Tulip Time in Pella (Minus the Tulips)

My brother in law is from Pella and we went up for Tulip Time last year and had a great time so we went back this year.  With the crazy spring we had, the tulips came around Easter (about a month early) so we missed the flowers but had a blast anyway. 

Last year in the wooden shoes...

This is her "look at me Easton!" pose.  Learning from big sister I think.  Tradition is to sweep the streets before the parade in traditional Dutch garb.  Grandma Sue let the girls wear some family outfits so they could sweep too.  They loved it.

Sweet Baby Fisher slept through the whole thing.

I sort of want her to have this belly forever...

The apartment we stay in is at a perfect corner for the parade and there's a great spot on the roof with a birds eye view.

We found the troughs of water they keep on the streets for the "sweeping" and Emerson asked if she could splash.  I think she was shocked when I told her she could...                                                       

And then we let Easton go to town with an ice cream cone.                                                                    

Uncle Ryan and Baby Fisher (or "Shisher" as Easton calls him.)

Parent Watch Night

Emerson had her parent watch night at dance class where we see what they've been up to and they get their recital costmes. I couldn't go but Ryan took a ton of pictures for me and said she did a great job.

Griff's 3rd Birthday, Opening Day, and more.

Griffin turned 3 on April 6 and Amber had a breakfast party for him, which I had never been to before. It was great. Breakfast casseroles, doughnuts, monkey bread the smell of coffee. (Never liked the stuff.) Anyway, it was a hit and if I were a morning person, I'd steal the idea. The kids demolished the pinata and even Easton got a turn.

At some point, Emerson learned how to spell her name.  Granted, it's "Emersom" right now but I think eventually it'll sort itself out...   :)                                                                                             

Ryan had never been to an opening day before and I was bound and determined to make it happen.  Long story short, many e-mails back and forth to his boss and a party bus arranged by Matt Mac, he was surprised and so excited.  It.  Was.  Awesome.                                                                               

One of my BF's, the Fish.                                                                                                                      

My mom bought Emerson and me tickets to Disney on Ice so we could have a date.  I took her to Red Robin and got this gem.  So sweet, that girl.                                                                              

My best friend Jayme's son, Evan, turned 3 about a week after Griff and the girls had a blast at their house, as always.                                                                                                                                    

It was a circus theme...  Ha!                                                                                                                 

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend- so busy- so much fun. The Hoyts were in town so my mom graciously hosted all 9 kids under the age of 6 at her house. We had the best time catching up and letting the kids run around.

She also bought a bounce house.  We've successfully killed a large patch of grass in her backyard.

The kids couch picture, oldest to youngest.  (Audrey wanted to sit in the chair- she's in it, that's all that matters!)                                                                                                                                       


Ryan had a great idea to have the Easter Bunny "ring the doorbell" and leave the girls' baskets on the front porch. They loved it.

 

They got their Eater eggs at Grandma Margaret's house.                                                                    

Success!