Play Dough Cookies

Tonight Ethan got to stay up late and make special cookies with Grammy. The bright colored cookie dough was more like playdough, but they sure turned out bright and fun in the end!

Ready to bake!

Drammy's Here!

After trying to fly in on Sunday night we finally got to pick Grammy Tammy up at the airport Monday afternoon. Ethan was so excited. He ran 100 mph down the sidewalk yelling, "drammmmmy" before he jumped into her arms. The boys haven't left her side since.

That night we went to the Lilac Arboretum for a picnic dinner, it was perfect!

The boys got to show Grammy the tunnels through the bushes:

I was crowned Miss Lilac 2011 (even after showing up sweaty straight from Zumba class):

There was plenty of room to run:

There were trees to climb:

There were cute little dirty faces:

3rd Annual Mother's Day Tradition

For the past 3 years we have spent Mother's Day strolling around Ewing Park enjoying the Lilac Arboretum. The blossoms are gorgeous and smell so good, there are over 1,200 bushes.

I love being a mom to this bundle of energy!

I love being a mom to this little sweetheart!

Climb a tree in a skirt? No problem!

We have been so blessed in Iowa with wonderful friends! We couldn't have been surrounded by better people. We will miss everyone!

Grapes

A few weeks ago as we were driving to church I told Ethan that Mother's Day was coming up. When he asked me what Mother's Day was I told him that it was a special day for moms. I told him that on Mother's Day moms get to rest on the couch while their kids feed them grapes and fan them.

Well Clark made sure I got what I requested. After church I was instructed to rest on the couch and close my eyes and wait for my surprise.

I loved it. I hope all of you mothers out there got your own "grapes" today in whatever form you like!

Tulip Time Festival

Friday the boys and I ventured to Pella for the Tulip Time Festival. Pella is proud of their Dutch heritage and the festival is amazing. We had a great time with our friends enjoying the vibrant tulips, the parade, and amazing pastries from the Jaarisma Bakery. Such a fun day!

Ethan loves Mady!

Krew and Ethan enjoying snowcones that match their shirts...which was good considering Ethan's ended up covering him a few mins. after this picture was taken.

I thought this little girl was darling and was amazed at how well she could walk in her little wooden shoes.

My New Job

So the past few days I've been working full-time for a company called Craigslist. We decided to try to sell a few of our things before our big move. It took me a few hours to put everything up (about 18 items) online, and I figured I'd have the next few weeks to leisurely deal with people interested in stuff. Doesn't quite work that way!
The next morning I had hundreds of emails! It has been insane scheduling times to meet up with people, dealing with people that don't show up, hauling things up and down the stairs (I was also hosting a baby shower in the middle of all of this).
On Friday night our living room was Walmart. We hauled everything to the living room that people had said they were coming to pick up. We had people showing up at the same time, it was chaos!
I think the whole experience was a little confusing for Ethan. He was so concerned that he and Caden will never get to have poopy diapers again because we sold the changing table. Then he asked Clark, "Daddy, are you going to sell all my toys?" Later that night he asked, "Are you guys going to sell me?"
Poor kid. He's not for sale necessarily, but I'd be willing to loan him out to a responsible family for a day now and then. Please email if interested. Cash only. Thanks!

Caden -11 Months

Caden is a pure delight at 11 months.

I feel like I've gone from having a baby to a toddler in the last couple of weeks, he's now on the run all the time and he loves to climb and dive off things.

He loves to climb on and "ride" his little horse.

A little trick riding!

As a baby Caden was so calm and peaceful - I thought that would be really good to balance out Ethan's constantly fast pace of life - but now that he can walk that belief is out the window. My two boys love to wrestle already.

His little personality is coming out. He is starting to throw a pretty good little fit when things aren't going just his way. But on the most part he is still a happy little boy! He grins and giggles all the time. We love how easy it is to make him laugh. Ethan makes him laugh all the time by doing nothing.

He is playful and loves to engage anyone he comes in contact with to play with him.

We've discovered he has a huge mouth. He'll probably be one of those kids that can fit his entire fist in his mouth. Things that don't seem like choking hazards are for Caden. We were shocked to find entire Easter eggs, and large sized balls completely in his mouth!

When I take him up to put him to bed I always sing a song, I love that now as soon as we get ready to sing he lays his head on my shoulder and starts "singing" with me.

The best part is that he is still a snuggler. His love language is definitely physical touch. He gives the best hugs. Whenever Clark gets home as soon as he hears the door unlocking he runs in and snuggles in for a good hug.

We love the fun and joy that Caden is bringing to our home!