Cool Pics

On Monday evening we all took a little walk around the neighborhood and the girls took turns taking pictures. It was fun to see what was interesting to them. After we were done taking pictures, Aaron gave them a little caution tape to fly in the breeze. Boy did they love that.

I often feel bad that we don't have a zoo or children's museums or other fun things to do nearby but I have to keep reminding myself that the kids love the little things we do together too. About a week ago, the girls and I cooked hotdogs in the firepit in the backyard. Penelope's reaction, "This is the best day EVER!"

Music to my ears.

Catch Up

I feel like all I have been doing for the last 2 days is playing catch-up and sadly I haven't quite gotten there yet, but soon. . .

Easter was fun, although we missed having Aaron around. Eleanor got up about an hour before Penelope so I just took her downstairs to play and she didn't even notice the baskets. When Penelope got up she stood on the stairs a minute rubbing her eyes and staring at the baskets in the living room. She looked so bewildered. I wish I had gotten a picture. And then she said "Did the Easter bunny come?" Then the fun began! (Oh and check out the awesome bed head featured in the following pictures.)

Awww, cute. On the Tuesday after Easter we decided to meet my Mom in Pocatello, Idaho and spend a few days in a hotel with her there since Aaron was still going to be gone for 2 more weeks. Well, before we even got to Helena my Mom called and said Idaho was too cold and that we should just go to her home in Mesquite. So, we did. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of our time there. We had a great time playing at the parks and shopping and the girls had a great time with some squirt bottles. It was great timing as well because we were there to help my Mom after her cataract surgery. After we had been there a little over a week, Aaron got home from North Dakota so he flew to Las Vegas and we picked him up there. We spent another day in Mesquite and then drove to Vernal to see Aaron's family.

The girls loved playing with their cousins in Vernal. Those 5 little girls had so much fun playing and riding with Papa on his ATV's. When we were leaving Penelope was talking about how much fun she had at Papa and Ma'ams and Grandma and Grandpa's. Then she said "Why do they have to live so far away?" Glad it is their fault, not ours. :) I wish we could visit more often.One tired little girl on our way home.

And a stinker making fun of the tired little girl. :)

When we got home I decided it was time to get rid of Sullivan's random patches of long hair. Doesn't he look so big with his big boy haircut?

We we able to visit Grandpa Sullivan while we were in Vernal and we got some pictures of Sullivan with his Great-grandpa. It was nice to get to see him. I'll have to post those when I get them.

North Dakota Flooding

I am the guy with the gray helmet with white and black stripes. These pictures are from today. They were sent out nationally and are all over CBP.net and our IDS (information display system) that is a 24 hour streaming TV. I am in alot more but this is all I could get sent to me for now. Our ATV team was on the local ABC news and we are the real A-team of this whole FEMA thing. It feels good to be kind of a big deal.Yes that is solid ice on my jacket. We had some nasty freezing rain this morning.

I am riding the ATV with the red first aid bag in all of the pictures.

Personality

My children are constantly surprising me. Like today when I came upstairs and found this. Aaron's reply when I sent him a picture, "Wow she's good." Penelope had come upstairs with me and was watching me closely for a reaction. When she saw that I was amused she asked if she could have some. "Grab a spoon." And then there was yesterday when Penelope was doing her crafting thing and made a crown for Sullivan. Not sure he appreciates the thoughtfulness. And then there's the baby who will snuggle up to Daddy's chest and stay there forever. Does Mom get snuggles? Oh no! Mom means food and diaper changes and sleep.

And Aaron is the only one who can get Sullivan to giggle like this.

But I do get lots of smiles and love.

Update

Look at those cute boys. You can't tell in this picture but Sullivan looks so much like his Daddy.

Here is a picture of Sullivan in his blessing outfit with Grandma. Grandma came and spent a whole week with us. The girls are still asking for Grandma. Eleanor putting a dress-up on Sullivan. I can't believe it has already started. And look at him taking it all patiently.

Sullivan continues to be a really good baby. He smiles and coos and laughs now. He is so much fun! We had a little run-in with RSV but he is doing much better now. We went for a check up at the pediatrician's this week and Sullivan is now 13 lbs and 24 inches. Growing so fast!