Dandelion Days

Both of my girls love to be outside, but what they find even more thrilling, are the flowers that have started to bloom as well as the dandelions scattered everywhere.  A field of dandelions, for them, is as exciting as Christmas morning or waking up to snow.  Every chance they get, they have their little hands filled with flowers and dandelions.  What's better than picking dandelions?  Blowing them of course!

Milan can do it.

Paloma cannot, but that doesn't stop her from trying!

Our house is surrounded by fields, which are currently completely covered in dandelions.  On nice evenings, and after we have finished dinner, the girls love to run around the fields, picking and blowing dandelions, chasing after each other, and all the while singing at the top of their little lungs.  It's really something special to watch.

Paloma's new way of sitting...

Running around the fields as the sun goes down.  The girls love to shout goodbye and goodnight to the sun.

Most importantly, they love spending time together, often walking in the fields holding hands (of course those photos were completely out of focus).

I'm not sure how it can get better than this.

Happy Easter

The girls have really been enjoying their Easter!  Easter baskets were met with excited squeals, new stuffed bunnies were loved on, and Peeps eaten for the first time (they loved them).  After breakfast, I took the girls upstairs to get dressed while James went outside to hide the eggs.  Milan and Paloma could barely contain themselves as we left the house to begin our hunt.  I will never forget the looks of excitement and anticipation on their faces as they ran all over the yard.  They were SO thrilled each time an egg was spotted.  Needless to say, enjoying the fruit of their labor was a favorite moment, too!  They are rarely given candy, but they sure ate it like champs today!

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2012

We didn't do too much, but I did manage to take a picture of the girls wearing green.  Milan learned about the holiday in preschool and was very excited to wear green.  Hopefully next year I will get my act together and try to do a few things to make the day a little more special!

And Life Moves On

I can't believe it was three weeks ago today, I was in Idaho burying my Father.  Nearly a month ago (how has it been almost a month?) my Dad lost his nearly year long battle with cancer.  I'm glad he is no longer suffering, but boy do I miss him!  The girls and I were in Idaho for two weeks, I didn't bring a camera with me, but used my iphone to document our visit.  The great thing about having little children, is you don't have the opportunity to dwell in sadness for too long - they continue to have needs and still require a lot of attention.  Milan knows Grandpa no longer lives at Grandma's house and now lives in heaven.   Although it was a more somber visit, the girls were still excited to see Grandma, Aunt Catherine and their cousins.  Here are a few photos from our trip - 

Stickers with Grandma

Jumping on the trampoline with Jenna in the snow

Enjoying a playground near Grandma's house

And more stickers with Grandma

Engrossed in Mary Poppins

My sister was kind enough to take the girls to an annual carnival fundraiser at Jenna's school.  The same carnival my sister and I enjoyed as kids.

Quiet time with Grandma

More fun with Jenna on the trampoline

Playing dress-up at Aunt Catherine's house

My little (ok...not so little anymore) niece striking a pose!

My handsome 19 yr old nephew playing Little Ponies with Milan...love ya Kevin!

Family game of Racko...a game that Catherine and I played as kids.

The cousins!