Happy Easter!

Easter was a ton of fun around here with the kiddos.  We got to celebrate with Nicholas and having someone to share it with made it that much more fun.  Jillian's Easter basket was filled with the usual, a couple new bedtime stories for Mommy Jillian, a ton of new sunglasses to lose over the next week, and Mommy & Daddy's favorite candies.  Oh and our new faves, chapstick and nailpolish.  Special attention should also be given to the new potty book with sound effects included that was also in there.  (FYI, it worked for a minute because we had a successful trip to the potty Monday morning!)  

Mommy also sprung for the nice looking basket that will be used for an upcoming baby shower.  I am nothing if not resourceful, right?

 The sunglasses were the biggest hit of the day.  Everybody wanted to wear them.  

And then, of course, Mimi shows up with the sweetest little tutu/swimsuit ensemble that we had to put on RIGHT AWAY.  

Seriously, it doesn't get cuter than this.  

Then we got to play drums for a while.

Nicholas is practicing for his days in the marching band already.

Jillian also felt compelled to have a hat.

And obviously, we all have to fight for Mimi and Papa's attention at every turn.  

 And a video to top this whole thing off.

It Never Rains in OK...Oh Wait

We headed up to the Mimi & Papa's lake house this weekend to enjoy some fun in the sun, relaxing on the boat, a little fishing perhaps.  However, Mother Nature had other plasns.  There has been a major drought in the area this year.  Janet said it hasn't rained since November.  Just our luck, they got all caught up in just one weekend.  

Oh well, the good news is that Jillian and Nicholas really didn't seem to mind.  We went up on Friday morning and the weather was a bit stuffy, but nice.  (Why did we complain?) 

Here is Daddy and Jillian scoping out the deers.... 

And Berkley

A very adventurous girl

I have to give Jillian props for this, she shared with Nicholas pretty good.  I couldn't believe she let this prized possession go for a minute.  I probably helps that she idolizes her "Buddy" Nicholas.  

Then Friday evening Janet got to show us her true calling.   Your local Meteorologist has nothing on my Mother-in-Law.  You really need to see her in action.  There was tornados in several areas around and she gave us a very detailed play by play.  I lost count of how many times she walked between the TV and the little radio.  At one point an old school GPS (a.k.a. a map) came out.  I felt very safe on the patio with my Crown and diet watching the whole thing role through.  (you'd be proud, Mom.)  (Mimi, I know what you are thinking, and you shouldn't say things like that about your daughter in law.)  

JB slept through the whole thing.  Nicholas had to get a little help from Papa.  Or did Papa get a little help from Nicholas.  One can never be too sure. 

Between the rain, Daddy and Uncle Greg did get a fire going.  It made the light drizzles bearable.  

More deer hunting.

And to finish off our Saturday, Uncle Greg hooked the kiddos up with some big old glow sticks.  Or as JB calls hers, "glow."

Only The Brave Survive This Type Thing

Last Christmas I suggested that my Mom get Jillian an easel and art supplies.  It seemed quite reasonable to me.  (I don't really think through all of my great ideas.)  So Mom comes through with this FABULOUS easel that we have been using at least every few days (which is a lot for any toy for 4 months).  We also got paints, paint cups, and brushes.  I have stuffed those away for months thinking that someday, someday, someday.  Well today I did it.  

I braved the looks from my beloved husband, I braved the thoughts in my head of a painted face and hair, I braved the thought of ruined clothes.  And it was totally worth it, because that sweet thing LOVED it.  

Here is where it all started....

 Yep, she is ambidextrous...

Multi-tasking...

The paints starting to mix....

 This first painting ever by Jillian Jaggi

So we had to start over...

And again

 And again

 The artist with her work

I am not sure what she is so shocked about.

The scariest part was where she wanted to put these hands...

Daddy's Helper...

Ryan got Jillian me, a wagon for my birthday.  No ladies, he is taken...Just kidding, I asked for it.  I get sick of carrying my garden stuff back and forth constantly.  So anyway, I get a wagon and Jillian was so freakin' excited she couldn't stand it!  

Here she is putting it together with Daddy...

She is a really big help...see

Yep, that goes there.

This one goes here.

Daddy getting it done right.....

FINALLY!  She got to ride it...

Ahhhh....A good Sunday.