March Maddness :)

 Doesn't the saying go something like... April showers bring May flowers?  Well in Fresno, the flowers come in March!  And they are nothing short of breathtaking!  Let me just say, you are all missing out!  All the gorgeous orchards came into bloom throughout the month of March, beginning with the whites, and then the pinks, and then the purples.  Each week was a new scene of beauty.  This is the orchard literally right across the street from our house.

I love the picture below of Sailor.  She is so beautiful in the setting sun.  I love this picture because it's her real natural smile.  He hair is something of a wonder with it's natural highlights, and her skin has always had this tan glow.  It's so easy to be in love with this girl.

 Sunday cuddles on the couch are routine for us.  Saying these kids are in love with their daddy is an understatement, and he's a total sucker for them .

 More sibling love in Riggs crib.  Don't mind Sailor's Chinese princess outfit :)

 St. Patricks Day!  We had a lot of fun celebrating this holiday of Irish leprechauns and the color green. Running a little short on time, we threw together a quick leprechaun trap.  Sai colored a rainbow on the box and baited it with gold.  Unfortunately the leprechaun escaped but left a little treat and riddle in return.

 Tubby time!  I don't know what it is about bath time that makes me pull out the camera but I seem to have some naked pictures every month.  I think it's because both my kids LOVE tub time so they are all smiles and full of squeals.

 Sailor had a really fun Easter celebration and school.  They called it their "Jesus is Alive" party.  It's been amazing to see how much she's actually learned about Jesus and the Bible while attending Northside Christian school.  I teach her primary class at church and she is always shouting out answers to things I have never taught her.  The other day I asked, "How many days was Jesus in the tomb?" and she yelled, "Three!  But then he was alive again!  And that makes us so happy inside!"

 While we were at her school she showed me how she can do the monkey bars!  Her teacher said she's never seen a 3 year old cross those monkey bars by themselves.  Pretty impressing gross motor skills :)

I really wanted to get a few pictures of Riggs at 6 months old.  I finally got around to it a month later.  So here are a few of Riggs at 7 months old.  Honestly, I'm head over heals.  His toothless grin, rosy cheeks, and fluffy white hair melt my heart.  But there is one thing in particular about Riggs that tops all else.  He has this light in his eyes and depth that are so captivating.  He isn't afraid to make eye contact with you. And when you lock eyes he just fills you with joy.  It might sound silly but in those moments you can just feel his love and his sweet spirit.   He's happy.  He's a happy boy and that makes him such a joy to be around.  He grew and changed leaps and bounds this month.  He's a solid and official sitter now.  He also rolls onto his tummy now which he likes to do in his crib so he can unplug the monitor and eat the cord.  He is a talker!  He loves to babble and shriek with excitement!  I'm close to saying mamamama is his first word but I'm still unsure if that's his word for me or milk :)

 Sai was helping me get Riggs to look at the camera and smile but it wasn't long before she'd joined the shoot.  I ended up with some of my favorite pictures of all time!

 I can't fail to mention here that I celebrated my 29th birthday this month!  And honestly, it may have been my favorite of all time!  Can you believe we didn't take a single picture!  Landon made it a pretty special day.  He gave me the thing I want most in the world, he took the day off of work and spent the entire day with me!  First of all, he let me sleep in.  There is nothing I love more than waking up and laying in bed for a minute while a soak in the start of a new day and enjoy the comfort of my bed.  We spent most of the day shopping and eating frozen yogurt.  He let me shop my little heart out!  Later we went to dinner at a teppenyaki restaurant (my favorite)!  Landon, Sailor, and Riggs spoiled me all day.

 Oh the purple blossoms.  Honestly, no picture can do these trees justice.  They are all over Fresno and totally gorgeous.  This month was a real eye opener to me as I realized once again I am becoming my mother, who has become my Grandma Carmen, who became my Great Grandma Emily.  It has become comical how overcome I am by the beauty of nature lately.  Landon just has to laugh at me.  I seem to be just amazed by every tree, bush, and bloom these days.  I can just hear my Grandma Carmen commenting on some flower, mentioning the name of it, and the conditions for its growth.  Oh, what time will tell.

This is Dry Creek Park.  We spend many a days here.  It's one of Sailor's favorite places to go!

Our ward did a cute little Easter celebration!  Sai had so many older primary kids trying to help her find eggs.  It was so cute to realize how many little friends she's made out here.

 Landon and I have really enjoyed our little temple here in Fresno.  It's simple and intimate and such a beautiful break from the chaos of life.  It's been difficult to go together, being so far from helpful hands.  We finally paid a babysitter for the first time EVER so we could go together.

 Lewis's invited us up to their house in Dublin for Easter weekend!  It was really exciting to revisit our old stomping grounds.  Sai always asks to go to the park with the big field where we fly our kite so she was pretty thrilled to find out Jensen lived right next to it!

 It was crazy for me to look at and hold this grown up 7 month old at the park.  It left me reminiscing on days when he was still in my tummy.  We spent SO many days at this park.  I specifically remember sitting there wondering if this sweet baby would be a boy or a girl.  I remember eventually sitting at this park after 3 days of contractions wondering why I was past my due date and this baby was STILL in my belly!  It was so fun to share it WITH him this time around.

Last minute Easter egg coloring!  I think there were at least a few unbroken eggs in the end :) And finally bath time before bed on the eve of Easter morning.  There's nothing better than cousins!

 Good morning!  The Easter bunny definately didn't miss this house!  The kids had a blast hunting for eggs and their Easter baskets.  You could say the Easter bunny certainly spoiled this bunch!  Sai got some dress up butterfly wings, a Barbie coloring book, two My Little Ponies, the movies How to Train Your Dragon and Barbie Princess and the Popstar.

But her favorite gift of all was a Barbie toothbrush that spins and lights up for two minutes so you know how long to brush your teeth!  Wahoo!  She was SO excited!

 Riggs got a little puppy puppet.  You should see his face light up when it barks and pants at him.  He likes to wrestle with it and eat its nose :)

 Brit prepared the most INCREDIBLE dinner ever!  Aunt Dianna, Braden, and Kristen joined us too!  I was hit with a pretty wicked breast infection that morning so I was no help.  Brit single handedly made us a true feast!  They really spoiled us while we were there.  It was so great to spend time with them.  I'm pretty sure Sailor had the time of her life.  She thought it was pretty special having a sleep over with her cousins.  Thanks again Lewis family!

It was another fantastic month!  Highlighted by the celebration of our Saviors life, death, atonement, and resurrection.  What an incredible gift the atonement is and wonderful blessing it is to know we too will live again.  I owe him everything!  Spring brings a special energy of life!  I love the longer days and increased time spent out doors.  It's so refreshing and invigorating. We're looking forward to fresh produce and the greenery of new life.