Grandpa and Popcorn

One of the highlights of our Michigan trip, for Cassidy, was having popcorn with Grandpa! She talked about it for weeks ahead of the trip, and still talks about it everyday. Popcorn is her most favorite special treat, and having it popped fresh in Grandpa's basement is the best way! Here they are, waiting for their snack to pop: 

  

It's hard to wait, but so worth it! I think it's hilarious how they're both sacked out with their bowls of popcorn. Cassidy was silent, in heaven just sitting with Grandpa and munching on her popcorn.

 What are they discussing here? How awesome popcorn is, probably.

For Grandpa

Here are some smiles just for you, Grandpa! Ask and you shall receive! 

See you SOON!

Mother's Day weekend

My favorite thing in the world is being Mommy to Cassidy and Travis. Every day with them is awesome, but Mother's Day weekend was made even more special by my two babies and my sweet husband. We fit in lots of fun in Ames (touring Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University) and Des Moines (shopping, lunch at a fun Mexican place downtown, bumming around), and just being at home together too. I got to sleep in (until 9:00!!!) two mornings in a row and the kids were even quiet - amazing!

 

 Cassidy Dawn, my beautiful and SPUNKY girl!

Travis Aaron, my handsome and AWESOME boy - who is in the phase Cassidy just got out of: not wanting to smile for the camera! Argh! (He loves playing with the rocking horse, but rocking is for babies, don't you know? The cool kids flip it over and crawl inside the wooden legs, then drive their toy cars on them.)

 Sharing happens pretty well around here, and here's proof!

 But maybe not twice in a row! Get your own crackers, Travis!

 Ready to go to church on Mother's Day.

 Cassidy is in love with the cars from the movie Cars - here she is with Holly, a current favorite.

 Travis went to church too, of course. He just wouldn't look at the camera. :) Here he is anyway.

 "Are you kidding me, Mommy? I told you, no unauthorized photographs!"

Buddies

Cassidy's great buddy Ruby came over for a half day last week. It's always fun to play with Ruby, but add a few balloons into the mix and things can get pretty silly!

The girls were (unusually) willing to do whatever I said. Here they are pretending to be dogs, then horses.

Neigh! Neigh!

Now clap your hands!

And dance!

Give each other a hug!

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Silly as can be

Both kids love to play "night night", usually in their beds or ours. Trav discovered the rug on the porch and frequently rolls himself in it, burrito-style. Such a silly guy!

Pumpkin Songs

 We're having lots of  fun with Cassidy these days! It's such a blast seeing her personality grow and develop. She's always loved listening to music and over the past few months, she's really loved learning to sing songs (and make up quite a few of her own, too!). If you have the chance to talk to her on the phone, you will very likely be treated to her renditions of Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, ABCs, and/or part of any one of the hymns she's learned from her Praise Baby DVDs. ("Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty" is a favorite right now. It's pretty cute hearing her sing "...God in three persons, blessed Trinity..." in her little three-year-old-girl voice.) My favorite song of hers, though, and maybe my favorite song EVER is her first original song. It goes like this: "..the mama and the baaaaby, the baby and the maaaaama, the mama and the baaaaaby, the baby and the maaaaama..." We sing it together a lot. :)

 

You asked for it...

I rarely post pictures of myself, but by request, here are a couple shots of me with my new short hair. I'm still getting used to it but overall, I love it! It's easy, quick, and doesn't get in my eyes all day long - just what I asked for! The kids don't seem to notice any change at all. So there you have it! 

HE IS RISEN!

Happy, happy Easter! HE IS RISEN! 

We've had so much fun celebrating with our two wonderful kids. Sunday morning started even earlier than usual. We gave the kids their baskets before the sun was all the way up, before Kurt had to rush off for the early sunrise service at church. Then we joined him for the Easter breakfast and worship service. It was a beautiful day!

 Shopping for their Easter baskets was soooooo much fun for me! Travis is not in the picture below because he could not be torn away from his morning banana, even for gifts and candy!

 Cassidy, in the stroller on the way to Easter morning church.

 Travis, behaving so well in the church pew. At least for the three seconds it took to get this picture. :)

 Saturday morning we went to Story City's indoor egg hunt due to the rain. 

 Waiting outside the gate before the start of the egg hunt is so hard to do when you can see the colorful eggs just inches away!

 Travis with his egg hunt spoils: two plastic eggs filled with candy, which Cassidy promtply ate.

 Cassidy was not interested in getting close to the Easter Bunny at the egg hunt. Smiling and waving from afar was good enough for her! 

Happy Easter! Do you know what Jesus did for you?!