{a first...paint}

April has been a very busy and overwhelming month.

  We are still at work on our basement.  We have had some set backs and things have been very difficult, but life keeps going on and the sweet kids keep growing and learning.  I usually have had Henry paint when Eliza is taking her nap, but one day I decided she was probably ready.  They both loved painting together.  Henry loved teaching her how to paint and had lots of ideas for her.  I feel like things have been so crazy and tough these last couple of months, but the kids just forgive and forget.  I can see why we are supposed to become like little children.  I can't wait till the basement is finished and summer is here!  I can't wait to make up for these last couple of months!

I love you both so much!  I will try so hard to be a better mom:)...no matter what is going on!

{trains}

Henry does not play with his trains as often as he use to, but when he does he comes up with some pretty impressive ideas.  He likes to use all sorts of other toys to make his ideas come to fruition.  Chris took these pictures because he was so proud of his boy!



{a happy easter}

We had a wonderful Easter day.

  It is amazing how even small children can grasp the wonder of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  We ate dinner at some friends house and it truly was heavenly.  The food was fantastic and plentiful.  There was no clean up at home:).  The missionaries were also there and that was neat.  Henry sat at the children's table and ate lots of candy and treats in his homemade egg.  This friend is a real chef and also a craft queen:)  After dinner we watched a clip from the church's website about the last week of Christ's life.  The kids were quiet and sweet and had the most amazing answers to the missionaries questions. 

 It was a beautiful evening.

{chicago...day 2}

The second day in Chicago we had breakfast at the hotel and then went to a science and industry museum.  We stayed there all day and then went to dinner at a local pasta and pizza place.  Both kids loved the museum but Henry was in HEAVEN!  Chris and I both really loved it.  There were so many fascinating things to look at and learn.  We ended the day with a tour on a submarine from WWII.  I became a little claustrophobic inside but it was really amazing to see in person and learn about the experience the soldiers had on the submarine.

LOVE IT!

 

{chicago}

We decided to go on a family trip to Chicago. 

Chris does not have many days of vacation because of scout camp this summer so we are going to try and take little weekend trips once in awhile instead of one longer trip.  Chicago is only three hours away and it is a city with lots of fun options for kids.  The night before we left Eliza did not sleep well.  The next morning she seemed okay, but had a runny nose.  I figured she was just teething.  She ended up being sick.  It was a hard trip for her and sometimes for us, but Henry had a fantastic time and will remember it for a long time.

The day started out sunny and cool but got progressively colder as it became later in the day.  We parked at the hotel and then walked to a great place to eat (Opel and...).  We then walked to Navy Pier.  It was very cold and windy, but it was still a lot of fun.  We took a city bus back to the hotel and Henry was thrilled!

(Riding the train at Navy Pier)

 

(We bought some of Chicago's famous popcorn and ate it in this beautiful part of the pier)

(Dad was trying to get some small safe pieces for Eliza, but that was taking way too long!)

 

 

(The bus)

(The Lego store was a big hit!)

(Henry was so thrilled to buy a gluten free cupcake)

(Henry and Eliza loved the pool and therefore could not be still long enough for a non fuzzy picture:))

(We went to a little Thai place close to the hotel and then the kids went to bed and were out like a light)