Happy Easter!

It has been a very busy Easter Sunday!  We started off the morning with a quick look at what the Easter Bunny brought the kids: bubble wands, sunglasses for Mason, an Easter book, a mermaid doll for Kate, the Frozen movie, and chocolate covered marsh mellows just to name a few of the treats. 

The Easter Bunny was good to them.

 We did things a little bit differently this year and attended the Seven Hills Easter Sunrise service at the Fisher's house, which started at 8.  I didn't even think about the services being outside and it was so cold and wet from the dreary weather.  Despite that, we had a great time and the rain moved on out in time for the kids to hunt eggs.

 Group shot of the kids before the egg hunt began:

 Mason took a relaxed approach but managed to stop sucking his thumb temporarily to pick up about six eggs before the older kids scooped up the rest.

Can't get enough of this boy!

 By the time I took a couple quick pictures of Mason, I turned around and Kate was done already and checking out what candy she got in her eggs.

We had a great time celebrating with Mimi and Papa this morning!

After the Seven Hills event, we headed over to the University club to meet my family and Aunt Katie's family for our annual Easter brunch.  Mason snoozed a little bit in the car and woke up in time for us to take a couple pictures before we were seated. 

 Sitting in the Easter Bunny's chair:

 After lunch, we took the kids to the lobby where there was face painting and balloon animals.  We went at a great time because there was no wait!  The balloon man made Mason a red puppy dog.

He thought it was funny to bite it but then started crying after the second or third bite once he realized the puppy was disappearing.

 "where did it go?"

Meanwhile Kate decided she wanted to get her face painted "like a mermaid".  

 So excited about her "Princess Mermaid"

Kate also got a balloon - a pink flower with a ladybug!

This next picture is the one I'm most proud of  from today- thanks so much to Gigi for taking it.  It might not seem significant, but if you know Kate you know how petrified she is of the Easter Bunny.  She has been telling me for weeks she would go see him IF I went with her.  But, from the time we arrived at the University Club she was insistent that she would "not go see that bunny".  This year they charged for pictures with him so I decided I wasn't going to force them.  

BUT...you know me.  If there's an opportunity, I'm going to jump at it.  As we were leaving, the Easter Bunny was standing in the lobby and I asked him for a picture.  Kate started screaming at the top of her lungs - loud enough where I got several judgmental looks and lots of stares but that didn't stop me.  She was screaming and kicking her legs as we walked up beside the Easter Bunny (I'm sure we made him uneasy) and I know Justin wanted to run and hide but I was determined.  As soon as we stood beside him, I calmly told Kate to stop crying and tell the Easter Bunny thank you for her toys.  I honestly didn't expect the reaction I got: Kate stopped crying immediately and calmly said to the Easter Bunny in her sweetest voice "Thank you so much for my toys".  After the Easter Bunny gave her a thumbs up - you would have thought they were best friends forever.  She grinned for the picture and told the Easter Bunny "Bye, See you next year!" and as we were walking out she exclaimed "the Easter Bunny will always be in my heart."  I never know what to expect out of that crazy girl! 

We had a delicious lunch and a great time celebrating with my family and the Olks.

So thankful to be able to spend Easter with both families!  Happy Easter!

Egg Hunt with Friends

There's a first time for everything and today it was an indoor egg hunt at Mrs. Betsy's house!  It has been a rainy, miserable weekend which is very disappointing since it's Easter weekend.  Our original plans were to meet at a park today, but since the rain continued this morning Mrs. Betsy offered to host the egg hunt at her house.  I wasn't sure how an indoor egg hunt would work but it was fun hiding eggs all over her house (with the exception of the bathrooms and laundry room).  We missed Ashleigh-Anne and Kyndall being there, but hopefully next year they will be able to travel home for Easter. 

I'm so thankful to Mrs. Betsy for opening up her home and taking great pictures of the fun event!  Both Kate and Mason had a great time.

 Group picture.

