2!

We have a two year old! We have had a very busy and happy day, but here are a few pics to celebrate our big girl! Ryan decided that we should start the tradition of having a cupcake for breakfast on her birthday (this is totally not in character with his general food philosophy, but things change for a birthday!) Here she is enjoying her cupcake this morning.

Also, Kate and John had their house arrive last night so we went out to see the house on the truck before Lizzie's bed time. Very exciting to see it! The house was set on its foundation today and we spent most of the morning watching it all come together.

Here Lizzie is helping me make her birthday cupcakes. She chose chocolate and because these are vegan cupcakes, the batter was up for grabs too!

Almost 2!

Lizzie turns two this week! We aren't having her family party until early May, so I have some time to get to used to the idea. In other family news, we now have 30 baby chicks to add to our flock. I took their picture - do you see how close I am to them? I must be slowly overcoming my chicken phobia.
As you can see in the pictures, it was very overcast this weekend. Here is Ryan in his garden, working on a fence installation. He is really enjoying the new farm cart - a great addition to the farm (thanks Bill and Nancy!)!

The first time I saw this picture was when I uploaded photos tonight. Ryan must have taken this picture - it was such a surprise to find on the computer, I laughed right out loud. Good Griffy!

This was a big weekend for tree planting - I think Kate and Dad planted around 2000. Mom, Lizzie and I helped out by "heeling in" a few rows at a slow (read: toddler) pace.

Lizzie received a wonderful birthday card this week from Louisiana that plays music when it is opened. You can see here how much she likes it.

April 11

What a full and fun weekend we have had! Here is Lizzie right before bed tonight - she and Ryan love to play guitar together. She has even started singing along to songs that she knows (like "the ants go marching one by one" and "theres a hole in the bucket").
We had an early supper with one side of the family tonight (Grammy D's side). It was great to get together for a spring celebration. Lizzie and Mike and Maddie had a lot of fun going out on the deck and looking at the river. Lizzie really enjoys having other kids to play with.

Speaking of a full day, this morning we had friends over for brunch. I didn't get any pictures of the brunch, but did think the play room was worth showing - the kids were pretty well entertained and we parents were able to visit as well.

Here is Lizzie with the headband she and Ryan picked up last week -very sweet!

Lizzie rides a bike! Ok, I don't think she actually peddled it at all, but had fun being pushed around on it by Aunt Kate. I think she is ready for a tricycle though.

Mimi and Timber's

Three posts in one day! Unprecedented posting on my part, I know, but there are too many sweet pictures that can't be skipped. We drove to Mimi and Timber's house today to have an easter egg hunt and a nice brunch. Lizzie really started to understand the egg hunting concept by the end - very fun!
Lizzie starting off with Nana and Mimi. Mimi had placed a few talking eggs around (they said things like "find me") that helped Lizzie to understand what she was doing.

Lizzie's pretty Easter dress - I don't have one with a full smile, but just know she had a lot of fun and was beautiful. The weather was perfect for an outdoor easter egg hunt, for visiting with family and for a pretty summer dress.

Easter at home

Here are a few pictures from home this morning - Lizzie spotted her basket before we did and pointed at it and said "Toys! Toys!" She received a tea set and some magnetic letters for the fridge.

Lizzie and Katie painted easter eggs last week - we have kept them in the fridge until this morning so that Lizzie could proudly display them. I think she learned all about the easter bunny ("hop!") from Kate.

Cookie decorating!

Here are a few pics of Lizzie and her cousins decorating cookies with their Grammies (Nene and Orrie) and Kate. We had a lot of fun and did a lot of running outside while we were waiting for the cookies to cool.
Michael and Maddie sorting out the frosting.

Lizzie taking a bite of her cookie - and looking to see what else might be on the counter.

Hard at work.

March 30

Just a quick update from the weekend - Lizzie loves to read this tugboat book - she brings it over to me and plops into my lap to look at the pictures.