Just Another Photo Dump

I have lost control of keeping up with the blog this late winter/early spring season.  So, forgive the random picture posts recently, but I'll never get myself caught up if I don't have a post like this.

 

We had many afternoons like these especially since we've had a chilly, rainy spring:

My three loves the day we had some family photos taken at our friend's farm.

Madeline's school raises money for St. Jude through a Trike-a-Thon.  Madeline was very excited to participate in this event on her NEW bicycle.  She had outgrown her 10" bicycle, so we went ahead and got her a larger bike.  (I'm calling it an early birthday gift.)

 

There she goes.

 

Her smile says it all!

 

Madeline and Eric went to the store to choose a bicycle on Saturday.  Eric put it together that evening, and on Sunday morning, before church in our pajamas, we went out for a test ride.  It was a funny little adventure.

 

Of course, the wee one cannot be left out of the morning ride.

 

Madeline is so proud that her Bitty Baby, Stella, can go for a ride too in the carrier.  

 

We didn't realize how much Madeline had outgrown her small bike.  We'll be pulling the smaller one back out for little sister before we know it.

 

My almost kindergartner!

 

Amelia was obsessed with those bunny ears for quite a few days.  She wore them all the time.

 

We finally pulled out some spring clothes, and the girls were so excited to wear their new outfits from Grandma and Grandpa.  They purchased these on their trip to Canada.

 

Amelia's class made Easter bonnets, and she was also quite excited to wear this around whenever she could.  This child is seriously into accessories, specifically head wear.

 

The evenings have been perfect for the fire pit.  Madeline has really enjoyed having s'mores on Saturday nights!

 

Should we be concerned that our 2 year old is double fisting already?

 

Madeline and Daddy were running some errands, and they had a pit stop to the ice cream shop along the way!

Easter 2013

We had a chilly, fun Easter!  After enjoying a lovely church service, we headed home to prepare for our company and Easter dinner. 

 

First we tried to capture a family shot.  Epic fail.  It was chilly and cloudy.  The porch was covered in pollen, and the girls were not feeling the picture idea.  But, nevertheless, here we are on Easter!

 

Amelia was NOT in the mood for a picture perfect moment.  This picture cracks me up.

 

The Easter Bunny was extremely generous this year.  He filled the girls' baskets with Little People princesses.  He's a smart fella - he knew exactly which princesses were commonly fussed over, so he brought another Snow White and Cinderella.  He also knew which princesses we didn't have, so he brought those too.  The girls were beyond thrilled with their baskets of Little People princesses and books.  The Easter Bunny also splurged big time and left the Little People castle.

 

My parents and their best friends joined us later in the afternoon for visiting and dinner.  Of course, Grandma and Ms. Ginny had the chocolates and jelly beans covered in their treat bags for the girls.  What blessed little girls Eric and I have.

We had a wonderful day filled with fun, family, friends, and celebration of the Risen Lord.

It's Been a Month Plus...

The Stewart Family has not been exciting this past month or so.  We've dodged and slightly missed some sickness bullets, Daddy's been on the road, Mommy has resumed her hard core workouts, and the cold, rainy doldrums are upon us.  But, we are here, and we are healthy once again. 

 

What have we been doing lately, you ask?

 

 

We've snuggled up and watched shows after lunch.  Some of us refuse to remove our hat and coat from school.

 

We've celebrated St. Patrick's Day even though the fever sisters struck again on this particular weekend...didn't keep us from getting out to lunch and dressing seasonal.  Eric and I may have paid for that decision, but we got out of the house nonetheless.  :)

 Lots of days were spent like this....fever, not feeling well, no appetite, lethargic.  However, we were blessed in that not one of us came down with anything super heinous.

 

Daddy was on the road a lot this past month, and the girls had a dance party one evening...HILARIOUS.  I wish I had video.

 Here's my favorite:

 

 We've addressed some serious four year old behavior issues and started a marble jar.  When the jar looks like this:

 a reward will be given.  The said four year old is really digging the marble jar and filling it up like crazy.  :)

 

The two year old has gnawed through her beloved paci.  To avoid the choking hazard and trip to the ER,

 I did the snip, snip.  This was not expected, and therefore, I had not wrapped my brain around ditching the paci just yet.  You know, I'm a cold turkey kind of gal, but this was not on my radar.  However, the snip-snip worked in my favor.  Said two year old lost interest in paci, and we no longer have it!  Unexpected milestone.

 

Daddy has had some weekend trips.  After naps on a Friday, our house looks like this when "it's just the girls".  Popcorn, chic Disney movie, water, and breakfast for dinner AFTER all that popcorn:

Spring is trying to arrive, and we are enjoying it!

 

Nothing spectacular.  Just us being us.

Farm Photo Shoot

Our dear friends, Brian and Jen, live out on a farm with horses.  I've mentioned them a time or two! :)  Jen is very talented in many areas - horses, horse training, coaching students for horse shows, decorating, and PHOTOGRAPHY (and much more).  We headed over to the farm for a family photo shoot.  It was a cold, WINDY day, but she got some great shots of us.  We were long overdue for some pretty photos of us.  She captured the Stewarts quite well....we are definitely not the "studio pose and smile" kind of family. 

 

Here are a few of my favorites:

 

 We had to have a picture with Jen's show horse, Rhinestone Cowboy!

 This one was hanging onto Eric and I for dear life when Brian and Jen's new puppy came around.  But, she's not afraid of the 1000 lb. horses roaming and neighing around.

 I love this one.  Eric and I all smiles.  The girls not so much.  My vision of a family photo will not happen with a 4 and 2 year old, I'm afraid.

 This captures Amelia to a tee - FULL speed ahead at ALL TIMES!

 This captures my sweet Madeline to a tee.

 Welcome to my world - Amelia is crying about something, & I'm laughing.  I'm laughing because she's crying about something ridiculous, and if I don't laugh, I would pull all of my hair out.

 The wind was chilling all of us to the bone at this point.  Eric and I were cursing Mother Nature's cold, windy day.

 Fairy tales and Fancy Nancy pretty much sum up my girls right now...

 

No worries, Nana, you'll have prints made for your frames!  :)