Easter Sunday

After a wonderful day of peaceful relaxing and watching General Conference as a family, we headed to Aaron's parents' home Sunday evening for a fabulous dinner and exciting egg hunt in the rain. The girls had fun collecting eggs and didn't seem to mind getting wet, so long as it meant candy! We also enjoyed playing games after dinner: Grandma lead the girls in Crazy 8's and Go Fish, while the rest of us played one of our favorites, "Ticket to Ride." It was a great day, and an especially nice way to kick off our week-long spring break!

The kind of moments I live for...

We had a wonderful time together as a family this past Sunday. There is nothing I love more than being with the ones I love most....and on Sundays we get to do this ALL day. The girls and I relish the time we get to spend with Aaron...he truely makes everything better: Everyone is happier and more well-behaved when he's around. When he's home I think we are reminded what our purpose is in this life, and what brings true joy. I feel at peace and complete when we are all together.

It's also just so much fun! Sunday evening was gorgeous weather-wise, and we spent it lying on the trampoline in the backyard gazing at the sky. We snuggled, relaxed, Grace read us stories, Daphne practiced her rolling skills, and Eve giggled as Aaron held Daphne up in the air and dropped baby-drool missiles from the sky! It was hilarious...I think it started out as an accident, but then it turned into a game where Aaron would try to land Daphne's drool on the girls as they tried to dodge it between their giggles! If in the future I ever need to go to a "happy place," then my memory of this day will really come in handy!

Look how big she's getting!!!

Family Date

We had a lot of fun taking the girls bowling last weekend. I love how excited they become when they get to spend time with their family...I hope its always that way! I just love moments like these.

Three Months Old

Daphne enjoys conversing with coos, smiling big, blowing spit bubbles, clicking her tongue, and playful gasping. She brings us such joy. She warms our hearts with her sincere smiles, and we just can't get enough of those cheeks!

Holiday Happenings

We really enjoyed this holiday season...so much, in fact, that its been a month since I last posted! I really enjoyed the girls' two week break from school...what a vacation it was to be able to not rush around every morning. We got to take it easy and do some fun things we don't usually have time for. Aaron and I also got a nice weekend getaway to celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary...we went to San Fransisco and Muir Woods and had a great time! Our little family got to spend a lot of time with Aaron's family over the break as well. All of his siblings and families were in town for the holidays and we played a lot of games, saw some movies, and had serious cousin fun! Here are a few highlights:

Grace, Eve and I decorated a couple of gingerbread houses before Christmas.

The girls had the time of their life dancing along with the Nutcracker Ballet that Aaron recorded for them off PBS. Grace danced the girl parts and Eve danced the boy parts. They tried their best to mimic the dancers' every move. And yes, they danced the entire time (I even had to rewind a few parts for them to do again!)

Aaron and I in Muir Woods (you can't tell from the picture how beautiful it was there!)

Daphne and her cousin Olivia (on left) who is only two months older! They were very fascinated with each other!

Grace, Aaron, and Eve performing the "Chipmunk Christmas Song" in the Lewis' annual Christmas Eve lip-sync contest!

Grace and Eve Christmas morning with their Santa toys. Grace asked him for a robot and Eve told him "surprise me!" Both girls were very pleased!

Julia (cousin), Grace, and Eve just before midnight on New Years Eve

Two-Months-Old Today

Its hard to believe its been two months. Little Daphne is a joy! She is becoming a little more predictable with her feeding schedule and her sleeping habits at night have improved so much. Her precious newborn smiles make it all worth it!

Eve just made my day...

Here's what she said, word for word:

"You're the beautifulest and nicest mommy in the whole university!"

Treasures

I so often find things around the house that remind me how much I adore my kids. Here are a few of the treasures I have found around the house recently that evidence just how sweet, thoughtful, clever, and imaginative they are:

Eve's baby doll rocking happily in Daphne's swing.

A pile of kid-wrapped presents.

The girls woke up earlier than us this morning (as they do most Saturdays) and as I walked into their room when I got up I saw this pile of wrapped presents. I started to get upset when I saw they had gotten out wrapping paper, tape and scissors without asking, but then I noticed the little hand written cards saying "To Mommy and Daddy." My heart melted as I realized they had wrapped up some of their own possessions as Christmas gifts for us!

