Flying By

{On our drive to Wurzburg}

It dawned on me the other day how fast this past year has flown by so quickly; we're almost at our year mark living here in Germany and I'm becoming a little sad. Moving here, I cried when we left family and friends and the known as we went into the unknown. Slowly, day by day, things got better. I was very homesick but not because it's horrible here! It's quite the opposite actually! But it still isn't home so of course family and friends were (and are) missed. But as John and I were driving to Wurzburg on Sunday for Mother's Day, we were discussing how it has felt like we've only blinked and an almost year has flashed before us. How our 2 years left here is going to go by just as fast, especially while we try to cram in as much as we can see and do before we have to move back to the States. And I think talking about it all, made me sad! Just as I cried when moving here, I know without a doubt that I will cry when we move back home. Germany is a beautiful country; I'm enjoying taking it all in and seeing as much as I can. Knowing that this is a once in a lifetime experience makes it all the more reason to appreciate this opportunity! If I don't happen to see anymore than we already have, I won't be too heartbroken though; I have seen more than I ever thought or dreamed that I would!

{On our drive to Wurzburg}

In other news, I am just one busy mama around here with my four young-ins. I love being the mother to my little ones - they make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me want to pull my hair out, they make me happy. But most importantly, they make me proud to be their mother and I would never want it any other way! I'll take the good and the bad if only I can see their smiles, hold their hands, watch them peacefully sleep, hear them as they learn to read, see them enjoy the food I make them...the list goes on! It's all worth it to me.

Lately, we are busy....

*getting ready for our summer plans

*spring cleaning and organizing

*meal planning

*with a sometimes cranky and demanding baby

*running and walking 20-25 miles a week. Frankfurt 10K is in less than 3 weeks!!!!

*packing and planning for our trip this next week to Garmisch - relaxation HERE WE COME!

*reading lots and lots of books - everyone has one they are reading. John: The Crisis of Islam, Leslie: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks (my favorite author, however, not my favorite read!), Aubrey: Catching Fire (book #2 from Hunger Games series), Jocelyn: The Princess and the Frog, Andrew: Curious George, Landon: Blue Hat Green Hat - okay, so we're reading to the boys but didn't want to leave them out! :)

*catching up on laundry (it never ends!)

*craving to get the grill out and bbq!

*going to the playground just about any chance we get

*on the last days of the school year...we have a count down!! Aubrey: 19 days, Jocelyn: 14 days

*starting new chore lists - we'll see if this one will work better! one can only hope!

*at work! Well, for John that is! Lots of late night hours at the office

*enjoying a break in-between semesters (again, this is for John! But it's enjoyed by all that he's not wrapped up in studies at the moment!)

*catching up on blogging

*watching a little one toddle all around the house getting into everything! - and loving it

*wishing we could ditch our home in Virginia (yeah, we'll be wishing that one for a long time to come!)

*enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather

*dreaming about John + I's vacation to Greece! THIS is getting me through the difficult and long days. Even though I'm nervous leaving my two little boys for a week who are still attached to their mama (the girls I know will be okay)....I'm super ready for some time off!
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Be prepared to see a lot more older posts in the coming weeks. I'm trying to catch up on events I do not want to forget. Like our trip to Oregon last summer, family vacation to Virginia Beach, our time with friends before moving to Germany, our Christmas with my brother and his family. You know...a long time ago stuff! :)

Hello, Sunshine!

