Kalyn's Spring Break

Our best Boston cousin ever came to visit us for her Spring Break! This is how ecstatic we felt every single morning, knowing we would get to see her:

 And this is how we liked to greet her, with a tackle hug:

This year there was a new friendly competition for Kalyn's attention between Ryan and me. I think now he officially loves her as much as I do. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

We did our hug shots on the swing before church.

Then we attended the "family friendly" service in the church parish hall. This is nice because all the kids can scream, cry, and wiggle without getting dirty looks from the well-coiffed elders.

Father Zimmerman explained communion for us and why it's an especially important tradition on Easter Sunday.

In the afternoon we had our second annual block party Easter egg hunt.

We loaded up on as much sugar as possible, then ran around for hours. It was perfect.

Spring Pictures

Time for 2014 family pictures!

We met Miss Shannon at a local park at sunrise to take these beautiful pictures. Mom loves the way she captures my pretty blue eyes.

She was especially patient with Ryan, who was not in the mood for pictures today.

It's crazy how much we've changed since our last picture session. We are big kids now!

Mom said it's time to say goodbye to diapers, baby strollers, and baby gates. We're entering a new stage of fun family life.

 

We're looking forward to days filled with homework, sports, and hearing Dad tell us we can never have video games.

This boy is looking forward to the Terrible Threes stage. We'll remind him there is a loving, funny, sweet boy under all that toddler rage. We know he'll get through it.

I'm looking forward to another year at the best age. I am learning so many cool things at school and having such a good time with my friends and family.

Our neighbors will have an "empty nest" this summer when their son joins his big sister at college out of state. Mom can't even talk to them about it because it gives her anxiety. One day we are going leave the nest, too, so she wants to remember this time forever.