Easter 2015

We had a fun time this Easter with Mia finally being old enough to participate in activities. She wasn't ready to dye eggs yet, as the cups would just get dumped, but maybe next year.

This is how Mia was when she woke up. She was tired and just wanted breakfast. She didn't want to go on a hunt for anything.

But after breakfast she thought it would be OK to look for her "surprise" that was waiting for her.  

This is her when she had found it. I love her surprised and excited look.  

She went right to work emptying out her basket and finding all the treats in the eggs inside. The toys got pushed to the side 

Then the paper itself became a great toy. 

The Easter bunny left me a treat too.

And didn't leave Dee out either 

We went to Grandma and Grandpas house and tried to take pictures, which was difficult due to the wind. Mia didn't want to sit for pictures, she would rather run around. But we did our best, and I think some of them were pretty cute even with Mia looking distracted. 

Mia loves the flowers at their house.  

She wanted to share them with all of us. 

We took a break from pictures and had a musical interlude with the clay birds. She just recently learned to blow on them to make noise. before she would hum to mimic the noise we made when we blew on them. she is getting better at her breath control.  

Grandpa was showing her all the tricks, and they played a duet.  

Then we were off to the Easter egg hunt.  

Mia didn't want to just collect them, but she wanted to each one to see what was inside before trying to find the next. It was so cute seeing her little face when she found each egg.  

With a little help she managed to find the more hidden eggs too.  

Here is her excited, I found something face. A big high pitched "ooo." 

It really was a beautiful day. Easter time is generally so lovely in Tucson, especially this year. 

Part 2: Time with Becky's Family in San Antonio

After Ben's Wedding, we spent a little over a week with my sister Becky, and had lots of fun and got to cuddle with their baby Miriam.

Miriam.  Isn't she a cutie? And just 5 months old. 

Mia loved all the new toys to play with at their house.

We went to the Riverwalk with my parents and rode the boats. Mia really liked being on the water, 

We ate lunch at the Riverwalk. We had Mexican food.  So glad for baby wipes. Interestingly while we were there the fire alarms went off  and a bunch of fire trucks came barreling down the road to the hotel connected to the restaurant. As far as we know everything turned out ok. We didn't see any smoke. 

The next day we went to San Antonio Zoo with Becky, her kids, and my mom. It was fun, but even through it was a cool day, somehow it got really hot there. Hats and short sleeves were a good thing to bring.

Mia liked checking out all the animals. 

Her favorite activity was pushing her stroller around. Lots of exercise for her that day. 

 James checking everything out. 

 One of my favorite pictures: James in the subterranean tube peaking his head out. 

Mom, Becky, Paul, James and Miriam. 

 Becky and Miriam taking a break in the children's activity center. 

Mia learning to fish IN a dry lake bed. Other kids happily fish from the side of it. When she does something she is all IN. 

We had a couple more days in San Antonio, but is was wet and cold so we stayed in mostly. Dee and I did make it to the temple.  Then we had to say goodbye and make the long return trip home. This time we decided to do it in one day. Amazingly, Mia was great through the 13 hour drive she just got fussy the last hour or so.  This was at out last rest/stretch break in Texas Canyon in Arizona. 

 It was cold, but pretty with the sun setting. I love the sky in this one. 

Happy to be almost home. 

Later that night  and the next day Mia would hardly get in her carseat. I think she had enough traveling for one week. 

Stories of January, Part 1: Going to Texas and The Wedding

It has been a busy month. We just got back from being in Idaho just to turn around and go out to San Antonio for my brother's wedding.

This is the week between trips:



Creative clothing uses. Pants as hats.  It reminds me of some commercial I saw on TV. She did this on her own by the way.

Wearing Daddy's socks. Looks like 80's leg warmers. She loves getting all of his socks out of the drawer. I will find his socks distributed throughout the house at times.

I must play on the computer...

She is so cute. She thinks she is working and writing just like us.

Reading books is always a favorite for her.

The trip out:

We had a long drive to Texas but Mia was a trooper and really didn't complain. Yay for good travelers!

Mia was intrigued by all of the Semi's on the road and especially at the rest stops.

Getting strapped in and ready to go.












All set. Happy for the trip! little did she know there were many hours yet to go.









The following day we rested and hung out with the family.

Sisters and Cousins :)

Becky and me with Miriam and Mia. They were having fun playing the piano together. The two of them are so cute, less than a year apart.

We had a dinner with the family that night, and talked till late. Poor Ben was probably tired the next day. On a side note Mia is in climbing mode now. She bounded up on a small chair in about 3 seconds and managed to tip it over along with herself. Poor girl fell flat on her face and nearly busted out her front teeth. Totally scared the living daylights out of me. Blood dripping from them like a vampire.  Fortunately she still has her teeth, they are intact and no permanent damage. Amazingly, other than a slightly swollen lip and painful teeth there was no sign of her fall the next day so she could look pretty for pictures. She is one tough cookie.


 Saturday was Ben and Rachel's wedding!!

The Happy Couple!

Becky was great and got us a babysitter for Mia during the wedding itself. Then we rushed home to get Mia and the other kids before they appeared.

Mia's idea of fun at a wedding... Playing in the fountain at the San Antonio Temple. She would have stayed there all day.

Miriam and Mia admiring each others dresses. "You have the same dress as me"

Becky and two of her kids. James was running around and I am sure Tom was running after him. 

Look I found Tom!

Danny and Nicole, photo-bombed by my brother Bill. 

Then we had a reception at the San Antonio Aquarium.  Ben and Rachel cutting the yummy cake made by my mom.

Here is a closer picture of the cake. I just helped make the flowers and the bow. Tasty, tasty!

I had other pictures of family eating which I will refrain from posting. None of these were the professional photos, and we didn't have much time to snap ones during the picture taking time so we will have to wait to get the real ones. 

There were a lot of other things going on that day that I don't have pictures of like the luncheon at their community clubhouse, and all the setting up chaos for the cake at the aquarium.  A great, long, busy day!