Easter 2014

he is not here;

he has risen,

just as he said.

-matthew 28:6

HAPPY EASTER! 

Easter Eve Blaykleigh helped me make our first Easter cake! It turned out delicious. Then we decorated Easter eggs, skipping the dye this year because let's face it ... it's messy! And last year I am pretty sure her sweet little hands were two-toned for a good couple of days. Easter morning she awoke to her basket full of goodies from the Easter bunny with a few additions from her grandparents. There were lots of smiles! Then it was time to look for eggs which was fun for all three of us, it's the first year she  has understood the process of it. Once all the eggs were found we sat down for some cinnamon rolls before getting ready for the Easter service at church! After church we had a nice little family lunch of egg salad sandwiches, PEEPS ambrosia salad and good old fashioned kettle chips. Our afternoon was spent taking a family nap and enjoying the outdoors with our neighbors. OH! And hunting re-hid eggs full of change for her piggy bank. What a wonderful day it was.

March recap

This whole moving across the country sure keeps a girl busy! Especially having to practically unpack an entire house all by yourself all while trying to entertain your almost 2 year old. However, I've made it out of the piles of boxes and mounds of packing paper alive!!! Now to get back to blogging on a regular basis. :) That's my goal anyway. Here is an assortment of pics from March, somewhat in order. 

I took Blaykleigh to the park one afternoon but due to the frigid temps outside it literally lasted as long as it took her to slide down the slide. Don't let the sunshine deceive you, it was FREEZING.  

Shortly after moving to Iowa, I started looking for play-date groups to get involved in so both Blaykleigh and I could meet some people. It was a success! This was a trip to the Science Center of Iowa. Ended up meeting two really great women and their littles :)

I was not lying about the mounds of packing paper. One could get lost in there! 

Cheers to our new home and new life in Iowa <3

Love this drive up to our house. So many beautiful trees here!!!

Play-dates with Blythe. Met her & her momma on the play-date at the Science Center of Iowa.

Jason's parents and cousins who are more like his sisters came to visit us and see the new place. It was great having family around! 

Michelle teaching Blaykleigh how to eat penne noodles play with her food! Lol.

Megan keeping her entertained at Homemakers. I am pretty sure they couldn't wait for us to leave. 

Blaykleigh has an obsession with "ears". And everyone must wear them when she does, even granny! 

First year of dying Easter eggs!!!

 Beautiful little girl all ready for Easter service. 

I love us! 

Colorado Christmas

Blaykleigh's 1st Easter

We enjoyed a wonderful 1st Easter with our little bird. 

She got her very 1st Easter basket full of goodies. 

There was a lovely Easter service at our church.

Followed by a late afternoon lunch with some extended family.

Ending with a quiet evening at home. 

...

And next year, we will partake in the dying of some eggs! 

Spring has come

{via}

Yesterday was the first official day of Spring!!! Spring and all its beautifulness are in bloom, the birds are chirping, the days are longer and the Springtime sniffles have sprung (at least for this household)! Besides the horrible Spring allergies, I really do enjoy this time of year and there are so many exciting things I am looking forward to this season! Blaykleigh will get to experience her first Easter; even though she is still a tad too young to grasp the importance of it, I am still excited to celebrate it with her. In a few years I plan on doing something like this - Count down to Easter but for now, we will read her this My Little Easter Book and fill a cute little basket with some goodies suitable for an almost one year old girl! Then comes the month of May and our darling Blaykleigh will be turning one -- an event that will definitely be bittersweet. My Mom will be coming out to celebrate her first year of life just as she did her first day of life, that will definitely help take my mind off the fact that my little girl is growing up way too fast. There are officially 7 weeks left of this semester which means I am that much closer to completing my degree!!! Can I get a "hooray"? Then there is our little vegetable & herb garden (a garden post soon to follow). Last weekend we slaved for an entire day filling our raised garden beds full of dirt and then planted the little darlings. Super excited to watch them grow and produce some homegrown goodness! And with the arrival of Spring I am planning on a lot of family fun time outdoors; picnics at the park, walks along the sandy beaches, bbq's with friends, getting Blaykleigh a little patio splash pool ... I think you get the picture! 

Insta-Friday

Valentine's Day Style 

Blaykleigh and I got spoiled with pretty flowers on Valentine's.

Jase and I had a movie date on the couch and chocolate covered strawberries were involved ... and so what if I ate them all, don't judge. 

Daddy got a card, framed picture of his littlest Valentine and a new book to read!

She is just the best, ever. 

Blaykleigh got spoiled with Valentine cards; one from us along with a Disney 'love' classic to add to the collection. 

** a few of her cards came with a cash treat, this little girl is going to be rolling in dough by her first birthday.**

She got a book all about L-O-V-E from her Nani too! 

And thought it would be wise to taste the Valentine from her Great Nana.

Then, this cup made my day. Just when the Christmas cups at Starbucks are put away until the next year they hand you a "Valentine" and yes this cup made the coffee even more special than it already is.