Easter 2012

We started off our Easter weekend with the annual Moorpark egg hunt, pony rides, and Easter crafts and games.  We weren't sure how Madelyn would react to her first pony ride, but true to form she was brave and loved it, neighing the whole time.  She was also a big fan of the bunny, who I personally think is a little scary looking.  Every time she saw him she'd yell out "Easter Bunny!"  Zoe loved getting her face painted and playing lots of fun games. 

Easter morning the girls woke up to evidence that the Easter bunny had come!  He left two fun-filled baskets and hid 24 eggs for the girls to find.  We enjoyed a beautiful church service, and cooked dinner for our family and some friends. 

Can't help but wonder where we will be celebrating Easter next year!



A happy girl riding her pony.




This is fun!




Not a great picture but somehow the only one we got with the bunny.




This is one serious egg hunter.




Maddie scanning the field for more eggs. 




The Easter Bunny came!!



Looking Like a Big Girl

Favorites

Our little Madelyn is a talker.  Everyone comments on her incredible vocabulary, and it has definitely been a much different experience for us having a toddler who can say so many words and phrases and who repeats just about everything she hears.  Of course catching this little lady on video is next to impossible, but I have to document some of my favorite things she is saying right now.  Most of her words are pretty clear but some of these substitutions are just too cute to correct yet.  Oh, how I'll miss this little voice when it's gone. 

yanket (blanket)

alligator (elevator)

flop flops (flip flops)

gobbles (goggles)

Come back here! 

 (said with a squeal as she runs away from a diaper or clothes change)

Watch you doin?

Where arrrrrrrre you?

No want that

( her latest reply to most dinner foods placed on her plate)



San Diego

This was our fourth, and maybe final, trip to San Diego.  It has quickly become one of our favorite places in SoCal.  Over the weekend we spent a little time at the beach, shopped and ate at Seaport Village, swam in the warm indoor pool, and spent a wonderful day at Sea World.  A great family weekend and no one wanted to come home!



Lobby at Embassy Suites




Beach time!



Messy Hands



Trying out some cool hats



Loved their faces watching the walrus



Outside the new Turtle Reef




Shark encounter



Spring Break Snapshot

Zoe has been on spring break this past week.  Although we haven't done anything terribly exciting, it has been nice to have relaxing mornings and no schedules for a few days.  Madelyn and I have really loved having our Zoe girl around.  Tomorrow we head to San Diego to finish off the break with a bang!

Creating a zoo with stuffed animals and books, complete with signs pointing the way to the animals and labeled feeding baskets. 

Making a wooden birdhouse with Daddy using real tools!

Relaxing in front of the fire on a rainy day and watching an iPad video.

Playing in a bucket of beans.

Having fun with stamps.

 Most importantly, snuggling on the couch and reading with your sister. 



California To Do List

DisneyLand

California Adventure

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Sea World

LA Museum of Natural History

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Barbara Zoo

Ventura

Malibu

Kidspace

Big Bear Lake

Discovery Cube

Aquarium of the Pacific

Yosemite/Sequoia National Parks

Lake Casitas Water Park

Legoland

Monterey Bay

LA Farmer's Market

Hawaii

We have been busy these past two years!  What a blessing to have Darryl home so often so that we could explore so many wonderful places around us!  Now that work-ups are in full swing, our time for weekend getaways is coming to an end.  Hopefully we can squeeze in at least one more trip before we move, although something tells me it isn't going to be Hawaii. :)  Oh well, a girl can dream. :)



Thankful

A few weeks ago my dad sent me a package containing a beautiful quilt handmade by his mother, my grandmother, who died of cancer when I was 2 years old.  The note enclosed said that, upon learning of her impending death, she wanted to make something for her grandchildren to remember her by.   Somehow this blanket got buried in storage and is just now resurfacing and making its way to me. 

When I was old enough to be aware of the circumstances around her death, I remember thinking "at least my dad was a grown up when she died," as if that made is less difficult.  Now, here I am just a few years older than he was with kids about the same age that I was, and I realize how much I still rely on my parents.  I call them to ask advice, to share stories, or just to say hi.  I still value their opinions, appreciate their encouragement and support, and enjoy their company.  So at almost 33 years old, I still need my parents,  and I am so thankful that I have them in my life.