Eleven Months

Eleven-month-old Abby is earnestly working on walking - she's learning to stand up without holding on to anything, and she cruises like a pro.  She's not afraid to pile on when her brothers wrestle - she'll probably be pretty tough with all the knocks she's taken!

Abby loves to talk on the phone, and she'll use her hand if a real phone isn't available.  When Daddy walks in at the end of his workday, Abby gives a special squeal when she hears his voice.  And if he walks by without picking her up, look out!  Abby gives great snuggles and wet kisses.  What a blessing she is... even when she wakes me up in the really early morning hours!

Remembering Grandma Gardner

 My Grandma Gardner lived just down the street for as long as I can remember, and when I spent the night or just walked over for a visit, I always went away knowing I was loved as surely as the scent of her perfume that lingered even after I headed home.  Grandma was an OR nurse, favored the color red, had a marked-up Bible, and delighted in her great-grandchildren.

Spring Sillies

Posing with Abby's flower headband and new butterfly nets. Johnathan didn't mind being left out on this post!

Swimming with Wolves

 

Time to hit the waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge.  But first, a power breakfast - Naomi chose an omelet, bacon, sausage, a biscuit, and a pile of maraschino cherries - mmm.

 

 

 

 We had a ton of fun at the waterpark.  the were little slides and shallow pools that Ezra and Abby loved, and Kevin and the big kids tried every big waterslide - Daddy is the brave parent in this family!

 

Abby played so hard, she fell asleep wrapped up in towels while Kevin and Johnathan tackled the scariest waterslides.

 

 

After all the swimming lessons last summer for Naomi and Johnathan and the hard work they've put in going to early morning swim team sessions, it was fun to see them able to have fun enjoying the water.  They were confident enough to hold their own in the wave pool, the river, and the highest water slides... which was good because Mom and Dad had their hands full wrestling the next batch of not-yet-swimmers!

Legos, Legos Everywhere!

For our "spring break" we headed to Dallas for a two-night getaway.  Our first morning we played at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. 

 

 

Ezra loved the pool of Duplos

 

Yummy Legos!  Building that immune system!

 

Johnathan is a big Lego fan, so he spent lots of time building.

 

One of our favorite parts was the amazingly detailed Lego models of downtown Dallas.  We even saw a model of our next stop, Great Wolf Lodge!

Bluebonnets

Going, going...

Gone!

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over...

... It became a butterfly.

Hunting Season

Easter weekend held not one but three egg hunts! Fun times at the Antique Rosé Emporium, Zion, and the Wests.