Ethan is Fabulous and Four

Ethan has officially turned 4!!!

It is hard to believe that four years have already gone by.

Ethan is a delight and a joy to us every day and we feel so blessed that we have the privilege of raising him. I remember when the doctor held him up over the curtain I was blown away st his chubby cheeks and big eyes. I thought to myself.. "Well here you finally are- I have been waiting for you- welcome to our world".

Ethan has absolutely loved everything about his birthday this year. And, one of the coolest things about having kids is that their joy and zeal is so contagious.

A little birthday excitement!

Livy likes VeggieTales too!! (Really just to chew on!)

His first "real" money! Thanks Great Granny!!

This is usual attire for Ethan... he loves to dress up.

Here he is Peter Pan- just in case you couldn't tell ;).

Well, we have made it another year.. only fourteen more to prepare him to be the kind of man that can stand with conviction in a world of corruption and heartache. I hope we are up to the task. Thank God we don't have to do it alone.

Happy Birthday, Little Man. We will love you forever.

Easter Sunday

An Easter Egg Hunt for Ethan

Livy losing it.. it is hard to be cute all day!

An Easter snack

Again an attempt to photograph all three of them... we will keep trying

Easter on the Screen Porch

Dying eggs on the porch on Easter Eve

Using the wax crayon to write his name on an egg

Enough of these eggs... I am off to explore the woods

The view off my parents back porch

Easter in the backyard

Our beautiful Livy enjoying some sunshine in my parents backyard

The dynamic duo- still not not sure of the grass

Well - here is the best shot of all three. It is nearly impossible to get a good shot of all three- so if you would like one - you are welcome to come over and bring your camera!!

Watching big brother

An Easter Hike

On Easter Saturday we went for a hike at Falls Lake.

Ethan loves to hike- he prefers that to a playground any day.

Ethan conquers the "mountain"

The babies - along for the ride. They really love the bumpy terrain.

The Lake.. or at least a cove.

I grew up boating at Falls Lake (and Kerr Lake) and I spent three summers on Lake Gaston working at Camp Willow Run. I always love to be near the water. There are few things on this Earth I enjoy more than just boating around on the lake and water skiing. I can't wait to introduce my children to this pleasure when they are a little older.

I always think of heaven as a place with a lot of lakes- where you can bask in the sun all day (without need for sunscreen), swim without growing weary, feel the wind in your face as you laugh with your family and friends, and end each night with a bonfire and smores. I know the scriptures don't indicate that life in heaven will be like this- but I imagine it will be that same feeling of carefree living and inner peace. I do know the scriptures say there are cities or towns in heaven - and I hope I am fortunate to live in one by a lake or an ocean. Since my mountain - loving husband does not want to move to the beach - I will have to wait until heaven to be waterfront.

Easter at the Lake

On Good Friday we took the kids out to Falls Lake. The lake is really close to my (Shannon's) parents house. They love being outdoors and the weather was gorgeous. Isaac and Grandad


Isaac unsure about the grass and the wind.

Livy enjoying the tire swing

Ethan playing on the shore. Thirty minutes later he is crying about being wet...