Easter 2013

We hope everyone had a nice Easter!

Riley had fun going through her basket and playing with the grass and eggs...and of course, eating yummy candy.

I think Peeps, or "bird treats" as she calls them, are a favorite - with Ring Pops in a close second.

We have lots of candy here at our house (the Easter bunny was very generous this year) - if anyone is lacking, please stop over!

A special shout out to Mom and Dad up in NY, who sent Aaron home with a huge Easter basket full of goodies.  I have a couple of things to say...1) thank you! and 2) shame on you!  ;)  Ha ha.

So yes, we had a lovely Easter - it was just Riley and I, as Aaron had to work.  We went to church in the morning and enjoyed a nice lunch and visit with my mom and dad in the afternoon.  (Thank you too, Mom and Dad for the goodies you gave us!  Mom, those coconut things you made are gone...mmm...and Riley's bubbles are gone too...whoops, we had a bubble accident.)

Here are a few pictures of Riley from Easter morning...



this was my Easter basket when I was little...so sweet, I know

 

happy day!

 

 

 

 

Riley got new bracelets and necklaces from the Easter bunny!

We'll all be on a sugar high for awhile...

poll

FYI...

That poll thing I had up was stupid.

It didn't work - at least from what I could tell.

I deleted it.

little cousins

Riley loves her cousins.

She has three total, and one on the way!

We were fortunate enough to spend a day last week with two of her cousins.

And for the first time, we all met baby Julianne!

She was born in December and is already three months old.

Riley thought she was her real live doll...it was sweet seeing her hold Julianne.

Aaron and I enjoyed holding her too.  Such a little cutie.

We took Jackson and Riley to the playground later in the day to burn some energy.

They had so much fun!

 

I just love this sequence of Jackson on the slide...

 

Puddle jumpers.

Riley misses her cousins...we hope to have more fun visits soon with each of them!

Love our family.

gender?

OK, ok.

Here's the truth.

Aaron and I already know our baby's gender.

It was revealed to us through a prenatal blood test that we had done back at 12 weeks gestation.

(I'm 17 weeks, currently.)

Some of you already know - so if you do, shush!

Let the others play...

What do you think we're having?!

I added a poll to my blog - look at the top right hand corner.

Go ahead, vote!

I'll reveal our baby's gender on my blog, in a few weeks, after we have our 20 week anatomy ultrasound.

You have plenty of time to take a guess.

Let's hear it!!

oh yah minivan

I've always wanted a minivan.

Since preschool.

My mom said I told her when I grew up I wanted a van and two kids.

There ya have it!

Aaron and I have talked of owning a van - he always knew I wanted one after having Riley.

At one point, I think he was trying to persuade me into an SUV - but I wouldn't hear it.  ;)

Our conversations always ended with it being too expensive and "not now" my current car was fine.

And, it was.

For a couple of people.

For Riley and I, it was completely fine.  I was totally content with it.

With a second baby on the way - it must've got Aaron thinking more.

Yesterday he hit me fast with wanting to go look at a van, but that he didn't want me to get my hopes up - he was just going to look.

Sure enough (after leading me on that his hunt was a fail) he drove home last night in our new minivan!

He surely surprised me.

I'm SO happy to have a minivan!

I am definitely my parents' daughter.  Ha ha. 

I grew up in vans.  It's what I know.  To me, it's the perfect family vehicle.

Not everyone my age (or not) wants a minivan - but let me tell you...they are great.

AND, now when we have Emillie and Hannah over we won't have to drive two vehicles to get from point A to point B.  Ha!

Thank you, Aaron, for our awesome, radical, kick-butt, minivan!  Woot woot!  (And, it's more than just a grocery getter...)

Who knew that a minivan could and would be in our price range?!  Yay!

 

It's so stylin'....you know you want one.

For the record, Riley loves it too!


Oh, and about that "secret" I was going to tell you about...you'll have to wait a few weeks. I'm not ready to spill the beans to you yet - though, some of you already know.

special

Notice anything special about these pictures of Riley?!

 

 

No, not her cute new shoes...though they are special.

 

No, not her cute smile...though it is special.

 

No, not her beautiful blue eyes...very special, indeed.

 

Yup!

Riley is going to be a big sister!

 

Yay!

This news is most definitely special.

 

We are proud to announce that baby #2 is due August 30.

 

Our family is beyond thrilled!

 

 

My next post is going to let you in on a little secret...so stay tuned!

animals on the farm

Last week Riley and I were in MD visiting my parents.

My mom gave Riley a special "farm girl" experience!

She got to see goats...

She got to see cows...

She got to see horses...

She got to see dogs...

She even got to see miniature horses - and ride one!

There was time for some bubble blowing too...

I think all this farm stuff is making Riley look more like her Grandma!

Fun times in MD, as always.

Thanks, Mom and Dad for giving Riley special experiences...memories to cherish.

Love,