The beginning of a six-year-old's autobiography
I found this laying on Daphne's bedroom floor this afternoon. Its a book Grace started to write titled, "Wen I was a Little Girl by Grace Harriet Lewis."

The pine cone and rocks I pulled out of Grace's jeans pocket as I did a load of laundry this evening.

Happy Faces
I just love these smiles!

I cooked my very first Thanksgiving feast...

It actually wasn't as much work as I thought it would be...but I did keep it pretty simple. The best part: I won't have to cook dinner for days!

update: Grace now knows that the turkey we eat comes from the cute gobbley bird. She took it well.

The Truth About Turkeys

The other day Grace informed me that there are two kinds of turkey: the animal, and the kind that you eat at Thanksgiving. Apparently she has no idea we are actually eating an animal when we partake in the delicious meat. I definately didn't have the the heart to break the news to her, so I replied, "Did you know there is also a country named Turkey?" She was fascinated. Someday I'll tell her, but not today.

Halloween

I always get a kick out of what kids choose to be for Halloween. I remember putting so much thought into what I wanted to dress up like as a kid. One night to transform into another character...what a thrill!
Grace wanted to dress up as Pippi Longstocking. She's been a big Pippi fan since we read the book together this summer. She thinks Pippi Longstocking and Junie B. Jones (another book character) are the "silliest girls!" They really make her laugh. Eve's choice was a little surprising...she wanted to be a chicken. I was almost certain she would choose to dress up as a princess, but she stayed consistent with her desire to wear the chicken suit from our dress-up box (Grace wore it on Halloween when she was two, so it was a bit snug on four-year-old Eve!) Daphne had no choice, nor was she even really aware that she dressed up as anything! She wore a red chili pepper costume for these pictures and then I spared her the rest of the night!

Happy Birthday Eve

I'm crazy about this girl! She and I have really bonded these past few months as we've had a lot of one-on-one time together. She has such a dynamic personality. Most know her as a shy little girl of few words who sucks her thumb when she gets nervous, but I know a completely different Eve...full of energy, always singing (oh, with such passion!), completely expressive, opinionated, hilarious (she can make me laugh when I don't feel like laughing!) I am grateful that I get to be one of the few that she trusts enough to be completely herself with. Eve is truly a gift and I am grateful to be her mom! When I look at her and I just feel happier!

I love this...

Daphne

We are so thrilled our little Daphne is here! We weren't expecting her until earlier this week, but about two weeks ago, while lying in bed, my water broke and I knew she was on her way! She actually came three weeks before her due date...I'm sure she was just anxious to meet us, as we all were to meet her!

Even though I didn't think I was ready at the time, now I am so happy she came when she did! I am recovering well, baby is healthy, and we all seem to be making the adjustment (although we have a long way to go!) My mom has been here helping us, and we are so grateful to her and so many others who have helped in various ways. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Our new family!

The girls are so fascinated by her.

I think she looks like Aaron!

Grace would hold her all day if she could.

Eve is constantly kissing her new baby sister (seriously...constantly!)

Grace, reading a book to Daphne.

Hanging out with Dad.

Grandparents' Weekend

Earlier this month we had the fun opportunity to have my parents come visit. They stopped to see us on their way to Fresno for two special events for my nephews: Chandler's Baptism and Hayes' Blessing. My mom and Dad stayed with us two nights before we all headed down to Fresno on Saturday to see Jason and Becky's family for the baptism and baby blessing. It worked out perfect because that Friday just so happened to be "Grandparents' Day" at Grace's school. Grace was thrilled to have her out-of-town Grandma and Grandpa at school with her for the occasion. I'm sure she felt like that's precisely what they came to town for! We all had a wonderful visit with them while they were here...we only wish they could have stayed longer!

Grace in her classroom, working on a project with Grandma and Grandpa.

Grace and Eve jumping on the trampoline with Grandma. She was actually on there a while with them ( I kept hearing them all laughing as they would all fall down together!)

Our family with Jason and Becky's family on the boys' special day