 50%

What we've been up to...

 Horsing around the house...

 Playing in the sprinkler,

 Not sure how much we like it!

 Having fun watching his sister...

 playing with Barney in Asher's carseat,

 Loving bathtime,

 Training to be a Texas fan,

 Playing a Zilker Park,

 And just loving being goofy together! (yes Addalie dressed herself)

She keeps us on our toes!

I seriously can't take my eyes off my two year old! She's sweet and doesn't mean to cause trouble, but she's curious, and wants to try and see just how messy things can be!


Today she found some grease from somewhere on the grill outside, and got it all over her. She was wearing a ton of white today too! We were just about to leave for our Real Life Group so we had to throw her in the bathtub and wash her several times before we got it all off. Crazy kid.

 Here is the "after" pic. All clean!

 And that's not all. Earlier today, she got into the baby powder in the bathroom. This mess wasn't quite so hard on the white clothes. Seriously, she's a delight, but keeps me busy!

Feeling Fancy

 Addalie got a super-cute new table, a tea set, and some dress up clothes for her birthday, and we wanted to try it all out with some friends. So we called up the Shock cousins and invited them to a royal tea party! They had to come in dress up clothes, but I had fancy shoes, jewelry, and hats for the kids to borrow if they wanted. Addalie made me wear a flower headband and heels, but I didn't get a picture! Jada got one though, so I'll have to get that. Anyway, the kids seemed to have a good time!

That night, I decided to bust out the fancy dishes and grill some filet mignons for dinner. We were definitely feeling fancy yesterday!

Camping and More!

First of all, check out these cute pictures of my family! I never cease to be amazed at how much joy they bring me!

He has the most kissable cheeks!

And he loves his bouncer

                                    

 Nothing makes Daniel happier then when he gets to cuddle with his kids. Side note: Whenever I have both Addalie and Asher in my arms, I usually say, "I love my two kids!" So now whenever I'm holding them, Addalie says, "I got two kids!"

Ok, so this weekend, we attempted our first camping trip as a family. Daniel and I both grew up camping, and we want to do the same with our kids. It was definately interesting! We were just there for one night, and let me tell you, camping is hardly worth the effort for just one night! But I still loved it and can't wait to make it a family tradition.

Addalie stayed dirty most of the time, of course.

Part of the fun of camping is eating and drinking all the time right? Addalie liked not having to wear a bib or use a sippy cup, and loved helping herself to whatever!

There were some relaxing times...

In my family, camping means target practice. It had been a while since I shot a gun, but I can still do it!

Addalie quickly got bored with few toys and children to play with and started saying, "I ready to go home." She even got in the car, and tried to drive there herself!

Wow, sleeping in a tent with a two year old... wow. She refused to lay down in her sleeping bag and go to sleep. She wanted to lay on the air mattress with mom and dad. But she won't just lay there, no no, she has to crawl all over me, pulll my hair, kick me in the face, kick Daniel in the ribs, elbow me, and cry every fifteen minutes no reason at all! Oh Asher, the three month old, was an angel. He layed on his little pallet and didn't make a peep, despite all the noise, until this morning. After his 6:30 feeding though, he just wanted to sleep with me. Here we are, after a rough night, on an almost completely deflated air mattress. Somehow, we are all at the foot of the bed. Notice Addalie still has my hair in her hand! I'm surprised I'm not bald after last night!

Fun times were had by all! Memories...