Good-byes

We had known our move was coming for months, yet somehow it still seemed to have crept up on us. After only two years, (two great years!), it was time to say good-bye, again. We count ourselves blessed to have made so many wonderful friends and to have been able to get together with so many of them soon before leaving. Here are a few pics; we miss you all!

Out to dinner at one of our favorite spots with Rachel and Jim

Genevieve with one of her favorite friends Will

Genevieve and Claire out for a stroll

Nikki, Heidi, Ana, and girls

Zander, Olivia and Genevieve, swinging around

Gracers, looking down on the world

We even had to say good-bye to our favorite parks. With all of the times that we had helped Genevieve on the playground equipment, she decided that she needed to help Daddy. I love this picture of her ready to catch him.

A farewell to our golf course; Genevieve loved playing a few holes with Dave! I love moments like these with the two of them.

Some of my dearest friends threw me an intimate shower and good-bye party just before leaving. It was wonderful to spend the time together as just moms, without kids, and with dear friends that I love. Thanks for a great time!



A fun playdate at the park, complete with ladybugs

A good-bye with Rita, our favorite babysitter; we miss and love you!

Spring has sprung! finally!

It had seemed like forever since we had seen warm weather around here. With months of cold and snow, we were antsy (parents and kids alike) to get out and enjoy some warmth in the sun. Well, after a few spring teases, it finally came to stay! We took advantage and got out for a park day with some playmates as soon as possible. It was wonderful!

Cute Claire, Genevieve and Colby

Michelle and baby Bram

The whole crew: Victoria, Claire, Ruby, Genevieve, Payton, and Grayson

Genevieve working in the garden with Mommy (and sporting her first ponytail ever! I couldn't believe how grown up it made her, instantly, look to me.)

Feeding the flowers

Ruby and Genevieve, digging in the sand at the park

Easter

This year was the first time that Genevieve really understood and awaited Easter. She anxiously talked about the Easter Bunny (coming into her house while she slept and giving her a hug), eggs, candy, the whole deal. It was really fun to see her excitement, yet I found a lot of relief in the fact that each time we asked her about why we celebrated Easter that she'd quickly respond, "A-cause Jesus Christ was resurrected!" Thank goodness, we had done a little lesson about it at home about a month beforehand, and she could tell us about it anytime we asked. I was glad that she knew the real reason for the holiday. - We had a great time coloring eggs for the first time at our house and are sure that we will be doing it for many more years to come.



On Easter Sunday, we attended the christening of one of our close friends' daughter. It was a very nice service and wonderful to be there with them. We enjoyed celebrating the ceremony with them afterwards and being around so many friends on Easter. Although Genevieve was a bit confused about not having the regular church schedule that she is used to at our church, she was ecstatic (as is obvious below) being able to see some of her other friends at church that she doesn't normally see. Ruby, we love you!

Here's Genevieve with her cute playmates Ruby and Claire.

The Easter Bunny came to our house while we were at church. He left a trail of colored eggs to find our hidden Easter baskets, and Genevieve was quite the little sleuth to find them. Those eggs, definitely, showed their wear and tear from her collection, but we loved it!

Yes, that is a Godiva box for Genevieve, better known around our home as "the golden box". She discovered my golden box at Christmas and now has quite the elite taste for chocolate. She was so excited to have her very own, but will still have to enjoy Hershey as the norm.

We had a delicious brunch to celebrate the christening with our friends, followed by a fun Easter egg hunt and visit from the Bunny. Genevieve had to give the Bunny a hug as she was so excited about him visiting her house and to show off her "beautiful dress", too. Thanks to cousin Sarah! She LOVED this dress!




We had a few families from church come to our home for a little Easter egg hunt in the yard and afternoon buffet . It was a Sunday full of celebration and excitement. I'm not sure we'll do quite so much in the next years, but it was a lot of fun this time!