Easter 2014

For some reason, more than other holidays or events this past year, this one seems to have come so quickly. I swear we just went over to my mom’s for Easter brunch and here we are again! It’s also so crazy to think how much they’ve grown. Last year Isla wasn’t walking yet and Rowan was in a size 2t shirt & pants. This year he was wearing 4t pants and a 5t shirt! He pretty much skipped 3t completely. Not sure i’m ready for that!

Anyway, here’s one of my faves from last year:

 

They still love each other so much!

This year was such a special Easter to me because I really feel like Rowan “gets it.” Of course egg hunts and baskets are super fun, and I want him to enjoy all of that, but I really want him to understand the true meaning of Easter. With school, church, and home all consistency teaching him the same things, he’s really come to understand and develop a real curiosity about Jesus. He wants to read his kids Bible every night and when we taught him about the crucifixion, (in simple, kid terms of course) he REALLY wanted to learn more and talk a lot about it. IT’s really precious. Really love that child-like faith.

On Friday we made Rice Krispie “birds nests.” I’m pretty sure Rowan ate WAY too many of the little chocolate eggs, along the way…..but who can blame him?! I try not to let my kids have too much sugar for the most part, so i don’t feel too guilty about it. :)

On Saturday we went straight from church to an Easter egg hunt. It was at the church i grew up in, Eastridge, just down the road. They had a HUGE, amazing event there. Inflatables, face painting, balloon animals, Easter bunny pictures, and of course the hunts. It was super organized and just a great outreach. We spent a few hours there and the kids had a blast. The rain held off until the end of our hunt which was great. It was fun to see Isla get in on the action this year too. She just wants to follow “ Ro-Ro” anywhere.

  Face painting. This was the longest line but Rowan insisted on waiting. He asked the gal doing it to paint “Jesus dying on the cross.” She was like…ummmmm ….and we were like, A Cross is JUST fine! haha..made me laugh.  Isla got a butterfly and was very serious about it all. I think she only went through with it since Rowan was doing it too. Rowan walked straight up to the Easter Bunny like they had been friends for years. Isla was a different story. Poor thing. She held onto Russ for dear life and kept saying NO DADA NO!!!!!! We didn’t put her on his lap.

on Sunday morning (Today!!! Look at me, getting all enthused about blogging again! :)) we opened up Easter baskets at 5AM…yawn…and then went to church later on in the morning. Afterwards we went to my mom and Brian’s for a yummy lunch. My grandma was there too which is always great. We had a nice time and my mom always does a lot to make things special for us. I have to say though…these are the times that I feel extra bummed that my kids don't have any cousins around. I always wanted a big family, and now that I got one, they’re all the way across the world!

Easter baskets!

Isla got honest co. bubble bath, pastel rubber duckies (she’s crazy about ducks and birds), jammies, a crayon roll, and homemade apron.

Rowan got two Star Wars books ( i found them after I took the picture), jammies, homemade apron, crayon roll, and little mini car drifters. lucky kids! How CUTE are these crayon rollups for travel? Love the fabrics. Found them on Etsy for a steal of a deal!  A better picture of their aprons. I ordered these a couple of months ago and it was so hard to resist giving them to them. They are always helping me with baking and cooking and I thought these would be perfect!

 A little egg hunting at my mom’s! My adorable grandma who turned 86, on the 8th. I love her little dimple. Russ trying to imitate Isla’s grumpy face. Makes them look like twins! 3 generations. Wish we would have gotten my grandma in here! I die over these pictures…. Her hair definitely looks more strawberry in some pictures more than others. This chair was my mom’s as a little girl, and then passed down to me as a child. It’s funny to see Isla sitting in it too. It makes music when you rock.  Annual bunny cake! This year my mom made it with carrot cake and cream cheese frosting. Makes sense, and was delish! My beautiful mama!! Isla playing with daddy. I think her little tutu and top knot make her look like a little ballerina. Makes me excited to put her in dancing in the future! Patiently waiting for cake Just couldn’t resist…. ;)

Happy EASTER!!!!!!!!!!

Rowan’s First Day of Soccer

A few months ago Rowan took a ‘Sports Sampler’ class through Issaquah parks and rec. It was inside at the community center and he loved it. I was itching to get him signed up for another class but the ‘sports sampler plus’ isn’t for a couple more months. I saw there was a Kidz Love Soccer class starting, and that it would be outside, so I signed him up. He has been asking me every day for 2 weeks if it was soccer yet. I think it’s so funny/cute that they require shin guards. He felt so cool walking into SPorts Authority to pick out shin guards and soccer socks. Very official. ;-) They had a red nike soccer ball on sale, and it was made for his age so we decided to get that too since we’ve been using a foam one from target. Of course Isla spots a pink one (not on sale) across the aisle, runs over to pick it up, and yells excitedly, “ For Isla!!” So of course….she had to have it. I’m actually not usually like that, but I couldn’t resist. I also think it will be fun to bring it to his practices to kick around. She was actually super into just watching him, and didn’t try and go on the field, which surprised me. It’s also great that it’s on Saturday mornings, so Russ can come!

He’s a natural! ;-)

Watching brother!         Such a cute age. :)

Jen & Lee’s Wedding

My sweet friend Jen and her husband Lee had their wedding this past weekend. It was a “black tie and gown” event and was super fancy and at a beautiful ballroom in Everett. Everything was beautiful and the food was delish! I feel so bad that I didn’t even get a picture of the bride! I’ll have to try and snag one from her later to post because she looked stunning. Honestly though, she was either off doing professional photos or i was holding Isla, and it just didn’t happen. We brought Isla because we’re the only ones who can get her down at night ( I know, I know) and our other friends had their girls who are a week older than her, at the wedding, as well as a few other little ones. I think Rowan would have actually really enjoyed it too but he had a special night planned with Mor Mor. They even made a little list the week before with all of the things they were going to do: Pizza, do stickers, watch frozen, etc.. He had a great time.

and so did we! We were a little nervous about Isla being able to handle it since the wedding started at her bedtime but she did really great!

 

Starting with the actual wedding (photos from my phone) because that’s how my computer decided to organize it.

 

Glad Andrea came! Her poor hubs had knee surgery the day before so he couldn’t come. :(

  Most beauitful centerpiece. Such a romantic atmosphere.

We only had a few minutes to snap some photos before we left. I realize the garage isn’t exactly the best back drop but it’s the best we could do!      I’m so in love with this guy. And Seriously, does he clean up good or WHAT?! I haven’t seen him in a suit since our wedding, since he’s an ironworker and I was so impressed.