{Field in Wiesbaden - April 2012}

I love starting my day off by getting all the way ready before the kids open their eyes...a cool breeze coming through the windows....and a beautiful sunshiney day! I may still be tired - which may or may not be because I stayed up later than I wanted with a good book in hand. But it's one of the little things I've been focusing on lately. I feel that, for the longest time, I blog about the BIG things that go on in our lives - and not the little things which I think are just as equally important! I feel that there is just not enough time in a day to document everything the kids do or all of the many thoughts that run through my head as I'm multitasking this or that. I try to live in the moment the best I can! To enjoy life with John and the kids. But sometimes I feel frustrated that the little moments rush by and I'm afraid that I'm going to forget them. I try with all my might to take a mental photo (or in many cases, an actual one), to take in the moment and all it's senses. But then I feel that the memory gets lost and caught up in day to day life. I don't want to forget my five toothed one year old and the sounds he makes, watching him walk across the floor with more steps with each passing day - to see him scrunch up his nose and smile at me with his big bluish gray eyes. How vibrant the fields are with the yellow wildflowers right now while driving on the autobahn. How they remind me of sunshine and the few seconds of happiness it brings me while tuning out the screaming or crying that's going on behind me in the back seats. The sound of the wind coming through the cracked window while I drive on a nice day or watching the curtains in the house sway when the wind rushes in. Helping one child read a story while one yells that they need assistance in the bathroom. Hearing Andrew make gun noises just about every second of the day (pew, pew, pew!) - a true boy, right? Stopping one fire while another one breaks loose not even a second later. Getting Landon away (and sometimes out) of the garbage can. Enlisting the kids in help with the housework...I put on some music and they dance and clean. Catching a beautiful sunset out the kitchen window as I clean up before calling it a day. I swear I feel like a ping pong ball on most days! Sneaking in loads of laundry or doing the dishes while I have a baby sleeping. Life just seems to get so busy but I'm grateful that I notice these little and big experiences! For the moments that help me slow down and remember what's most important: happy children, and not a clean home!

A Real Friend

{Found image on Pinterest}

As I've gotten older and have moved to a few different places in my lifetime, I have learned who my true friends are and who my true friends aren't. And that really is okay when all is said and done...because you can't be friends with everyone! You can be friendly to everyone, of course! But some people you click with better than others. Or you may have more in common with than others. I am also okay with having a few close knit friends vs. a million. Moving around has it's perks but one of the downfalls of moving frequently is having to leave the good ones behind to venture out to the unknown to find new ones and well, that can be downright hard! And sometimes unbearable! Some days I want to throw the towel in and say "FORGET IT! It's just not worth my heart being crushed a thousand times putting myself out there to meeting people that end up hurting me." Sometimes I feel that I have enough friends and don't need anymore. It's hard when you realize when a friend wasn't really a friend at all - the pain and sadness that usually comes along with that realization. Growing up, I had more guy friends than girl friends for that reason alone: I couldn't take all the drama and the heart ache. I still feel that way today. But, along with the few rotten eggs you run into and the pain they may cause, I believe it is worth it when you extend yourself and end up meeting and forming healthy relationships with the good eggs. After all, you can't very well love and appreciate the good eggs so much without coming across the bad ones. 

I'm so grateful for my husband - who also happens to be my best friend! I couldn't have asked for a better man. He amazes me and always makes me smile and laugh. He's always there for me (as I am for him) and I never ever have to question his intentions as they are honest and sincere. I was having a rough time the other day and I'd like to share a little of what I wrote to him:

"Thank you for being my constant and true love & friend in a lifetime of pain and let downs around me. Thank you for loving me, believing in me and finding me. I know life gets busy and some days just down right hard and unbearable - but because I have you, I know I will make it and be stronger for it. I would be lost without you. Thank you so much for taking care of me and our family. You are amazing and I can't think of a better person to be with than you! You are my hero!!!!"

I've been fortunate for the most part since moving here. I have met and become friends with a handful of some really nice and friendly people. With that said though, I have also come to find a few "friends" actually turn out not really earning that worthy title. It's really made me pause and think of what a true friend really is! To re-evaluate some relationships in my life that were becoming toxic and I had to make the decision to end it knowing that letting go of the negative would give me peace again. To realize that not every friend in your life stays a forever friend. In some cases, wonderful friends end up being situational friends. Friends that you had during a certain time in your life that you lose touch with for one reason or another when one of you moves away. Or friends that you needed to have during a hardship and were a blessing but you both went your separate ways when life dealt you a different hand of cards to play. Then there's the friends that no matter the time and distance you've had between the two of you, you can pick right back up where you left off as if time stood still and years hadn't gone by. So thankful for the internet (not something I say a lot!) and being able to stay connected to so many friends and family that live afar. How lost I would feel without those wonderful friendships in my life even if they don't live around the corner anymore! It was really hard getting close to another Marine Corps Spouse that happened to also be my downstairs neighbor for a few months just to watch her up and move away 2.5 years earlier than planned (we moved here around the same time) BUT thankfully she's considered one of those forever friends that no matter where we are living, we will always stay in each other's lives!

So thank you to all my REAL friends! For being there for me as I have for you. For the good times and the laughs we've had; for the hard times and the hugs we've shared. You are loved and cherished and I hope you know that you are so very important to me - no matter how far away we live from one another! How much you are missed!!! What I'd give to see you more than we do and to have lunch together or take our kids to the park or go on a trip to the beach together! (Or in this case, Paris!!!!) :)

A REAL friend makes life more bearable!

