Easter 2011

I love the Spring. I know I've said it before, but I just LOVE this time of year!

Flowers are blooming again after a long winter's rest, birds are chirping,
the weather is getting warmer, flip flops are coming out of the dust,
children are riding bikes, and people are just more chipper it seems like!

Easter is another one of my favorite times of spring too!
I love going to church and worshipping the Lord, but there
is something about going to church on Easter and celebrating our
risen Savior. It's joyous and an extra special reason to celebrate
our AMAZING LORD!

We went to Rod's parent's farm this year for Easter and it was perfect in
every way! Reid absolutely LOVES . THE . FARM!
He cannot wait to get there and once he is there, he just wants to
be outside all the time, playing in the grass, and running like a boy should!

Riley-Roo was so good this time (compared to his screaming all night fit at Christmas)
and he seemed to enjoy the country air too!
Rod & I love going up there and it's just so nice to be away from the city
hustle & bustle for a day or two.

Waking up on Easter morn to the treats from the Easter bunny!

After Easter service.

Rod's parents and our sweet fam!

Daddy & his boy. :)

My two Easter bunny boys. Wonder if I can get Reid
to wear these next year??

I just couldn't resist this one! LOOK . AT. THAT . FACE!!!

Sweet Grandpa helping Riley go on his first hunt.
The bucket is almost as big as he is!
Thank you, Grandpa! I love you!

How appropriate for our boy to find a football egg!

Reid was speedy gonzales this year!
I could barely get a picture of that boy!

All done... now what?

A farm trip wouldn't be complete without a ride
on the tractor.....

and the new wheelbarrow Nana got!
Nothin' cuter than 2 kids in a wheelbarrow!
Can't wait to come back to the farm!

Happy Easter everyone!
We had a wonderful time, Nana & Grandpa!
Thank you for a special weekend at the farm and for
the sweet service for our little dog Jake.
He will rest well at the farm and we hope to see him
in heaven one day!


The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
Psalm 18:46

Jake 1997-2011

Dear sweet puppy Jake,
We are so thankful for the 13 years of life you had with us.
We are so thankful you are no longer suffering and that it doesn't hurt
for you to breathe. You can rest easy now. You lived a long & happy life.
You had so many fun days and you were always full of energy!

Daddy got you when you were just a pup barely weaned from your mother.
He carried you all the way to California with him during his airforce days.
You have been a great dog. You loved to go on walks, beg for food, and sleep on the couch.
You loved to chase animals -- any kind. Especially bunnies!
You would let anyone pet you and never hurt a fly.
You didn't have a mean bone in your 12 lb. body.
You had such a pretty coat and your fur was so soft.
You loved, loved to run and you could sense when we were getting close to the farm.
It was your favorite place to be...
out in the wide open spaces where you could just run for miles.
We will bury you out in those wide open spaces.

You will forever be our little Jakers and we now feel so empty without you.
I already miss your bark at the back door when we would come home
and you following me around the house. Your bed is empty, but
you will forever be in our hearts.

We love you sweet Jake.
Rest in peace.

Love,
Daddy & Mommy, Reid, & Riley

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

We went to our annual Easter egg hunt in the neighborhood this year and

we had a new member to join us! I think little Riley-Roo had about
as much fun as Reid just watching everyone and investigating
his new Easter bucket!

Here they are, waiting for the fun to begin!

And he's off....

Time to investigate all of the treats!

One of our MILLION pictures trying to get both boys to
smile and look at the camera! Ha! No easy task these days!

My sweet boys. :)
Makes my heart melt.

Daddy & his guys.

Look at that sweet face!
I just HEART this picture SOOO much!

Riley going on a "wrapper" hunt.

I got it! It's mine. ALL MINE!

Reid ran right up to the bunny before we could get Riley
in the picture. This boy is not afraid of furry animals!

Riley didn't seem to be afraid either... we'll see what happens
next year!

Both boys with the bunny.
We tried & tried & tried to get Riley to look up, but he was way
too interested in that pink basket with all the candy down there!
I think I would be too!

Looking at all their loot!

Riley trying to get at his brother's stuff.
"But he has candy in his basket and I don't! No fair!"

I'm just gonna go for it. He won't see, right?

Look at that sweet big bro sharing his eggs!

At this point, Riley was just DONE.
He had had enough of us making noises and trying
to get him to look at the camera. After only a 25 min.
nap that morning, he was ready to go bye-bye!

