Easter

We all had a very nice relaxing Easter. Last year we went to eckert's orchard for their egg hunt and activities. Saydee loved it so much we thought we'd go back. She kept saying "and I paint my bunny nose and I hold the bunnies and andimals and find some eggs?"

So on Saturday we went back to eckerts where there would be all that. If we would have known it would be so crowded we probably would've opted out this year. But Saydee loved every minute and Elli was pretty good too.

Then we went home and colored eggs. Saydee didn't want to stop so every egg got dipped several times in every color. And after a while she wanted all the eggs in together. Most ended up with a greenish tint.

Near the end of the day she was our dirty little snot nosed bunny. We had to very discreetly wash off her bunny face in the bath. She was devastated to find it gone the next morning.

Sunday morning we had a Stake conference broadcast joined with many many other stakes.
President Monson and Elder Oaks spoke and a sister whom I don't recall. They were all so good! It was wonderful to focus on the true meaning of Easter.

After the girls took their naps we had a Easter bunny trail set up throughout the house which led to their baskets. It was actually Heath's idea that turned out so fun for Saydee. Since it was beyond my abilities to do rabbit footprints. Seemingly simple I know. We went with bunny faces. Along the trail the Easter bunny dropped a few treats and we loved watching the excitement building up in Saydee. When she saw the baskets she gasped, dropped everything and ran to them. It was fun and she got totally into it. Elli loved all the excitement and new toys too.

Then Saydee hunted for eggs in our backyard. Heath is probably embarrassed by all the dead spots I'm posting. So much work to do.

Even though we really missed being with our families we had a good Easter.

We are so thankful for its true meaning. The life, teachings, sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him we'd be much more miserable here and have no hope of eternal happiness with our loved ones after this life. I'm glad I know Christ lives!

mmmm....sunshine

These last two weeks we've had crazy weather. One day we got up to about 80 and that same night it dropped down into the 20's and the next day in the 30's. crazy crazy crazy. These past few days its been so nice again and we don't take for granted a single sunshiny day.

A little trip...

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Bolingbrook, IL. A short weekend getaway. Though, I don't think "getaway" would be the best choice of words considering it was with 2 kids under the age of 3 and a man who loathes shopping. But I can honestly say we all had a good time, though one more day and it'd probably be a lie. We stayed in a nice little cottage-like hotel there, went swimming with the girls and loaded up at Ikea.

First real time swimming with Elliana and we found she is a water baby just like her brother and sister. And if his mom is wondering if Heath made it out of that huge store without hyperventilating , he was so wonderful and patient. Though he reminds me occasionally I owe him big. The kids were little troopers too. All sweethearts.

Over the past weeks

So, its been a while. A little bit of everything, laziness, business, homesickness, and just plain sickness. Flu season has been terrible to us this year. But everyone is doing much better. Hope I don't jinx us. Here are some random pics over the past few weeks.

We've been painting our house and Saydee loves to help.

We bought a little potty a little over a week ago to embark on the potty training journey. Yet I have lacked the time and energy to start. It's been a crazy few weeks and yes I'm a procrastinator who likes to make excuses. So, Saydee found the potty chair and I came in to our family room to this. No, she didn't actually go potty but she apparently knows the routine. I think she's been ready for a while, just waiting on mom to start the process. Anyway she's excited about being a big girl.

And she loves to explain to "Anna" all about her potty and what its "all about". Big responsibilities. Here we go...

Checkups with Elliana

Elliana had her 9 month checkup this week. All of our babies have been cute little chunkers well above the curve, and I'm talking into the 100th percentile. But, apparently Elli hasn't grown at all. She was in the 75 % last checkup and now she is at the 25% in both height and weight.
Our Dr. says that is completely fine, that its just her genes taking over. And considering my side of the familywith lots of short people, no surprise there. So, no worries and we still kept those adorable rollie pollies.

We also met with our plastic surgeon who was impressed with Elli's progress with the helmet and reshaping her head. All of our doctors say she is meeting her milestone requirements very well. As you can see she is a beauty. So sweet and happy.

Pony rides

Lately Saydee loves to pretend she is an animal. Dogs, cats, horses. One day she was a snake, so so funny. Anyway this particular day she was a horse and we let Elli ride her around the living room. Saydee was wearing braids that day and she grabbed hold of them like reigns.
Saydee kept saying, "neigh, neigh, neigh" It was hilarious to watch.
She made Heath and I try to ride her too.
This picture would have been much cuter had i not cut Elli's head off. Oh well.

Peaches

Saydee always wants to feed Elliana. So we finally let her. And I've got to say we were pretty impressed.