Spring has Sprung!

This weekend was the first weekend since I returned to work that we had free! It seems I have worked almost every weekend, and the rare weekends I wasn't working, Don had something going on or I would be gone. It was so nice to have an unplanned weekend with just ourselves. We didn't do anything exciting. But just being together made it so fun. Don got up early with Kellen. Connor snuggled into bed with me this morning and we snoozed a bit longer. (Thank you honey!). We attempted to go down to the waterfront but it was sooo bitter cold that we didn't make it far before we ducked into the Little River Cafe for hot cocoa and scones. While we were walking back to the car, Connor kept stopping and pulled and poked at his shoes. He finally just decided to walk no further and wanted to be carried (very unlike him). We kind of forgot about this and then after lunch and naps we headed out to Wash Suare so I can get some pants hemmed (story of my life) and he started to do it again. So while I as getting my pants fixed, Connor and daddy headed over to the kids shoe section at Nordstroms and Connor got himself a darling pair of stride rite shoes size 7!!! Holy cow, he is getting so big. And then he literally ran himself silly all over the mall! I am telling you moms out there. If you are ever exhausted and need to wear your little one out, take them to the mall and let them loose! Connor loves the freedom and we love the long open walkways were he gets into minimal trouble!

My artistic shot of spring time in our front yard.

Our blooming japanese maple from Onchi's grandma's yard. The most coveted living thing in our yard!

Connor's favorite past time is playing in the "beep beep" Don was out washing his car and the boys and I hung out watching him slave away. I was hoping he would wash my car too, no such luck!

I love how I caught Connor mid-air jumping in the background.

Skyler Maree Comes to Play!

My good friend Holly is hosting a big bridal shower and needed to get some shopping done. Being that we are both moms of 2 kiddos, I insisted she bring little Skyler over to play while she ran her errands. And it was quite the entertaining hour. Skyler is the same age as Connor but her vocabulary is incredible. I was so delighted to here her talk up a storm about this that and the other. She ADORES Kellen! He was actually down for a nap when she first came over, but when he awoke, her eyes got huge "He's awake!!!!" she exclaimed! And then she darted off to the nursery and by the time I caught up to her,she was almost in the crib with him! Kellen is going to blush when he is older and sees how this older girl doted on him when he was a babe! What a lucky guy!

Connor's not quite sure what to do with a girl in his room. You will notice how bare it looks in the background. That is because our little 2 year old likes to detach things and throw them across the room at any moments notice. So we keep little ammo for him.

New Mold Free Bath Toys!

So that clever Easter Bunny put some bath crayons in Connor's basket - WAY COOL. A few weeks ago my friend Holly had emailed me an article about bath toys and the mold that can collect inside. Well I had suspected that water sitting in those squirty toys could not be good, and that there well may be some yuckies living on the inside. But I chose to be niave because they provided bath time delight to my little guy. But when Holly sent me the article, I couldn't ignore it any longer. I went straight to my nursing bag, grabbed my bandage scissors and snipped my way through the squirty whale, ducky, hippo and his friends. Sure enough, much to my horror, was gross black mold covering the inners of these little bath creatures. I was so disgusted! I threw each and every one out. So for the past few weeks Connor has had one cup to play with in the tub. Poor guy. Until the Easter bunny found those awesome crayons! Connor was in heaven. He colored to his little hearts content all over that darn tub. Unfortunetly that will most likely be the last time he uses them because 1) they were almost used up and 2) they don't really "wipe off easily" as the package would have you believe. Yes, after two coats of cleaner and lots and lots of scouring, it finally came off......

Those are footballs in drawn in the background. Connor insists we draw him basketballs and footballs everytime he colors. He is obsessed with them.

Happy Easter!

What a beautiful Easter Day! Well, maybe not the weather, but the day was filled with blessings, foods, cutes kiddos and family and dear friends! Perfetion. The only thing missing was, that darn Patterson Crew. We started the morning off in a mad rush to make it to 0830 Mass, but during breakfast Connor spotted an egg hidden by the easter bunny. "Da Da, Easter Bunny!!!!! DOWN! DOWN!" (He was up in the chair and realized the bunny had come and wanted down") So we got him down and he was off on his hunt. I think he found every egg in about 3 minutes, which was great because we really were running late to mass (as always...) Yesterday while I was working, Don and the boys met our good friends the Piacitellis who were in town for Easter for an Easter egg hunt so Connor had the routine down.
Our Easter mass was beautiful as always. It was great to see our friends there and all the kiddos dressed in their Easter attire. We didn't have our camera at church but the Curdy's did so hopefully I can post some pictures soon of the kiddos at church. We spent the afternoon at my parents enjoying a lovely dinner with my family, Don's mom and grandma, Sara Allen (a dear family friend from SLC) and the Eynard Family (another childhood friend from SLC who now lives here). The Easter Bunny was extremely generous this year and I think we have more candy than at Halloween...A second load ( I already brought one pre-easter load) of candy will be brought into work tomorrow.


Kellen is so tuckered out. Poor thing had a rough week with a double ear infection!
The Corcoran Clan - a rare family photo.

Mom and Dad and the whisky (making coffee nudges)

Maimo and Kellen!

Connor on egg hunt number 2

Kellen and his basket of goods~!

Kellen was a little basket destructor!!!!!

Easter Egg hunt number one!

Brothers - Best Friends!

Connor and Kellen are just at the very beginning of being able to really interact and play together. Kellen is growing up way to fast for me, if I could I would stretch out the newborn stage as long as I could. Most people do not prefer the newborn stage but I just love it. Something about having this tiny baby cuddle into your shoulder to sleep, cooing and moving their little limbs with wild abandon makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! But as I mourn my youngest on his way to, gulp, "toddlerhood", I also really look forward to the bonds of "brotherhood". When I look at them interact, I get so excited for the deep bond they will share as they grow up together! Aww, to be the momma of boys! Thats my job - raising young men!

Connor showing Kellen how to do the sign for apple!Haven't you always wanted to bury yourself in a pile of laundry that is warm and fresh from the dryer? Who knew how entertaining it could be for a couple of young lads! Long enough for me to get dinner going anyhow!

Party at the 'Rents While they are in NEW YORK, whooo hoo

So Michael, Sarah, Jeannie, Thomas and I along with our respective others and kiddos had a raging party at my parents house while they were in New York! Jeannie and Tyler and the gang were down from B.I. for the weekend and it just so happened to be the weekend my parents were back east so we had a barbeque to celebrate something very special - SAMMY is TWO! Little Sam Sam has a very special birthday, he shares it with me! March 22, the best day ever! Two years ago the entire Stuyvesant clan took over the waiting room at SW Wash Medical Center anxiously awaiting the arrival of the little guy - one of my favorite birthdays! And what a darling little boy he is - those curls, those big brown eyes, that devilish smile!Jeannie and Tyler - the proud parents!

Little brother Thomas and sister Sarah having a heart to heart!

Rachel holding a very stressed out Kellen!

Ellie, Erika and Joey! Or Ooey as Connor calls him.

Michael being Michael!

Who knew cornhole boards could double as matchbox car ramps!

RACHEL MAE!

Anchors Away!

My dad completed this boat anchor for Connor's room! I love it! It looks amazing and the craftsmanship is top notch. He is so talented. This is his first wood-working piece. I cherish it!