The Best Excuse Ever!

I have really been neglecting this blog!  I have so much to write about... a dream trip to Hawaii we took in July and many Eloise updates.  So, why have I been so negligent?

Well, here's my excuse:

I am in my 13th week of pregnancy with this sweet little beauty.  We are so happy.  Due Date: February 17, 2012.  I've had a rough 1st trimester, but things are looking up now!  Hopefully I'll get my other updates posted soon!

Mother's Day

This is also a catch-up post.  I had a really lovely Mother's Day.  Hansen and Eloise greeted me in the morning with a beautiful present-- a delicate, gold necklace with a tiny "E" as the pendant.  I was so touched!  The "E" (obviously) is for my Little Eloise, who made me a mom!  It was such a sweet, unexpected gift.  I will treasure it always (you can kind of see it in the picture below)!  We had a lovely time at church, and then (after a GREAT mother's day nap) we headed over to Rees and KayLynn's for dinner.  We didn't get many pictures, but I thought the one below was perfect for the day.  Eloise would clearly rather be eating than posing for a picture, but we'll excuse her grimace.

2nd 1st Birthday

This post is egregiously late.  As stated in a previous (and timely) post, Eloise turned 1 on April 26th!  This lucky lady had TWO birthday parties: one in Idaho, and one at Grandma KayLynn and Grandpa Rees's home.  Here are the pictures of our sweetie's 2nd, 1st Birthday Party!

I made raspberry cupcakes, and KayLynn gave her a bouquet of sweetpeas.

The Happy Birthday Girl!

The family, enjoying birthday dinner

Birthday swim!

Birthday Jacuzzi!

And finally, the cupcakes!  Singing the traditional birthday song.  Poor Anders!  We were celebrating his birthday too, but I'm afraid the little one got most of the attention!

Not quite sure what to do with that flame...

Touch it?   

Naw, bad idea. 

Mommy finally helped with the blowing out of the candle, so the cake could be enjoyed!

Happy Birthday, Eloise!  We love you!

Easter

We had a lovely Easter at Rees and KayLynn's home.  We love spending time there, and I was particularly grateful for the invitation to their feast, as Eloise and I were recently off a plane from Idaho and not feeling much like cooking!  Eloise enjoyed unloading her first Easter basket of goodies, and we all enjoyed one another's company.

Here are some pictures of Eloise in her Easter Dress and a few highlights of the day:

Eloise hates the feeling of grass.  Notice she's doing everything in her power to keep her legs from touching.  

Springtime in L.A.

A mama and her ducklings, discovered on our pool this afternoon

Beautiful Bedlam

The title of this post is how my Dad described the state of their home last week, when all of their children and grandchildren were there for a visit: "Beautiful bedlam." I'd say that's about right! We had such a great reunion.  Here are some of the highlights of the week:

I got to see Whitney and Joan shortly after arriving in Boise.  This was the first time I'd seen Whitney since her return home after her mission.  She is as beautiful and amazing as ever!  I'm so excited to see what unfolds next for Whitney.  I'm her biggest fan!

A lovely lunch at Cheesecake Factory (I stole this photo from Joan's blog-- thanks Joanie!)

There was LOTS of cousin play time.  Eloise was in heaven!

Eloise and Emelia

It's fun playing with Great Grandma!

Jam Session

Dance Party

Bath time at Grammy's is so much fun!

Rhonda had us all over Monday night for a big birthday bash and swimming party.  We honored all of our recent (and soon to be coming) family birthdays.  It was fun to have a birthday celebration for Eloise!

Coronation of the birthday girl.  The cute outfit was a gift from Grammy.

Birthday Smiles

Grammy and Sweetest Emelia

Eloise making Great Grandma laugh

Pool party!

Mom, Emelia, Rhonda and Eloise

Eloise isn't sure what to think about this!

After the first bite.  And, yes, she is tied to a chair with a towel.  Well, what would you do without a highchair?!  

One of the days we went swimming at the YMCA.  The kids had a BLAST!  

Mommy and Eloise at the 'Y'

The facility was awesome: see the fountains and the water ride in the back? 

Thursday night Grandpa Putnam treated us to a Mexican feast.  Yum!

The Motley Crew

On Friday we had a great early Easter celebration.  The kids dyed eggs, and late in the day we had an Easter Egg Hunt:

Dying the eggs

Jon, Ben, Eden

Adam

On the hunt!

Eloise's reaction each time I placed her on the grass

Safe in Mom's arms!

Justin and Emi

The eggs were everywhere!  Look high and low!

Thomas

Confetti egg fight!

We ended the day with a delicious Easter Feast.  I'm so grateful for that week spent with my family in Idaho.  A big thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting the bedlam.