Saturday, April 21, 2012

Because I am two...

Our youngest sweetheart Jena is blossoming! It has been a journey for us these past two years helping Jena grow and develop. It hasn't always been easy but definitely it has always been joyous! Her smile will melt your heart and she is almost always smiling. Now that Jena has turned two she has decided that there are some big girl things that she can and will do. Such as....

Standing up in the wagon on "trail rides" with daddy.



And in the grocery cart with mommy...



Because she is two she has decided that she does in fact like bath time. (Thank goodness!)


And most importantly because she is two Jena has decided to start walking! (I know this is just a pic, but trust me on this one ;)


Jena has also started becoming more involved with her sisters, watching them like hawks, copying them and sometimes even joining in on their play. She's becoming more vocal about what she likes and doesn't. She has become attached to a stuffed animal for the first time, which she affectionately calls "beer" (it's a pink bear). In addition to her new found love of baths she has become absolutely obsessed with water in general. She doesn't cry when I do her hair anymore because I let the tap water in the sink trickle and she's captivated. She and Jill will spend forever with a set of cups pouring water from one to another and the water table in the backyard is by far her favorite. In general our life loving girl is coming out of her shell and we are pleased as punch at her progress! Here is a quick video of her birthday song...






Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Easter Festivities

On Good Friday we went over to my mom's during the day. Jane and Jill made these egg houses and decorated foam eggs. They love crafting with Maw Maw!



On the evening of Good Friday my mom, Jane and I went to the cross service at the church by my mom's house. We took these pics before hand at a spot at the church. It is a model of the tomb where Jesus' body was. It had a large stone rolled on the side and the sign says, "He is not here. He is risen!" The service was really moving. I hadn't been to a cross service before (where they make an actual cross while telling the story of Jesus' crucifixion). I took Jane thinking she might be old enough but by the end she said, "this is making me too sad. I want to go home." Still, I am glad that she went. She saw me walk to the front of the church to the cross when called by the pastor for those to come forward who choose to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. It was a rather large moment for me and I was proud to have Jane there to witness.




On Saturday we went to an egg hunt at a church by our house. We ended up knowing lots of people there so it was a really fun time! Also, my friend Rachel and her husband and three girls met us there so Jane got to hunt eggs with her bestie, Julie.






Here is Julie, Leila, and Jane. All three kindergarteners but all at different schools.



On Easter Sunday we went to my mom's for supper. The girls had an indoor egg hunt because it was raining, and they LOVED it. Anything different I suppose! Baby Clara was in her Easter best. Here is Jill playing with her...


Jane's loot from the indoor egg hunt.



Jena likes Easter eggs too!



This little rocker has been in my family since I was this age. Jena taught herself how to climb in it and rock back and forth. She was pretty proud of herself. We were too!



 All in all it was a great holiday! Happy Easter!


Sunday, March 18, 2012

Botanical Gardens

This time of year mom and I like to take the girls to the botanical gardens or arboretum to take their pics among the flowers. It was such a beautiful day today. We had a really nice time. Monica and her mom and baby Clara went with us as well. Clara wasn't really feeling it though so we didn't get a lot of shots of all four girls. Here are some of my favorites:



  This flower is called the "Lady Jane Tulip". How appropriate!


  My three absolute favorites...







 A series of Jill's silly faces...










LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my girls!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Bluebonnets

If you're gonna live in Texas you gotta have a bluebonnet picture taken each year! and so... we did....






Thursday, March 15, 2012

Zoo day

Today, I took the girls to the zoo. I was prepared for overcrowded madness (seeing how it is Spring Break and all) but actually not so much. We got there early, when the park opened and though there were a lot of people, it wasn't too bad. First stop... the elephants.



This was as close as we've been to the crocodile...


We had to take a picture with the turtle statue because we will soon have one at our house. Jane has been working on a sticker chart to earn her a tank, supplies, and eventually a turtle.





Sweet girls! All in all a GREAT day at the zoo, as always. I love the zoo. Thanks mom, for renewing our passes! You rock!!