 

18 Months Old!

Mason is 18 months old today and is growing too fast!  I had to reschedule his 18 month appointment, which isn't until next month, so it'll be a little bit before I will know his 18 month stats.  He is still in a size 4 diaper, size 5 shoes and size 18 or 24 month clothes.  He has 12 teeth (including 4 molars) and is still not really talking.  This past week I heard him say "star" in bible class and "cow" one day in the car but he hasn't repeated them since.

He is still a 100% mamma's boy and I love it (most of the time - ha).  Lately he seems to be getting worse and he refuses to go to Justin if I am around.  So rotten.  Mason still loves school and is excited every morning to walk in by himself and straight into his classroom like a big boy.  Mason has still not found a food he doesn't like and he will even eat things that neither Justin or I care for, like grape tomatoes.  Kate can still make him laugh louder than any one else and he has recently started to mimic her.  He puts on her bracelets and necklaces, wears her shoes and loves to play with her in her room any chance he can get.  

  I have a habit of taking off my shoes in the laundry room as soon as I get home.  As soon as I do, Mason comes wandering out with my shoes on.  Even the high heels.

 Mason loves his Uncle Jordan and cousin Camden.  Kate doesn't pay Camden much attention but Mason loves to get down on the floor with him and gently pat his head.  So sweet.

 One of the terrible falls Mason has had in his short life and one of the worst bruises he has ever gotten.  Justin and I are a little concerned about how many times he has fallen and hit his head but doctor says he'll be fine.  Kate never fell as often or as hard as Mason does.  This particular morning he took a nose dive into the corner of the door jam.  I felt so bad since I was right there with him and couldn't stop it from happening.  Poor fellow.

 This is one of Mason's new faces.  I get this reaction when I ask him if he wants another bite and the answer is "yes".  So goofy.

Most of the time Mason is a very happy boy.  But, there are plenty of times where he will follow me around the house whining until I pick him up. 

 Excited to show me his Easter buckets.

I debated about posting this picture - but I feel like it captures Mason being all boy.  Sound asleep with his hand down his diaper.  Gross!

 Sunglasses are one of Mason's favorite things right now.  I think he's so adorable in them but hopefully the Easter bunny will bring him a manly pair that aren't purple or pink!

One of the best pictures Mason has ever taken for me.  Can you believe that big smile?!

On Friday, daycare was closed so I took off of work.  Kate went to Nanny's for the day so I took Mason to JCPenny for his 18 month pictures.  I debated about doing them since we've had so many pictures taken lately (for different reasons) but I didn't want to regret not doing them so I made an appointment.  Plus, I get pictures for such a great deal - my total this time was $2.12.  Can't beat that!  The only downside to going Friday was the crowd - everyone was there getting their Easter pictures done.  

My handsome boy. 

 This one is my favorite:

Happy 18 month birthday big boy!

A Quick Visit with Natasha

A couple weeks ago, Natasha flew home (Jacksonville) for a sad trip.  Her brother-in-law had passed away after battling cancer for several year.  Natasha stayed in Jacksonville with her older sister Shari to help her and spend time with her niece and nephew.  We certainly understood if she didn't make it to Tallahassee, but lucky for us she came for two days to see us before she flew back home!  Because of the ridiculously high cost of plane tickets - only Natasha and her youngest little boy Corbin came.  Hopefully next time big brother Declan and Rhys can come visit too (and stay longer)!

On Tuesday, I met everyone for lunch at Panera.  I was the only one of the group that had to return to work so we agreed to have dinner the following night at our house to have more time to chat.  

 Meeting Corbin for the first time - so much chunkiness!

Handsome boy.

Greg, Jessica and baby Atlas also came over for dinner.  I hadn't seen Atlas in several weeks - so big!

Checking each other out.

So cute.  

Corbin is only 5 months old but a big boy.  He reminds me a lot of how Mason was at that age - huge! The boys are almost exactly one year apart (both October babies).

 Group picture!  

It's always so good to visit with Natasha - I miss her so much!