Easter week

Nana & Papa

For those who know me well, know that I am very close with my family. The hardest part about living in StL is living so far away from all of them. My parents get to come visit about twice a year and I look forward to those trips for months. My parents had scheduled a trip to come visit us in March and we couldn't wait. I had made a list of all the places I wanted to take them, all of the things around the house I was going to get their help cleaning and fixing, and had visions of the flower pots we were going to plant. Well all those things are still on my list. My mom arrived in Stl late friday night and on the way to the airport I started feeling a bit ill. I thought it might have been something I ate for dinner but as soon as I got home I went straight to the bathroom and didn't really leave for two days. I had come down with the stomach flu. Ben woke up with it at 2am, Drew came down with it early the next morning and my mom was welcomed to our home by running to the store to stack up on Gatorade, Clorox wipes and saltines. Sadly just as we were beginning to start to get our strength back my mom came down with it (the night before my dad was going to arrive). By this time my dad was scared to even come in our house so we spent most of the first day he was here at the park and in our backyard. He slept in our unfinished basement to stay as far as possible! Luckily, he never got it. Thank the Lord. We were able to make it to the zoo one day and play at the park a few times but for the most part the trip I had looked forward to for months was a bit of a disaster. So, on the spur of the moment I decided to pack up the kids, all of our stuff, my mom skipped her flight home and we drove back to VA to spend the following week in Roanoke. It was a wonderful trip home. I was able to see my brother and his family, my grandparents and my inlaws everyone but my sister and her hubby! (The following posts are snipets of my time with all of them.) I am so thankful I had that extended time with all of them. Mom and Dad, thanks for coming all the way out here. Next trip can only get better!

Surprise visit

Ben's mom celebrated a big birthday this year and we just happened to be in VA to give her a surprise visit. I secretly worked out the details with Bill, woke the kids up early one morning, drove to Charlottesville and rang the doorbell only to have a very surprised and happy Grandma. We spent a wonderful rainy day with them. Ella helped make cookies and Drew took advantage of being spoiled by both his grandma and pa. I think we made Grandma very happy!

Cousins

On our trip to VA we drove to North Carolina where my brother and his family live. We were able to spend the weekend with them and unfortuantly this is the only picture I have of the cousins together. Hannah is three weeks younger than Drew and is just as adorable as can be. Ella loved sitting and reading with/to her. I can't wait to watch their relationship grow as they get older.

Great grandparents

Last month the kids and I took a very spur of the moment trip back to VA. While we were there we were able to spend a day with my grandparents, Ella and Drew's great grandparents. They had so much fun singing songs, playing the keyboard (this is the keyboard I played when I was growing up!), and getting lots of hugs and kisses. I wish we lived closer so that we could spend more rainy days with them.

Sunny days

Just in the past month Ella has really started to take a huge interest in Drew. Here are a few snapshots of her love for him...

She always wants to know where he is when she gets out of bed. He gets the best hugs and kisses from her even though I beg for them all the time.

When we have our family dance party before bed she has makes sure he has a dance partner.

She loves to help me get him up from his naps. As she walks in she will say "Hey sweet boy" or "Hey buddy". He will strain his neck to find her and when he does flashes her the biggest smiles anyone gets.

We have a filebox full of pictures of friends that we use after dinner when we pray for people and one morning Ella had the pictures scattered all over the kitchen floor and was taking different ones over to Drew and telling him who was in each picture and then holding his hands and pretending to pray for them. I about cried.

Today in the car he was crying and I heard her say "you ok Drew-drew? Why so sad, why crying? It's ok." Of course he stopped crying. It was precious.

I only hope this love between them continues.

Drew has just started holding his own bottle but Ella loves to be the big sister and help him out when he can't quite seem to find his mouth. She is such a sweet little helper.

Ella loves to play wherever Drew is even if that means squeezing on his blanket.

One of Ella's favorite birthday gifts--a cow. Who knew? Thanks Townsleys!

She loves to give out hugs even though Drew resists at times. Also notice how big my boy is! He's huge--a whopping 19lbs!

The last couple of days have been beautiful so we have spent hours playing outside at different parks. Oh I can't wait for spring to arrive.

Cheese!

First time on a big swing and she loved it!

Henry and Lila met us at the park. There is nothing like a sunny day, good friends and happy kids.

Sibling Rivalry