Bruiser

Lucia had her first black eye a few weeks ago.  She and Ethan were doing headstands in the living room when we heard a crash followed by hard crying coming from Lucia.  Lucia's pretty tough, so we know it's bad when she does the crying without breathing.  Apparently, Ethan's was coming down from his headstand and kicked his sister in the face- on accident.  The top picture is the day it happened and the bottom one is a few days later- they don't really do it justice- it was a pretty impressive black eye!.  Ethan felt really bad about hurting his sister and kept asking her if she was okay.  

She's pretty tough though!

Easter

What a beautiful spring day we had for Easter this year.  I tried to get a  nice picture of the kids after church- but poor Simon was pretty tired and cried when we sat him with Ethan and Lucia

all better after daddy picked him up!

We headed over to Dan and Bonnie's house for Easter dinner and an egg hunt for the kids.  Look at that crazy kids table!

Simon and Grandma Sue

Blowing raspberries at each other

Lucia found and egg!

Ethan did too!

It was a lovely Easter, beautiful weather and great family time!

There she goes!

Lucia is getting the hang of a two-wheeler.  She can ride very well, braking is another story.  She will usually ditch her bike in the grass, or put her feet down to slow down.  We have been going up to the school near our house to practice braking in the parking lot- I usually need to give her a little push to start her off and I'll tell her "okay- remember to peddle backwards to stop- when I yell brake- I want you to peddle backwards."  Lucia will say "okay, okay, I'll practice"- but as soon as I push her off- she yells something along the lines of "see you later" or "I don't want to brake now!" as she speeds away!

I love daddy/daughter pictures- so cute!

Mid-April

Mr. Merrick standing up in his pack n' play- soon he will be walking!

Baby Arlo- he sure is sweet

Ivana and Freida turned three and two in mid-April.  Nick and Sunny had a little party for them at their place.  

Lucia, Simon, and Freida enjoying the new pool!

I love all three of their expressions in this picture!

A walk at Aman Park

Oma joined us for a walk at Aman park a little while ago.  I love this park.

Lucia gathering her treasures

I love the familiarity of this park- like this tree- I've been walking by this tree for 30 years (or close to it!) 

Trying to take a family picture (minus Jim).  Right before this picture- Lucia stepped in a large puddle/pond and soaked her boots- see her pouring water out of her boot!  She had to finish the walk with soaking wet feet- good thing she didn't seem to mind too much!

Oma with Ethan and Lucia (and Zero).  What a lovely walk.

Too cute

Ethan teaching Lucia how to read- what a good big brother!

Simon has been crawling all over the place since the end of March- I love his crooked smile!

showing mamma how he can clap

Lovely Lucia posing for me at Meijer Gardens

I love this picture of the three of them

"would this be a good picture if I stand like this?"

Mr. Merrick enjoying the sculptures

Ethan and Lucia running around the empty amphitheater.