Outside Playtime...before the snow (again!)

Ok, so I hope I didn't jinx us when I posted we were done with winter...snow is on it's way again!  BOO!!!  When we returned on Sunday from our trip to Iowa, Nolan looked out our front window to see the neighbor girls riding around the cul-de-sac in their Cadillac Escalade motorized toy car.  Of course he had to get right outside and join them!!  So, he hopped onto his little motorized Kawasaki 4-wheeler and tried to keep up with them.  It was so cute to watch him chase them around...the Cadillac was much faster so Nolan was always quite a bit behind :)

Once the battery died on the Kawaski, Nolan tried out his tricycle that Grandpa Holthaus got him for Christmas.  Still trying to figure out the pedaling part...

Ellie's 1 Month Photoshoot

I can't believe it, my little Ellie is 1 month old!  She is such a sweet baby...still very mellow.  Almost sleeping through the night now which I absolutely appreciate :) 

Here are a few pics from her 1 month photoshoot:

It's so tiring getting older!

She has it so rough :)

Grandma's Irish Boys

This weekend at Grandma Hickman's, all the grand-kids were given their Easter/spring baskets early.  The older boys were each given an Irish hat.  They each loved wearing their hats and looked so cute! 

In Ellie's basket was her first Barbie doll.  After years of only playing with 'boy toys' of trucks, cars and trains...it was a change to see the doll!

Some fun morning conversations!

Nolan can't handle the excitement!!

Pondering her new doll...

Getting Ready for Bed

I had both the kids laying on the bed the other night getting ready for bed.  As usual, Nolan loves to snuggle with Ellie any chance he gets.  Here are a few pics from the moment...

Nolan and Ellie meet Rosie and Jack

While home on my Ames visit, I was able to get together with one of my close friends, Jennifer.  I've known Jennifer since highschool.  Our story doesn't end with Jennifer and I, it goes further... 

Jennifer and I became friends in highschool.  We then introduced our younger sisters and they became the best of friends.  Later, when I was dating Jason, I brought Jenn along to hang out one night.  It was that night that she met one of Jason's roommates...that roommate is now her husband.  They have Rosie (2 1/2) and Jack who is just a few weeks older than Ellie. We love their family and don't get to see them enough.  I was so happy we were able to introduce our newest children to the group!

Rosie is the sweetest little girl who stood by quietly as Nolan tore through her toys.  Only a few times did she show concern to her mom.  Shortly before we had to leave, Rosie and Nolan were playing in her room.  Jenn and I had been sitting in the living room when we heard giggles.  They were so cute playing together!

Hugs before we had to leave...

Ellie and Jack, a future super-couple :)  Jenn and I were joking how fun it would be to watch Jason and Mark as Father-in-laws!

Hickman Cousins

During our visit to Ames, we were able to spend a lot of time with my sister and nephews.  She has three boys...ages 3, 2 and 14 weeks.  They are so absolutely cute and Nolan just loves to play with them.  It can get VERY loud and VERY crazy...but that's just part of the fun.  Add 4 dogs in the mix and you can lose your mind!  My sister always says Mom loves it when we all visit, but loves it when she gets her house back :) 

It is so cute to watch the boys interact.  For the most part, they play really well.  However, there are a few favorite toys and the same one seems to be the favorite at the same time.  This brings the tears, but after a quick diversion, the smiles quickly return!

Middle nephew....

Nolan loves babies!...on the floor with cousin (youngest nephew):

One of the "he has the toy I want" moments...classic!

The two newest members, Ellie and youngest nephew:

Miss Ellie taking a nap while the boys played outside:

Oldest nephew playing with one of the favorite trucks:

The boys on Jason's new toy...more on that in a different blog entry :)

Cousins Nap Time!

After some fun, but crazy, cousin play-time, the 3 older cousins were worn out!!  It left my sister, Autumn, and I some time to catch our breath, clean up the path of destruction...and talk :)

Grandma Hickman had purchased 3 little fold out beds for each of the boys and they loved them...nap-time made easy!