Easter

Our Easter celebration started on Good Friday.  Mom watched the kids so Josh and I could go to the Good Friday service, which we haven't been to in several years.  It was a good service and time of reflection on God's sacrifce. 

The next morning, Josh and I were once again in charge of the city-wide Easter Egg Hunt at The Catlin Park.  Amazingly we had a nice morning weather wise, in the midst of the constant rain we've been having.  It was the best weather we've had in many years for the hunt, which always makes it a little more enjoyable.  People actually hang out and talk afterwards when they're not freezing or being rained on! 

Hannah had fun collecting eggs this year, although she didn't get too many.  She didn't notice or care though, so I guess that's all that matters! 

Since we knew we'd have a very busy Sunday, we decided to do Easter baskets at our house on Saturday night.  Hannah got a swimsuit, sandals, bracelets, sunglasses, Disney princess underwear, and lots of other fun things.

  Jacob got some cute summer clothes and some pacifiers. 

Here are Hannah and Jacob in their matching clothes before church.  Aren't they cute?  I may or may not have bribed Hannah with chocolate to sit and take this picture. 

We managed to get a picture of all four of us in our matching outfits.  I wonder how long it will be before we can get a picture with all four of us looking good... at least we're all looking at the camera!

We had an egg hunt for the kids at my parents' house.  We are starting to have more kids at our family events!  Here are Sammy, Hayden, and Hannah. 

After church, we went to my parents' house for lunch.  Then we were at Josh's dad's side in Champaign at 3, and then we were onto Josh's mom's house in White Heath by 5!  Easter is always quite a crazy day for our family with our church responsibilities and visiting all of our families.  It feels like a marathon.  The kids did great though.  They were out cold when we got home, so they slept in their Easter clothes.  Despite the crazy schedule, it was a really great day.  The Easter service at church is always my favorite of the year.  There is just excitement in the air celebrating Christ's resurrection, and I love seeing the church packed out.  I also love that we get to see all of our families, and I'm thankful that is even possible! 

My Sweet Hannah Loves....

My sweet Hannah LOVES:

her daddy,

her mommy,

her "Baby Jake,"

 Elmo AND playing dress-up,

 being silly,

 playing at the park

wearing dresses,

and wearing shirts with no pants!

Hannah is so fun to talk to these days.  She says funny things like "I seed it" (meaning saw it), "I want off my shirt!", "Mommy, I a princess!"  She carries all three of her blankies all over the house.  She sings, dances, watches TV, plays basketball with daddy, does puzzles, reads books, plays with dolls, colors.  She likes most foods.  She is still napping well in the afternoons after we made it through potty-training!  She and Jacob ("his name is Baby Jake!") look at each other with such love.  She is so compassionate and caring.  She is an amazing little girl.  I  love her!

Are These the Best Days of My Life?

Almost on a daily basis, I wonder if these are the best days of my life.  I love being the mom to two little babies.  Really, there hasn't been a stage of life that I haven't loved, from junior high, to high school, to college, to married life, to motherhood.  I am a pretty sentimental person and am always sad when a "stage of life" comes to an end.  I have loved them all, and really, each stage just seems to get better and bring new joys.  Right now, it is hard for me to imagine that it could get any better than this though.  I hope I'm wrong.  I really do.  Because the time is going too fast, and I love my babies so much.  The only thing I don't like is how quickly it is going.  I just want to freeze time.  I wish I could rewind and replay the last 5 months of Jacob's life.  I just feel like I can't ever get enough of holding a new baby!  One of my favorite things in the world is snuggling on the couch at night with my kids.  The other night, I was snuggling Jacob, and Hannah wanted to join us.  I had to wonder how much longer the three of us could possibly fit side-by-side this way on the couch.  Someday it will seem crazy that this was even possible!  I thank God for the gift of my babies every day.  They are such precious gifts, and I don't want to take one single day for granted!

Jacob's 5th Month

Jacob's 5th Month was a lot of fun.  He is such a smiley guy.  I love how he smiles if you just look at him.  Then he acts like he's embarrassed and smiles and buries his head.  He's so cute.  I just love him to pieces.  Jacob's big accomplishment this month was sleeping in his room.  Right around his 4 month birthday, I got a nasty cold.  I was really tired, and I was coughing a lot, so I decided to move him to his room so I wouldn't keep him up, even though he was not yet sleeping through the night.  I guess that was all he wanted though because he slept 8 hours his first night in there!  He had mostly been sleeping 5 before then!  The rest of the month continued just as well, as he slept 8-10 hours most nights, so that made that transition pretty easy.  I guess he just needed his own space!  I can't get enough of him.  He is such a sweet boy.

Emily's Bridal Shower

 

Emily's Bridal Shower was last Saturday.  All the sisters helped.  Betsy was in charge of decorations and did a great job.  She has been working for a wedding coordinator during college, and she has picked up some good ideas! 

I did the invites and games.  Everyone pitched in on food.  Alisa made the cake and cupcakes to look like tiffany boxes.  They were super cute and delicous too!  Erika made Oreo truffles-yum!  Betsy helped me make the rest of the food-fruit tray, cookies, pecan caramel candies, tuxedo strawberries, and tiffany blue punch!  Don't you love how my punch and cookies match the cake?   I was impressed myself!  

Baby Jake was the only boy allowed.  I still can't leave him!  He got lots of cuddle time with his super fun Great Aunt Linda! 

Good job to all the sisters on putting on a beautiful shower.  Now, only 14 weeks until the wedding!!