Quite simply, to have a friend...you need to BE one! :)

New Life

I always forget what it feels like after having a baby. The feelings. The changes. The adjustments. But so much love for this new little one that I never imagined I'd have until the moment I met him. After having three children though, I knew that there was more than enough love to go around. Aside from the obvious excitement and happiness a new baby brings, there comes other emotions. Definitely a roller coaster of them due to the wonderful post baby hormones, a new found love for another sweet child I am so blessed to have and raise, sleep deprivation from around the clock waking to feed, maternity clothes that are finally too big but the pre-pregnacy clothes, well, let's just say I'm not going to try and see if they fit yet, the disconnect I feel from my other children as I rest and let their daddy take over a majority of the household tasks - to name just a few. I'm missing all of the time I used to have to play with them and seeing how hard this change has been on them has been hard on me as well (and seeing how much bigger they look and feel after only being away for a few days in the hospital!). All of these things have thrown me through a loop all the while getting to know this little boy of mine.

My "once was" routine with the kids and my daily schedule has been tossed around and thrown upside down like a tornado and I'm slowly trying to get back into the swing of things so I can eventually establish a new routine that fits for my four children. Right now, my days are mixed with sleeping when I can squeeze in a few more minutes, feeding and changing a newborn, crying at the drop of a hat, feeling lost in my motherly role and frustrated with the fact that there have been SO many changes in the past few months that nothing feels "normal" anymore. Andrew's gone from pacifier to no pacifier, sleeping in a crib in our room to a big boy bed in his own room, Jocelyn and Aubrey now sharing a room, driving a new van instead of the truck I drove everyday for the past 4 years, John deployed for six months and me having a routine with the kids while he was away to him being home a few weeks before baby's due date (a GOOD thing but still a huge change!) and basically switching roles with me while I have Landon so he can take care of the kids and then readjusting to us all being back together again. It's sometimes more than I can handle. It even seems too overwhelming for me to even start thinking of how my days are going to go once John returns back to work. Obviously one minute and one day at a time. I'm sure in a few months, I'll have things down like I did after the other children were born. Luckily, Landon is such a good and laid back little guy. He sleeps much of the time, is happy and content and curiously looking around when he's alert and hardly ever cries. The kids have been really enjoying having their baby brother here. It's very cute to see how much they love him already.

Aside from all of the challenges and stress I've been faced with, life after a baby is rewarding, fun and enjoyable. Nothing worth it is EVER easy so I expect to have bad days and hard times mixed in with the good days and fun times. I try to keep that in mind when the going gets tough! I really love being a mom and count myself blessed - and remembering that will help me get through this! I have the best husband ever that supports and stands by me and picks up the pieces when I am not able to put them together. I also have amazing friends and family to pull me through. Each day has been a little easier than the previous one and I know that I will get through this change in my life. It might be with baby steps...but I will get there!! In the meantime, I'm just going to snuggle and enjoy my little baby boy and three older children and hope that my new normal will come soon!

2010 - Word Review

For the year 2010, our family word was "Choose."

At that time in our lives, a lot was interfering with our every day life creating stress as a result. Too much on the go and less time with each other. So we condensed and prioritized our needs and wants and started to let go of some things (even the good things) that weren't necessary and that would be filled with more family time instead. Looking back on the year, I think we did a good job of choosing the better things. I believe a little more purging is still necessary to create more family harmony but overall we did well. I chose not to go back to school this year (going on and off for 13 years now to get my Bachelors - what's a few more years!) and focus on my children instead. I also chose not to blog as much (even though I wanted to) so I wouldn't be tied to the computer as often. John started to take his college course reading on the train with him to and from work so he could get it done during commute instead of at home where he wanted to use that time for the kids and I. And as a result, he graduated with his Bachelors in September. There have been things at school Aubrey has wanted to get involved in but due to her already full schedule of 4 activities, we told her that her plate, as well as ours, was full. That in order to do other things, she would need to let go of some current things. Jocelyn and Andrew are still a bit too young to personally participate but they too saw the changes we were making and it benefited them also. Time management really had a hand in this I have to add. This was a family commitment and as hard as it was at times, we pulled it off and came away from it feeling more balanced and happier. I'm looking forward to another year and another word for our family. I haven't narrowed one down yet but I will be posting it soon.

