It has been busy around here

Between Braden's Easter party at preschool, Jeff & Shelly's visit, and Easter day with my dad, Juli and Mel, we have been very busy. It has been so nice to have some visitors. We were missing everyone.

Braden had an Easter party at preschool where they had an egg hunt and sang songs for us. Braden gets a little shy when all the parents are there, but he did have fun with his bunny ears.

Last weekend Jeff & Shelly came to visit for the weekend. We had a very nice time together. We spend one of the days down in Baltimore. We went to the Science Center and then out to eat. The weather was beautiful.

Grandma and Reese



Grandpa and Braden

This past weekend we spent with my dad, Juli and Mel. After a nice church service we had a very early Easter dinner because Brian had to catch a flight to San Francisco for the week. We had a wonderful time together and the rain stopped for Easter day where we were able to spend a little time outside.

Opening Easter baskets

Putting on Easter clothes was not fun!

Easter

We have all had such a wonderful week. It was full of visitors starting last weekend with my in-laws and this weekend with my Dad & Juli. Brian is off to San Francisco this week for a conference where he is staying with my brother! I have so many pictures and stories to share. I hope to have a wonderful update by the end of the day!

Stay tuned.......

Singing Baby

Reese sings all the time. She loves to sing Frosty the Snowman, Twinkle Little Star, You are my Sunshine, Happy Birthday (to Brian), and much more. We we FINALLY able to catch it on video.



Enjoy!

A great way to watch a show

Nice Warm Weather

Yesterday it was 60 degrees and today and tomorrow it is expected to be 70! We will be outside as much as possible. Here are some pictures of Braden and Reese venturing outside.

FYI--As I am uploading these pictures Braden asked to watch Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Reese's favorite is Frosty the Snowman). Seems funny to watch in March, but what would they care! Braden loves Christmas time just as much as I do. He said to me a few weeks ago that he misses the Christmas tree and Christmas music. These are my babies!

An update!

My apologies to those of you who take a look at my blog. I have recently joined Facebook, and it has taken over my 'blog' efforts. Our camera has been out of commission until recently so I haven't had any pictures to post either. Now that our camera is working again and it is snowing (I am forced to stay in and find something to do) I am giving you an update!

Everything has been going well for all of us. Working that the ACS has been wonderful. I am really enjoying my work. The ACS puts provides a free camp to kids who are fighting cancer every year. These kids normally would not be able to attend a week, overnight, camp because they need to receive their cancer treatment so the ACS provides a camp and medical staff to meet their needs. I am writing grants to raise money for this kids so they can attend the camp. That is the biggest project that I have been involved in at the ACS so far.

Brian has been working hard. Between small house projects and a demanding work schedule, he has been keeping very busy. He did get to spend some alone time with the kids last weekend as I traveled to Denver to visit my friend Julia.

Braden and Reese are doing well. The pictures I have are from Braden's preschool Valentines party and some random pictures around the house.

Reese fell asleep in the car on the way to pick up Braden.

Braden's class.

My big boy.

He made me a Valentine's Day gift.

Reese joins Braden as he opens up his Valentines.

Reese's hair is getting so long.

My newest adventure

Last week I began to volunteer at the American Cancer Society. I am called a volunteer but it is more like a part-time internship. I am going in twice a week in the mornings to gain some experience as a Community Health Educator. Let me say, it feels SO good to do something again. This is what I have been waiting to do ever since I began graduate school. They have given me some projects to work so I am very excited to follow them through. During the mornings when I am at the ACS, Braden and Reese are going to the same center I used to take Braden to when I worked full-time. They are adjusting nicely. The first week went a little better for Reese than Braden but today Braden was all smiles when I picked him up. He even said that he would like to go back there!

Sledding

We don't get much snow in Baltimore and when we do (2 inches or less), everything shuts down. This morning we had a tiny coating and everything was delayed 2 hours! When we first moved to Baltimore, I was a little surprised by the panic created from a mere few inches of snow but I am getting used to it.

I did get to pull the kids around in their sled day about 2 weeks ago. My kind neighbor took some pictures for me since our camera needs a new battery. (Please note that you can still see the grass!)

Big surprise, Braden would not smile.

What a day!

My spirit was with those in DC today. Instead of braving the cold and the traffic, Brian and I decided to stay in Baltimore. CNN was our news source and we were glued to it. This historic day brought me to tears. I am just so proud of the step our nation has taken. It was a step in the direction that I believe in. Barack Obama inspires me down to my core. He is able to reignite the passion I had as I left Western Michigan University to make a difference in this world. As Brian and I sat with Braden and Reese at a mini-folding table, eating lunch, watching the inaugural address, we explained to them that this was the 44th President of the United States. Our first African American president. It was during this moment of extraordinary and historic achievement that we were proud of America and wait in anticipation, hopeful, for what is to come.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. We did. It has been relaxing and very enjoyable. We all came down with a bug at some point and time, but that was okay. We had plenty of time to recover! Now we are back to our daily routine and it has been welcomed by all.

These are the only pictures I have from the holidays.

Two sickies on the couch.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

These slippers should look familiar!

This is a picture of Braden just about her age.

Braden giving me some smiles.

Here he is talking to Brian.

A visit with Grandpa, Grandma & Uncle Jeremy

Jeff, Shelly and Jeremy came to visit us this past weekend! Everyone had a good time!
Braden and Reese took to Jeremy like bees to honey! I am pretty sure they wore him right out!

Some new pictures

I just received some more pictures from Juli from their visit.

My Daughter

My dad will appreciate this.

These are a few pictures of Reese after having a huge fit because she wanted her baby doll while eating breakfast. What can I say, she knows what she wants!

Visit with Grandpa & Nana

This past weekend my dad and Juli came to visit! It was so nice to see them. It had been 4 months! One might think that because we live so far away from our families, Braden and Reese would have a strained relationship with their grandparents but that is not the case. They act just like any child their age (in terms of their attachment to Brian and me) and they are always excited to see their grandparents. It is a bond that doesn't take visits every week to create, just a little bit of quality time will do the trick.

One More Video

I like this one better.

so excited

Reese and Braden love the Harry Potter snow globe that Brian bought for me last Christmas. The Hogwarts Train travels around the globe and through a tunnel and that is the catalyst for all the excitement.


This video speaks for itself.

Happy Birthday Braden

Me: How old are you Braden?

Braden: I be free (He holds up three fingers)

Me: That's right!

We celebrated Braden's on Friday because Brian is in Boston for the week. Later today Braden is going to help me make cookies to take to preschool tomorrow.

Happy Birthday little boy!