Since I'm eating no wheat or dairy due to Karina's allergies, we have to be more creative with treats- there is generally nothing from the regular store that I can snack on- so we have to make our own. Annalise is just fine with this. She ADORES baking. Here she is making some mean gluten-free dairy-free brownies. There is always much stirring.

...and at least as much tasting.

After our brownies we took a walk. This sweet little dress was mine when I was little. It's so fun to see it on her. :)

Backyard Fun

Oh how glorious the weather has been. It's led to much time outside, especially in the backyard, which Dave works hard to make nice for Annalise. She loves to romp around, poke things with sticks, peep into neighboring yards, chase bubbles, point out airplanes, and chatter sweetly to herself.

Easter Sunday

On Easter morning, Annalise enjoyed a backyard egg hunt.

Then we went to church, and afterwards, to an amaazingly delicious catered dinner party (even for me, who could eat no wheat or dairy!) at the Newsoms' barn. Annalise loved their dogs and horses and chickens.

We went to Dave's parents' house for a bit before heading home and our cute little almost-crawler almost crawled.

We took a walk around the greenbelt in Oak Hills before calling it a night.

A lovely day through and through!

Playing catch-up!

I am behind on posting! This is from a month ago.

The day before Easter, Oak Hills (Dave's parents' neighborhood, where we used to live) hosted an Easter egg hunt. At two, Annalise was in the first and youngest heat of egg-hunters. She waited patiently with me behind the ribbon until it was time to go and then out she ran!

Not quite possessing the hoarding mentality necessary for success in such pursuits, she picked up one shiny chocolate and then headed back to show me.

We sent her back out and she did quite well.

Much better than last year when she only got one egg and even that was only because a boy scout kindly gifted her with it when her basket was empty.

Knowing it would be a bad idea, I carried her to the mascot-like Easter bunny, telling her he was very nice and would give her chocolate and wasn't she excited? She was so terrified she wouldn't even take his candy.

Grandma and Dave drove the car home while the girls and I walked back with Grandpa.

(Baby Karina was there too. :)

When we got to Grandma and Grandpa's, Annalise colored eggs for the first time.

Then we visited with some friendly Muilenburgs and their gorgeous Tulip Tree. I am in love with this tree.

Thanks Grandma L!

My mom, understanding the vast spell of love Annalise is under when it comes to princesses, sent her a princess dress (until now she only had her nightgown). Annalise was extremely happy with this decision. To say the least.

Around the block

I've made a big effort as of late to take the girls on a walk every afternoon. That's when the hours are dragging, we're waiting for Daddy to come home, and the day feels like it may never end. The walks help. Today we were gone two hours and walked to Dave's work and back to say hi.

On yesterday's walk we paid special attention to all the flowers we passed.