Spring is Here!

Spring is here and we couldn't be more excited!! John continues to keep us on our toes and our pace of life hasn't slowed down over the last few months!

The end of January we placed our house on the market and had lots of activity and showings in the beginning, but as the market picked up in other areas, it slowed down here in Waconia. Much to our dismay, slowly the showings stopped and we realized that by having an agent working for us, we were no longer able to lower the price of our house to be competitive. We were saddened to decide to pull our house from the market last week, and along with it release our contingency and agreement on the new house we had designed to build, but knew that our house was not going to move as things were going. However, we did decide to place signs out and continue to try and sell it ourselves, since we didn't feel it would hurt to at least try. We had an open house last weekend when our neighbors also did and had some activity, so who knows what will happen! We are still optimistic and know that God has a plan for us!

Here are a few pictures of some late winter/early spring adventures!
John's first snow adventures!
Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

John found the fire chief hat in his room and became obsessed with it - appropriately when he was wearing his firefighter pajamas!

and then decided to scoot himself across the floor to get his toys, rather than walk to them!

Because our house has been on the market, we have been cleaning constantly and picking things up every night and every morning because of a potential showing while we were at work. John quickly picked up on the routine and now loves to vacuum and dust. Here he is wiping off all the handles....

and doors....

the front of the stove....

and even the front of the refrigerator!! Too cute!

On St. Patrick's Day, we took some pictures in the same spot we did last year. John has changed just a bit!!! What a big boy!

Last year...
This year!

John loves to play with his trucks and cars every morning before we head to
work/Grandma and Grandpas!

Over the last 2 weeks, Phil and I had spring break. During our time off, we were able be at home with John over the first week and travel to Chicago for Easter and then attended the National Catholic Educator's Conference in Minneapolis last week. We enjoyed time off together and had a taste of what summer will be like in 41 days (but who's counting?!) We spent some time at the MN Zoo and John loved all the animals! We had lots of "roar"ing as we saw all the animals!

Daddy and John...priceless!

We traveled to Chicago over Easter and loved every moment we were able to spend with Mike and Jeanna. John loved his Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeanna time and now when we look at pictures, he is quick to blow kisses to them! He is so precious! We went to the Lincoln Park Zoo during our visit and saw many animals we don't have here at the MN Zoo. It was a wonderful afternoon and weekend! Look, Uncle Mike! It's the lions!

Let's go over here, Uncle Mike!

So bright!

Look at the giraffe!! He's my favorite!

Precious smiles!!

John loved riding on Uncle Mike's shoulders! Best view in the house!

On Easter, John enjoyed "finding" his Easter basket (which was on the coffee table) and seeing the goodies the Easter bunny had left for him! Mike and Jeanna gave him a bunny, which he loved playing with, as well as a set of Peter Rabbit books. John paged through each book meticulously and "wow" was muttered as he read through each book!

Look at my bunny, Aunt Jeanna!

Other fun pictures.... John was on a nap strike this weekend, but don't worry, he doesn't seem tired at all, does he?? :-)

Riding around in my automobile!
Over the last few weeks, John has started to talk more and has been able to identify letters and sounds, along with animals and their sounds. He loves to play outside and throw around his football or basketball. We have all enjoyed taking walks daily as the weather has been nice. It's hard to believe that he's so big already! John continues to be artistic and thoroughly enjoys coloring and drawing. When one of us writes a note, John has to do the same! He is definitely in the monkey-see, monkey-do phase!

As we look toward enjoying the spring and summer, we are thrilled that the warm weather is upon us and family time can now occur outside as well. We hope the spring is treating you well!