Easter in NJ

The weekend before Easter my dad flew into Ohio. We packed up the car with two kiddos and all their gear and headed to NJ for "spring break." Chris joined us on Good Friday and we got to stay through Easter.

We played trains every day and just about everyone tried their hand at making elaborate train tracks.

Mark loving his new sunglasses from grandma--- such a stud!

We had many special moments...

Every morning Poppie would get up with Mark and give him a mixture of animal crackers and "jumping jacks" (i.e. Apple Jacks cereal) for breakfast

Mid morning Mark and Grandma would make smoothies together---(pretty much every time Mark sees a blender he mentions Grandma's smoothies... so yummy!!!)

Aunt Beth sure knows how to get out the giggles :-)

baking with Aunt Katie

sudoku with Daddy

possibly my favorite Uncle Jon picture of all time!!

working off Grandma's good cooking :-)

here's Mark using Poppie's headset to hear the TV-- pretty nifty invention

Raymond loved on Mark and Lillia

We made a trip to Great Aunt Gwen's and Uncle Bill's. Aunt Gwen spoiled the kids with adorable outfits and super-cool towels. Uncle Bill and Mark spent a majority of time playing games with the pocket door.

super cool Monster towel

Daddy comes home...

Daddy has been home for a little over a month now and we have loved every minute. I really can't thank God enough for the AMAZING husband and daddy He had given us. Sadly, we are having difficulty recovering the pictures of our reunion, but here are some photos of the "Welcome Home Daddy" t-shirts we made...

While Daddy was in Japan...

Chris's sister, Sarah, and our nieces and nephews kept us company while Chris was in Japan for two weeks. We thought we had already said farewell to them for a couple years, but God blessed us with this special time before they return to Japan.

The shower is the next, most logical location for a sleeping child when you run out of rooms :-) Thanks for being so flexible, Gideon!
Of course we had to got to Chick-Fil-A for family night. It was a little tricky with six children and two moms, but we managed :-) While there we were surprised with the opportunity for FREE face painting. Take a look at these works of art--- AMAZING, right!?! And each of the children waited in line patiently for an hour!!! (That's even more AMAZING!)

Mark, you too make us smile...

Precious Mark moments....

• Sitting on Daddy's lap shouting "Oh man!" periodically while watching basketball
• Patting Lillia on the head and encouraging, "You OK girl, you OK" while she cries
• Looking at Momma's shirt and encouraging, "Butiful, Momma, Butiful."
• Asking "Yilyah" to kiss your boo-boo's
• Holding a doll and exclaiming, "Oh goodness, Oh goodness... she poop out!" (hmm... I wonder when he's heard that??"
• Praying for the 1st time by yourself... "Dear God, Thank you Daddy. Thank you, Momma. Thank you blankie. Thank you food. Jesus name, Amen"
• Dressing your elephant...
• 
• Sleeping with your legs hanging out of the crib...
• 

Oh Lillia, how you make us smile :-)

Lillia- 5 months

So our sweet girl developed the bad habit of pulling her hair out while she sucked her thumb. Whenever she woke up she would have a fist full of hair in her hand :-( Our solution: a hat and a mitten... one hand has to be free for thumb sucking (of course) :-)

Lillia's 1st attempt at rice cereal

Mark turns Terrific Two!

The second year of a child's life has not had the best reputation--- ever heard of "the terrible two's"?? We entered this infamous year on the 27th of March with both excitement and trepidation. I'm not gonna lie... I have noticed a dramatic difference in our little man over the past couple months. He is more curious than ever. I told my mom I'm sure he has magnetic fingers--- it's incredible what he is able to reach!! (It's as if everything dangerous or unfitting for a toddler is drawn to his fingertips!!) He's become fearless of heights which makes this mama just a tid bit nervous. And it seems like the more fearless he becomes, the more clumsy he becomes--- not the best combination. But along with this physically scary phase has come the most incredibly exciting and sweet verbal phase. God's handy work is showing through with each new thought he communicates. He's noticing the world around him and commenting on his fascinations. He's learning verses & songs. He's using his words to keep track of Lillia's every move, comfort her, and teach her his latest mastery. It's too sweet! My theory is God increases those "melt your heart" moments to help soften the blow of all the discipline, chasing, and worry that "two" brings. We celebrate all that "one" blessed us with and now we greatly anticipate "the terrific two's"! HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, MARK!! We love you soooo much!!!

Basketball was the theme of the day-- basketball cake, a basketball hoop, and a basket ball present!

German pancakes for breakfast

We were super spoiled to have Aunt Beth and Aunt Molly here to celebrate this special day. The memories are priceless! Thank you Beth and Molly for your visit!!