HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY BRADLEY!!

Happy 4th Birthday the biggest ball of personality in this house! Bradley has turned into a little girl -- still has those famous cheeks but really growing into a young lady. We love you Bradley! Big party tomorrow. Pictures to come.

Mommy blogger?

Am I a mommy blogger? Heard that term recently and I think I fall into that category!! I don't like being put in a box -- it's so constricting! I always covet the Martha Stewart type blog -- you know the ones where people take creative pictures of their step by step family crafts and activities and everything looks so fun and the light is always right??? But, I haven't the creative energy or time to invest in the "art" of blogging. (sigh).

So, because I guess I am a (gulp) mommy blogger, here are some obligatory pictures of our Easter holiday. We had a great week complete with Easter egg hunts, egg dyeing with friends and the annual Easter parade in Richmond with old friends.

{these are all in the wrong order. i can't figure out how to shift them around on our new iMac}

{chowing on Easter treats -- eggs stuffed with Trix!}

{off to church}


{dyeing eggs with the Hwangs}{Henry's class had an Easter egg hunt. This is actually a monumental event because Bradley touched the Easter Bunny for the first time. She has been severely afraid of this spring creature every year and usually refers to him as the "Monster Bunny." Way to conquer your fears of adults dressed as animals (that is a bit creepy).}
HAPPY EASTER!

More Spring photos

Our weekends have been full of yard work and yard play lately. John & I have been trying to create a spot for a vegetable garden and tame the beastly weeds that went wild last year. This is what we've been doing:
{baby stage of our garden}
{kids playing on a blanket while we work in the yard}

Eliza's Baptism

Eliza was baptized at our church a few weeks ago. It was the perfect Spring day with a perfect combination of family, faith and feast. Spring and faith go hand in hand with me. The Bible says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. I am reminded of this as the green pops through the cold, brown earth and we watch expectantly for the flowers that will appear. Similarly, our faith in something other than ourselves in not easily seen or felt but is the anchor for our lives and our hope in things to come. Our desire is that sweet Eliza will choose to walk in this faith that Jesus gives us -- hope for a future and hope for life. Thanks to all who celebrate this with us!

"Spring" Break

We took some much needed vacation last week while Henry's school had Spring Break. Never in my past spring break history did "spring" break include so much snow. BUT, we had a great time and it was nice to get away and try a new sport. Well, I didn't try skiing. This is what I looked like the whole time with Eliza strapped to my body all cozy and sleepy:

Henry did awesome and mastered skiing by the end of the 3rd day. See video below.

Typical slopes family picture. The "yuppie-ness" factor of this picture disturbs me. I was looking for a family vacation picture but this is what I got:

Bradley had a great time just playing in the snow -- all made even more fun with the promise of hot chocolate. Mmmmmmm.

I should add that a special Cinematographer's Award should be given to John who videotaped this WHILE snowboarding down the mountain. Unbelievable!

the new Bradley

BEFORE . . . .

AFTER!!

Bradley LOVES her new do. It is so much easier to take care of and she enjoys showing off her new locks. . . and the extra attention doesn't hurt either. HA!

Sweetness