Easter

Easter this year was a little different for us.  We didn't make the trip back to Kansas since we had just gone to Nashville and wanted to spend the last couple of days of our spring break at home.  The nice part about it though was we still got to spend it with family.

Erin has always wanted to fry a turkey so on Saturday we had family over and tried it out.  The kids loved playing with their cousins and the food was delicious.  We got to dye some eggs and do an egg hunt in the yard.

Lawson loved coloring eggs....He also enjoyed coloring his hands and belly.

On Sunday we woke up to gifts from the Easter Bunny and grandparents.  Then we got all ready and went to church.  Luke is starting to understand things better each year so it is fun to talk to him about the holiday.  His questions are so innocent and the details he notices surprise me all the time. We celebrated with some more family while we enjoyed a delicious lunch and the boys again got to hunt eggs.  They were even spoiled with their very own homemade candy baskets.  Kelli had gotten them little toy cars and rubber lizards.  The lizards have slept with them every night and gone to daycare everyday.  The little things in life :)

Laney 5 Months

Laney you are growing up so fast already.  You are so alert to everything around you and just trying to take it all in.  I can only imagine what is going through that little head of yours.

Update:

• Wearing 3-6 month clothes and 2 diapers.  Pants are a little big in the waist but since you aren't running around, they work.
• Has started grabbing at anything within reach.  She tries to grab our drinks or food especially.  
• Toys have become an interest and she loves to hold and chew on them now.  Everything goes to the mouth.
• Laney drools constantly!  We have put bibs on her just trying to keep from soaking her shirt.
• She found her toes/feet and likes to suck on them (Weird, I know)
• Laney just lights up with a big smile anytime someone gives her attention or talks to her.
• Luke and Lawson still love to interact with her and talk to her.  They like to check on her and Lawson makes sure she has a pacifier all the time.
• She has found her voice.  She likes to blow bubbles and spit.
• Sleeping pretty good.  She wakes up usually once a night to eat.  The time varies.  Will sleep through the night every now and then.
• Eating hasn't changed a lot.  She did go to some formula while we were on vacation, but are still doing breast milk mostly.  I am starting to think about doing baby food, but we haven't jumped into that.
• This month she seems to have more of an opinion on things and lets us know when she is not happy.  Most the time Laney just wants to be held and cuddled with though.
• Her hair is still dark and she still has quite a bit.  She hasn't lost it all like Lawson did by this age.
• She tries to pull herself up when laying with you so we have started trying to sit up on her own.  She still leans forward a lot on her hands, but will last a little while before falling over.
• Daddy uses her every chance he can to get in extra cuddles.  She is the easy one :)
• We are trying to enjoy this cuddly stage when she will rock and sleep in our arms.  We know it won't last forever and want to soak it up for now.

Our Little Princess

Lawson is 2 1/2

Lawson you are a true middle child.  You have the older brother that pretty much tells you what to do all day every day and then the younger sister that you have just embraced and become such a protector of.  I'm sure you are just waiting for the opportunity to boss her around though.

We like to refer to you as our little bull dog, but such a cute one.  You are a tough little boy that has the mean mug scowl on frequently.  You like your comfort zone and sometimes it takes you a little while to warm up to different situations.  You are not afraid to let people know when you are unhappy or something isn't right.  It usually comes out in a loud order of what you need.

Even with your bull dog nickname though you have such a sweet side to you as well.  Your laugh is such a great sound that just rolls out.  The best is to pin you down and tickle that round tummy of yours.  Your body just freezes up and you giggle like crazy.  When we stop, you lay there waiting for more.  (I absolutely hate being tickled, but love to watch you squirm.)  You have the sweetest smile.  It lights up your whole face with your eyes squinting shut.

Other little facts:

• You are very good at saying "thank you" and getting better with "please"
• Praying is also something you have started to really participate in.  You used to fold your hands with us, but now are trying to say the words and always remind us at dinner.  We have to start over for you if you aren't ready when we start.
• You are a good sleeper, but do have freak outs every now and then in the middle of the night.  You usually just yell for Mommy to come sleep with you.  I law down for a minute or so and then you are good.
• You are very particular on things right now.  You must have your Mickey cup at all times.  The chosen toy rotates more frequently, but whatever it is goes everywhere with you.
• You LOVE Ninja Turtles and want to play it all the time.  You assign everyone characters and get us our headbands and weapons.  You get quite upset if Luke doesn't want to play.  You also like to play dinosaurs and Paw Patrol.
• Speaking of Luke, you two are so much fun to watch together.  You play everything together and just follow him around like his shadow.
• Your favorite things to watch are "Mickey Mouse Club House", "Jake and the Never Land Pirates", and any Disney movie.
• You like to be one of the big boys and don't like being told you are too small/young to do something.
• At bedtime you ask for "one more minute" every night.

• You like to read books.  Once we start on one though, I think you would listen to books all night.
• Eating is one of your favorite things to do.  You aren't very picky and usually ask for seconds.
• You still wear diapers, but will go the bathroom on the toilet if we put you there.  You just aren't into telling us you need to go.  You actually get upset when we need to change your diaper.  I am planning on potty training this summer when I am home.
• You love tackling and wrestling with Daddy.  You never back down.
• So far you have been our injury prone child **see above**  You always have a bump, bruise, or scratch somewhere.
• Biting your nails is a bad habit.  You even pick at your cuticles.
• You have gotten much better at smiling for pictures and like to see it after.
• You have become more interested in learning recently.  You do pretty good with colors and can count to eleven.  You can name animals and do their sounds.
• You are a bit of a Momma's boy right now (I am completely fine with that)

Lawson you are our spunky little man.  You have such a big heart with the sweetest smile.  Your personality is so unique, and we wouldn't change it one bit.  Mommy and Daddy love you so much and can't wait to see what you will surprise us with next.

Nashville Vaca

With Erin and I both turning 30 this year we decided to take a little vacation just the two of us.  This does not happen very often.  I think the last vacation we took just the two of us was when I was pregnant Luke.  Before that, probably our honeymoon.  So we were looking forward to the chance to have some time just the two of us.  (This did not make it easy for us though to leave the kids for four days.  It was my first time to leave Laney overnight, so Mommy was a little nervous.)

The time away with Erin was great though.  We were able to be spend some quality time just catching up and having uninterrupted conversations.  It was weird :)

**WARNING:  multiple selfie pictures ahead**

The 7 1/2 hour trip down went surprisingly fast.
Way home... not so much.

First night out enjoying the live music

We got out on day 2 and checked out some of the sights and did a little shopping

Our last night there we went to the Grand Ole Opry for a show

We got to hear some great performers.  I was especially impressed by the Charles Daniels Band and them playing "The Devil Goes Down to Georgia".  We also learned through another one of their songs that Erin is quite the redneck.

I know the kids were looking forward to their time with the grandparents and came back with all sorts of stories to share.  We were excited to be back home together though to enjoy the last few days of spring break.

I am 30!!!

Well this past month I turned the big 3-0.  I can't believe I'm 30, but I think I am okay with it.  It just seems weird to think I am out of my twenties.  I was very spoiled all week by my husband.  The kids all liked to join in on the celebrating as well.  We didn't do anything crazy, but I was treated to a dinner out and some frozen yogurt for dessert.