Goodbye March

I can't believe March is over.  It has been a fun month, but I am happy to see it go, because it means we are just that much closer to summer.  This was also a big month because Jake finished up his thesis and got it turned in. Although he will still have to make some revisions this is a huge accomplishment and I am so happy that he has been able to tie all his work together and gotten so close to being done.  We also made a pretty big decision for our family.  After lots of prayer we decided that we aren't going to apply for any jobs out here.  We just feel that this isn't where our family is supposed to be, so we will also be saying good bye to the EAST. In fact we will be back in Utah by the end of May. Its all pretty exciting.

Maple Syrup Festival

I was able to take the kids to a local maple syrup festival.  We had fun learning about the process of tapping trees and making syrup.They even hand some hands on activities for the kids.  Their favorite of coarse was tasting the delicious stuff.

My favorite part of the day was getting to come home smelling like a camp fire.

A Well Deserved Award

Jake was presented a creative achievement award in the area of Art and Architecture. It was really neat to get to see him be recognized for his hard work.  One of the presenters mentioned that Penn State is such a big place you really have to work hard to stand out.  Jake has certainly done that.  I am so proud of him!

Surprise Visitors

The kids got a fun surprise when a knock at the door turned out to be Grandma Andrea and Aunt Jenny.  We enjoyed every minute of having them at our house for four days.  The kids worked really hard to wear them out; and they worked really hard at spoiling all of us.  We are sure excited to get to see a lot more of our families soon.

We made the pilgrimage to chocolate world,
and I for one  left with a belly ache from sampling  the goods a little too much.

Thanks to Uncle Ross's supply of space books Hudson has been able to continue his love of space.

Jenny couldn't resist getting the girls these adorable Easter dresses.
Hudson can't resist getting in on all the pictures.

Jenny and Ellie have a shared passion for all things girly.  Ellie spent the weekend trying to  convince Jenny to give her  all of Jenny's Hello Kitty things. Jenny spent the weekend indulging Ellie. They are quite the pair.

 Autumn is Six Months Old

I can't believe my little baby is six month old. I hate that she is growing up so fast.  She is rolling all over the place now. She watches everything Hudson and Ellie do. It seems like she is constantly trying to figure them out. More then anything she is truly sweet and none of us can get enough of her.

At 6 months old:  

Autumn: 16.13 lbs; 27 inches 

     Ellie: 18.1  lbs; 27.5 inches

Hudson: 19 lbs;  28.75 inches

Pictures

St Patricks Day

Last year I completely forgot all about St Patricks day. Its not a terribly important holiday to us, but I was really sad I had missed a chance to do something fun and holiday related for the kids. This year I was sure not to forget. During the night we were visited by Leprechauns. They played tricks on us by turning a number of things green and leaving their funny little green foot prints everywhere. They also left us a set of clues that would lead us to their pot of gold. The kids thought it was great, and I had fun adding pureed spinach to all of their food to turn it green. The weather was nice that day so we enjoyed laying in the grass searching for four leaf clovers. The kids even enjoyed the dinner of corned beef and cabbage I made. Although I wasn't too crazy about it.

Jake made up the treasure hunt clues and delivered them with his not so authentic Irish accent.  It makes me smile just remembering it. I love him so!



Each clue that was discovered made the kids even more excited.





Who wouldn't be excited to find this pot of gold?



I realized I haven't taken many photos of Autumn the past few weeks.  She is sure doing a good job of growing.  She is just the perfect chubby little baby.  I love to snuggle her like a cuddly teddy bear.



Ellie must have the most amazing dreams, she always seems to wake up with the silliest hair.  One morning she walked out of her room with this bouffant hair. She must have been dreaming about the 1960's.



Ahhh SPRING

Just as we set our clocks ahead an hour it seemed Spring decided to show up as well.  I for one was in need of the extra hour of daylight and the warm sunny rays as I have been feeling a little blue and home sick since we were not able to go to Utah for my brother Chazes's farewell. One of my least favorite things is being cooped up in the house, and thanks to the nice weather the past two weeks, we have hardly been home at all. It has been heavenly! Thank you Spring!


I'm not the only one who likes the sunshine.


 

She is even sweeter then she is cute!
(and feistier...)
Today I watched her defend her big brother by hitting a little boy who threw sand at Hudson.
She is quite the little lady!



Just about everyday we head over to the farm behind our apartment so that Ellie can see the "Ponies".





This little brown horse loves to nip, but for some reason it is Hudson's favorite.
I can't figure out why anyone would like that.

 

I don't make Hudson wear his helmet everywhere we go...although sometimes I think he needs to....
he just happens to ride his bike nearly everywhere we go. :) 



We have been able to go on some family bike rides and Hudson does a pretty good job keeping up with us.
Its been so fun to all go together. Even Autumn enjoys the ride.



Ahh the things you think you will never do before you become a parent.
Like, spending money to go watch "Elmo Live" and enjoy it.
Jake and I just sat back and enjoyed every minute of watching their little faces light up as the watched the show.

  Hudson is still in love with learning about the moon and the planets in the solar system.  It has been particularly lucky that Jupiter and Venus have been so amazing to the view lately.  We have had a lot of fun out star gazing with him.  He was really excited to get a special package of space books from Uncle Ross in the mail.  Everyday he tells me, "Mom lets talk about (insert planet name here)." We spend a lot of time talking about them, especially Jupiter, which he tells me is his favorite because it spins the fastest.  He tells me he rides his bike as fast as Jupiter. I love that he loves to learn.