Children's Museum

We have lived here for almost 6 years and have never gone to the children's museum.  Well, actually, Jared went there with our nephew, Tyler, several years ago.  Yesterday, I decided we needed to GET.OUT.OF.THE.HOUSE!  It was too chilly to go to the zoo or park, so I decided on the children's museum.  It was perfect!  Ethan had a great time and it was small enough that I could hang with Nora and still see him as he played.  As we got there, so did a school field trip... Oh well, Ethan had fun anyway!  You will see from the pictures, that Ethan was too busy to really look up...

This was his 'cheese' before he took off again.

There was a 2 story climbing thing that he loved!  And he went all the way to the top!  I was about to go in after him to bring him back down. 

Gardening and very excited about that carrot

His favorite thing... One of those things  with the 'needles' that make an imprint (sad description, sorry!) 

Just scooping some ice cream

Painting on the windows

Building blocks

Easter Weekend

This was our first Easter at our home.  It was a little weird and quiet, but very nice!  Jared had Friday off and we basically spent the whole 3 days just hanging out and being together as a family.  Friday was opening day for the zoo, and for Christmas, we got a family pass.  So, we went...as a family!  It was nice and not too crowded.

They have made some improvements over the winter!

The goat whisperer and the cow :)

Zebra boy

Nora enjoying her ride at the zoo

 
And Saturday was just spent playing and hanging out together.  Ethan sang at the Easter service on Saturday night.  It was his singing debut and we had practiced a lot.  He knew the songs and the motions that went with them.  But...stage fright got the best of him and he stood up there looking terrified.  Cute, but terrified :).  Grandma Karen made the trip up to see Ethan sing and have dinner.  It was great seeing her, and she brought Easter gifts for the kiddos...which they appreciated very much!

Can you say...Deer in Headlights?!?

But look how cute!

Grandma Karen and Nora

 
Since we went to church on Saturday night, we had all day Sunday at home (which was also weird).  Our "Easter Dinner" was breakfast.  I made a breakfast casserole (first time for that), and it turned out pretty tasty!  The rest of the day was mostly spent outside doing yard work and playing.

Scarfing down 'Easter Dinner'

Finding his Easter basket

He got a fishing game!

Happy Easter from Nora

Smiley girl!

We trust that your Easter was wonderful and full of praising the RISEN Lord!

Peas, Teeth & Eggs

Strange title, I know, but I'll explain!
Peas:
On Tuesday, we gave Nora peas for the first time.  She ate them up like she has been eating them for months.  And I made them!  I'm giving homemade baby food a try this go around.  I tried it a couple times with Ethan and I just couldn't get it smooth enough.  I now have a magic bullet, courtesy of my mothers basement :)!  We'll see how it goes in time.

Happy Customer!

Teeth:
Yesterday, I walked in Ethan's room and saw this...

Such a cute kid!

I asked him what he was doing.  And his reply was "I'm cleaning their teeth".  Haha!  I love him so much.  He cleaned Woody, Elmo, Sock Monkey and Batman's teeth.  He was so proud of himself.

Elmo's turn :)

Eggs:

Last night we dyed Easter eggs with Ethan.  This was his first time and he was super excited.  AND we colored 8 eggs with no dye disasters!  

Being very careful :)

2 Thumbs Up!

Family Pictures

We usually try to get a few snapshots of our family on Easter Sunday.  Since we were dressed up (the kids were wearing their Easter finery) and had Abby to take the photos, we had a few taken on Palm Sunday instead.

Abby and I, also, have several years worth of Easter pictures together.  Here's 2012!

The Williams Family...

P.S. Keep scrolling for more weekend fun!

Weekend Festivities!

We spent the weekend down south (in Salem) with lots of family.  Since most of my cousins and siblings live within a few hours of Salem, we all try to coordinate weekends we come 'home'.  It's fun for us big kids as well as all the little ones.  And, with the weather so nice, we spent a lot of time outside.  Which meant tired, dirty kids at the end of the day!  

One reason for choosing this weekend was a wedding shower for an old friend of mine, Laura Petrea.  On Saturday, my mom, Linda, Libby and I went to a lovely bridal shower brunch at The Badollet House in Salem.  It was so nice to catch up and celebrate with Laura (and meet the Mr).  

Libby and I with Laura

The very tasty banana bread we all got to take home!

Pretty much the rest of the weekend was spent hanging out and letting the little ones run like crazy outside.  On Sunday, we had a little Easter Egg Hunt since we were all together.  Enjoy some pictures of cousin craziness!

Ethan and Scout...Give these 2 a golf club and they are happy!

Ethan, Scout and Josiah trying to 'fix' the Barbie bug

A little garage ball!

Libby and her girls...Haley and Katie

Yes! They are as ornery as they look!

My Grandpa was in town and this was his first time meeting Nora.  

She likes him!!

Easter Egg Hunt time!

Letting them loose!

Pop helping Nora a little :)

Paige, Josiah, Finley and Haley

A very excited Ethan

And, he found one!

Haley was partial to the pink and purple eggs.

We also spent some time out at Grandma Karen and Grandpa's house.  While I was at the shower, Jared took the kids out, but since I had the camera, no pictures from that trip.  We did, however, make another trip out for dinner on Sunday night.  

Having a cupcake with Grandma Karen and Great-Grandma Diane

Enjoying a slow 4-wheeler ride with Grandpa

Trying to show off her new rolling skills...

But didn't quite make it.  

I stayed on Sunday night into Monday with the kids.  I took Ethan up to my dads 'distice' office, in hopes that he would get his teeth cleaned.  My dad took a look and ended up doing 4 sealants on him.  He did great!  And, next time we're in town, I'll just clean his teeth!

Pop and Ethan

He was such a big boy!  I'm so proud of him and how well he did!