These are some of my other attempts to get a picture of the kids in their Easter outfits. Megan was the most cooperative, otherwise I would've gotten individuals of all the kids. Oh well. I still like them, even if everyone isn't looking at the camera and smiling all at the same time.
My sisters and I took our kids swimming at my mom's pool during the Priesthood session of conference. All the moms got in, including grandma, and we had a great time! Josh has been a little hesitant whenever we've gone swimming, but he jumped right in this time. Lia and Laura love swimming. We are hoping to get them into lessons this summer though so they don't have to rely on the floaties. And hopefully by summer Megan will be fitting into her suit.
After working every night for almost two weeks, Nate finished installing new flooring in our kitchen and hallways. It was not a fun project, and one that as usual was my idea and not Nate's. But, he was such a good sport to do it and thanks to a lot of help from his dad, a couple of great neighbors and my mom, it is done. And I love it! Thanks Nate!!
The very next day we had a little party at our house with some friends from Nate's mission and his mission president and his wife. One of the elders he served with was in town from Brazil, which is what prompted the party. It was great to meet him and his family and see our other friends as well.
And the day after that was Nate's birthday. He's not a big birthday guy (which I think is totally strange because I am really into birthdays--my own and especially my kids), but we did try to celebrate a little. Lia and Laura decorated, I made the cake, and Josh blew out the candles. We love you Nate!! Thanks for taking such great care of all of us.
The kids in their green for St. Patrick's Day. They have yet to catch a leprechaun in the leprechaun trap they've made the last two years. Maybe next year.
Laura set up this tea party for us in the kitchen. She and Josh carried the table and chairs up by themselves from the basement.
Megan enjoying an apple at the tea party.
Lia got an apron, hat and cooking supplies from Darren and Sarah for her birthday. She and Laura were trying out a new recipe.
In the last few weeks Megan has started sitting up on her own (without the Bumbo) and has started clapping. I don't have pictures of either one yet, but they both are really cute! A whole new world has opened up to her now that she's sitting up. I just can't get enough of her! Hopefully she'll stay in the sitting and not moving stage for a little while.
Lia, Laura and Josh LOVE getting their sleeping bags out and setting them up in the family room. Sometimes they stay for the night, other times just until the popcorn in gone and the movie is over. It reminds me of a similar picture I have with my brother and sisters when we were little. The kids also love going to the zoo. We went a few weeks ago and I've decided the best time to go is in the winter--if it's not freezing. The train wasn't running, which Josh was disappointed by, but it wasn't crowded and it wasn't hot. Josh's favorite animals are the monkeys and the elephants. I'm pretty certain Josh has an imaginary friend who's a monkey and who likes to ride in Lia's seat in the van. I hope it is an imaginary friend. Lia had three imaginary friends at this age--Heber, Haber and Hiber. We were all kind of sad when they went away. I'm glad to see my kids are more creative than I was at their age. I like the zoo and all, but short of going out to dinner, one of my favorite things to do is stay home and watch a movie with the kids in their sleeping bags.
Lia wasn't feeling very good in this picture, if you can't tell. But she was a good sport for the picture.
The one thing Lia asked for for her birthday when I asked her a month ago was overalls. I had to search high and low but I finally found some. And I have to say she looks cute in them. (She also ended up asking for roller blades which she loves and is quite good at.)
Josh after enjoying his cake. He was pretending to be cookie monster while he was eating.
Lia had an interesting birthday this year. She got sick the night before and we had to change our plans. Needless to say she was really disappointed. But, it ended up being a fun day anyway. I got to spend the whole day with her without having to worry about being anywhere or getting anything done and she got to celebrate for three days instead of one. We had the family party the next night and her party with her friends the day after that. Lia is such a good girl and we are so grateful to have her. It sounds so trite but it really does seem like yesterday that we were celebrating her first birthday, right after we moved into this house. Being the first, Lia has had to learn and grow with us. I hope she'll forgive us for that. She is incredibly forgiving and understanding and always tries to make us feel good. We love you, Lia. Thanks for being you.