Tired!

I have to say, I have many intentions on keeping things current on my blog. It is something I truly enjoy doing and preserving our family's memories is very important to me. But let's face it, it's not always going to be ideal (or easy in any sense of the word!) to stay up to speed with 3 young and active children! With me now 15 weeks pregnant and taking care of my very busy monkeys, well, I'm literally wiped out with no extra energy left to do what I want when the day is said and done and my children lay their heads on their pillow.

I love my kids very much and I love being a mom so I don't say that lightly that I don't have time for me. I wouldn't trade my job for the world. Being a mom is the best and most important job ever! I am honored and blessed to be the mother that I am to the children that I have. And I'm sure not having much time for me is just a normal case of being a mother. Although, getting lost in the shuffle isn't what I had in mind. I need to carve out time for me so I don't forget who I am. Even walking at the gym for 30 minutes would be idle. Or taking up cooking again. Or that photography class I've been eyeing for awhile. I want to make it clear that I wouldn't trade any of my motherly responsibilities for anything! It's who I am and I love it! After having my third child, I have started to feel like I have lost my identity somehow. Other than being a mother, daughter, sister, friend...I don't really know me anymore! What are my hobbies? "I don't have any" is my usual answer. Regardless...if I'm not happy and healthy, I'm not doing the kids a favor one bit! I believe it's now time for me to reset some priorities and jot down some goals.

{15 weeks to the day!}

Until I can get this blog of mine back up-to-date though...here's a snippet of what we've been up to:

1. Aubrey's running for Student Body Secretary at her school.
2. Jocelyn turned FOUR years old two days ago (the 14th)! She too is growing like a weed! But a cute one.
3. Andrew is one busy 20 month old! In fact (and unfortunately), rolling down the stairs has been his current past time. Such as today. A HUGE green goose egg on the side of his forehead. Poor guy! Not only is he giving me those scares but he's climbing on the back of the couches & tables & recliners & desks...well, you get the idea! He about gives me a heart attack every time he pulls these crazy stunts of his. He also loves to turn on and off lights (over & over & over again)! He's everywhere! It's fun to watch him active and busy though. He's such a sweet little boy too. I now know through personal experience this past year of his life that he runs the show a whole lot different than the girls ever did. Wow. It exhausts me just thinking about it!
4. Aubrey is in the midst of fall soccer. She's doing really well! And piano practice too. She alone keeps herself (and I) busy!
5. Jocelyn started preschool on Monday. She's nervous but when I pick her back up, she's ALL smiles!
6. Besides being 15 weeks pregnant and being tired from the daily routine, I'm feeling great! No sickness thankfully. This pregnancy feels a lot like when I was pregnant with Andrew. I have no desire to do much cooking. I have been plagued with this problem since finding out I was pregnant. I don't know if it's the said lack of energy or not wanting to be around a ton of smells. So usually dinner is quick and easy. I really need to dig out my crock pot again and also start double batching meals again so I don't have to cook every.single.night! Leftovers=awesome!
7. John's very very busy working. He also graduated on the 11th with his Bachelors Degree! So proud of my husband!

I'm far behind in blogging and posting pictures but I'm stubborn and WILL get it done. Look into seeing a post from me at least daily for a while. :) Until then...

Good night!

When Trials Become Blessings

Some recent changes have transpired within our family - best described as both exciting and difficult. I'm still quite not ready to openly talk about these specific life events but I did want to let you know that we're all doing great and surviving the triple digit heat here! When I feel ready, which will hopefully be soon, I will document these family changes. But right now, I just need to adjust and get over the "deer in the headlights" feeling. Life tends to throw us curve balls from time to time. We are given situations that we have to learn to get through. I felt that I owed my readers an explanation of why I haven't been blogging as much this month (even though I keep this blog primarily as a family journal so I don't have any pressure to write a certain amount of posts) - I've just had to take a step back for a bit and take some time to reflect and get things done. I'm foreseeing August being just as busy as this month - or even busier due to the changes! Thankfully, we have some upcoming events that we're looking forward to:

• John graduating with his Bachelors!
• Beach Trip!!!
• School starting soon...this year for both Aubrey AND Jocelyn! :)
• Soccer, piano, choir, xylophone, activity days, story time at the library and school activities.
• And Andrew will naturally keep me busy - as usual. Climbing is his favorite game at the moment.

