Holiday World- Opening Day 2017

We have been to Holiday World's opening weekend for the past six years (I think). I love going on opening weekend, because there are no crowds at all. We have been on opening weekend when it's extremely hot, chilly, and rainy. We have had a crazy few weeks of rain and more rain and of course it was still raining on opening weekend! 

We met Leslie and Olivia this year. The rain did not dampen our spirits. We still had the best time.  It rained for a little bit, but we stayed dry for most of the day.

We had to get our yearly picture in front of Santa. 

The first ride we rode were the swings, and we were the only ones on them. That is unheard of!

The girls stayed on for another ride. I'm pretty sure rain was pelting them in the face in this picture. 

First time on the Firecracker... Leslie and I appreciated the fact that these two are old enough to ride everything by themselves so we were able to stand around and talk. 

We wrapped up the afternoon getting pictures with Holidog and Safari Sam. 

It was a great day with friends at Holiday World. Can't wait to spend summer days there!

Springtime fun

After being cooped up all winter we have been spending as much time outside as possible. Paige has been experiencing all kind of new things and loving every minute of it. 
First up, I got us a family membership to the zoo. We had a membership when Ella was little, and we went to the zoo quite often. Paige loves being outside so I knew she would enjoy the zoo just like her sister. 
We went for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Paige was a little unsure at first but quickly got the hang of things. She loved running around freely (after she got over her uncertainty). She had only seen most of these animals in books so this was a whole new world to her. 

There was a lot of pointing going on that day.

She also enjoyed smelling the flowers.

On our way out she plopped down on the ground in front of the lake and enjoyed a snack. It was a good day at the zoo. I'm sure we have many more trips in our future. 

We have also had a few days warm enough to pull out Paige's water table. She loves to splash, but the water was SO cold. Can't wait to see how she likes the pool this year. 

We have been getting a ton of rain lately. Adam took Paige out to jump in the puddles, and she loved it!

Happy Easter, 2017

Easter has come and gone, but the Easter candy is showing no signs of leaving anytime soon. We currently have four chocolate bunnies calling my name loud and clear from the cabinet. Hopefully Ella will eat them before me. 
Our Easter was a little bit different this year. Since it was supposed to rain on Easter Sunday we had our Easter celebration with my parents on Saturday evening. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather for an easter egg hunt and grilling out. 
Before we left Ella agreed to a couple of pictures. She is getting so big. 

 They both are getting so big!

It was so funny how fast Paige caught on to hunting for eggs. She loved it!

Ella is an old pro at hunting eggs.

The big girls got a nice surprise in one egg. 

Paige had to open every egg to see what was in it. She loved the candy. 

Paige loves bubbles and had a bubble machine in her basket. 

The next morning Ella had us up bright and early. She had asked me the day before how to set her alarm for 5am. I told her the easter bunny does not get up that early in the morning to deliver her easter basket. She made it until 6:30 and woke us up. Ella never willingly gets up that early unless it's Christmas, Easter, or we are going on vacation. 

Ella was so excited that "he" left her a Hatchimal. 

I have to admit these things are really fun. I love to watch them hatch. 

The boys went out before Ella and Paige hunted for eggs. I wondered why Elliott was laying out in the grass for a long time. He had opened an egg and was chewing on a big wad of bubble gum. He was so proud of himself!

 Ella could not wait until Paige woke up to hunt for eggs so we let her go ahead. I was not about to wake up her sister. :) 

It was a very happy easter for Ella this year!

Paige finally got up and found her basket. She got puzzles, a wooden school bus, toddler markers and sidewalk chalk. I am going to have to watch her like a hawk with those markers. 

Paige took her sweet time finding eggs. She had to inspect each egg and find out what was inside. It's so fun experiencing this stuff all over again with a little one. Everything is new a fun for her. 

Shortly after I took this picture Paige had chocolate drool running down her mouth right onto this cute shirt. 

Later that afternoon Adam's mom and step dad came over to eat, hide eggs, and bring the girls their easter baskets. It was unfortunately pouring rain so we had to hide eggs in the house. 

 These two didn't seem to mind!

We ended up having a great Easter with lots of food, fun, and good times spent with family.