Eliza riding her bike

Eliza finally broke away from her training wheels. She took no time at all to get the hang of doing things! Enjoy the videos:

Grandparents visit

We were so happy to have 3 grandparents visit last month. Some how they always seem to come at the same time...unplanned. My parents were returning from their stay in FL and Austin's dad was flying over from Amsterdam to renew his visa. No matter when they show up, we love to have them :)

While my parents were in FL for the winter, they bought a home near Ocala. They wanted their own place for the few months they go down there. The house is nice and should really fill their needs. We don't mind the fact that they're not far from Disney either!

A good day for kite flying

Eliza went with a few of her friends to Longwood Gardens for a kite flying activity. They had so much fun...very cute girls.

Playing in the children's fountain

At the fountains overlook

Eliza showing off her new kite

Letting it fly

Eliza next to her favorite flowers in the yard

Best friends visit

Eliza, Alyssa, Julia, Katelyn, Mikayla, & Anna

Over spring break, my girls were so excited to have the Nance girls spend the night. They rarely get to see each other since we moved to our new house, so their reunions are always special! In this photo they were having an Uno tournament. Later that day we also visited the Herr's Chip Factory.

Braces & Projects

In the picture above you can see the new braces Anna is sporting. The week after she had her braces put on, she had oral surgery to put a chain on a tooth that is still up in her gums. She was suppose to have the oral surgery 6 months ago and things looked pretty bleak. She had one tooth going sideways and crossing over the roots of the other tooth possibly killing it. After talking to the oral surgeon, she suggested we don't do anything for a few months to see what would happen. Without us even noticing, the sideways tooth came in and the other tooth was still intact and easier to get to. I was so happy for that news to spare Anna a lot more pain and oral work! Hopefully by next year, all her teeth will be in!

Anna has been busy the past couple of months doing projects for her personal progress. She has become quite the knitter and made this wool hat. Another project she worked on was to paint a picture of the Savior. She did an excellent job on the clouds.

Eliza's birthday & baptism

Eliza turned 8 yesterday and it was so fun. She was so cute to watch as she beamed from ear to ear on her special day. Eliza has brought Austin and I much joy during her short life. She has an infectious smile and a very quick wit. She knows how to stir things up and doesn't let anything get by her. She has been a true blessing!!

On Saturday, her cousins Justin and Logan came to visit and join us for a family celebration. The dynamics of the house definitely change when there are boys present. There was non stop squealing and entertainment.

Justin and Logan come to celebrate

Loving her presents

Blowing out the candles

Last night being "7"

Sunday, was Eliza's baptism. One of Eliza's best friends, Bryn, who is just a couple of days older than Eliza, was also baptized. Austin did the baptism and confirmation and Christie and Chris were able to come and be part of it. My mom and Dad couldn't be there, but they sent Eliza a beautiful necklace to wear. Julia, Anna and I sang a special song and many people joined us to celebrate the special event.

Eliza and Bryn with there "bear" reminders of baptism

The cake eaten after the baptism

Christie, Eliza & Chris

Eliza & Daddy in white

Eliza and Bryn in their baptismal clothes

BLIZZARDS!

We have sadly participated in a historic moment for Philadelphia...it has been the snowiest winter ever. Even sadder, because we are only half way through winter.

In one week we have had two blizzards. The first one dropped 23" and this last one 17". The first one wasn't too bad because it happened Friday and gave everyone the weekend to dig out. The second one, though, occurred Tuesday night and has wreaked havoc. The girls and I have gotten the rest of the week off. Austin braved going in to work today but said some of the roads were horrible. On the bright side, the electricity never went off and the girls are now having lots of fun playing in the snow.

Eliza building a snow fort

...and being goofy

Anna having fun in the tree

Building a "Snow Hotel"

Snow up higher than the deck

Ronny stepping carefully

No swinging today

Shoveling out the driveway

During the storm

Official measure of the first storm