A mini reunion

 We were lucky enough to squeeze in a mini reunion with Ben's family while we were home.  It was so much fun to catch up with everyone.  I can't believe how quickly the family is growing and changing.  We are so grateful that everyone made the effort and spent the time and money traveling to be there!  We had a fun day soaking in Lava Hot springs, enjoying the park and an Easter Egg hunt with the cousins.  We were sad to say good bye to everyone after the blessing.

Sylvie is actually floating in the water (Ben  is just holding her with 1 hand)

 

Grandad with the Grandkids

Most of the egg hunters.  McKinley wasn't up for a photo

What a silly roasting stick

Snuggling with Grandmommy

Spending time with Aunt Livi

We are only missing 3 people from the family photo, which is pretty impressive

The originals

The grandkids

*A special thanks to Tami for taking the pictures!!

Easter in Idaho

 We celebrated Easter a few more times while at home.  Rhone was pretty impressed with round after round of candy.  Olin and Brock came down the Friday before Easter, so we got to dye eggs, and hunt for baskets again.  My mom and I found cascarones (confetti filled eggs) on a whim and bought a dozen for each little boy.  They sure loved throwing them against the house (honestly it did look like fun).  We attempted to make "risen rolls" and talked about the resurrection of Jesus Christ with pictures.  Mostly the little boys were just interested in the marshmallows :)  Saturday we headed to the town egg hunt.  Rhone was much more excited about playing at the park than finding eggs.  Sunday morning I had some small baskets for Rhone and Sylvie before we headed to church. Whew I told you we celebrated a lot (and there is still more Easter coming in the G family reunion.)  Sylvie's blessing pictures are on Ben's computer (some where in the middle East so those pictures will have to come later).

MMM chocolate...it was actually a rainbow trout instead of a bunny

Throwing their cascarones (see the little red egg up high)

A festive mess

Making "risen rolls".  The marshmallow melts leaving the pastry hallow like the tomb.

Town Easter Egg hunt.

My cute kids on Easter morning.  We sure do love them!

Sweet Miss Sylvie all dressed up for her blessing

Giving  kisses

Family photo on our special day

Easter Celebration (round 1)

 We celebrated Easter one week early at our house, since we would be Idaho and busy with Sylvie's blessing on Easter day.  We had lots of fun.  We dyed eggs, which went so well this year.  Rhone caught the little egg bugs and found his basket and even got a big surprise from the Easter bunny.  The squadron also had an Easter egg hunt and an Easter bunny.  We even squeezed in a little jelly bean math before we headed to Idaho. 

Cruising around own his big surprise from the Easter Bunny. 

LOVE this picture of my kids together.  They just melt my heart.

The squadron egg hunt.

Showing off his math graph.

Big brother/ Little Sister shirts

Nana came!

We have been pretty busy since Sylvie got here.  Whew I forgot how much work a little newborn can be, but all those snuggles are worth it.  Nana flew the day after we got home from the hospital.  We all loaded up to get her from the airport.  She was a trooper and squeezed in between 2 car seats the whole time she was here.  We loved having Nana here.  She brought both kiddos presents and kept Rhone happy and occupied and let me get in plenty of naps.  My mom is magical with babies.  She can get a fussy baby to settle down and fall asleep in the middle of the night.  We mostly just stayed at home.  My mom and I got pedicures one day, we celebrated St. Patty's Day, we visited Rita's for some yummy italian ice, and just played with kiddos.  Nana visited Rhone's school and watched him at swimming lessons.  We did make it out of the house 2 days.  

On the first day of spring we visited Longwood Gardens in PA.  It was beautiful and I have been wanting to go since we got here.  The weather was really nice and even Ben will admit it was impressive.  I was pretty tired out after all that walking.  We managed to get my mom a piece of her favorite cheese cake for her anniversary on the way home.  We also made a trip to the outlets so we could stock up on kids clothes and shoes and my mom could get some tax free shopping in.  

Rhone finished up swimming lessons this week.  He went from not wanting to get in the pool without Ben to swimming (doggy paddling) a tiny distance without any help or float supports.  He can move up to the next class now!  Too bad we are moving.  Rhone's school has an art show in the spring so we got to see his art work and some of his friends too. 

Sylvie's 1st bath

A little leprechaun forgot his pants and Rhone found them filled with green treats and gold.

Sylvie chillin with her flowers from Nana and Papa

At Longwood Gardens

Miss Sylvie is 1 week old

My handsome boys at the gardens

Handsome guy in the desert section

A very Dr. Seuss looking tree

Sylvie Rose by a rose :)

Our family of 4.

Sylvie and Nana (1 week old)

Spring is here with the peach trees blossoming by our house.  We will miss the orchards.

Rhone helped Ben mow the whole front yard.

Cole came to meet Sylvie and visit Nana.  This is Sylvie's 1st time in a dress

Rhone really loves her so much.  He wants to hold her, kiss her, and is always checking on her.  Look at the size difference!

We had to get one picture with all 3 generations.

Sylvie 2 weeks old

In their big brother/ little sister shirts

Rhone by some of his art work

We made these penguins before Sylvie got here.

Rhone thought they were pretty cool and tasty too.  Notice they are all keeping little penguin eggs warm.