Apple Annie

Aunt Annie told Gracie that when she was a little girl she liked apples so much

that she was given this special nickname.

This story has inspired a young girl...

Apple GRACIE?!?

She likes the "fresh ones" best. She eats apple slices watermelon-style

and then says, "Trade you, Mom," and turns them in for a fresh slice.

Gracie's Apple Recycling Plan (ARP).

She's not sure what's cooler: eating apples

or getting to eat apples up on the chair at the table...

...this way she can "check on Joshy." :)

Sweet days.

Birthday Buddies

For the last nine months we joked about it happening, but were so excited when it actually did...

...Baby Kai and Baby Josh were born on March 25 and March 26! How fun to be at the hospital with Matt and Heidi too! Kai came 3 weeks early and we set our induction date (for the next day) right before we found out they were already at the hospital, preparing to deliver Kai. We were so excited! We had a fun few days of running between our rooms, just down the hall from one another, in the days following their births. We won't forget ooh-ing over each others' baby boys, sharing fast-food picnics, and nurses asking, "Now HOW do you folks know each other?"

A week(ish) after their birth days...peaceful Kai and not-so-peaceful Josh. (PLEASE tell me this is not a preview of personalities to come!!!) We know they'll be good buddies! So fun to share this time with you, Van Stickles!

TWO babies!

There are moments when Gracie slows down long enough to climb up into my lap to remind me that "Mommy holds TWO babies!"

She is such a sweet big sister. Each morning she wakes up and asks, "Where's Baby Joshy, Mom?"

And even Joshy's face and cheeks aren't immune to Gracie's touch--she loves to "hold Joshy's cheeks."

Easter Eggs and Papa Greg's...Birthday!

Easter fell the week after Josh was born this year. At one week of age he got his first trip to the Moser Farm to celebrate Papa Greg's 60th birthday--I have NO?!? pictures of this fried chicken extravaganza?!?--and Easter with the Weber clan. We had a great time celebrating my dad--his siblings came and we watched the Final Four games while anticipating the delicious fried chicken dinner that Dad requested. Easter was filled with egg hunts for the great-grandkids and lots of together time with my cousins, aunts, and uncles at G'ma Trudy and Papa LeRoy's house. We are so blessed to be RICH with family!

57 Years of Bliss

G'ma and G'pa Lochhead celebrated 57 years of marriage in March! If you ask Harvey, he will tell you the story of how he knew the moment he laid eyes on Dorothy Hill 58ish years ago--he knows the specific date, incidentally!--he knew she was the one! Such sweet stories they tell! Love to you both, G'ma and G'pa! (And for your information, 57 is NOT a prime number, folks!)

Morrow Love

The Morrows couldn't stay away for long! Three days after Joshua was born they came up for the day to meet and greet their new cousin. Abby reminded me that she was SIX and was big enough to carry Josh around, but she was very nice to let a worried mama do the carrying this time. Megan did a quick hold, and then Katie and Brady and Brooke got a good snuggle in. Josh didn't disappoint--he tooted while Abby was holding him (notice the pillow placed underneath Josh so that the toots wouldn't touch any girl clothes...) and snuggled soundly with his auntie and uncle.

"Baby Joshy." -Gracie, proud big sister

Cuddled up in G'ma Trudy's crocheted handiwork...

Kissable features...and a serious look he's becoming known for.

The one-eye peek is his other specialty--he seems to be deciding

whether it's worth the effort to open TWO...

And the cry that shows off his amazing lungs!

He is sleeping like a CHAMP during the day,

but he has been honing his vocal skills regularly

between the hours of 10 pm and 2 am.

Thanks for taking these pics, Auntie Julie!