Gardening with Daddy

Today Ben finished planting the rest of his garden. Alivia and I ate lunch outside at the picnic table while watching Ben finish his planting. We really enjoyed this morning together outside...

salsa pepper, serrano peppers, jalapenos, cajun belle, new mexico big jim pepper

better boy tomatoes, strawberries, tomato grapes

Alivia LOVES strawberries so she is so excited for these!

Posing in front of her strawberry plant!

She said, "Mommy, pouty face!" (showing off for the camera)

Still showing off....ha!

Jensen Alan Shrout is Here!!

Our very good friends and Alivia's god parents had their first child. Jensen was 8lbs 6 oz and 20.5 inches long. We have been anxiously awaiting his arrival. Alivia has especially been waiting to see baby Jensen as she has been talking about him for 9 months non stop. However, when we actually got to the hospital Alivia clammed up and was very shy. I think it was a lot to take in that the Jensen we had been talking about in Kristin's belly was now here! I am sure she will warm up soon. We are just so excited for this blessing in Chad and Kristin's life. They are going to be amazing parents and we can't wait to raise our kids together. I am sure Jensen will be like a little brother to Alivia. Congratulations Chad and Kristin! We love you guys!

Being so gentle!

How do we look as a family of 4??

Looking back...

Tonight Ben and I both had a really special moment with our little/grown-up girl. She has said she loves us many times but tonight it was different. She always sees Ben or I on the computer doing homework and she will say, "Mommy, homework again?" It really makes me sad each time she says it but it is cute too. Tonight when Ben brought her in to say goodnight while I was working on a paper she looked at me and with the most serious face ever she said, "Mommy, I love you so much!" Ben and I both looked at each other and cried. It was such a special moment because I knew Alivia actually knew what she was saying while being sincere as well! It just melted my heart! After hearing these words it made me look back at her Easter pictures and notice how big she is getting. Where did the time go? It is amazing how fast kids change and grow in just 1 short year. Alivia, can you please stop growing so fast? We love you so much and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Easter 2010

Easter 2010

Easter 2011

Easter 2011

Easter Sunday

Alivia was so excited to open her Easter basket when she woke up this morning! We then headed to church for a wonderful Easter service. We have so much to be thankful for. What a blessed day! :)

So excited...

All ready for church...

Kisses for mommy...

Kisses for daddy...

Posing...

Easter at the Richeson's

After church today we went to Grandma Mary and Papa Terry's house. We had a yummy breakfast and then Alivia went out for her egg hunt! We had such a wonderful time with them. We love you!

Egg hunt....

Papa and Grandma Richeson

Opening her basket...

Our family...

So excited!

Easter with the Stewart's

We had a wonderful dinner tonight with my family. My brother was in town from college and my uncle and cousin came over too! We had a wonderful ham dinner and my mom made her special Easter egg jigglers!! What a great night with the family! We love you!

This doll is a little scary I think but it is Alivia's new best friend at my parent's house. This was my mom's doll when she was little. Alivia can actually change her diaper all by herself. I was so impressed! They do everything together. It is so cute!

Egg hunting with Papa

Having fun!

Found one!

I get a little too excited about the adult hunt! LOVE IT!

Ben and I were getting a little competitive!

My doll baby!

Her 3rd Easter!

Hanging in the recliner with her friend! lol!

Night, night kisses!

Easter Egg Fun!

I remember decorating eggs with my mom and dad when I was a kid. We had such a fun time doing this. It was definitely neat seeing Alivia doing this with my mom, dad and brother this year. It is especially neat since I used to decorate eggs in that exact same kitchen when I was her age. Thanks Mom and Dad for making this so special for Alivia. LOVE YOU!

Grandma showing her how to color them!

Grandma wrote Alivia's name...

Papa is helping too...

Thanks Harland and Marty for the cool Dora basket!

Easter Bunny!

Today, my mom and I and Grammy took Alivia to eat lunch at Fritz's (the place at Crown Center that brings your food on the train) and we saw the Easter bunny too. We got to Fritz's at 11:00, which was a great time because there was no line. Right as we left it was super crowded. We also lucked out with the Easter bunny line because it was supposed to open at 12:00 and they opened at 11:45 and we happened to be there early so we got right in. Alivia, however, was NOT a fan of the Easter bunny. I was actually surprised because she was excited to see him and talked about it but boy she DID NOT want to sit on his lap. It was such a wonderful girls day!

Alivia's first gum ball! She really wanted pink and I explained to her that she may not get pink but thank goodness the odds were in our favor and pink rolled down!! She even said, "See Mommy, I said I wanted pink!" Ha!

At Fritz's!

LOVING her gum ball!

Pretending to ride the train....

Smiling with Grammy and waiting for our lunch on the train!

Not having it!

A little better with Mommy!

Watching the bunny from far away!

Still not to sure about the bunny! Look at that precious face! I know, I am biased! :)

Sick baby girl...

When I picked up Alivia from Janet's today she said her stomach hurt. Poor thing was definitely right. When we came home she told me she had to throw up. I didn't even know she knew what that meant! ha! She ran to the toilet and threw up like a big girl. It was so sad to see her throwing up like that. :( She had a 102 fever so it is definitely a cuddling type weekend. We were so sad to miss our friend Makena's 2nd birthday. We love you Makena! Hopefully Alivia gets better soon!

Ryan and Chase

Ryan and Chase are our wonderful neighbors. Alivia absolutely adores them. They really are like her older brothers. She stares out the window and watches for them to come outside and immediately runs to ask if she can play with them. Tonight their parents asked us to babysit the boys for a few hours so they came over and we played outside all night long. Alivia just loved it and I loved it too because she was entertained by them the entire time. Ryan and Chase thanks for being so good to Alivia. You are so wonderful! Ticking them.... Come and get me! ha! Yummy Dora popsicles!