Our Yearly Pender Visit

Enjoying some chips outside. (I know it looks like they were drinking too, but that was all Mason and Mark.)

Last weekend Mason, Sara and Isa came for their yearly visit. :) Actually they were "in the area" for a Saturday Earth Day marathon and a Sunday baptism, which was awesome for us! We definitely would love to get together more with them, but it just never seems to happen. Hopefully we'll be able to plan a trip up to Detroit Lakes soon.
Isla and Anthony had a great time playing together in the Jumper and with toys. They were funny to watch because they are both in the "mine" stage and constantly saying NO. It was great to see how much she's grown and how she constantly talks throughout the day.
The best part was Sara and I were able to sneak away to the outlet mall in Albertville and find some great deals as well as catch up on chatting. Overall, the visit was way too short, but we enjoyed it immensely. Hopefully we'll be able to do it again soon... Maybe when Baby Pender #2 comes in September!?

This is an awful picture and in no way captures the fun they were having...

Who needs a towel?

Air drying on nice days like we had last week really is the best option for Anthony. Our neighbors undoubtedly think we're crazy...

Fun Times

This is definitely a no no, but clearly a lot of fun for a two year old.

Here's proof as to why it's always fun hanging out with Auntie Manda, Uncle Damon and Uncle Erik. He can do just about anything and they think it's funny PLUS they know how to have a lot of fun. I'm sure glad they are a big part of his life.

The green wig was a bit scary at first for Anthony, but then it turned out to be a lot of fun to play with!

Happy Easter

I wonder if Anthony will be able to find his Easter basket this year?

Yay! He did find it with some help from Zoey too!

Easter baskets are great, but pretending to be a dog like Zoey is even better! I wonder when the fascination with her kennel will wear off for him?

On Sunday we celebrated Easter with Marv and Carol with a yummy brunch. Anthony spent most of the morning eating - treats from his basket and the famous Hanson 6 and 2s, which he loves. When it was actually time for brunch he spent more time entertaining us at the table then actually eating. Oh well, I don't think Grandma Carol and Papa Marv minded too much.
Yesterday was beautiful! After getting home and unpacking/starting the laundry process we spent a lot of time at a nearby park. I know that Anthony has grown since last summer, but it was really evident watching him go up the stairs, go down slides, on the swings, etc. Where did our baby go? He's clearly a big boy now and likes to tell me that often. (Unless he's having a bad day and doesn't want to do something. Then he'll exclaim that he's just a baby.) We also were able to go on the baseball field and run the bases. Anthony liked touching all of the bags and pretending to get a home run. (Okay, I had lots of fun doing that too!) It was really nice to spend the rest of our Easter day together as a family being outdoors and having some fun.
Thanks to all of our family for a great weekend Easter celebration. It was nice to see everyone and be able to spend lots of quality time together. I'm looking forward to our next get together. Maybe some camping and fishing time together in May?

Oteneagen Road Fun

Anthony and Papa Willie eating green olives together.

Oh, how funny! For some reason Anthony LOVES olives and pickled fish now, but hated it last Easter. Interesting and GROSS!

Playing hide and seek with Auntie Manda and Uncle Erik is so much fun! I wonder if they will ever be able to find him?

Peek-a-boo!

The top that lights up was a huge hit for A and he enjoyed playing with it. Especially since auntie and uncle were playing too and he had their complete attention.

After spending time in Chisholm, we went to my parents' house to spend the day with them and celebrate Easter. Anthony had a great time playing with all of his toys there and spending time with my family. It was nice to get everyone together for a home cooked, yummy mom meal --- the first of many in the new house! The highlight for me was watching Anthony interact with everyone; it is clear that he's surrounded by people who love him.
As usual, I didn't do a very good job capturing all of the day's memories. Luckily for me, Manda certainly did. You'll have to check out Team Tuttle as I'm sure she'll be posting her fabulous shots of the day soon.

Visiting Great-Grandma

Great Grandma Jean and Anthony posing together on the couch.

Jocie and Anthony being goofy and having some fun!

Finally! They are both looking at the camera.
Nice tongue sticking out little man...

On Saturday morning we went with Marv and Carol over to Chisholm to visit with Great Grandma Jean. It was a happy birthday/thank you/Happy Easter celebration all rolled up into one. We were surprised and happy to see Brian, Jocie and Logan too. Anthony was very quiet most of the visit, but warmed up at the end. Jocie and him were running around the house and playing together, which was quite cute. Hopefully we'll be able to get the second cousins together to play again soon.

The Goodwill Find!

Two weekends ago while I was up in Grand Rapids I found this awesome Pier 1 set at the local Goodwill. I initially fell in love with the look of the vase and bought the plate too after a lady pointed it out. (Good thing since I didn't see it at all!) I thought they would be a good filler on our large, what-do-we-do-with-that-space? shelf in the entryway. Now that it's up there I'm not too sure. The color blends in with the paint and it doesn't really pop at all. Plus, what should the layout even look like? Once again it makes me realize how much I dislike decorating. I watch HGTV and love the outcomes of those shows, which make a house look like a home. When I try to do it, though, it all falls apart. I think the main problem is that I don't know what my style is and I haven't taken the time to play around with different things - pictures, colors, vases, etc.
Clearly, this space needs some else, right? For one thing I would love to add some color to this room. My exciting finds don't really add that at all.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Any takers to just decorate my house so I can be done with it???

Play-Doh Time

Clearly, I haven't grown up yet. For some reason Play-Doh has always been a fun activity for me and growing up I wished I had all of the "cool" accessories that went along with it. Anthony got some great Play-Doh gifts for Christmas and recently we have been playing together. (I am SO HAPPY he loves playing with it and using his imagination to make spaghetti and pizza and snakes because it means I get to play too!) The amazing part for me is that he'll sit there for almost an hour at a time trying new things and having fun. Looks like it is a win-win situation for Anthony and mommy!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Anthony posing with Grandma Kathy and Grandma Carol. What a lucky little guy to have two grandmas that love him dearly!

He really enjoyed the egg hunt in the gym!

Coloring Easter eggs was fun too, but that darn bunny kept coming around!

Anthony got lots of cookies to decorate and give out to the people he loves.

Finally, a smile appears on his face! After two-hours of being a bit skeptical of that goofy Easter bunny - Bun, Bun.
Does the bunny look familiar to you?
She should!

Last weekend Anthony and I traveled up to Grand Rapids to have breakfast with the Easter bunny at the YMCA. We invited the grandmas to come along with us and have lots of fun too. The whole set up was great and it should have been a blast for A; however, he was not into the bunny this year. Last year he warmed up quite quick to the bunny and did a great job. That wasn't the case this year. He didn't smile, didn't laugh and wouldn't even look at the bunny. He just continued to stare straight ahead whenever the bunny would come around. The bad news for him is that darn bunny kept coming around to visit and tickle him with her ear.
Have you figured out who the Easter bunny is yet?
Drum role please...
It's the one, the only --- AUNTIE MANDA!!
Of course there are many perks to having your auntie be the bunny. Unfortunately, Anthony wasn't liking all of the extra attention until the very end when all of the other children left and he just had some one on one time. We all thought she had totally tricked him and he didn't know her identity, but right as we were getting ready to leave he asked where Uncle Damon was at. I guess nothing gets past him.
Thank you, Grandma Carol and Grandma Kathy, for coming with us! And thanks to the crazy, wacky and super fun Easter bunny/auntie too! Can't wait until next year to do it again.