Easter Fun

Easter weekend was BEAUTIFUL!  For the first time in a LONG time, we enjoyed warm weather and lots of sun!  We had a great time full of festivities.

Gathering for the fourth annual Easter egg hunt with the neighbors

Yes, Hannah is crying, but she quickly recovered in time to enjoy the hunt

Checking out her loot

Megan's friend from her first grade class, Isabelle, just moved into our neighborhood and was able to enjoy the hunt with us as well.  Welcome, Isabelle!

The kids decorated [gluten-free] sugar cookies after the hunt

Posing with Isabelle and Norah

After the hunt, we ducked inside to decorate our eggs

I'm always incredibly nervous letting Hannah near the not-so-washable dye

The finished product.

Sunday morning brought the appearance of the Easter bunny - and two excited girls

Still looking a little bed-headed

No Lacey, the Easter bunny didn't bring you anything

Cars!  Hannah loves her some Lightning McQueen

The girls and I caught Junie B. Jones the Musical at the Civic Theater after a wonderful Easter dinner

Critter Barn

While in Grand Haven, we made a little roadtrip down to Zeeland to enjoy the Critter Barn's Spring Fling.  Critter Barn is a very cute, very hands-on little learning farm and petting zoo.  Megan attended Critter Camp there last summer, and had a wonderful time.  This was a first visit for Hannah, who also got quite into the farming experience.

 

Just arrived and already have our hands on the rabbits

Little Sister's turn!

 

These baby cows were only a couple of weeks old [insert AWWWW]

Hannah's first try at holding a baby chick

"OMG there's a chicken in my hand!"

Next she tried her hand at duck-holding

The duck escaped pretty quickly

This pile o' cats cracked us up

Farm fashion icon

Farm swing!

Megan has requested that we duplicate this experience for her at home.  We'll see about that.

Showing Daddy around the farm.  If only I could get the porta potties out of this picture...

Grand Haven - our first spring weekend!

 After the longest winter e.v.e.r. we very excitedly returned to the Grand Haven house to enjoy some spring weather.  Hannah's birthday is right around the corner, and this year her big gift from Mom & Dad was a cute little pink kitchen set for her room in GH.  (Due to the volume of her possessions in GR, we had to get a little creative this year and make use of the extra space that comes with a second home).  Knowing we wouldn't make it back to the house until after her birthday, we let her open up her gifts a couple of weeks early.

 

Birthday surprises for our almost FOUR year old

It was a good surprise!
 

On Saturday morning, we took a trip to Critter Barn to enjoy their Spring Fling.  It was nice and sunny while we were there, but the clouds moved in on us in the afternoon.  Still refusing to give up and go inside, we made the most of it.


This girl perfected riding her scooter

And we rode our bikes to the beach

I don't think we'll be swimming anytime soon, but it was nice to see the lake still exists (and yes those are icebergs in the water...in April)

Daddy's Little Michigan Fan

Upon our return from Chicago, and completely unsolicited, Megan (aka Kyle Junior) changed into this get-up to help cheer the Wolverines on to the Final Four.  Though the outfit is cleary fantastic, it unfortunately wasn't enough to help the Wolverines get the win.

 

The Magnificent Mile

With our close proximity to Chicago for the weekend, I thought it was the perfect excuse to swing downtown and enjoy the American Girl store - a surprise for the ladies.

 

It was a good surprise!

 

Aunt Becky gave them some birthday money to spend while we were there shopping - Megan picked a pony with her funds. 

 

Do you think they could have given her a larger bag to tote the new horse?

 

I can't say enough about what a great gluten-free experience we had at the Cafe.  Kudos to American Girl!  They had so many great options and served them in a way that our girl felt totally special.

 

Enjoying lunch with our new best friend.

 

And some of our old ones, too.  (Saige)

Hannah was not the biggest fan of her crudites, opting to share them with her doll, Claire

 

Please note Claire did not get any of her gluten-free pizza

 

Bye Bye American Girl!

 

We hit the Disney Store while we were in town too, another rare treat!

 

The girls enjoyed this gigantic Olaf

 

My big girl in the big city

I don't know, I just get the feeling this won't be the last time I take this picture.

Happy birthday, Gabby!

We had the honor of attending Gabby's 4th birthday party, a legendary bash featuring a personal appearance by Sofia the First herself!  Since Gabby lives outside of Chicago, and her momma happens to be my bestest friend in the world, one Rebecca Couri, we used the party invite as an excuse to crash at their house for a couple of nights and spend some quality time with their wonderful family. 

 

Party time!
 

Making crowns with the birthday girl

Hannah's custom crown

Sofia's here!!
 

...and we got to meet her!

Just a tad excited to be sitting next to royalty

The princess crew

Gabby patiently opens our gifts

Post-party - three silly girls on a trip to the park