I couldn't end with that shot.
My FAV picture of them all!
After the 100 and something I took, this one was the BEST!
Thank you boys! We love you sweet sons!

Happy Easter everyone!
Our Savior is risen! Praise be to His name!

Easter Buckets

I had such a ball picking out the boy's Easter buckets this year!
I've always wanted a personalized Easter basket but never found
one I was in love with. These were THE cutest ones I had EVER seen!
The girl that did them is uber talented and I think they turned out pretty
darling if you ask me!

I hope the boys like them. They're a little big, but they'll grow into 'em.
Can't wait till Easter morning when the Easter bunny comes hopping by!

There's a first time for everything!

Riley rode in the wagon with this brother for the first time last week!
I didn't realize how heavy it would be to pull TWO kids in a wagon, but I must say, I loved looking back and seeing my TWO BOYS riding in the wagon together. :)

Nothing like a little brotherly love, I mean smack down!

That's a little better.

Always wanting what he doesn't have! -- but I must say
you look pretty stinkin' cute in your little brother's hat!

Riley excited to find his brother's monster truck.
Look at that face! Looks he just won a million bucks.

It's mine, all MINE!!!

Reid's first time reading to his brother.

Reid "helped" Daddy wash the car on Sunday!

I'm not sure which got more water--
the car, the driveway, or Daddy!
Thank you Daddy & Reid for washing Mommy's dirty car!


We had a ball this weekend with Reid (and Riley too!)
Reid had his EEG done this weekend and did SOOO well!
He was such a trooper and so incredibly brave... The technician was awesome and SO great with Reid. He sat so still and let the lady put all the wires on his head.
I . COULD . NOT. BELIEVE. IT!!! I was just on top of the world
after it was all over on Saturday. We went to get ice cream and I didn't even care about calories... I was so happy! One word -- Paciugo. How can you say no to that!?
We took Reid to the park afterwards. Just me, Rod, and Reid. It was so fun to just have hang out time with our little guy. I love those moments when we get to have special time with each child. Reid's test results came back on Monday morning and the doc said it was normal!! PRAISE THE LORD!! HALLELUJAH!!!
We are so happy and just praising your Holy name, Sweet Jesus! Thank you for your goodness!


The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8

9 months already?

I know I say this every month, but I really cannot believe you are already 9 months!
You HAVE to stop growing so fast, Riley! I've already forgotten what it was like when you
used to put your head on my shoulder & sleep so peacefully.
It seems like yesterday that we were walking around at all hours of the night
with you while you cried & cried through the colicky stage.
I haven't forgotten that! :)

You are FULL of energy now and starting to show signs of wanting to crawl!
You have definitely started to develop a little personality of your own and
you know what you like & don't like already.
Not sure how much longer we'll be able to do baby food.
You are definitely happier eating table food!
Already such a BIG boy! :)

You can clap your hands now and love to put any & everything
in your mouth!

You just get sweeter with each passing day.
You love to watch your brother and laugh and laugh at him
whenever he plays peek-a-boo with you!

You absolutely LOVE . TO. ROLL! I can't get you to stop rolling!
You roll any & every time you get a chance...
on the floor, changing a diaper, changing your clothes, in my lap,
the list goes on!

You are such a happy baby and smile ALL THE TIME!!
You love the grocery cart, being in mommy's arms, and riding
in the car with your brother.

You HATE for your diaper to be changed and can't stand for me to lay
you down on the changing table! I almost have to pin you down to put clothes
on you! You're a stinker! I LOVE you to pieces!

I . LOVE . THIS . FACE !!!!
I came up with a little acronym to describe our 9 month old...

Roley poley

Into all kinds of things
Love bug

Eyelashes to die for
You have your mommy's heart

You are a precious gem of a baby, Riley.
I love going into your room to get you up from naps and in the morning.
I love seeing your sweet face looking up at me in the crib.
I love giving you bottles and cuddling with you at night before you go to bed.
I love the way you grab my face and hold it so tight.
I love how you already love your brother and want to be near him.
I love how you're already trying to play with big trucks like you're a BIG boy.
I love hearing your sweet baby talk... "ba-ba, ga-ga, da-da." It melts my heart.
I love you to the moon & back and am so in love with that little face of yours!

I wish I could freeze you in time and just enjoy this baby stage for a little while longer.
You are a joy & even though I love the baby stage, I can't wait to see what
you'll do next & surprise us with!

Happy 9 months Riley!
We adore you!