Below are some pictures of our latest adventures. It has been really nice to have some warmer weather. Being outside has been good for everyone these days.
My best and oldest friend, Christy, flew to NH to visit her parents in April. We were able to coordinate a time to visit with them and finally meet baby Ian. It was a treat to spend some time with Christy, Stephen, and her parents. We miss them all way out in California!! Both Ella and Colin were fighting over Ian, and here they are giving him some love to him. Ian was very patient and tolerant of the handling!
For Easter this year, we had a busy but wonderful day. We started our day with a visit to Grandpa Wilson and Karen's house. Ella and Colin are now fully prepared for the worst of rain storms, thanks to Grandpa Wilson and Karen . . . Ella got a beautiful raincoat, and Colin got some stylin' rain boots and a hat to match. We then hopped over to Grandma and Grandpa Maher's house for an Easter Egg Hunt. Here are Ella and Colin finishing up their search for eggs. Note: Matt is in the background reaching for some chocolate! Additional Note: I also indulged quite heavily in the chocolate!
Our final destination was Mimi's house to celebrate both Easter and to also celebrate her birthday! Once again, Colin and Ella got to do some babysitting . . . Here is Rowan at 6 weeks. I have no doubt that Ella and Colin will be prepared for holding their new baby sister once she arrives afer all the practice they have had in the last few months! Baby Rowan was very patient as well with the handling between kids. Here he is bright eyed as ever!
We had a few days where the weather was in the 80's and 90's, so we got some summer fever. Here is Rockstar Ella in her strawberry outfit from Mimi. Ella is at the height of pretend play right now. To her left is Levi, one of her three children. Her husband, Josh, is only 16 (according to Ella). I sure hope we promote some better life lessons and morals along the way . . . married at 16 with three children? Who are her parents anyway?? Ella is also convinced that she is a mom and no longer my child. She will ask me, "So, when is your baby due? Ohhh, I see. And then you will have two children?" My reply, "No, then I will have three children." Her reply, "No, I am a mommy and not your kid." We just leave the conversation at that these days.
Colin still enjoys eating, just like his mother. He is enjoying a leftover homemade whoopie pie I had made for our monthly book club gathering.
During Ella's April vacation, the kids, Moose and I took a small hike up to Boston Lot Lake. The area is just a few minutes from our house, and the area is beautiful. The day was a bit windy, but kids seemed to still enjoy the adventure. Here they are at the top enjoying a snack and drinking from their Camel Paks. Baby Levi also joined us for the adventure. We returned to this spot a week later with Matt and hiked around the entire lake. The day we did the hike was absolutely beautiful. Although we got a bit muddy, scratched up, and were absolutely exhausted at the end of the three hour hike, we had a really good time.
And, the video below catches us up to present day. Yesterday a friend of ours dropped off a trail - a - bike they were no longer using. Ella begged Matt to go for a ride . . . Matt hooked it up to my mountain bike, and Colin and I decided to stroll around the neighborhood snapping pictures of the bikers. Our hope is to go for a ride on the rail trail with Matt towing Ella on the trail - a - bike and me towing Colin in the bike trailer. If you are out on the Rail Trail in the next few weeks, just look for the large pregnant woman puffing away with kid in tow.