The Babies
Rylie LOVES her babies. She walks around saying, "The babies. The babies." She wants them in her crib during nap time and night time. She loves pushing them around in the Cozy Coupe and the shopping cart. It is so cute to watch her love on the babies. Rylie is such a sweet and loving (but tough) girl.

Aunt Ruthie and Rosalie visit

Abby visits
We got to spend some time with Abby and the boys during her recent visit to Phoenix. I LOVE the time with her and its never long enough. Can't wait to see you again Abbs! Derek and Jones get along so well. They even look similar. Rylie and Foss are only 2 weeks apart, but now there is a 7 lb difference between them!

Pops Visits
Pops had a 2 day conference in Scottsdale and was able to extend his trip and spend another 4 days with us. It was great to see him again! Derek and Rylie loved having him around. Ironically while he was here Boston was in a lock down situation searching for the Boston Marathon bomber. So glad that everything worked out and they caught the kid. Can't wait for your next visit Pops!

Watching jets take off after dropping Pops off at the airport. First time Rylie is on my back in Ergo. Thank goodness she is so light so I can lift Derek too!! :)

Happy Easter 2013
Friday night egg hunt at our church

Rylie did not need any explanation of what to do. She had so much fun collecting eggs!
On Saturday, Derek went to another egg hunt at the school at the end of our street with Christina and Dave, Bella and Caden, while I prepped for Easter dinner and Rylie napped. We are so thankful for great friends!! Dyed eggs.

Sunday morning we had our own egg hunt in our backyard.

 Kids opened up their Easter baskets.

We went to church. This is the best family picture we got...

 Hosted Easter dinner with Kevin, Valeri, Keegan and Finley, Eric and Andrea, and Rodger, Jen, Greyson and Nolan.

 first meal with family china

 Easter dinner indoor and outdoor

Snuggles

Hiking Pinnacle Peak

showing his muscles at the highest point on the trail

 What a beautiful view!!

 Saw our first rattle snake!!!

 Cactus in bloom

Derek (2 years 9 and 10 months)

Derek is such a happy, curious, adventurous boy. He is growing up so fast. We LOVE him so much and are so proud of him. He LOVES singing. He asks to turn on the music and he bursts out singing at random times. Its so fun to watch him dance around the playroom and hear his sweet voice sing! Such a joyful heart. Derek LOVES his matchbox cars and fire truck. He plays with them along the window sill in his bedroom through out the day as well as during nap time. It is so fun to see his imagination working and hear him talk with his vehicles. This is the first month (in about a year) that the dump truck has taken a back burner. It has even been staying in the playroom at night, instead of on his bed!! Derek is a SUPER big brother. He points out and describes things to Rylie. He talks to her just like he does his best friend Zack. He loves to make her laugh (and she loves to laugh at him). One of my favorite sounds is hearing Rylie spontaneously laughing at Derek. Recently, he has been "wrestling" her when they watch Curious George together on the couch. It is hard to teach him to be gentle with her since she is so little, but so far she seems to think its hilarious. Derek LOVES to read. We have been checking out a variety of genres of books at the library every month and he is excited to hear new stories. Derek LOVES to help Mommy in the kitchen wash dishes or prep Daddy's fruits and veggies for the week. Its so fun to see his heart as he loves to help. Derek LOVES baseball. He is a little slugger and has a great swing. He LOVES to hit the ball in pool and go get it. He has hit it over cinder wall into our neighbor's yard multiple times. He says, "I knicked the ball." And "Mommy, when I turn 3 I get to play on a baseball team."

A few phrases from Derek this month:

• "Should we solve that problem Mommy?"
• "That's a good idea Mommy!"
• Derek was playing with Rylie's stuffed animal Violet (from Leapfrog). Violet says "I'm hungry can I have a snack?" Derek replies with, "Violet you can't have a cookie because they have gluten in them."

 so proud of himself that he can hold up 2 fingers!

 helping Mommy prep Daddy's veggies for the week

swinging and bike riding with his best friend Zack

 picnic outside under the stars

Derek actually requested to ride in the stroller. I can count on my fingers how many times he has ridden in the stroller (he usually bikes everywhere) so I had to take a picture of this momenteous occasion!

 biking and pump track

 Home Depot project on Saturday morning

  pretending we were hiking (don't all hikers wear winter gear!?!)

 Derek LOVES to take pictures with our old camera.

painting

 

focus

 practicing cutting with scissors

making a Mommy pizza

 helping Daddy clean the pool

 piggy-back ride

learning to spit

hiking like Daddy and drinking Daddy's Camelbak

flying his airplanes