happy spring!

 Gardening season is beginning!  Hallelujah!! Though the temps are still chilly, we are forging ahead and embracing the earth again.  It's been a long, long winter.  Our friends, and new gardening buddies the Bo-Jo family, prepped the garden beds with Erik last weekend.  We'll be sharing plots this year to use space most efficiently, and hope to have a full spring, summer and autumn crop.

Youngest Bo-Jo surveying the garden.

This sweet gal is loving the freedom of playing outside again and quickly edging into toddlerhood!

sunshine and signs of spring

The beginning of last week was cold and still full-on winter.  Late in the afternoon we were all cranky and resorted to watching different clips from Mary Poppins on YouTube. :)

Two days later it was sunny...still brisk, but we took the opportunity to take a walk in the Morris Arboretum.  And, we saw these beautiful and bright flowers peaking out at us!!!  HOORAY!!  I am so starved for color this winter, so seeing this yellow sunny sweetness was just what I needed. 

We also enjoyed the warmth of the greenhouse there - imagining ourselves in New Zealand for a bit!

Come quickly, spring!!

Chicago: #5 - Park Day!

Our favorite day in Chicago was the park day.  It was gorgeous weather, we packed a huge picnic and went to an awesome park filled many fun places to play!  

Meredith had her first try at the money bars - woot!

David's girlfriend, Carmen, and Aunt Aleksa :)

game rules...

Erik lovin' the sun, siblings and play time!

                                                

 Cheerleaders have arrived!  

Auntie Lita and Meredith came over to check out the rousing basketball game.

Meredith found a special new lap to sit on while cheering on the sidelines. :)

A very fun day in the sunshine!

Swings

This weekend Meredith had her first swing ride. :) She LOVED it!

...and Erik and I had a lot of fun too!

Hoorah for spring!

signs of spring

We've been enjoying new signs of spring each day. It's getting warmer slowly and we are thankful for more light and longer days. :)

Outside our kitchen window a robin is nesting!

Fresh spring leeks! Aren't these the most beautiful shades of green?

And...more sewing projects in the works. "sweet pea" flannel - just the thing for making baby burp cloths in the month of April (sweet pea flowers)!

spring walks

We got out our "heavy duty" :) pack for MJ this weekend and took several lovely walks together. MJ loves riding up high and is so interested in everything around her - lots of pointing at trees and people as we go, and giggles when she realizes she's even taller than Mama!

Spring is here!

This weekend was absolutely gorgeous! Sunshine, green sprouts and buds everywhere and fresh air. Yippee! :) It's been food for our souls...so very thankful.

On Friday, MJ and I spent time here and there throughout the day outside soaking up some much needed sunshine. Yes, vitamin D!!

snacks are always good, whatever the weather

clothes pins! MJ new favorite "spring" toy :)

it's bright out here!

warm sunshine!

Erik officially began planting this weekend - on the first day of spring. :)

We are excited to see how our garden does this season, now with 2 years of compost mixed into the soil.

And, as part of my weekend rest and refreshment, I did some sewing. I made curtains to brighten up our bedroom with some fresh colors. They help sooo much and we love them! MJ immediately noticed the difference and now loves pointing to the different colors and fabrics. :)