House-Hunting Trip to Maryland

It just so happened that our house-hunting trip to Maryland fell on the weekend of our 5th Anniversary. It was like having a 5 day vacation without the children- meals paid for, hotel paid for- too bad we had the stress of having to find a place to live!!! We really did have a great time once I got over crying every time I thought of the children! We stayed at a really nice Marriott in Bethesda. We were able to go to the temple during our visit as well. I surprised Kenneth with an Album that I had put together of all the professional pictures we had taken in our marriage: from our Wedding Announcement to the most recent family pictures. He was very surprised! I love that the sentimental gifts are what Kenneth loves the best!

Here we are on the evening of our Fifth Anniversary. (I am 6 months pregnant with Grant) We enjoyed a lovely evening at the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, MD.

Enjoying my dinner at Macaroni Grill

The view from our table.

Kenneth and me in front of the Washington D.C. temple.

Our Baby is 3 Years Old!!!

We can hardly believe Emma is already 3 years old. She was excited for months ahead of time for her birthday party and chose her own theme- "Cinderella". She was on a kick for a while there where we read the Cinderella story at least three times a day and she could recite entire pages word for word to us. Crazy! She was so excited to have all her little friends come over. She loved her cake, which I made in the shape of Cinderella and especially loved getting all the presents. We were probably overzealous in the amount of little ones we invited to the party, but didn't want to leave out any of her nursery friends, so we ended up having 11 little ones over. At least it only lasted 1 1/2 hours and many parents stayed with their child to help out.
That evening we went swimming in a special indoor swimming pool that could almost be called a small water park. Diane, Joseph and Ben came with us and afterwards we went out for pizza to celebrate again! It was a great day.

On Emma's actual Birthday, the next day, we went up to Potsdam, where Emma was actually born, to visit our dear friends up there before we left New York. It was so good to see all the good people in the Potsdam Branch and other friends we had made up there.

April

What fun times we had in April! We enjoyed time with family, knowing we would soon be moving. The first weekend in April we enjoyed watching General Conference at Diane and Joseph's home. Mom and Dad Larchar and Scott and Jenni and their family also joined in the fun. Truth be told, we don't really get much out of conference with all the little ones around, but we wouldn't get much out of it even if we were at home by ourselves either with our two little ladies!
Emma watching with Grandpa

The kids playing together

The three stooges- Lydia, Benjamin and Arianna

Our Liverpool Ward playgroup had an Easter Celebration- the kids dyed eggs, had an egg hunt and enjoyed time with friends.

Here is Emma dying Easter eggs with Jane and Michael Haymore. Melissa Fisk is helping them with her little Robin underfoot.

The girls, delighted with their spoils.

Here we are trying (unsuccessfully) to get a good Easter Sunday Photo of the girls. Can you say 'naptime'?
Emma hunting for eggs at home on Sunday afternoon.

The girls looking at the eggs they found.

After the long New York Winter, the children are always grateful when it warms up a little bit and the snow melts so they can go outside!

Happy Arianna!

Little Blue Eyes

Emma enjoying time in the sandbox

Emma picking the dandelions.

Silly little girl

You mean to say, this isn't what this is intended for?

Saying Goodbye

In the beginning of March we said our last goodbyes to Grandma Alzina Larchar. ('Gramma Gramma' to all the little ones) Well, our last goodbyes here on earth anyway; we know we will see her again. She died on her husband's birthday; what a lovely present to him! It is wonderful to think of them being together again!

Karen and Dennis were able to fly back to New York for the funeral. It was so nice to be together as a family on the farm.

This is the last time we saw Grandma. We visited her in the hospital in Hamilton.

Silly Uncle Dennis playing with Emma. He is a kid magnet; they love him!!

Snoozing with the boys- Caleb and Joshua

On a walk on Larchar Road.

Kenneth, Karen and little Arianna

Here's the gang on the traditional Easter Scavenger Hunt. (We did it a little early since so many people were in town)


Arianna swinging on the farm

What a good big sister

The cousins hanging out (Benjamin, Emma, Joshua and Lydia)

Emma and Arianna playing at Grandma and Grandpa's

Fun Times in February

Here are some of our fun times during this cold month:


Everything is more fun in heels!

Baby Arianna 'helping' in the kitchen

Do you like my hat?

Peek-a-boo!

Crawling all over Daddy!

Mommy's turn!!! We sure love to snuggle these little ladies!

Little blue eyes. How do you like this face?

Taking advantage of the only time with Dad they get- during his breakfast. Kenneth was gone so often during this time with school and work.

First pig tail for Arianna

The girls running around the circle in our home with the walking toys.

Coming around the bend

Here they go!!!

A special treat at the Mall. Mom had a coupon for the yummy pretzels.

Playgroup Valentine's Day Party

I love the moms of the Liverpool Ward!!! One of our playgroup days in February, we had a Valentine's Party complete with decorating cupcakes, exchanging Valentines and a good ol' romp around the gym.

Here are the kids decorating cupcakes.

Smiley Emma

Emma enjoying her cupcake with her little buddy Robin.

12 1/2 month old Arianna enjoying the space in the gym. Jane in the foreground.