Thursday, April 16, 2009

Look What I Can Do!!!





For some weird reason I like to fight nap time. I get really mad when my mommy puts me in the crib and tells me to go to sleep. So the other day I thought I would work on my rolling skills instead. Mommy thought I had gone to sleep since I was being so quiet, but really I was just shocked that I actually rolled over. But as soon as she came in with the camera I got really mad! I don't like to be in my crib and I think that if I scream and cry she will get me out. That doesn't work too often. But at least I've learned a new trick. It just gives mommy one more thing to worry about when I'm in bed by myself. She keeps checking in on me and flipping me over!! Maybe I'll just keep doing that so she has to come in a lot. I'm sneaky like that. Wait until I learn how to crawl....

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Scavenger Hunt


This year we wanted to make sure the real reason for Easter was celebrated. So instead of just having the girls baskets sitting out when they got up, we created a scavenger hunt that told the Easter story. Of course like all good ideas, I came up with this at 11:00 the night before. Grace had a really good time finding her basket. Please excuse her hair, it was crazy this morning.

Her first clue said:
Matthew 21:
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey's colt. A very large crowd spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
*Go find a branch* She figured out that she needed to go to our little tree to get her next clue.

It said:
Matthew 26
Jesus celebrated the Passover Feast with His disciples in a large upstairs room. Jesus broke bread, gave thanks, and said "Take it, this is my body." Then He poured the wine and said "This is my blood poured out to forgive the sins of many."
*This was called the last supper. Go to the place where we eat our supper.


Her third clue:
Matthew 26
Jesus stayed up all night praying. He was very sad because he knew what was going to happen. He asked his friends to stay up and pray with him. But they fell asleep. Then Jesus was arrested.
*Go to the place where you sleep.


Fourth clue:
Matthew 27
Jesus was put on a cross because he said that He was the Son of God, but some people didn't believe Him. When He died, He died to take away all of our sins. He never did anything wrong, but He died for us so we can be forgiven when we do wrong things.
*Go to the place where we keep a cross.



Sorry this is sideways, I forgot to turn it. We have a cross hanging above our front door. Grace is trying to jump up and reach the fifth clue:
Matthew 28
Jesus was buried in a tomb and guards watched it everyday. On the third day Jesus's friends found the tomb empty and an angel told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. We are so happy that Jesus became alive again!
*Go to the place where mommy has to empty out things everyday. (Grace knew right away to go look in the dryer. I thought it would take her a while, but she's too smart! When I said that we were happy that Jesus is alive, she started jumping up and down. It was really sweet.)




Scottie wasn't so sure about the dryer thing, but I thought it was cute. It reminded me of an empty tomb, and I really think laundry is going to be the death of me! ;) Grace really liked the scavenger hunt, and we were glad that we were able to talk about the Easter story instead of just giving her stuff. We will have to think up new clues for next year.

Happy Easter everyone! We are truly grateful for Jesus's sacrifice and His gift of eternal life!

Easter Baskets

The girls are getting ready to dive into their baskets. Well... we pulled it all out for Avery and she just tried to eat everything. They look so cute together.
Avery got a little dog that looks like Kingsley. She likes to eat his ears. She also got a Little Mermaid swimsuit for this summer. We gave her a board book and a Little People's Easter figurine set. She likes to eat them too. What doesn't she like to eat?


Gracie got a bigger version of a Kingsley dog. It has short little legs and a stubby tail. Of course she got a chocolate bunny, she get's really excited to get one every year. We also gave her the book Purplicious, a new bunny in my pocket, Peek-a-boo barbie (it's a little tiny doll) and a few eggs with m&m's and jellybeans. I think the doggie was her favorite thing in the basket. I'm glad because he wasn't excatly a cheap toy, but we couldn't resist it! We can't wait until next year when Avery can tear through her basket along with Grace.

Easter 2009









We had lunch with our friends Nate and Debbie and their three children today. Nate is a fellow third year with Scottie. Debbie made ham and salad and homemade bread, while I was in charge of the hasbrown casserole. Of course I have been making myself sick eating the leftovers. I can't make that dish very often because it is addictive to me for some strange reason. Anyway, then the kids hunted for Easter eggs out in the backyard. After that Grace and Addison decorated eggs. We had a really nice time. Even though it was sad not to spend the holiday in Indiana, it was nice to not drive there and back in one day. It gets a little exhausting with Avery. Maybe we will feel up to it next year. I'm just glad we have friends here so we can still celebrate even when we aren't able to be with family.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Happy Birthday Grandma Pat!




Today is my Grandma's birthday. I wasn't on the ball enough to send a card, so here is a birthday shout out on the blog. This is the most recent picture I have, I don't think she knew I was taking it. Our birthdays are only one day apart and I always thought that was neat. Grandma Pat is a very special person to me and I have always looked up to her. She is a loving wife, mother and grandmother. I also look up to her spirituality. She loves the Lord and her relationship with Him is obvious. I've never had to wonder if I'm being prayed for with her around. Thanks Grandma for being such a great role model for me growing up. I hope you had a good birthday. Love, Riss