Swing SET!

A friend who lives around the corner from us called us when we'd been here but a few days and asked if we wanted her massive swing set. Her girls are now 9 and 11 ... and just don't use it anymore. We jumped at the opportunity even though the timing wasn't perfect... mostly because it was free, Abby is obsessed with swinging and her 2nd birthday is coming up. Grant cut off one of the swings, made the entire thing smaller, and voila - instant fabulousness right in our own backyard. While they were assembling it, Abby was not super thrilled with the loud noises...


but as soon as it was ready, she was excited. Now, it seems that everyday, all she wants to do is "swing!!!"



That was, until a 4 year old boy came over and started going down the slide. Now we've got another safety issue on our hands as we have to help her both up the ladder and down the slide. She'll get it... she's just not quite big enough yet!




For a few consecutive nights while going to sleep I heard her mumbling in her crib, "swing SET! swing SET!" Doesn't it make your heart smile to make your kids happy?

228. hearing giggles of happiness
229. simple pleasures
230. knowing what makes our girl smile

This Little Piggy...

Our first attempt at pig tails.

As we continue to count down the days till the baby comes, there seems there is more and more to do! Yikes!


224. turning off my brain at night (was it on during the day?) and relaxing
225. great movies that grant and i both enjoy - thx netflix!
226. dinner on our lovely new patio (why did God invent mosquitos?)
227. early birthday present for a certain little girl (more soon!)

Happy Hop Hop!

Easter was a wild event around here this year. We had some family visiting before hand and had lots of fun. Cousin Abram (2 months younger than Abby) brought this awesome lawn mower that Abby commandeered immediately.



Who needs a double bob stroller? Aunt Stace threw both kids in her single and away they went.




We even got to paint Abby's room (thanks, Uncle Ryan!!)...



And then the real Easter fun began. Isn't this a look you'd give your brother? I love this...



As we got ready for church, Abby was anxious for the day to get going...



So she spent some time eyeing her new favorite dog Debo who she called "Deebs" and "Deeby" by the end of the trip...



Opening her basket...



Learning to share...




An egg hunt (with m&ms in only 4 of the 12 eggs -- you gotta work for it!) and her shoving in the candy...




Some family shots...




220. He is risen, indeed!
221. church down the hill for easy holiday church-going
222. having some room to have company over
223. family. we love them all!

Thanks, Auntie Emi!

Sweet Auntie Emi stopped by the other day and took a few shots of Abby and I. Don't you all wish you had an Auntie Emi to capture the precious moments that pass too quickly in your life. Ahhhh... we are so blessed by her -- and not just because of her photo talent! Here are a few winners from when she stopped over...










217. auntie emi
218. braxton hicks that don't hurt
219. feeling more and more emotionally "ready" to meet our little boy

No Nap, Mom!

Everyday, right before Abby takes a nice, long nap (this is new!) she says, "no nap, mom!" She fights me, but she goes down after a few good books.

And when she wakes up, I love her crazy hair. I refuse to fix it for the rest of the day.




213. after a 6 hour bout of throwing up, being healthy!
214. cake
215. making cake being therapeutic
216. friends from afar visiting

Cousin Katy

Cousin Katy visited this week on their way to the Disney Cruise that left out of the port of Los Angeles. Abby really, really loved playing with Katy, having Aunt Christi hold her and knowing where Uncle Kevin was at all times. When they left, she got naked, ran out on the front rock and waved goodbye (what parent allowed this?). Hopefully, with that farewell, they'll come back! Bon Voyage Disney!

Easter Eggstravaganza Early

We headed to the Arboretum's version of Easter Insanity last weekend. It was really hot, really crowded and I frankly think Abby and Pema could've had just as much fun in our backyard but it was worth it. Abby's been reading a book about Pooh Bear's egg hunt so she "got" the grabbing all the eggs in the grass idea.






And she thought she'd plump up her top half with the eggs she found...




She did a little sidewalk chalking...



Had a nice, cold Jamba Juice...


Had some fun with Abby's big sun hat..




And we ended the day holding hands. Bffs. Too cute.






Now we're working on the word "resurrection" for this Sunday. Whew.

209. the resurrection.
210. a husband who steps up
211. bible study fellowship
212. not worrying about her next doctor's appointment