Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter

We kicked off the day before Easter with a little egg dying and some cookie eating.  The boys did ok, but dying eggs just takes too darn long for busy little boys.


Judith was happy to be involved of course and was good as long as she was eating a cookie. 

Easter morning.  I ordered Judith's basket WEEKS ago, but it still didn't arrive in time.  At least it would have been purely decorative this year since she didn't need it for egg hunting. 

 

We had a little hunt around the living room.  The boys really got into it this year.  So much fun!  Even Judith found one all by herself!

Only half way through the day and already Easter-ed out. 

At church.  What a celebration we had at Frontline!  He is RISEN!

There are beds of tulips landscaped all around the village.  These are my favorite variety!  To me, they look like red votives with a glowing candle inside.  So pretty!  This bed however, was very near a busy intersection.  I was trying to make sure no one got run over by a car, the boys were very distracted by said vehicles, and Judith was very freaked out by everthing that was loud and fast.  It's not the best picture of the kids, but at least the flowers are pretty.   :)

This was a different bed by a monument errected in 1700-something.  It was a little more quiet. 

Sweet brothers holding Judith's hands.


Such a cute dress from Great Grandma Atherton.

Best of friends, worst of enemies.
Our family away from family. (Minus Mike and Shawn and the Farmers.)

After dinner, we had another egg hunt.

Rachel has these beautiful apple trees in her backyard.  Such a pretty backdrop.

Ezra was a man on a mission when he was egg hunting.

 

Most of the kids at the beginning of the hunt.


Jonas says, "I found one!"

Happy girl.


Searching for any eggs or candy that may have possibly been over-looked. 


Post egg hunting treats!  (As if enough sugar hadn't been consumed at the end of this day.)


Friday, April 22, 2011

Judith's 1st Birthday!


Judith Damaris Allison is the Birthday Girl!


 We had a birthday lunch with some of our closest friends, followed by cake!


It was a beautiful spring day in Germany; one of the perks of having a birthday in April!


My sweet friends who blessed me by helping me set up before and clean up afterwards.  Love these ladies!


Judith getting into the unwrapping!

  Before Judith, we didn't have many girl toys at the Allison abode (for obvious reasons), but now we have lots of dolls to love on!


The brothers were always close by to lend a helping hand.  ;)


More love for the bunny from Darryl and Debra that says "Some-bunny loves you!"


Birthday cake!



Ezra and Jonas helped Judith to blow out the candle.


The girl loves to eat, so you can imagine that the cake was a big hit.



A cuddle from Ms. Jana.


Ezra getting into the birthday spirit.


Judith playing with a dolly from the Staffords and sitting with Ms. Debra and Ms. Laurie.



Oh, how quickly a year goes by.  


Such a cute banner idea I stole from my cousin-in-law, Ami.  Thanks!

Judith, how wonderful it is to have a baby girl.  You make me smile every day.  I thank God he gave you to us and I can't wait to see you grow into a little girl, a big girl, and a young woman.  May you always be as surrounded with family, friends, love and laughter as were today on your first birthday.  We love you!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Daddy's Gone Again


 Mike left again last Saturday.  He is supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn in an undisclosed (but relatively safe) location.  The first few days were rough--mostly because Judith was very sick all weekend.  We weren't able to leave the house until Tuesday (which apparently was too soon, because she threw up all over me and her at the store).  But by Thursday, she was back to her usual, happy self.  Praise the Lord!  This is a picture of her from over the weekend.  She slept MOST of the weekend and when she was awake, this was pretty much all she would do.  Poor baby.  
 

Mike had the day off on Friday, so we spent the morning at the park and had a picnic lunch.


 Judith at the park.  11 1/2 months.


Mike pushing the boys on the swing.


Mike trying to show them how to swing.  (But really just enjoying himself--the boys were annoyed that he was going so high, while there was no one to push them anymore.:) 


 Such a smiley boy.


Judith enjoying her time on the swing as well.


Daddy and Judith.


Ezra on the rocking lion.


Mike took these of the boys.  They were all just playing--chasing each other with a balloon, making silly faces, etc.  Fun.


This one cracks me up!



Playing nicely together.


Took this of Judith today after church.  She was sporting some cute leg warmers.  :)



Next up, Judith's birthday blog!  Our sweet baby girl turns 1 on Friday!