Peonies

I love peonies. They are my favorite flower--probably because my Grandma Maurer had a row of them lining her garage. They bloomed beautiful white and pink flowers every May just in time to take to the cemetary for Memorial Day.

I tried to grow a peony bush at our house in Dayton, but we had too much shade. I was so excited when we moved to this house--which has no shade--and we had 2 bushes on the side of the house. They have grown into the biggest peony bushes I have ever seen! They are at least 4 feet tall without the blooms. We brace them because, inevitably, right after those big blooms pop out we get a huge storm and they turn to mush in the mulch--plus I just hate to see them all drooping over from their weight.

So, here are some pictures of my fragrent, beautiful peonies in memory of Grandma Maurer.

A Belated Welcome to Jada Christine!

My brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Becki, welcomed their second daughter, Jada Christine, on April 26th.
She's a cutie with soft, curly brown hair--its origins remain a mystery.





Vivian with Nicolas, Aubree, Julia with Jada.

Spring Family Pictures

We had pictures taken last week for Vivian's 2nd birthday and Nicolas' 4 month update. Here are a few of our favorites. . .

Happy 2nd Birthday Vivian!

Vivian turned 2 on May 5th. Where has this last year gone (do I say that at every birthday?)

Anyway, here she is at 2 and a look back at at 1 year ago and when she was just a few days old.

Daddy's Little Reds Fans

We had the kids all dressed up for Opening Day!

Go Reds!

Easter

We had a busy weekend. Babci (Dan's mother) stayed with us and we hosted Easter dinner.

Here are the girls after the egg hunt at church--it started raining just before we got there.

Julia and I coloring eggs--even though neither of the girls likes eggs.

Here's Babci entertaining Vivian.

Nicolas looking like a handsome boy before church Sunday.

It's hard to take picture of all 3 looking nice at the same time.

Julia checking out the goods in the egg.

Vivian trying to get the egg before Julia.

It was a tiring weekend but enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

We look forward to the day when Easter will be more about Jesus' Resurrection than the Easter Bunny and candy.

Nicolas at 3 Months

Nicolas turned 3 months last week---can't really believe it!
Here a few of his latest looks. . .


sweet boy


kissy face



he's found his hands. . .



and his thumb--which he prefers to the paci.