It has been high excitment around here the past few weeks - Grace & Isaac turned three, we have a new swing set, we celebrated Easter, AND we've been potty-training!! I finally have the time to update the blog tonight, so assuming you're interested, check out the slew of pictures below.

Easter Morning


Grammie & Poppa were in town & we had a fun crew of friends over Easter morning, after the sunrise service. Ben & Emily joined us for breakfast, then Kyle, Mindy & Coco arrived in time for the egg hunt. They made things all the more festive. (And yes, I did eventually manage to change clothes before church!)


Grace & Isaac were ecstatic about hunting for eggs, running all over the backyard & squeeling with delight over each egg they found. I love this picture of the two of them in the sunlight.

Eli was pretty adorable. Our backyard isn't the most level ground, so walking can still pose a challenge for him back there, but he charged around, sure to show us each discovery.

Grace & Coco - a special bond from the beginning.

Just the four of us.

The whole fam on the new play structure!

I had to include this picture from earlier Easter morning. We had started potty-training a few days prior, and Isaac was quite excited about the new underwear Grammie had tucked in his Easter basket. He might hate me for it someday, but look how cute he is in those big-boy undies!



Birthday Party

I thought about having an open house style party in the back yard, in part to showcase our new swing set, but March weather can be unpredictable enough that we opted for a celebration at Jump & Party. The kids all had a great time jumping, sliding, & bouncing the morning away, followed by cupcakes in the party room. Thanks friends, for celebrating with us.



I love to cook & bake, but never would have guessed I'd have as much fun as I did decorating Grace & Isaac's cake. I saw this barnyard scene, featured in a Family Fun magazine, and decided to give it a shot. The cake itself was cute, but the cupcakes were my definite favorites!


All of our little friends who were able to make it to the party. It's nearly impossible to snap a good picture of thirteen toddlers...


Down the slide with buddy AJ.


Takin' a break from the action.


Grammie & Grace - one of my new favorite pictures.


Our good buddies, Isabelle & Olivia


AJ, Mommy & baby sister on the way!


Justin was super helpful holding Eli (and getting covered in cupcake) so I could take pictures and hang with Grace & Isaac. I love the way Logan is looking up at his Dad.


Sweet sisters, Avery & Addie


Happy girl, Liv


Isabel & Mom


Swingset

For quite some time now, I've loved the idea of a play structure for the kids. We spend so much time outside, I knew they would enjoy one. So, all of the grandparents and a few aunts & uncles went in together on this fabulous gift. We have already spent hours playing on it and I am confident there will be countless hours of fun ahead. Poppa & Eric put in a long day working on it, but as complicated as it looked, I was impressed they completed it in less than a day! A labor of love, which we all appreciate. Many, many thanks to all who contributed - we're thrilled!


Under construction


Grace checking out the new climbing wall


Isaac thought Thomas the Tank Engine ought to test out the slide.


These three can swing, and swing, and swing...

Whew. I think we're officially up to date. Happy spring!

Walker, spring, and mild chaos

Yes, it's true - I am now officially the mother of THREE toddlers! Eli started walking a few weeks ago and is now walking everywhere. He's pretty proud of himself. I'm not sure why, but he has a really wide stance, he looks a bit like a cowboy when he walks.


So proud!



Along with just about everyone else I know, we have been gratefully reveling in spring's early arrival this year. The kids were sick for just shy of a month, so between the beautiful weather and all three munchkins finally being healthy, our days have been much more enjoyable recently. Walks to the park, exploring the field behind our house, digging in the sandbox, riding bikes, and taking turns in the swings occupy much of our time these days.


Digging in the sandbox with buddy Olivia


Doesn't he look like a big guy on his tricycle?!




This little house has provided such entertainment - peek-a-boo, climbing on the roof, meals at the little table, and hours of pretent play. Speaking of which, it has been such fun to watch Grace & Isaac's imaginary play develop over the past few months. Their current favorites are pretending that they are going to school, going grocery shopping, or going on a trip.


