Another Big Night with Dad...I had to work last night but John and the kids had a blast. Jacob helped John organize the garage and then after Julia got up from her nap, the headed to the park by the bay to practice riding bikes. Jacob is SO close to being able to ride without training wheels. Then they came back for dinner and bathtime. Julia even took her first shower. John texted me several pictures at work and they were all so cute and they were all having such a good time. What a good dad!

Great Saturday...What a day! The kids and I got up and had a big breakfast. Then we went down to the pedestrian walkway for Jacob to ride his bike while I pushed Julia in the stroller. After that we headed to the park for the kids to play. As we were just getting home, John got home. The captain gave him a ride since he only lives a few blocks from us. Everyone came inside for sandwiches and to visit. Then we spent the rest of the day playing on the porch and just spending time together. The day finished up with some good ole Oklahoma fun...we raided our neighbors garage as he was setting stuff out to give away. We laughed the whole time cause we made a killing. We walked away with $95 metal gorilla shelves for the garage (which John had just bought but not yet assembled so we can return them and save our money), a really cute side table for Julia's room, a brand new kite, and 4 fishing poles. Ha! We laughed all night about not being able to take the country out of the Elliotts. By the time we were done and had also gotten our neighbor, John, involved, there was nothing left to set out to give away. Ha!

O What a Beautiful Morning...What a gorgeous morning! Jacob and I walked to school this morning and as I was walking back home, I just enjoyed the sunshine and light breeze. It was almost 60 degrees and you could smell the salty ocean air this morning. It was one of the "life is a blessing" moments. So, Julia and I are puttering around the house with a few windows just enjoying a nice spring morning and a little bit of quiet before the weekend starts. Ha! Then watch out...all the excitement with both kids in the house begins again!!!

Showing off her new fingernails...serious business in a tutu...ha!

Fun with Dad...Last night I worked at Sutton Place. John is such a super dad and the kids have so much fun. They ordered pizza, played hop-a-roo, had sword fights, and then Julia wanted to play makeup. She has her own blush brush and sponge. But then she decided she wanted daddy to paint her fingernails since I just got a manicure the other day. Mind you, Julia has never had her nails painted and we weren't too sure how patient she would be. But John the super trooper sat down and painted his daughter's fingernails for the first time. He even kept his cool when his daughter wanted one hand pink and one hand red. Ha! I would have loved to have seen it in person. Then they used the blow dryer to get them dry. Makin' memories!

Great Aviators...Here are a couple of pictures of Jacob and Julia in the cockpit of the airplane that flew us back to TX a couple of weeks ago. John knew and had flown with both the captain and co-pilot so the kids had a ball sitting at the controls.

Nor'Easter....We are surviving the Nor'Easter better than expected. Yesterday was a very windy, very rainy day. The leak in our ceiling cranked back up. But that only happens when it rains AND the wind blows directly from the east. It has something to do with where the porch above us meets the house (or something). We made sure we had plenty of supplies and then just hunkered down. The storm wasn't as bad as they had anticipated and the worst areas hit was the eastern coast any NYC due to flooding. Today is just cold and a light misting rain. Practically no wind...so that helps. Anyway, we are VERY ready for spring to really be here so we can be outside again.

Daddy Time...After a rousing game of pin the tail on the donkey, the kids have enjoyed reading time with Daddy the last 2 nights in mom and dad's bed. The conversations are hilarious and Julia has already memorized her new "Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy" book. She is using words like ecstatic and unique...ha...what a riot!

Easter...Here are a few pictures of the kids on Easter morning before church. So much for pretty Easter clothes...it was too dang cold! But we had a lovely day with Ma Mere and Pa Pere.

The Littlefields and Elliotts...While we were in Oklahoma, the kids and I went over to our good friends, Kristin, Scott, Barrett and Patrick Littlefield's house. We had a nice evening catching up, eating pizza, and playing. It is great since the kids just pick back up with their friendships. Yea!

More play area pics...

Playtime...While in Dallas, the kids spent a lot of time playing at the various play areas at the mall. Three of the malls in the area have these great play areas for the kids to romp and wear themselves out...especially since it actually had snow flurries the day before Easter.

Back Home...Had a great trip to OK/TX. It was so great to catch up with family and friends. We are already missing everyone but also glad to be home. Very tired! Jacob and Julia go back to school today. Will get pictures downloaded today or tomorrow.

While we were gone, John's brother, Jared, and his wife, Karen, had their new baby. Skye Elizabeth Elliott was born on Monday weighing in at 8 lb 11 oz. Big girl! Everyone is healthy. Congrats to them! How exciting!

Happy Easter...Happy Easter Everyone! Jacob, Julia and I spent a wonderful morning at mom's church and then out to the Marriott for a great lunch. It was mom, dad, the kids, me and my mom's friend, Joyce, and her two friends in from Mississippi. Julia made friends with all the ladies (Maureen and Betty) in the bathroom at the Marriott. She went around introducing herself and then showing them how she could do "ballet moves" in the full length mirror behind the bathroom door. I like to never get her out of the bathroom...what a ham! The kids even got their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Julia was obsessed with the bunny and just kept hugging the bunny. It was really cute but I bet the real person inside was freaking out when she didn't want to leave the bunny alone...ha! Unfortunately, John couldn't be with us but we were certainly thinking of him on this blessed day. After we got home, we had a mini easter egg hunt and promised to do more after naptime. What a day! God has certainly blessed us when He gave us His Son! Thank you, Lord.

OK/TX Territory...Well, after four days of trying to catch a plane, we finally made it in the DFW yesterday afternoon and on to Healdton last night. Long day but good to be here. The kids were so excited to see Gramma and Big Daddy and then Ma Mere and Pa Pere later in the week. Looking forward to some down time and just enjoying time with family. We were riding the bus to pick up our rent car and Jacob looked out the window and said "WOW, look how green it is here. This sure is a beautiful place!" Ha! Then they both kept spotting cows and horses in the car. It was no longer an everyday occurrence for them. Pretty warm here. Not sure I brought enough short sleeve t-shirts for me. Maybe an excuse to shop...ha! We can be reached by cell phone and email while we are gone if anyone needs us.