Anna's such a big girl!!!

Anna decided this morning that she wanted to stand all by herself!  She usually stands next to the sit and spin and walks around it, but today she kept standing up, then letting go.  She was so proud of herself.  Maybe walking isn't as far away as we thought!

Monahan Easter Egg Hunt

Our new neighborhood organizes a lot of family and kids activities.  Today was the Easter Egg Hunt.  Three neighboring backyards were used for three different age groups to hunt eggs.  Our yard was actually one of them!  We had the "best" hiding places, so the oldest kids hunted in our yard.  Anna enjoyed watching and sitting in the eggs, but didn't really do any hunting of her own.  Xavier looked in every egg before putting it in his basket, so he only got a few eggs.  After the egg hunt, he planted some carrot seeds, decorated a cookie, and then visited with the Easter Bunny!  Anna was so excited to see the Easter Bunny - except when she got too close...

Bertke-Beasley-Roscoe Visit

The Beasley's and the Roscoe's came over yesterday.  This is the first time the boys all got to play together.  They really enjoyed the swing set!  Anna seemed to sleep most of the time, but she woke up right when the Roscoe's were leaving, so we got a couple group shots - that was fun!!!  Thanks for coming, Roscoe's and thanks for making the long trip just for an evening, Beasley's!!!  We can't wait for the next time.

Happy Birthday!!

Last weekend was a pretty busy weekend.  Friday night, I went along with Emily and Isabelle for the "Emily buys Isabelle whatever she wants" birthday shopping trip to the Jeffersonville outlet mall.  I bought Anna everything I saw in her size on the clearance rack!  It was a very successful shopping trip by all. 

On Saturday, Mommy started getting ready for Anna and Isabelle's birthday parties, which were Sunday.  Grandpa and Grandma Bertke came up to help get ready to help Daddy put together Anna's birthday swing set.  Daddy ended up missing most of the party, because it took two FULL days to put the swing set together!  Xavier loved playing on the swing set Sunday, but unfortuantely, it is now gross outside, so he hasn't had another chance. 

Saturday night, Kelli and Nancy came over.  Nancy had wonderful gifts for all 3 kids - didn't Xavier get lucky!  Thanks, Nancy.  Early Sunday morning, Daddy and Grandpa went back to work on the swing set, while the women all got ready for the party.  Grandpa and Grandma Selhorst, Ben, Emily & Paul, and Rachel & Justin all came for lunch and we were ready to party.  Anna was great at the party!  Her aversion to crowds must have been because of her teeth because she was in a great mood. 

Then it was cake time!!!!  Isabelle wanted red velvet cake, so it is pretty bright on the pictures.  Anna is the first of our children to actually enjoy her birthday cake.  Isabelle apparently didn't like chocolate and Xavier was afraid to get dirty.  Neither of these were true for Anna!!! 

Xavier helped her blow out her candle. 

She wasn't sure about it at first, so Xavier decided to help a little...

Just a bite of icing at first, then she dug in with both hands....

We sang "Happy Birthday" to Isabelle, and Anna continued to enjoy....

Only crumbs left....

And finally, the swiing set was done!

Manly Work

Our back patio was lined with Arborvitae (spelling?) which really didn't make much sense.  They were planted in beds and didn't really provide privacy, because there are more evergreens right behind that also provide privacy!  We had them torn out a few weeks ago and I am going to plant my garden in the leftover beds.  Brian and Xavier cleaned up all the stumps today. 

Xavier decided to take a little off some of the bushes.

Xavier is really concentrating - he's doing very important work!

Anna Eats!

We had a busy weekend this past weekend.  The Selhorst kids pulled off a good one - a surprise 30th Anniversary party for our parents.  Everyone thought it couldn't be done, but it was!  The pictures are on mom's camera, so I'll post those later.  Isabelle turned the big "9" on Sunday, so we had a "Thin Mint" Ice Cream cake Saturday night to celebrate.  Andrea's baby shower was also on Sunday.  We were very glad to see her and how cute her baby bump is!  It was a busy weekend.

Last Friday, I made Tomato Soup with Black Beans and that is apparently Anna's favorite food.  She is NOT a great eater, but she ate 3 bowls for lunch on friday and ate all of the leftovers last night.  Brian got a couple shots of her enjoying her dinner...

Brian said here she is pointing and saying "this is my soup, please give me more!"

I'm gonna get you!!!

Anna has been soooooooooo cranky lately.  In the past 2 weeks, she has popped through 2 molars and 2 other teeth.  That must have been her problem.  She's been so happy and we are really enjoying it (while it lasts!)

What are you looking at?

                                                  

First 2010 Zoo Trip

It was so sunny this afternoon, we decided it would be a great day for a zoo trip.  We got to see Beco, the baby elephant, that will be turning 1 on March 27.  He's only 3 days younger than Anna!  The tiger was very active and kept running up to the window and looking at the kids.  They got a very big kick out of that.  There are 3 lion cubs!!!!  I didn't see a sign saying when they were born, so I'm not sure how old they are, but they are very cute.  The daddy lion was very tired and we got some great shots of his yawns!

Grandma's Vacation

While the men were in Florida golfing for the week, mom decided to come to Columbus to hang out and make curtains for the daycare room.  We had our first guest in our guest room, so that was very exciting.  We enjoyed having mom and thank you very much for making curtains!  Xavier was a very big helper...

Gymboree - Play & Learn

Brian and Xavier took another class at Gymboree this morning. Throughout the week last week, Xavier kept telling me "Teachers says..." and he would tell me something that happened at Gymboree last week. I think he really liked having a teacher and going to that class. This week they did "Play and Learn." He had a lot of fun.

Remember the parachute from elementary school?

Xavier did not want to leave!

Monday Night

Isabelle and I had PSR Monday night. I just imported photos and found out what goes on while we are gone! In this video, Anna is watching Brian and Xavier in the window. Xavier is very graceful!
Xavier and Anna playing "Tickle Monster." Score: Xavier-0, Anna-1...