Little A is ONE

When Little A turned one he had a nasty cold and it took a while to take his one year pictures.  We got them done a while ago but when an un-named someone is behind in blogging she doesn't know what she blogged and what she didn't until someone ask me when they will see pictures of him.  So that un-named someone is going to try to get caught up.

Little A is such a joy to our lives he loves his snuggle time with grandma and grandpa.  I can't get over how darn cute he is, of course I might be the only one who thinks that.

Adam was a little ball player when he was about 4, he {or I} wanted to play t-ball but the the cut off for his age was 25 days before his birthday..... I did what any parent would do.  I lied about his birthday and got him on the team, it's t-ball what could possible happen in 25 days before he was 5.

Adam's t-ball experience was very interesting..........  we gave Little A his daddy's glove and ball for a few shots.  

He held up the ball so perfectly for me.

I love this one.

During Adam's first t-ball games he didn't really understand the rules but he tried really hard and had such a fun time hitting the ball and running the bases.  One of the games he hit the ball and got on 1st base while the next player hit the ball.  Adam stuck to the base until someone told him to run, well the batter hit a pop up and the pitcher caught it making it 3 outs.  The other team ran into their dugout in a big massive group {and they were big kids and Adam was a little runt}.  Adam stood his base and they plowed right over the top of him.  He looked like a turtle tucked in his shell and the dust was rolling around him.  Those big kids did pretty major damage to Adam and his t-ball history, he was done with this game.  The next week he refused to play until the last inning and the coach finally talked him into batting.  He got on base and managed to run all the way home with help from his teammates.  He runs out of the dugout right towards us, trips and lands smack on his face on the concrete........ his  t-ball days for that year were done.  

Little A wanted his mommy 

The happy family with their little one year old.

I like this picture how Adam is looking at Little A, this boy means the world to him.  Adam says Jr isn't going to play t-ball but we'll see when the time comes.  Adam did play again the next year and played until he was in High School and loved it.  When he goes to Josh's games it drives him crazy to watch instead of play.  

Quinn and Macie - Twin Sweetness

My niece Kristi came home for a visit last Thursday and she brought with her the sweetest little girls eva', her twin girls Macie and Quinn.  

When I was young I babysat for Kristi and her brother Mike.  I remember putting a diaper pin threw Kristi's leg, yes I even closed it and didn't know it was in her leg...  yep pretty much the worst auntie ever, I'm not sure to this day why she calls me her favorite auntie Connie other than I'm her only auntie Connie.  Kristi grew up with my girls and we spent lots of time shopping, playing, crafting and just talking.  When Kristi moved away for school she moved to Portland MAINE, the same year Lynn moved to Portland OREGON.  They couldn't have gotten anything further apart and have something in common.  Kristi has found her home in New York and 9 months ago had two amazing little girls.  Kristi is a wonderful mother and these little girls show their love for her just by the smiles on their faces.  Seeing them for the first time I wanted to eat them up but of course they are not used to our big family so having all of us in the house at the same time was a bit overwhelming.  We all had to ease ourselves close to them to steal a hug or even playing with toys but they warmed up within an hour or so.  

I couldn't wait to give Kristi the gift that will be with her forever.... photos of the girls.  

Macie (left) is a little shy and quiet, she smiles and warms up fast when your not too close to her.  She has the cutest little look to her and her shyness makes you want to snuggle her that much more.  

Quinn (right) is more outgoing but yet shy, she flirts with you as soon as she sees you but cries if you come too close.  She is the spitting image of Kristi.

Kristi says this could be interesting because when they are close to each other there is hitting, pinching, pulling hair....... and it comes from both of them.  

Kristi told Quinn to be nice and she  tries to hold Macie's hand.

They are crawling and they are fast so we had to contain them a bit.

It was time for Easter dresses and hair bows.  Macie sported her hair bow and pretty dress like a big girl.

Miss Quinn didn't want anything to do with hers.   We tried everything to get her to forget about that flower on her head.  Not happening, see Macie with that shy little smile.

Quinn found her own way of forgetting about her headband........ she spotted Macie's.  From the expression on Macie's face this happens a lot and she's like "OMG I can't believe your going to pull that out of my hair"

Then Quinn got disciplined and slowly finished the job.

One way to make them forget about hair bows is to stick them in pots..... totally worked. 

She reminds me of the Swedish Chef on the Muppets cooking his spaghetti .... I can hear him yelling and tossing that spaghetti around right now.

Here is Kristi with her two lovely girls being all quiet and cute

Then this happened........ I have a feeling it happens a lot, the girls are pretty used to it.

This face shows the craziness these girls bring her but it also shows the love she shares with them.  Unconditional love that you don't know you have until you have a child of your own...... or two.

Today I was honored to go to Quinn and Macie's baptism, my heart grew while I watched my sister's family share in this day.   I also tear'd up a bit when I said good bye to them all, I've grown quite attached and I can't imagine what Grandpa and Grandma will do when they say their good byes.  

Until I see them all again, I'll have these photos to help me smile and remember their visit.  Love you Kristi, Quinn and Macie  Safe travels to your home sweet home.

Easter at Home

Holidays are a big deal to me, I see my kids and the grandkids a lot but having them all together and celebrating holidays is just different.  When growing up we only had Christmas as a family because Mom and Dad had to open the bar for the other holidays so we just went out there to celebrate with them and all the other people that came in but it didn't matter we were together and Mom was seeing us on a holiday.  Now I know how important that is, to just see them on the holiday is so important to me....... it's a lot of work but John tells me I do it to myself...... I haven't a clue why he says that.

I chose to put myself behind the camera today since the kids are getting so big and documenting them growing up is pretty important for them when they look back and remember these special holidays.  So here are a few (ok a lot) of photos.

Our table runner...... a giant color book.

Colored pencils and me have a love affair..... and so does burlap and twine.  I sharpened everyone of those pencils so they had a point.  Burnt up the pencil sharpener and begged John to fix it because I only had about a dozen left.  

Got them all done, it just needed to cool down :)

This is the metal tray my Mom (the Easter Bunny) would put out every Easter morning with the colored eggs.  I love using it.

As soon as the kids walked in this happened.....

Then it was time to hunt for baskets and eggs.

I had Jr help with coloring the table runner and I asked John to take some pictures.

This next one Jr is smiling so big and we look so cute.........

The downfall to having your camera set with everything on manual, know one knows how to use it correctly.  Just invasion us being in focus.

Jr never cries but he fell off the red footstool and he was upset.

John making sure all the money was taken out of the eggs..... darn Grandpa

More coloring

The food was tasty, the kids were extra sweet and the weather was perfect for a memorable holiday celebration.  

Happy Easter.