Oma and Opa came to visit!

Oma and Opa flew in last week from Michigan to spend time with all of us. We were so excited they were coming and then we just enjoyed every minute with them while they were here. My sweet father-in-law always manages to get a family picture of us while he is here and I'm so grateful he does! It is becoming a little tradition for us to pose on the side patio of our home in our Sunday best. It rained the whole week they were here so we were more limited in what we could do. We did manage to bike to the park, go to the Parks mall in Arlington for a carousal ride and cheesecake, go to Aledo for breakfast at my parents, and the zoo. We squeezed in the zoo trip and held out until the sun came up in the afternoon so we could go to the new splash pad. Our zoo day was a big success and the girls loved seeing the animals and playing in the water with their Oma and Opa. 

We got to see them feed the penguins

Gracie Grace

BB came along for the fun too.

Oma and Luke

He loved the penguins

These two were inseparable the whole time.

watching the baby elephants play

Posing for Opa

Gracie wanted to pose too

At the Safari Splash

Luke stayed by this frog for an hour

He didn't mind getting wet

Miss Hannah in her new suit

She calls this the 'bubble' and loves it

Gracie lounging with her Opa

A little late

Luke has been 1 for almost a month so I was very behind in doing his final picture with his "monthly ties". Nevertheless, I still managed to stick that tie on him and snap a few last pictures. 

Daddy Day for April

For our April Daddy Day we went to the city beach in Granbury. It was a perfect day and due to a thunderstorm the night before no one came to the beach. The sand was a little damp but not bad at all. We had the whole beach to ourselves for the day. The sun was up, it was cool, and wonderful. The kids loved playing in the sand. We built sandcastles, buried the girls, played in the water, and had a picnic lunch. Luke tasted the sand once and that was it. He played and played and loved trying to knock over the girls sandcastle. He also loved sitting by the water's edge and splashing. We all had a nice, relaxing day.

getting buried

Our sand castle

Gracie Grace

Daddy and Lukey

Ready for food

Enjoying the water

Luke is 1

Just like that, my baby boy turned one! It went by incredibly fast and now he is my big boy.  We did just a small family party for him at home and used decorations leftover from Claire's party. It worked out well considering Claire had a How to Train Your Dragon theme. So we had a dragon theme and I used a little Toothless toy to put on his cake. The girls decorated his cake with green sprinkles and mini chocolate chips. It actually looked like dragon landscape, grass and rocks. Luke didn't really like his cake and ended up throwing it on the floor. He loved his gifts though. What a precious boy the Lord has given our family.

singing happy birthday to him

One his new truck that sings when he pulls the lever

His Toothless cake

Opening gifts from Michigan family

He loved playing with all the packaging

cars, a new bear, and sword

Luke at 11 months

Luke at 10 months

I was a little late in taking these pictures since he was almost 11 months by the time I got around to taking his picture. But he was still technically 10 months when I did finally get these pictures. Luke still has only 4 teeth, he still is my sweet easy baby, and he still sleeps well during the night. He is eating more and more food and loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and grapes. He also likes eating tortilla chips and graham crackers. He's not a picky eater and will pretty much eat whatever I put on his tray. He loves to go on the swing at the park and he finally starting pulling himself up on his own. He also started trying to stand on his own for a few seconds. He loves to give big kisses and snuggle. He is very social and loves to be passed around the room, as long as he is being held he is a happy camper. I can't believe how big he is now and I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he will be turning 1 at the end of next month! 

Hannah and Luke

Hannah wanted to pose for all these pictures

Giving baby brother a big kiss

Daddy Day for March

For our Daddy Day this month J took us all out for Hibachi. I love Hibachi and we thought the girls would have a fun time. Grace loved it the most, she couldn't get enough of the food and the fire. Luke was really excited too. He kept squealing and clapping and of course getting everyone's attention due to extreme cuteness. Claire was a little nervous with the fire. She had to stand behind me during the fire part of the cooking process. This is entirely due to the fact that she watched the movie Big Hero 6 and has been scared of fire ever since. One of the main characters in that movie dies in a fire and that really stuck with her. Other than that we all had fun. The girls especially loved using chopsticks.

eating rice