Audrey and Lilly Turn 1

Over the weekend Olivia, Emma, and I went to Michigan for Audrey and Lilly's 1st Birthday. It was a great weekend and a great party (way to go Mark and Ashlie)! We had fun at Grammy and Papa's house. The girls came home with bags of rocks from the nature walks we took around the house. They liked to go out in the field and pick up the pretty rocks, and, of course, Emma couldn't pick just a few, so she came home with a bag full. Grammy and Papa also have a great big stuffed duck that Olivia named "Wadley" that they enjoyed jumping and riding on. It was an all around good time! Here are some of our favorite pictures from the party:

Spring Has Arrived!

Friday and Saturday were beautiful Spring days here in Cincinnati (75 degress), so we took full advantage of it! When we got home from work on Friday, Olivia wanted Dan to throw the softball with her. (Mommy tossed with her the night before, but hit her in the mouth. I told her that Daddy was better at tossing the softball.) Grace and Emma blew some bubbles. They all rode bikes. On Saturday, they were all up and out the door by 8:30 and didn't come in until 8:00. Grace even made everyone in the neighborhood a picnic lunch! It was a great two days. To round out the weekend, we sat in the POURING rain at Grace's soccer game this afternoon. Oh well, I guess 2 out of 3 isn't bad!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! It was a beautiful day here in Cincinnati! The Easter Bunny came this morning and then we went to church to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Dan's sister and her daughter and his mom came this afternoon. We had a nice dinner and another egg hunt. The girls enjoyed spending time with their cousin. Dan and I tried a new recipe from the Food Network for the ham, which involved mustard, brown sugar, bourbon, and gingersnaps. It was very yummy! Tomorrow we are back to the grind, as spring break ends for Dan and the girls. It was a fun week! Summer vacation is just around the corner!

Coffie House at Summit Elementary

I'm kind of behind in my posts. I guess we've just been a little busy with some other things and by the time I have time to post in the evening, I usually just pass out in the chair from sheer exhaustion. A few weeks ago Grace and Olivia's school had a coffee house to exhibit the kids' art work and for some of the kids to play music or read poetry. Grace played her violin with two of her friends, another violinist and a bass player. Olivia played two pieces on the piano. They both did a wonderful job. Way to go girls!

Fabulous Five

Here are some of my recent "Fab 5":

1) Olivia sending me emails at work all week keeping posted on what is going on at home while she is home on spring break and I'm at work. It makes my day to get a message from her!

2) Hearing the vacuum running in the basement last night and Grace and Olivia scurring around down there picking up. Then they came up and said, "Mom, we've got a real problem in the basement. Can you come and check it out?" When I went down, they had surprised me by cleaning up the whole basement and even vacuuming! They commented, "Now that's one less thing you have to clean before someone looks at the house." (Little sweethearts.)

3) Emma's excitement for her Spring party at school. Everynight she asks, "Is tomorrow my party?" Today is the big day, Emma! I can't wait to hear all about all the fun you had!

4) All 3 of the girls playing out in their playhouse now that the weather is warmer. Boy are they going to miss that if we move! I guess we better budget for a new one!

5) My wonderful husband for keeping the house clean this week and playing Mr. Realtor, and just for being a great dad! The girls have enjoyed going for bike rides, having friends over, and, yes, I think even watching some baseball!