Visit from Virginia

We were so lucky to have Uncle Dave and Aunt Chris (and baby Hartter cousin, 28 weeks) come for the weekend. The boys loved showing them the ropes and getting them more prepared for upcoming parenthood.

They took them to one of their favorite playgrounds, Jackson's Landing. Uncle Dave snapped this shot of Joel, Jude, and Levi down at the landing....

Each time Dave and Chris come to New Hampshire it seems as though they bring the nice weather with them. We took advantage of the sun and took a trip to Wallis Sands....



No modesty....




Jude and Levi (and the adults too) loved the excuse to celebrate and enjoy some cupcakes. Happy Birthday Chris!


Levi was attempting to make a howling noise by blowing across the top of a beer bottle (thanks Uncle Dave for teaching him that trick)....
Dave and Chris found some time to snuggle with their niece and nephews.....



We attempted to get a family photo while they were here. The last one isn't too bad, but we'll keep trying....


AJ trying to steal the thunder...


The kids weren't happy at all about the outside photo opp...

The boys wanted to include Jack too, although they weren't too energetic about it....

We couldn't get a shot without Levi snuggling with his blankie...

Deep Thoughts By Jude Hartter

It's so fun to watch Jude interact with his little sister. He will be a big influence in her life. We pray that he'll be a good influence. Here is a little insight to their conversations....

Sunny Days

With record high temps this past week, it was time to pull out the stash of summer clothes. After dinner we headed out for an "adventure" on a local path. The boys were looking forward to driving their 4 wheeler on the path all day!






AnaLeah enjoyed a warm stroll in the Ergo...
She doesn't know it's impolite to stick your tongue out. (Notice the white tongue....it's just milk. We asked the Dr. because we thought it might be thrush, but it's just residue from breakfast, lunch, or dinner....or one of the many snacks in between.)

It's unbelievable, but this week we even had our pool out and filled with water. Who would have guessed 85 degrees, in March, in New Hampshire?

Weekly Happenings

This warmer weather is putting smiles on all of our faces! We have all been enjoying the wonderful fresh air....even at mealtimes!



Jude got his mid-year report card. He is doing a great job at school, with almost every skill mastered already. Unbeknown to us, his lowest remark was in cutting. (All my fault, I never let him have a scissors.) A day before we got his progress report, he decided that he was going to make a picture book out of magazine clippings. Here you can see him doing his finest work (notice his mouth open when the scissors are open and shut when he closes the scissors, so cute):




Much more alert these days, AnaLeah continues to smile for her brothers....





Taking advantage of the sunshine before we head off to church....
(Both boys are sporting their new "Crocs." I knew we ran the risk of getting crazy colors if we let the boys choose their own shoes this spring, but a family trip to Target it was. Joel and I would not have guessed that Jude would choose pink. Well, perhaps Ana will get a few hand-me-downs?)

Check-Ups

This week both Levi and AnaLeah had visits to the doctors office. Perfectly healthy, both kiddos were due for a check-up.

Levi had his 2 1/2 year check-up. Proud to report, he is a healthy, happy, energetic boy! Levi weighed in at 27 lbs and 34.8 inches. He's both in the 25th percentile for weight and height.

Ana had her 6 week check-up. I thought for sure she'd be off the charts with her chubby cheeks and all, but she fell in the 50th percentiles for weight and height. She weighed in at 10 lbs. 8 oz. and 21 3/4 inches. (Levi was 11 lbs. 12 oz. and Jude was 11 lbs. 4 oz. at 6 weeks.) AJ was happy as could be until she found out that she would be getting 3 shots and 1 oral immunization, yuck!

Tuckered out from the shots, AnaLeah napped comfortably in her soft new sweater that a friend of ours knit.

Spring is in the Air

Gone are the days of the snow cave....it has caved in!


We have been enjoying some warmer weather the past few days. It feels great to be able to open the windows, use the grill for dinner, and to steal away to the beach! Fresh air does the body good....




Jack is excited to finally be chasing ball again!


Boys will be boys! These guys are forever playing tackle. Even though it looks like Levi is getting it handed to him, he's often the instigator....

Breezy and beautiful, a trip to the beach to find some treasures....