Gpa visits us in Houston

The kids (especially Annelise) anticipated this weekend for a long time. When Annelise found out Gpa would be coming to visit a few months ago she wrote him a three page letter with all the activities she thought of that she and Gpa could do together. She asked him to check the ones he wanted to do. When she got his response back (all checked of course) she hid the papers under her bed. Here is the surviving paper that Annelise used to entertain Gpa while he was here.

Bubbles in the backyard

Saturday we visited the alligators. I had only ever seen them in the water, but this day they were actually hanging out right next to the trail. Yikes! At one point I jumped to the side while we were walking because I thought an alligator was running up to me, but it was just a bike rider. Yes dorky, but look at this alligator! I don't think my imagination was too far off.

Water break

Even Lily loved getting attention from Gpa. I love her little baby laugh.

On Sunday Annelise and Gpa made a calendar to count the days until she sees everybody in Utah this summer. She absolutely loved drawing in events and activities planned until then.

So far 2 down, 37 to go!

Bluebonnets

Yea! After living here for nearly four years we finally took a little road trip today to Brenham to see the bluebonnets (TX state flower). It was great to have a Saturday with Brian home and the kids loved the flowers and were even pretty good for the drive. We really wanted a family picture, but getting everybody to cooperate was nearly impossible so here is the best two family pics we managed to capture.

And here are my favorite pictures.......

The bluebonnets undisturbed by our kids
Lily really loved the flowers. Good thing I guess since she happens to have the name of a flower.

Annelise took this picture of me. I think it's the first time we've let her use the camera. She also took this one of us....not quite as clear.

The best little people in my life.

Buddies

After cleaning up breakfast this morning, I found Annelise reading to Nathan. Awesome!

One busy day

This morning started at 5:00 am when Lily woke up and we have been busy ever since. Brian was away camping at Youth Conference so these are the adventures the kids and I had today:
breakfast and clothes by 6:15
garage sales 6:30-7:30 . Annelise loves this. She always comes away with stuff and today was no exception. I bought her a sixteen inch Dora bike, which she loves and can already ride. Best part-she found out it had a bell on it when we got home. Annelise loved Nana and Gpa's bike (pictured above) and it had a bell, so this bike will hopefully be just as good. Found her a few other things and then felt bad for Nate having to sit in the van the whole time, so I bought him his very first 12" bike. We didn't manage to adjust it yet since Lily was in a bad mood all day and wanted to be held, but I figure Nate will get Daddy to help him tomorrow.
The rest of the day? Well after that there was grocery shopping, Annelise ran a fever (later went to CVS for a new thermometer), all kids napped- but not at the same time, then all the usual house chores...bedtime came a little early tonight. Can't wait for Brian to get home!

Happy Easter

artwork by Annelise

We had a great Easter this year. Annelise has really grasped the true meaning of Easter and this year for Family Home Evening she gave the lesson on the story of Jesus's death and resurrection using the pictures from my Sunday lesson. She did a great job.

During the week the kids and I dyed eggs for the first time. Since we figured Annelise would not be allergic to egg shells (just the egg itself), we decided not to pass up this fun activity anymore.
Lily has been getting up early (5:45 early) so our Easter egg hunt was over way before breakfast. The eggs were filled with jelly beans, except one that contained the first clue of a small Easter egg treasure hunt. Annelise loved trying to read the clues and finding the last Easter bunny presents at the end of the hunt. We also enjoyed watching all of the sessions of General Conference this year at home on tv and having friends over for dessert Sunday night. It really was a great weekend.