Happy Easter!

On Saturday night, after the boys fell asleep, I dug out all the Easter candy from my secret hiding place (under the laundry sink), and began filling plastic Easter eggs with candy in preparation for the next day. Shortly before going to bed, I "hid" all the eggs around the house.

The next morning I awoke to Ronan standing beside my bed at 6:45am, saying that the Easter Bunny had come and he could see some eggs in the living room. We went upstairs to wake up Latham so that the boys could begin the hunt together!

Latham had his own unique style - instead of just putting the egg in his basket and moving on to find the next one, he instead emptied out the contents in his bucket and ditched the plastic shell.

Ronan was really good at not grabbing too many eggs, instead letting his brother get some too. In fact, I had to keep him from giving all the candy to his brother! He's a very thoughtful little boy.

Still emptying out the contents before looking for some more - at least it prolonged what could've been a very short hunt.

Ronan thought that the Easter Bunny was very silly for hanging candy in the lights above the kitchen table.

I didn't hide any under the couch, but all places were subject to search.

Happy boys after a successful hunt!

A few days before Easter, Ronan and I were talking about the Easter bunny and we had the following conversation:

Ronan - So you know the Easter bunny hides the candy.

Me - Yes.

Ronan - Well he doesn't do a very good job because I always find all of it!

While it was fun to watch the boys enjoy the secular traditions of the day, it was also important to us that they remember the original reason for holiday.

We hope you had a very happy Easter too!

Spring Break 2011

Last week was Spring Break, and Ronan had no preschool. Daddy was in Europe so my friend and cousin, Rachel came for a visit. Rachel has been here quite often, and her and I have some traditions that we do everytime she's here. For example, one morning each visit we head to IHOP for breakfast. We also take the trip down to Anacortes, Washington to shop at the cross stitch store there. I must say, Rachel and I are brilliant; we brought her netbook so the boys were happy watching Disney's Cars for the entire hour and a half that we shopped. Afterwards we went to lunch at an amazing place, Gere-A-Deli. I highly recommend their Fidalgo Bay cookie - it's huge and could feed a small country for a day!

The boys outside Gere-A-Deli.

Chowing down on lunch.

Shoving it all in his face. Notice the lettuce, sprouts and tomato somehow made it out of the sandwich.

Mr. Green Eyes. Love it!

My spunky monkey!

Rachel also got some pictures of the boys around the house during the week that she was here.

Playing on the "puncooter". They could do this all day if I let them. I do not.

Baby Fin-a-fin getting acquainted with the glo-worm. Can you guess why sometimes I call him "rooster"?

He's getting so fat!

Not yet three months old, and already copping an attitude!

We had a great time with Rachel, and I only have one thing to say, "Come back soon!"

Alison

Alison Lenore Holte

December 28, 1972 - April 3, 2011

Obituary

Alison Lenore Holte passed into the presence of our Lord, April 3, 2011, at 2:15 pm. She was the eldest daughter of Calvin & Rita Holte of Abbotsford.

Alison was born December 28, 1972, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She moved with her parents and sisters to Abbotsford in 1984, but in order to better care for her she moved to Victoria's Queen Alexandra Hospital for Children in 1985. In the fall of 1993 she moved to the Bethesda West Clearbrook home. With her roomates and caregivers she attended Fresh Wind Church, Circle of Friends and Trinity Praise Chapel. Alison enjoyed movies and concerts; she loved pedicures and spending time with friends and family. She often visited the local parks where she enjoyed God's creation.

Alison was predeceased by her Grandma and Grandpa Hiebert, Grandpa Holte, Aunt Elaine Ginter, Uncle Ron Stonehouse and cousin, Judith Anderson-Lopez. She will be remembered and missed by her parents; sisters Lara, Megan (Collin) McLoughlin, and Delta; nephews Ronan, Latham and Finnian McLoughlin; Grandma Holte and aunts, uncles and cousins.

Latham

Latham, our middle child, is such a special little man. He is funny and silly, and so energetic it makes me tired just watching him sometimes. He is now two and a half years old, and we can't imagine our family without him.

Help, I've lost my neck!

Comparing muscles with Daddy.

Licorice and a new pirate shirt - life rocks!