Facial Expressions

My favorite photos are candid and close up.

I just have to add how much I love having Quinn in our lives! ...he keeps getting cooler and cooler!

Quinn's book club

 I'm almost tempted to say 'Quinn's Book Club' has an even better ring to it than 'Oprah's Book Club!'

Quinn carried all of his favorite books over to his new 'reading' chair, and rounded up all of his pals for story time. Elliot the Elephant had a tough time staying up.

 Don't worry, Tuck doesn't get left out of too much... even getting read to!

Quinn's love of reading melts my heart!  ...I may have gone a little overboard with all of the photos, but it's just so darn cute, and I'm happy he loves to read!

Some Easter pics

 Quinn got a slinky and chair from G&G Sattler

 Quinn (14 months old) - Easter 2011

 Evy and Quinn - how cute are they?!

Our "official" family Easter photo for 2011

We had a great Easter! We went to church with my folks, and then headed back to their house to have lunch (it was also my sister's birthday!)

We had Easter supper at Jan and Stan's (they were hosting this year and had lots of extended family over as well). ...As you can see, Quinn enjoyed hanging out with Steve's cousin's daughter Evy! (I think they are first cousins twice removed? ...it gets confusing!)

I hope everyone had a great Easter!

He Is Risen!

...I am Saved by God's grace.

Not through my own understanding,

but through faith from the Holy Spirit...

I have been washed perfectly clean, by Jesus Christ suffering from death on a cross...

 I am more sinful than the east is to the west... Yet, I can rejoice along with all other Christians!

I know I am saved!

I have a heavenly home waiting for me because my Savior, Jesus Christ died on a cross to take away the sins of the entire world...for every race, culture, ethnicity...person. 

Christ died on the cross for EVERY person.

I know my Savior lives! Happy Easter!

 (I Had to post a day early because I know our family is going to be very busy tomorrow!)

Farm Animals at the Zoo

 This white goat kept on harassing us for more food!

 The goats and tractors were his favorites!

We had a great time visiting the zoo today!  But was it cold and drizzly/rainy!! ...we kept busy visiting the farm animals and then quickly headed to the dolphin/aquarium before the zoo closed for the day! 

Our Big Toddler

Quinn will be 14 months old tomorrow! (4/20/2011)

WOW. That's all I can say! 

As you can see, he is growing like a weed and looks more like a big boy and less like a baby.  He's been teething, and is in the process of getting his fourth molar. Soon he will have 11 teeth, and his smile melts my heart.

We're enjoying watching our little boy's personality grow bigger and bigger.  He has his own opinions now, and little things that never bothered him before, do now!

For instance, he is not a fan of having his sippy cup on his tray once he is finished drinking! ...And if he doesn't like something on his tray, he loves holding it out and waiting for us to take it from him.   (imagine how fun this is when it's a soggy, chewed on piece of meat, bread, cracker..etc. You get the point!)  

Other milestones:

Sleep: Going great! His bedtime is early these days. (Sometimes even 6pm) and he usually sleeps until 6-6:30.

Naps: He is down to about one a day... although sometimes he is kind enough to take two!  He usually sleeps about 1.5 - 2.5 hours.

Food: He is a picky eater these days :(  ...I'm hoping this is a phase that passes quickly.

Because Quinn has been teething and getting over a cold, we've been doing a lot of snuggling and reading. It amazes me that he often times will just sit with me for close to an hour. It's one of my favorite activities to do with him.  Hopefully it helps with his vocabulary/language skills once he's verbal :)

Trip to Ft Myers, Florida

 Our home away from home for three days.

 Our favorite find while on vacation!

 Gretchen, Katie, Pete and Amanda

Ft. Myers, Fl ~ 4/09/2011

My siblings and I headed to Ft Myers Beach, Florida on Friday morning (4/8) and stayed until Monday morning (4/11). We had an awesome time!

It was just the four of us, my two sisters Mandy and Katie, brother Pete, and myself. As soon as we landed, we found a shuttle to take us directly to our hotel for the next few days, and then began our quest for exploring the city and checking out the beautiful beaches! 

...The sand was absolutely gorgeous and felt so good to walk on with bare feet!   We enjoyed being able to walk to all the restaurants and shops that we visited. We found a fun little family owned restaurant while exploring, where they made delicious, homemade bagels fresh every morning!  ...We went there two mornings in a row and had the yummiest breakfast bagels and lattes (fruit smoothies and Chai tea as well). 

I truly savored this vacation, as it's been such a long time since I've been able to go on a vacation with all of my siblings! By the third day I was missing my husband and son terribly, however, and was so very excited to see them as they picked me up at the airport!

Thanks for planning this amazing trip, Mandy! I'm so glad the four of us were able to get away for a few days and enjoy some time together! Love you guys.