After re-reading all of the upcoming events and activities we will be involved in, I don't think I need to worry about finding myself a hobby! A sanity check? Yes!! The kids will have me beat!

{My kids after church ended. Andrew's saying "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!"}

One more exciting thing before I wrap up this post...Andrew went to nursery at church for the entire class for the first time. I can't believe my sweet, little 19 month old Andrew is now old enough to be part of the primary. We went in the the nursery a few months ago to help out with one of the teachers. Of course, he did relatively well since I was in the classroom with him. But this time was a bit of a different story. I was walking down the hall to get him from nursery to find him being held and comforted in the hall with his teacher.

When I initially took him to class, he clung to my leg pretty tight. But the teachers in there are husband and wife and they do an awesome job and got him distracted pretty quickly. I took this as my opportunity to leave and let him get acquainted with his new sunday school class until he turns 3. (Which he will then go into the primary as a Sunbeam.) Apparently the first 30 minutes after I left went fine and he especially enjoyed snack time. But after that point, it all went downhill. Blood and all! Well, I think he either bit his mouth somehow or it could be from his eye teeth breaking through. It's also smack dab in the middle of his normal nap time. So they just walked the halls to pass time. As soon as he saw me walking towards him after church was over, he had the biggest puppy dog face and pout and reached out for me. It was kinda sad but sooooo cute! He'll adjust to nursery. I'm sure of it. He thankfully wasn't as near as difficult as Jocelyn was in the nursery. She clung to me every time I tried to go - every Sunday! And cried most of the class time too. So I know after a few Sundays, it will be part of Andrew's normal routine to be there with his friends learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

{Andrew's 1st Sunday going to nursery! Such a big boy!}

Time Out For Women 2010

Months ago, when the Time Out For Women 2010 tour schedule came out, I bought a ticket to go. I've been to two Time Out's already (Portland, OR & Richmond, VA). This time, the closest one to me was in Pittsburgh, PA. Original plans fell through with who was going and I was very close to giving up my own ticket as well - but last minute, some friends of mine from church were driving up on Friday and coming back late Saturday and I took the roadtrip along with them. I can't tell you how much fun we had! I had been looking forward to this break for a long time and I am so glad I was able to go!

The morning was pretty crazy. It was a school day - I was helping to get Aubrey out the door for school and we quickly ate breakfast as a family. It was so busy in fact, that Aubrey ran for the bus before I could get a picture with all of my kids. So this one will have to do.

With it being a Friday, we were smart and took the back highways to Pittsburgh instead of torturing ourselves to go through DC traffic. We left around 9am and got into the city around 3:30 pm - stopping for lunch and a bathroom break along the way. We checked into the Marriott Courtyard where we had reservations (luckily I hadn't cancelled mine) and it was a nice stay! Here are some pictures of the hotel and our room:

After checking in and getting our things settled into our rooms, we still had a good two hours before the event even started. The convention center that was hosting the event wasn't more than 500 yards away from where we were staying. So we took a little walking tour of the city of Pittsburgh.

{This is the front of the convention center}

{And this is the back of the convention center}

{A statue we walked past}

And here we started over the river. This city has three rivers that join together. And LOTS of yellow bridges!!! You couldn't even really tell them apart. But I really liked their detail and style. Here are some pictures from our sight-seeing adventure:

{My roadtrip buddies!}

{My friend Heather and I}

{The city of Pittsburgh}

{A cobblestone street we walked down}

{PNC Park - baseball stadium}

{Liked that they won the year I was born!}

{PNC Park}

That concludes our tour of the city. :) We then headed back to our rooms to freshen up and then walked over to the convention center to enjoy what we went there for: Time Out For Women! It was amazing! The speakers, the music, time spent with friends! I took a ton of notes to remember what was said. This Time Out was the best one I've gone to yet! And I can't WAIT to go again next year!

**A special thanks to my wonderful husband for letting me have this time to myself and for getting a much deserved mommy break - and for being an awesome dad to our kids! I love you!!**

{All of us friends from church who attended Time Out in Pittsburgh}

{A goofy picture of us - we're all calling on our break to see how everyone's doing back at home! I almost choked up. Jocelyn said sobbing on the phone: "Momma...you're gonna be gone forEVER!!!" Guess I need to leave the house more often to get appreciated and missed - but not for two days at a time! :)}

{Lunch break with amazing friends!}

Easter 2010

This Easter, we kept things pretty low key at our place. Not in the sense that things weren't crazy and the kids weren't running around on a slight sugar and happy high, but we tried to stick to the basics. We all know that holidays are usually anything BUT relaxing - but we did try to keep it somewhat peaceful. Not only is it Easter Sunday, but it's also General Conference weekend and we were able to take in all of the wonderful messages that were shared with us and helped to, once again, recharge our spiritual batteries. We also read about the true meaning of Easter from Matthew 28 and watched this video.

