Mu-Wii Fun

I got Jason a Nintendo Wii system for his graduation present. After trying it out at Emily and Brian's house, it was definitely the best choice to celebrate the occasion. (And, now that he no longer has studies, he has the time to enjoy it!)

As a person who doesn't really enjoy video games, I was a bit wary about this purchase. However, it RULES. Everyone from Laura to my mom has enjoyed playing it -- though I think the neices and nephews (okay, and Jason) enjoy it the most. He thinks the best part of the Wii is that you actually interact with the game. You don't just sit on the couch and push buttons.

We went out to dinner with Andrea and Mike the other night for the babysitting rotation. (We had a yummy dinner at Shoots, though pregnancy heartburn did prevent us from going spicy as we usually do). After dinner, they came and played the Wii. I think Mike enjoyed the tennis -- what do you think?

Hooray and Hallelujah

Congratulations, Jason! I am so proud of my wonderful husband. He graduated this past Friday with his BS in Software Engineering. He definitely proved that he has brains, tenacity and determination.

(Note from Jason: And a huge thanks to my gorgeous wife for making it possible for me to get here. I never would have continued with school has she not been there to support and encourage me through these last few years. Thank you so much for quizing me for tests, helping me with wording on my interfaces, testing them to make sure they made sense, and all the other things you did to help me. I couldn't have done it without you!!!)

He walked that morning in a lovely ceremony of Pomp and Circumstance. Laura would like to let you all know that the speakers were boring, but when everybody walked, it was neat. Though, I think her favorite part was wearing Daddy's mortarboard; it is now a permanent fixture in the dress up box.

I threw a big party for the occasion at our house the next day. We invited both sides of the family (yes, nearly 30 people were there) and had a grand time. It is remarkably easy to do things with both sides of the family since we've all known each other for years. It's always fun to catch up. Thank you to all our family for being so wonderfully supportive!
The weather was beautiful and it was a great chance to get everyone together before we get into the throes of moving/baby/living with parents. Now I suppose it is really time to buckle down and get packing.

Birthday Fun

So, it hasn't been my birthday yet, but I sure have had a lot of fun before my birthday. Everyone has realized that I'm super hard to buy for this year (clothes and house stuff are out, and what else does that leave?) so I'm getting spoiled with attention.

I went out for lunch for my sister's and my birthdays, as we do every year, with my Mom on Friday. My darling neice has a birthday close by so she came along as well and it was a grand party. Laura just loved it. That night brought around a night in the babysitting rotation for Jason and I to go out so we went to dinner. Oddly, I have been craving red meat (must be low on iron this pregnancy), so we went to Tucano's and both got ridiculously full. Then we went shopping to get ideas for the new house which sure is more productive without our little girl. Thanks to the Brown's for babysitting!
Saturday, we went out to lunch with the McFadyen's. Later that night, I went and got a pedicure with Emily and Andrea B. It was great to be pampered and chat with two of my favorite ladies. My toes turned out darling and girly...I have to enjoy the extreme girliness of pregnancy while it lasts. That, and since nothing else on me feels cute, my toes might as well be :)
On Sunday, Jason had my whole family over for a birthday party. He and Laura made a SUPER YUMMY chocolate cake for me. They said since I couldn't have ice cream I deserved a great cake. (Don't I just have the best husband ever to not only initiate and plan a party, but also to bake for me?!) It was great and I ate two slices! It was also wonderful to see my fam and chat with them!

Speedy Sale

We sold our current house. (We have an accepted offer and it's under contract -- thank you to J's folks for all the real estate assistance.) It all happened so fast (less than 2 weeks) that we are still reeling a little bit. But, really, it is all great news: 1 - We got the price we wanted. 2 - I don't have to keep hounding Laura to pick up her toys immediately after playing (I love a clean house, but no water spots on the faucets is a bit extreme). 3 - I know I'll be settled when baby comes (in my parent's basement - thank you parents for letting us crash there in the housing gap - but fully settled). 4 - We will NOT be paying two mortgages!
Once again, we just feel so blessed. The Lord really is making everything for our new home fall into place so easily that we know this move is the right decision for our family. And, hey, I get to stick around in this house long enough (we're out in 6 weeks) to see the tulips in bloom.

Easter Fun

We had such a fun Easter! Laura helped with all the process of coloring eggs...she helped us boil, set up and dye. The egg coloring was a big hit. It is so much fun to have a kid who is truly involved in all holiday activities. (She made the Easter Bonnet at Playschool. Melanie did an awesome job with all the Easter stuff for the girls)

She looked darling in her Easter dress. Unfortunately, the weather decided to go from lovely to rather cold, so much of it had to be covered up. Oh, and note how beautiful our little tree is in bloom. We will miss that tree when we move.

The egg hunt was wonderful. It happened after Church (there was no way to fit it in before 8:30 am, particularly when Daddy is gone at meetings and would've missed the whole thing) instead of before. But, Laura sure didn't seem to mind. She just squealed and squealed.

Quick Escape

In the midst of all the house stuff (calls, cleanings, yard work, showings) we escaped to the cabin today. Mom and Dad were heading up and Laura really really wanted to go with them; so, we did. It's not quite warm enough to officially open it (freezing water in the pipes is no fun), but we got to do most of her favorite activities there anyways.

She rang the bell, played with the little cabin, trompsed in the dirt, etc. But, as always, her favorite activity was throwing rocks in the river. I think every kid loves throwing rocks into a body of water and watching the splash. (Okay, I'm not a kid and I still love it too) Laura is definitely NOT the exception. We threw rocks for at least a half hour.

The weather was beautiful and it felt great to all of us to get away. Laura surprised me and dropped many of her girly tendencies and hiked through the brush, and navigated rocks like a pro. After all that activity, she fell asleep on the car ride home. So, we took advantage of that rare nap and flew on the yard work when we returned to our house.

When I Grow Up

Laura would like everyone to come see her in a play or a fashion show when she grows up. She decided these things because we saw two of her cousins perform this week. We watched Missy in her fashion show (she was so darling!) and Becca in "The Music Man". Laura loved all of it! When the play ended she said, "Daddy, I don't want to go home. I want to watch it again!"

The thing that makes us the happiest is that at this age she can do anything or be anything. She believes it, and so do we. She said, "Guys, when I get very much bigger like Becca then I will be in her play and everyone can come watch me. And, I can be in Missy's fashion show too." I love exposing her to the fun things in life.

We also got to see the Easter Bunny at the Mall...and at that point she loved being a little kid!