It's been awhile since I've updated the blog, so I thought I'd better include a few pictures of what we enjoyed doing before these beautiful days of sunshine.


Along with imaginary play comes dress up! These two come up with quite the ensembles. Whether dressing herself in the morning, or layering on her playclothes, Grace's line is "I'm stylin', Mama," said with a cocked head and a lilted voice. Such character!



Grace loves to bake bread with me. She is always sure to choose an apron, and has recently been choosing Nana's (her namesake) apron everytime, which always makes me smile. Isaac enjoys helping bake sweet treats, but doesn't care for the bread process quite as much. They both, however, love to taste "just a pinch" of whatever we're making.



Peek-a-boo! Eli has turned into quite the squirmy-screamer on the changing table, but if I can get him started on peek-a-boo, he's a happy guy.


We love to read together! Blueberries for Sal is one of my classic favorites. Kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk!


Ok, this is going to look like total chaos, but it was intentional, messy fun. My friend Julie shared the idea of finger-painting in the bathtub with pudding. The kids had a ball! It did turn into a bit of a wild morning, but once we called it quits on the painting, I just wiped down the walls and gave them all a bath. I highly recommend this memory-making idea, just be prepared to get a little pudding covered, yourself.

Busy & lovin' it


Can you see what is on the wall there? I S A...yep, Isaac can write his own name now! This kid is going to give me a run for my money - he recognizes every letter, can spell all of our names plus a handful of other words, and can even write his own name. Preschool, here we come.


Are you serious, mom? Naked, in the tub with pudding?!


Grace & Isaac's third birthday is tomorrow & our new swingset is being set up on Friday, so I'm sure I'll be posting more soon. Happy spring!

Memorable

Well, it's February and I am finally posting Christmas pictures. Micah will be the first to tell you that we get a little camera happy when we are all together, so I'll just hit the highlights.


Each year we are part of the Fine Diner Santa party with, what is now three generations of "fine diners." Here is our whole crew pictured with Santa. Yes, we all fit on the couch, barely.





First thing Christmas morning. Grammie likes to get the kids matching jammies, but the Holmes Fam sure made us laugh when they came out dressed in theirs!




It was the year of tools. Micah and the boys had fun revving up their drills together, and Poppa scored the hybrid saw of his dreams! Grace had to try on Isaac's goggles, and this picture still makes me laugh.



Grammie is always coming up with creative new projects for the kids. Here they are showing off their reindeer shirts made out of their handprints. Too cute!


Buddies.




Yes, we're crazy! We ventured out ice skating with three toddlers. You'll notice the red tubing Isaac is pushing. We had one for each of the kids & they were quite helpful, but still a lot of work. Grace tuckered out quickly, and Kolby decided he preferred skating in Mom's arms. It was a short lived outing, but lots of fun, and certainly lots of laughs by the mamas!






There wasn't a lot of snow, but enough to get out and play a bit. The kids are always so happy to be outside!!




I'm pretty sure these two are getting cuter by the day. Runny noses and all.



We had a joint birthday party for Kolby & Eli while we were all together. I love this picture. Can you hear the noise?!

Yes, five adults and five children under the age of three in one house is PLENTY, but it made for a memorable Christmas! We are sure fortunate to enjoy each other so much.

Gift

I can hardly believe a year has passed since Eli joined our family. What a year it has been. It is difficult to mention Eli's name without a smile, as he really is a joy and a delight. He reminds me more & more of Isaac - strong, sturdy, busy, & a great eater. Like Grace, he loves to sing, dance & be held. He is still very much his own little person and remains easy-going, jovial, curious & playful. He is becoming more communicative with each passing day, though he has very few real words at this point. Here are a handful of pictures from his first few days in this world, as well as a few of my favorites from the past year.






















Elijah Hope Matthew, you are a gift!