Easter

We started Easter morning out in true Arciniega fashion--in our pajamas. After reading a "Jesus book," Katelyn dove into her Easter basket. It was filled with sidewalk chalk, Easter eggs filled with jelly beans and Goldfish crackers, packages of mini cookies, bubble bath, a V-tech phone, a lift the flap book, and play-dough toys. She examined each item very carefully.

Katelyn loves the books by this author.

After church, we headed over to the Stewarts for dinner and a cousin Easter egg hunt.

We wanted some pictures of her in her official Easter dress, so we took her over in that dress, but changed her for dinner and the egg hunt.

Notice how my shoes aren't on all the way. They announced the egg hunt and there was no time for buckles. You have to move fast!

The Rest of March

Here's my attempt at staying current on the blog. Here's a glimpse of what's been going on with us. Katelyn finally got her first haircut. She did a great job--didn't cry, fuss, or even wiggle that much. I guess that's why they put a TV at every station. Before During After

My brother and family finally get to be together in their new home in Georgia. My brother has been doing all his army training, and his family stayed here. Now, he's stationed at Fort Benning and they moved this past month. We watched the kids while Matt and Falicia packed and cleaned their apartment. We took them along with a friend from the neighborhood to a pizza joint. Katelyn loves pizza and you can see it all over her shirt in these pictures.

The big kids played laser tag while the little ones played in the kiddie section.

Totally last minute (talking about the night before), I decided to throw a "Green Party" for the cousins. I couldn't have pulled it off without Brianne's help though.

Cute Little Leprechauns

Katelyn loved wearing this headband. She wore it in the store, on and off through out St. Patrick's day, and then wanted to put it back on the next day.

A leprachaun left behind his box with all sorts of treats including "green potion."

We used that green potion to finger paint with whipped cream.

Bri cut out the parts for these adorable hats.

The leprachaun left a clue to start out the treasure hunt. The kids were all over the place--up and down the stairs, outside.

My mom actually wrote the clues. She has a talent for making things into cute little rhymes.

The kids were so excited when they found the pot with gold and other goodies. We also read some books and searched for all the green toys in the toy room.

My big achievement for the night was making corned beef and cabbage. I was a little nervous, but it turned out all right. Thank goodness for Crock Pots.

Katelyn looks like she is picking her nose, but the kids had macroni and cheese with a little green potion, cucumbers, and grapes.

Brianne made these adorable rainbow cupcakes. It was a fun night!

In the next few months, you will see a lot of zoo pictures. We bought a membership, so I have to use it! Katelyn and I went with a bunch of moms and babies from library time. Katelyn totally got excited this time. In February, she really didn't seem to care she was there. The minute we walked through the gates, she was pointing and making noises.

Again in February, she didn't want anything to do with the goats. This time around she grabbed a brush and went around to every goat she could get to.

Aren't they cute?

The babies loved the fish.

Another day, Brianne and I took the kids up to The Woodlands for a boat ride. They loved sticking their heads out the window. We also got up close and personal with some ducks while we waited for the boat. Afterwards, we played at the mall playground and went and got some frozen yogurt.

The New Year--Okay Two Plus Months Into It

As I've said before, when I get computer time, I usually scrapbook. Today I figured I would blog since I haven't done it in three months! Yikes! I do the scrapbooking to document life, but I wanted to share our precious memories with all of you that live so far away. Maybe, some day I will go backward and blog about Christmas...

In January, Katelyn finally decided that walking was a good idea. She'd been taking a few steps here and there and then all the sudden, she's all over the place. On the day I took this picture, I was trying to get video of her walking, but she just stood there and swayed back and forth and then crawled away. That little turkey!

My mom ended up staying here in the states the whole month of January. My dad was back for a week of it. It was so fun to have them in our home--oh wait, their home that we're residing in. My mom was a huge help--doing cleaning projects and watching and entertaining Katelyn. Israel and I even got a few kidless dates. We often would play games with my mom and dad after Katelyn went to bed. Who would have thought my mom would like Settlers.

While my mom was here, Katelyn and I went with her to Kentucky for Matt's graduation from army training and then on to Tennessee for Becca's baptism. It was a fun trip!

I can't pretend that Katelyn was the perfect traveler, but she did extremely well considering that we drove through eight states. She also decided she loves chicken nugget kid meals. (Credits: Wyld Web Designs)

Israel laughed so hard when he saw the picture of Katelyn's tiny head poking out of this tank. I couldn't believe how tight the space was getting up there.

While at my sister, Rachel's house, we went to the park. Katelyn loves the slide.

She and Isaac shared it all-bread and each other's snotty noses.

Becca and Katelyn before the baptism. Rachel's girls all adore Katelyn and spoil her rotten with attention.

The whole gang including Becca's other grandparents.

Anna pushed Katelyn around on the fire engine for a long time. Katelyn loved it!

The picture is way out of focus, but we frequent a place called Bouncin' Bears. It has all those blow up slides and moonwalks. It's free for parents and kids under 18 months. We've been there with library storytime friends, Bri and her kids, and some friends from church.

Katelyn is a huge help in the kitchen. Actually, I usually can get work done in the kitchen without too many disruptions because she loves the broom, her mixing bowls, and spoons out of the dishwasher.

Katelyn wore her red dress the Sunday before Valentine's day. Carmen went to church with us that day and was over for dinner and games.

I made heart shaped pancakes for Valentine breakfast. Katelyn enjoyed them, but not as much as her blueberries.

My mom and dad got her a baby doll stroller. Katelyn's favorite part was pushing the button to make the music play. She was in the process of opening the card, but would stop and bend over to push the button every time the music stopped.

Katelyn is such a good mommy. She gives her babies kisses and hugs, feeds them, and takes them on rides in her little car.

We went to the zoo in February with some new friends, Jimmy and Heather and their two adorable kiddos.

In the African Forest, they had bongo drums. Katelyn loves playing drums.

Yes, I crawled through a tight tube to get this prairie dog picture.

Katelyn went on her first carousel ride. She wasn't sure about it until the music started and Caden took her hand to make her feel better. So tender!

I sent Israel and Katelyn outside to play, so I could do some last minute cleaning before the Stewarts came over for pizza and games. Israel has recently found a love for photography and was playing with our camera. I just love how he captured Katelyn playing Peek-a-boo. He actually just bought a fancier camera (after these pictures were taken), so he can capture memories better. So, keep your eyes open for his new pics.

(Credits: Connie Prince_Brain Freeze)