Wordless Wednesday - Easter (finally)

(OK maybe a few words....I am taking an idea from several other blog friends and making Wednesday the day I post a few pictures without a long explanation. This works great for me since I rarely have time to write lately. Enjoy a few belated photos of Christopher's first Easter in the US!)

Fun in the Sun!

We had an extremely warm day Thursday and we were itching to get out and enjoy it!! Since Daddy was out of town for the day taking CE courses, and it was just the two of us, we decided to go to the Frederik Meijer gardens and the butterfly house! We had such an awesome time, I can't wait to go back! The butterflies were super hyper (do butterflies get hyper?) because of the warmer than usual day and they were flying everywhere! At least a dozen nearly crashed into us in the isles and there were hundreds more among the plants and flowers! Last time we went it was cool and late in the day, so most of them were perched and resting. A definite must see if you are ever in Grand Rapids, MI! Unfortunately most of my butterfly pics were pretty blurry, but the Christopher ones turned out!

Looking around at all the butterflies

We had a blast playing in the children's garden too! The flowers were already beautiful and there were so many things for him to touch and play with. Christopher had a ball splashing in the "Great Lakes". I think we definitely have a water baby on our hands!

Playing with the boats in the kiddie version of Lake Erie

Playing in the waterfall

He loved the bamboo wind chimes!

Oh the cuteness!!! :o)

First Ride!

Short post today. I'll update with some Easter pics as soon as I can. For now, enjoy some pictures of Christopher taking his first horse back ride on Goldie (one of our miniature horses). He was a little scared at first, but after a few times up and down the driveway he was having a ball!

Yeah, another little equestrian in the family....this hobby is addictive!

I think Goldie liked her new little rider!

Isn't she cute with all her winter fuzzies! :o)

Spring is in the Air!

We have had beautiful weather most of this week, and it has been wonderful!! The temperature made it all the way into the 80's! I am definitely ready for the warm weather to stay; I can't wait to plant some flowers and open the pool! Ok... maybe I'm rushing things just a little, I know it is only the first week of April, but man...I am ready!!

We have been very busy with lots of visitors in the last few weeks. Phil's family came out for Great Grandma's birthday and a belated St. Patrick's day feast. Yummy! Christopher once again was quite the entertainer. He just loves being the center of attention! He got to help blow out Great-Grandma's candles and enjoyed a little cake with the family.

Last weekend we had a great visit with my family and celebrated Grandma and Grandpas' birthdays. Christopher helped to blow out their birthday candles too...he is becoming quite a pro! (note...we generally don't condone feet on the kitchen table, but we can give the elmo socks a pass this one time :o)

He finally got to meet uncle Doug and Becky who brought him his own belated birthday gifts. They were very excited to finally meet him and I think they had a good time. Uncle Doug bought him a huge selection of Curious George books and his own Curious George puppet and from Becky he got a great dump truck made of recycled plastic... mom gives this a huge thumbs up! ;o) He also received his very own trunk monkey for his little coup ( if you are unsure of what this is, you may want to check out youtube for a reference) LOL! We took a very long nature walk around our back acreage, spent time playing in the yard with more bubbles, and explored the dirt, rocks, leaves, and trees.

Christopher improved the padding of the seat in his little coup with some leaves (notice the trunk monkey hanging out).

Christopher hung out with Grandma while we did chores, and hammed it up with Grandpa after the party!

This week, I took Christopher to the beach for the first time when the temperatures topped 82 degrees at home! I am glad I brought a jacket for him though, it was sooooo windy we didn't even make it down to the water. I didn't want to worry about the little guy getting sand in his eyes from all the blowing. The only thing I could do was hide us out behind some dunes to block the wind. I think Christopher liked the beach...he spent a lot of time examining the sand and feeling it with his hands and toes. He really liked the bucket and shovel too. We may have to get a sand box for the back yard this year!

Love this "baby dune climber" behind shot!

I hope that the rest of April will be as beautiful as the first few days. Have a wonderful Easter everyone! I will leave you with some of my favorite Daddy-Christopher moments caught on film. It warms my heart every time I see them together. He really is the best daddy on earth!

Daddy teaching Christopher how to change his own tire

.....maybe he can teach mommy next! :o)

Daddy helping Christopher play peek-a-boo with mommy by popping

him up over the half wall in the kitchen.

Look at my handsome guys!

Awwww......