Back Home and Big News

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to put up a quick post to let you all know that I'm back from my trip. We had a wonderful time, and I promise to tell you all about it (with pictures!) in a post to come. However, I have much bigger news to share . . .

Ava and Dane have a new cousin!!!!!

Aunt Karen and Uncle Charlie had a baby boy at about 1:30 this afternoon (March 29). His name is Kyle James, and he is 6 lbs 2 oz and 19 inches long. From what I've heard, mom and baby are doing well, although everyone is exhausted, after being up all last night. Hopefully I will be able to share some pictures of the new addition to our family soon!

Congratulations Karen and Charlie, and welcome baby Kyle! We can't wait to meet you!

Happy Easter and Bon Voyage!

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

I hope you all had a wonderful and joyous Easter, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Just a few minutes ago, it was snowing like crazy here, (update: it's still snowing!) but at this time tomorrow, I will be in Miami aboard the Majesty of the Seas on a much-needed vacation! After five days of taking care of no one but myself, I should be returning refreshed and rejuvenated. You won't be hearing from me until next at least Saturday, but when I get back, I will have pictures of Easter, Ava's third birthday celebration, and, of course, the cruise to post. Oh, and there might even be a new baby (not mine) in our family to tell you about. So check back in next week!

In the meantime, have a wonderful week and BON VOYAGE!

An Easter/Birthday Celebration on Palm Sunday

This past weekend we made the trek to Cole Camp to celebrate:

• Palm Sunday
• Easter
• Ava's 3rd birthday
• Cousin Brendan's 13th birthday

Here are a few pics of the festivities:

Ava and Brendan getting ready to blow out their candles:Ava digging into her Barney birthday cake. She ate Barney's foot. Well, at least the icing off Barney's foot.Dane really likes ice cream!Opening birthday gifts. Ava received a really cute bag, some barettes, a matching necklace and bracelet, and a bunch of spring/summer clothes. Thanks everyone!Then the kids hunted for Easter eggs. In the house, because the yard was a little swampy from all the rain.This is the only egg Dane actually found and picked up (What's the deal with pink?!). Then Ava saw it in his hand and said, "there it is, I found it!" and grabbed it away from him. Not exactly how it works Miss Ava!Checking out the goodies in all those pretty eggs.

HAPPY EASTER!

Soakin' up the Sun

We've been thoroughly enjoying the recent taste of spring weather. This winter has seemed so loooooong with all the snow and ice in February. It's amazing the difference a week can make. The following pictures were all taken on Tuesday ~ a week before, most of the area was digging out of the 3rd largest February snowfall in history. Ironically, at our house, we had snow falling, but none of it stuck. The blizzard really started about 5 miles east of here; 12 miles east in Washington, they got 4-5 inches; a little farther north and east in Augusta, they got 8.5 inches; and places in St. Louis got 10-14 inches. Crazy, huh? Anyway, enough about snow and winter, here's some sunny springtime pictures:

Cats and kids both enjoy a stroll after being cooped up all winter:

Dane liked to walk up and down the sloped sidewalk:

Ava sat on the front porch and watched the cars go by:

Cute brother-sister moment:

Ava played on the slide:And both kids played on the swings:

Dane discovered something really cool:

This look says it all:

Then, of course, Ava had to have a turn at the wheel:

We took a ride in the Radio Flyer (Ava was obviously the captain):

What's that critter?

Oh, it's just Jake, basking in the sun!

Hope you're enjoying the nice weather, too!

The Fashionista

Ava is really into dressing up these days. And she comes up with some of the craziest outfits! She'll hate me for it when she's sixteen, but here's the evidence.

This one makes me think of either the 80s or roller derby. I can't decide which. Something to do with the combination the headband (which matched a coat I got in junior high, in the 80s) and the "Pep Rally" t-shirt.This was on Sunday after church. She agreed to take off her dress, but the tights had to stay. But she was cold, so of course she needed a hoodie jacket. And she had to have the shoes to complete the look.Here, Ava is dressed in Dane's clothes, literally from head to toe. Yep, those are even Dane's socks. Since I rarely get a decent picture of the two of them together, this gives you an idea of just how close in size they are!

I've seen a number of other interesting looks lately, since Ava just discovered my box of clothes to donate to an upcoming rummage sale. No pictures, though, sorry! She likes to try every single thing on, it doesn't matter if it's too big or too small. The funniest thing was when she put on an old dress of mine and said, "look Mommy, I'm a princess!"

I guess this means the dress-up chest she's getting for her birthday will be a huge hit!

The Dane-iac

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted new photos of the kiddos. I just realized it's been over a month! Time flies when you're having fun, right?

Dane is doing great ~ here's a few things he does now at 13 1/2 months old:

• walks well, forward and backward
• runs, rather fast considering those short little legs
• tries to jump ~ his feet just won't quite leave the floor yet
• eats almost anything ~ the only foods I've found that he won't eat are sweet potatoes and scrambled eggs from the microwave
• claps his hands and plays "so big"
• pats his belly when I ask him "where's your belly?"
• babbles constantly
• says a handful of words ~ up ("gup"), ball, mama, and map (it's a Dora thing)
• causes general chaos wherever he goes

Dane is teaching me just how different boys and girls are. I thought Ava was a very active child, until Dane came along. He is constantly on the go, and always at full speed. That's how he's earned his most recent nicknames: "Dane-iac" and "Dane-ger Ranger". Whenever I get down on the floor to play with the kids, you can bet at some point I'll be curled up in a self-defensive fetal position, because Dane plays really rough. He's also a little on the destructive side ~ I don't know how many toys and other things he's broken so far in his short life. But he's also intensely curious. His wheels are always turning, and you can see the concentration on his face when he's studying something. Basically, Dane is 100% BOY! But he's my sweet, cuddly, adorable little boy, and I love him to pieces! Even when he's pulling out my hair and poking me in the eye. Here's a few pics:

For all the boy he is, he still likes to play with Ava's pink purses. I guess that's what happens when you've only got a big sister to emulate:

He throws himself 100% into whatever it is he's doing. Especially when it involves the toy pile:Wrestling with pillows. The shirt he's wearing is known in our house as the "Paw-Paw" shirt. I guess whenever Ava sees Paw-Paw, he's wearing a shirt that looks like this!I have a video of this that I'll post later. Ava was sitting in the doll stroller and Dane was pushing her around the kitchen:Bouncing in the Elmo chair. It's one of his favorite pastimes:Dane's "GQ" shot. He's even got the "messy" hairdo that seems to be popular these days. I just love the way his eyelashes curl up at the outer corners. I know I'm a little biased, but can you say ladykiller?

I also have a couple of videos and an Ava update to post, so check back again later! For now, I need some sleep ~ this kid wears me out!