1st day

Today was Cala's first day of preschool! She loved it and did so well!

4 Years Old!

On a day when our country remembers the tragedy of 9/11, our family also gets to celebrate the birthday of our sweet Cala. I can't believe she's 4 years old already. The time is certainly flying by!

The birthday festivities began the night before with a birthday party at Pap's and Grandma Chris' house. Here is Cala licking the frosting off her birthday cake.

Notice the big swipe of frosting taken out of the middle :)

Opening presents.

We had another party at our house on her birthday. I think I got a little crazy decorating, but it's so much fun I just couldn't stop.

This is the candy bar. I'm not sure how much candy Cala ate, but it was a lot!

Tissue paper pom poms strung in a garland. Whenever I make pom poms, Mark ends up fluffing them up for me (he wishes I had never discovered pom poms!)

The food table.

The cake.

We got Cala a bike and she got lots of other fun presents from Mummi and Papa and Grandma.

About to blow out her candle.

Happy Birthday Cala! We love you!

I miss you H&M

I discovered H&M while on my mission in Finland. My trainer and I went on a couple lovely P-day shopping sprees there :) When I moved to New York, there was a big H&M in the mall just 10 minutes away from my house... what luck! I totally took it for granted. Now that I live in Pennsylvania, the closest H&M is about an hour away... and when am I going to drive an hour with my kids to go to a mall?! Well, today I did! Mark was meeting with someone and H&M was right on the way, so we tagged along and he dropped us off. I wish I could say it was heaven, but my kids were being CRAZY which was making me a big mean mom (can't they just realize that I'm finally getting to shop at one of my fav stores?). So after an emergency run to the potty (2nd potty trip of the day), a search for the lost sippy cup, and rehanging many clothes multiple times after Ethan had pulled them off the hangers (he's quick!), Mark arrived back just in time to handle the kids while I finished up shopping. It was wonderful! When we got home we had a "fall fashion show", at least that's what I had to tell Cala to get her to put on a sweater when it was 90 degrees outside :)

Until next time, H&M! I did get a $5 gift card with my purchase to be used in September, so I might just have to find a reason to drive an hour back there! Hmm...maybe there's a Home Goods in Lancaster too...

Family Photo Shoot

Before we moved away from New York we had our friend Angie take some family pictures for us. The weather was perfect that day, and she did a great job as usual! We started out at Washington Park where we had often gone as a family on walks, to festivals, to feed the ducks, and to play.

After we were done at the park, we headed over to Emack & Bolio's, our favorite icecream place, for a treat. This was Ethan's first experience with icecream, and he LOVED it!

My Graduate.

Mark graduated from law school back in May, and just a few days ago, after 2 months of studying practically 12 hours a day, he took the bar. (now we just have to wait 2 months for the results!) I am so proud of him! He has been going to school for the last 7 years, ever since we got married. He has sacrificed and worked so hard to finish, all so he could make a better life for our little family. I love him for all he has done!

Here we are waiting for the graduation ceremonies to begin. It was tricky keeping the kiddos occupied, luckily I had plenty of help!

All the graduates.

Mark with his proud parents.

Mark's friend Max. They are hoping to open a law firm together some day.

What a happy day!!! I can't believe we're finally done with school. Hooray!!!

Easter

Our Easter festivities began with decorating Easter cookies at a friend's house. Cala was in heaven! She LOVES sprinkles and frosting!

Cala with her friends.

Us after church on Easter morning. It seems to be impossible to get the kids to both look at the camera at the same time.

Then we had Easter dinner at Nicole's house, which was yummy. We had ham cooked on the grill and all kinds of other delicious food.

Here are the husbands.

And the wives.

Next we had an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos. I love watching it! At the end we got them all together for a picture, and I think it's impossible to get two kids to look at the same time, try getting 11 kids to look at the same while holding baskets of candy-filled eggs... IMPOSSIBLE!

Cala checking out what's in her eggs.

This is such a cute picture of Georgia and Ethan.

We have loved our Easter tradition of Easter dinner and Easter egg hunt at Nicole and Carter's house. This was the last year since almost all of us will be living all across the country by this time next year :( I'm so grateful for the good friends we made in New York, and I'll always remember our fun times!

Baby Shower

Ok, back to catching up... My friend Nicole and I got to throw a baby shower for our friend Tiana in April. We had so much fun planning this baby shower! It was the day before Easter so lots of my spring/Easter decorations came in handy. Cindy, another friend who moved to Indiana a few months ago, surprised us by showing up for the baby shower. Nicole had been keeping that secret for months, I couldn't believe it! It was the best surprise! Cindy came and put the finishing touches on all the decorations, which made everything perfect.

We of course had a candy bar, what's a party without one.

And lots of yummy food. Thanks to all those who helped!

And here is Tiana on the right. This is the only picture I have of her at her own baby shower!

Congratulations Tiana on your new baby girl, she's adorable and I'm so glad we got to celebrate with you!