Easter, Self-Portraits, Models, Birthday Girl

This year's Easter Bunny was "Friendly/Hippity-Hoppity Easter Bunny" compared to last year's "grown-man-in-furry-costume-getting-ready-to-rob-bank-Easter-Bunny", and strangely enough, neither child was too receptive.  This is about as close as either one of them would get without shrieking.  

The lazy ones waiting for their cousins to fill their baskets.

Eggs: Kalani = 2, Zoe=0

The only picture I have of Lucy hunting for eggs.  I don't know how she managed to get empty eggs.  My theory is either the quicker children took the candy and put the empty eggs back, or as a way to save money, the Easter Egg Bunny laid a few empty ones.  
Cousins picture.  It is going to be a long, long time before we get a decent shot of all of them.

Maly, Alison, and Zoe experimenting with the self-portrait option.  Uh, yeah.  There are some definite keepers in this collection...

Nice.

My Mother and Grandma recently came back from a trip to Laos.  They brought all the girls matching outfits.  So very chic and pink and noisy.  Every outfit has at least ten mini-bells.

Grandma Maly, Lucy, and Pari.  

Zoe turned one a month ago, but we celebrated this weekend.  I'll blame it on scheduling, but really it's just procrastination at its finest.  Things Zoe enjoyed: the singing, the presents.  Things Zoe did not enjoy: not being held my Mom, the taco bar dinner, the cake.  Things Lucy enjoyed: being held by Dad, the singing, the presents, the taco bar dinner, and especially the cake.  Things Lucy did not enjoy: being told there was no more cake.

Momma and her girls, Aunt Sue and Kalani S.  

Grandma Penn and the easily-amused Kalani.  Those cheekies are so juicy.  That child is definitely not missing any meals.

Oh yeah, I didn't post any pictures, but Lucy got her first "real" haircut a few weeks ago.  If you ever wondered why Lucy always wore her hair up, this is the reason: Hair pattern and growth is weird.  Lucy's hair grew so fast in the back and took forever to get any thickness or length up front.  What I'm trying to say is if I let it grow to its own accord, this child would naturally have a mullet.  No Joke.  The hairdresser took a little over three inches off the back, trimmed her bangs and took nothing, absolutely nothing, off the front and sides.  All that was missing was the Natty Lite can and half-smoked ciggy.  Mullet-Skullet rest in peace.

My silly girls.

They are so loving and affectionate.  I couldn't have asked for sweeter girls.

Spring Break

Most folks think of spring break as going somewhere tropical with exotic drinks either poolside or on a beach.  Not us.  Our version of spring break consists of a sweet Marriott hotel with a slightly frigid indoor pool and a view of the interstate.  The destination you ask? None other than Cabo San Des Moines.  It is a central place for us to meet and we had a great time - always nice to discuss everybody else's dysfunction while complimenting ourselves on how great we are.  Given the recession and economic conditions, I assumed we would not have to wait for a table when we decided to go eat - but apparently there is something about chain restaurants in West Des Moines that attract large crowds of people.  During the two hour wait at Texas Roadhouse, it was a perfect time for a photo opportunity.  

Here are Nanthida, Charles, Iain and Katie in-between taking trips to ask when our table was going to be ready and complaining to management.  

Lucy and Zoe with Grandma J and Aunt Peggy.  There is a board behind them that displays when your table is ready....notice that nothing is lit. 

Lucy showing a little midriff - I think she gets that from her mother.  Her dad has since bought her extra long shirts - which is a trend that will continue into adulthood. 

Zoe in her standard pose - I think she calls this one 'blue steel'.  I tried to tell her that the name was already taken.

Lucy and her dad in what looks like dance practice.  Her father's dance moves are so awesome and yet rare to catch on camera - some things are just meant to see live.  

Group hug.  Lucy is a very sweet girl and loves her sister...most of the time.

Lucy helping Zoe with her presents.  She is such a good helper that way.  She will even demonstrate to her little sister how things work.  But don't assume that Zoe is passive, she defends herself with a stealth-like hair pull when nobody is watching - and will smack Lucy in the face when she is sleeping.  Hey, if a bear craps in the woods....

Lucy is getting to be so big - she has now transitioned herself into pullups.  Not sure that she has it on correctly but the box didn't come with directions - I guess you are just supposed to know these things.  Anywho, here she is showing her biggest fan (Zoe) how its done. 

And as always with a spring break trip, we are counting the days until next year.