For breakfast, we made cinnamon rolls, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs and orange juice. It was SO good. Then, the kids were surprised with their Easter baskets. We were going to hid them, but once again, we kept things to a minimal. To my disappointment though, we didn't dye eggs this year as planned so the amount of eggs they were to find were cut in half. But who says you can't dye and decorate eggs any other day of the year? :) I think we may just do that! Another disappointment was that I didn't do the usual Easter clothes for the kids. A lot of that reason was much of my time spent lately has been caring for and nurturing Andrew back to health from a double ear infection and a miserable cold. Most days, I barely got anything done other than holding a clingy baby. Not that I mind - it's just why I didn't get a lot done. Another reason to step back and remember our family word this year: Choose. I chose to leave some things out this year so I didn't get all frazzled and stressed. Much of the reason why we chose this specific word in the first place; so we could simplify our lives and get down to the basics. Looking back, I do wish I got them cute matching clothes for Easter but it's really not something I'm going to fret over. Next year, I hope to be able to make the girls their dresses - or at the very least, go shopping earlier, in case unfortunate events like sick children spring upon us!

The girls and I made and decorated sugar cookies and took plates over to some of our neighbors and friends. Aubrey and Jocelyn really liked doing this and felt so proud giving the cookies they made to people they love.

Once we returned home, it was starting to cool off outside - enough to watch them run themselves crazy searching for easter eggs in the backyard. The girls knew the drill but this was Andrew's first Easter egg hunt. John and I took turns helping him find some of the hidden eggs and his sisters were actually kind enough to leave some of the lower ones for Andrew to pick up and dump into his little green bucket. It really was a fun sight to see as they all ran to and fro searching for their "treasures."

For dinner, we had a Costco ham, scalloped potatoes, pineapple, olives, rolls and salad. A friend of ours wasn't feeling well and his family was out of town visiting extended family, so we took some dinner over to him. And the plan for dessert was to make lemon bars but with all of the yummy cookies we were praised with by friends all week, we cut it out of the menu.

Easter just happens to be one of my favorite holidays. Almost 31 years ago, on April 15th, I was born. It also happened to be Easter Sunday (and tax day!). There are rumors that I was almost named Bunny. And I'm so glad it was just that....Rumors!! :) I'm grateful to my parents that my name ended up being Leslie instead. I'm sure it spared me a lot of embarrassment.

Today ended up being a really great day spent with family and friends - and I'm very happy to know that my sweet kids understand that there is more to Easter than just the candy and baskets. That because Christ died for our sins and was resurrected, that we too can live again! I love knowing that if we just try to do our best and live our lives in such a way that the Savior would be pleased, that we can enjoy this promise. Happy Easter! :)

{Table set for Easter breakfast}

{These beautiful Lily's I picked up at Wegmans and they made the house smell so good!}

{Delicious cinnamon rolls}

{Andrew's Easter basket - I didn't realized I got him such a small basket. So things happily sat next to it.}

{Aubrey's Easter basket}

{Jocelyn's Easter basket}

{All three kids with their "I am a Child of God" frames}

{He LOVED his ball!}

{Dad & son relaxing}

{After getting sick on some medicine and having already gone through a few changes of clothes, he ended up walking around like this for a while! :)}

{Girls baking cookies for friends and neighbors}

{Easter Egg hunt in the backyard begins!}

{Andrew's first Easter Egg Hunt!}

{Found another!}

{He was very reluctant putting those eggs into the bucket. He would much rather hold them!}

{"Isn't that what they're for, Mom??"}

{Aubrey searching for more eggs}

{Jocelyn found some too!}

{Basically having no clue as to what was going on, he just wondered around...}

{"Oohhh! What's THAT?"}

{Smile! "Hey Andrew...look over here!}

{"No...look over here! At Mama!" Oh well. He's still cute looking in his bucket. Guess I'll take what I can get! :)}

{Cracking open their easter eggs to find their hidden surprises}

{Easter dinner}