Easter Party

Natalie started a new preschool here in NC on April 1. She really seems to be enjoying it. What's not to love about cupcakes and parties though?

Just when I think she can't get any cuter...

Getting the "basket" she made from her teacher, Mrs. Williams, while Bubby watches close by.

That itty bitty one in the center, that's our Nat!

Ready. Set.

Go!

Love the excitement on that little face.

Not 10 seconds had passed when she stopped to make sure little brother was finding eggs for his basket.

Counting out her loot.

Stanley Goes to the Beach

Our niece, Jaycee, sent Flat Stanley to Natalie in the mail. We are having a good time showing him around the town. First stop, the ocean.

Note: Sutton is also taking a photo of Natalie and Stanley with Mom's phone.

Stanley was excited to get buried in the sand. Lucky for him, the sand fell right off and he didn't need to go out in the water to get clean.

Sutton's disappearing feet trick.

You'll have to forgive me for all the photos of these kiddos at the beach that are sure to follow. We are truly LOVING it here already.

Party

My college roomie has a little guy that's just a few months older than Sutton. Noah lives in DC, so we were really surprised, but excited to be invited to his 2nd Birthday Party in Wilmington. Nothing like a birthday party to make you feel like this is home.

These two are exactly the same size and obviously into the same things.

Party goers enjoying cake.

Sutton, stepping up to the train table. A train party for a 2 year-old, no surprises there!

This little train went all around the park.

Natalie pulling one of the "babies."

Party game, train peek-a-boo.

Just a Little Guy

So far, everyone is happy with our new living arrangements!

So cozy by Gran.

Little Lefties

Kylee and Natalie taking a break from running all over the yard.

Vintage Entertainment

Natalie and Sutton are both enjoying playing with all the old toys and books Granny has saved all these years. I can't lie, I love it too. Anyone that knows me knows I am a total sap when it comes to remembering, well just about anything. I mean, how could I not be ecstatic about the entire set of Sweet Pickles books and books I used to read in the hallway of my Grandmother's tiny trailer. Sweet memories remembered. Sweet memories being made.

Caterpidders

In Missouri, Natalie befriended earthworms. Here she has taken to caterpillars. I remember loving them as a little girl too. Her excitement about literally the smallest things is so endearing.

TRADITIONS

The NC Azalea Festival comes to Wilmington every spring. As a kid, my parents would take me to the circus (some years) and the parade (EVERY year). It was really fun to be back in town just in time for the festivities.

Sutton, admiring the "braloo" (the sound an elephant makes, come on people). :)

While the circus felt like it had shrunken significantly since I was a kid, the elephants haven't gotten any smaller.

Somehow Natalie knew that at the circus you get to ride an elephant. From the moment she heard we were going to the circus, she couldn't wait. She actually really liked it and kept telling me how fun it was.

Cotton candy with Jake. Natalie has been missing her "kids" from KC, so having Jake around has helped lessen the blow. He is such a sweetie.

Saturday morning we went to the parade. These are the stands Grandad made years ago and has been improving on ever since. They were actually quite the lifesaver and have stood the test of time. I used to rest my little tooshie right where Nat is sitting.

There were lots of pageant princesses to wave to. Natalie saw "Snow White (princess with black hair), Belle (yellow dress) and Cinderella (you guessed it, blue dress)." I guess we can save the cash on a Disney trip and just hit up the parade every year!

Showing us something wonderful. It really doesn't get much better than seeing the world through the excitement of a 3 year-olds eyes.

Getting Settled

Everyone keeps asking if we're getting settled in. While there are so many UNsettling things in our lives right now (which home will eventually be ours? when will our house sell in KC? will we rent?) we actually ARE getting settled in quite nicely at Granny and Grandad's. I am so grateful that leaving our home in Kansas City meant moving into a well-known and well-loved home for our kids and for us at my parents. So far, we haven't had too many big issues. Here's what we've been up to.

Natalie's new bed at the foot of Granny and Grandad's bed. "Now I can just climb right up into your bed in the morning, Granny." Granny is happy to have Nattie by her side. Natalie is happy to be in a cozy new bed that's just her size. And Mommy and Daddy are happy to get to sleep in at the other end of the house for a few weeks!

Playing at the beach. It's still a little chilly to actually go all out at the beach, but it's still fun just to be out in the sunshine! That's our kite behind Nat.

Exploring with Grandad in the backyard.

Helping to clean is always fun for toddlers.

Natalie enjoys Granny's homemade strawberry jam. Mommy enjoys that Granny makes breakfast!

I just thought Sutton's shoes looked extra southern. Gotta love seeing those little legs in shorts for the first time in a while. Last time he wore shorts he wasn't even walking yet!

Walking the Loop at the beach.

Love that dirty face. It's proof of a day spent almost completely outdoors.

Even warm enough to eat outside on the screened in porch! Love it.

I certainly can't say we're completely settled, but we're enjoying this time nonetheless.

Going Away

Our sweet friends from our church in KC arranged a going away party for us. It was wonderful to be able to chat with everyone without having the normal Sunday stuff going on.

My friend, Kassa was in charge. She had everyone bring a KC favorite of mine. Pizza Shoppe salad with pink stuff...

Leo's pizza, Stone Canyon Pizza...yep, I need to find a good pizza joint in Wilmington cuz I am truly an addict. I even got Lemon Cake from Cascone's! She truly thought of everything.

It was such a thoughtful party. They even gave us a scrapbook full of pages from many of the families in our church, so we won't forget the... as if we could!

The Last Supper

Okay, so calling it the Last Supper is probably a little dramatic. But, we were still enjoying time with our friends, eating and trying not to think about the time we would be apart until we could be together again. See, there were a FEW similarities.

You never know who is gonna appear from the hallway dressed in who knows what?! Literally a new outfit every few minutes sometimes.

Celebrating Izzy's birthday a little early so Natalie could celebrate with her.

Mr. Joe even relit the candles so everyone could have a turn at blowing them out.

Watching a late night movie.

Second attempt at sleeping over. Lasted till ten this time. Maybe when they're 4?

We miss this family desperately since our big move. Gonna try really hard to let the BFFs continue to be BFFs long distance. I think it will work...Natalie has drawn a picture for Isabel or pretend played with her or at the very least mentioned her, every day since we left.

First & Last Zoo Trip

The weather was finally warm enough to go to the Zoo while we were in KC last month.

Granny was a pretty funny site trying to feed the sheep.

It was so fun we ran a little into nap time. Sutton took a much needed rest. He sure loves to rock.

One of the things we'll miss so much about the KC Zoo is the many playdates we have had there. I can't hardly remember a time we went without at least one other Mommy/Friend combo. This little doll is "baby" Addy. Not so much of a baby anymore, but still a smart little sweetheart. While we will miss seeing Nikita the Polar Bear on a regular basis, we will most certainly miss this little girl quite a bit more.