Easter Sunday

He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!

Easter Sunday is such a wonderful day.  We had beautiful weather up here this year, so it was especially fun for Mallory to wear a dress.  It was a traditional day for our family - church (sunrise service at 6:30 a.m.!), brunch at church, then a turkey and ham lunch at home as a family.  Sunrise service was really nice.  It was still dark outside when we left for church.  Mallory promptly noticed this and said, "Oh no!  I think we woke up too early!"  It was so funny!

 It is nearly impossible to get both kids to look at the camera at the same time.  This is the best I could do for a brother/sister picture.

Silly boy!  :)

- becky

WINter

So, did we even have winter this year or what?!  I say WINter was a WINner!  I don't mind the snow - unless it is still around in March which it usually is - but, I have to admit that it was kinda nice to have a break from 90 inches of it this year.  

I promise you, there was one Saturday that we had snow on the ground to take the kids out for some pictures.  Our snowman was pretty sad, but the snow angels were awfully cute.

 Minnie came out to play with us.

- becky

Head Table

All she's missing at the Head Table is her groom. :)

The plastic shoes are a nice touch.

- becky

The Gift That Stole Christmas

Every year there is one. You know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the gift that shines above all others. Well, this year - for Mallory - it was a dress-up wedding dress from her Godmother.

A boy can never have too many Hot Wheels for his mother to step on in the dark!

Brinley - such a fun age for a push toy!

Oh, so beautiful!

And the dress goes perfect with her "glass slippers".

Maid of Honor Kamryn in the background :)

Go Brinley Go!

I like my new toy. pat, pat, pat...

- becky

Buh-Bye, Clickers!

For Mallory's 3rd birthday, we took her to Build a Bear at the Fox River Mall. The time had arrived. It was time for her to give up her beloved clickers.

What is a clicker?

A clicker is a pacifier, also known as a Nuk. As a baby, we knew Mallory wanted her Nuk because she would click her tongue. Hence the name clicker.

No longer needed for nap or bedtime, Mallory's clickers will always be with her...but sewn up inside a Hello Kitty.

- becky

P.S. She picked out the CUTEST Milwaukee Brewer outfit for Hello Kitty. :)

Chicago 2011

After much debating, we decided to take our annual trip to Chicago between Christmas and New Years. The winter weather this year has been very different than usual, and this held true on our trip. Instead of snow, we had a lot of fog and misty rain. It didn't make for great pictures, but we still had lots of fun!

Don't you just love it when the Shedd Aquarium is super crowded?! Not.

Camera in hand!

Yes, I know. That is our son on the WRONG side of the railing.

Annual picture in the bean. Don't worry - Mallory is only sleeping. (We did wake her up to see the Macy's Christmas tree.)

That building is really tall!

Peek-a-boo!

I see you!

- becky