Spring Time

The sun is out and the temperature is rising. The pollen is out too but we have not been letting it bother us. Our neighbor, Hollis, had a birthday party where the kids got to decorate bird houses. Pictured below is Olive June's fabulous, pink, and sparkly house.

The kids have been playing in the backyard a lot. On many occasions it is the only way to get the house quiet enough for Catalina to take naps. Below is a picture of Olive June and Catalina drawing with chalk on the back porch.

We all had a nice breakfast in the backyard last Sunday. We enjoyed the sun and the fresh air. Catalina enjoyed the freedom of climbing around at the table.

 Catalina loves the playhouse in the backyard.

In this picture she is smiling at me through a screen.

Another great smile.

And here is daddy with all three kids.

March

 The weather has been a mixture of really nice some days and just plain cold other days. St. Patrick's Day was warm enough for the kids and I to go to the park. We went to Bear Hollow, our local Zoo park, where the kids received green beads which they loved.

 

 Back at home Catalina enjoyed a meal time.

 Another day I took Catalina and Olive June to the park while Griffin did his homework. The girls are really starting to have fun together.

 The weather has been nice enough for us all to start playing in the backyard. Here is the rare picture of all three kids playing together.

 Catalina getting into the Cozy-coupe.

 Griffin hiding behind a tree.

It was so nice that the kids went outside in their pajamas before bedtime.

Catalina having fun in the garage.

 Griffin and I laid out in the warm driveway one day.

 Here is a rare picture of the camera man and Griffin. This was my beard at it's longest and it was trimmed soon after this picture was taken.

 Olive June and Catalina having fun with the push-car.

Finally, we move onto Easter. The kids were so excited this year. It rained the night before, so egg hunting was conducted in Crocs and Rain-boots.  Here is Catalina looking at some eggs.

 Mama Mollie with baby Catalina.

The big kids on the hunt.

 They were having so much fun.

 Look at what we got.

 

 Even Catalina enjoyed sorting through her eggs.

We hope you are all doing well. Thanks for visiting.

Valentines and Visitors

Valentine's Day is always sweet, specifically with the kids and candy, and this year was no exception. The kids love opening all the cards they get sent and we all appreciate the messages.

 Griffin reading a card to Olive June.

 Griffin loved this music filled card.

Olive June loved this card too.

 It was a good morning for the whole family.

 Another day, Catalina enjoyed eating a bit of a smoothy.

She got a nice mustache and goatee.

Last year my Father's Uncle Richard and his wife Peeps almost came to visit. This year Richard, also known as Josh, and Peeps Billings made it to our house all the way from Rhone Island. I had not seen them in a really long time and it was great to have them visit. We got to talk about the history of the Billings' and spend some quality time together with the kids.

Josh and Peeps with myself and the kids.

 Mollie, Catalina and Peeps.

The two Josh's and Catalina.

Visit with Cyndi and Time at Home

Cyndi Reinhardt came to visit us in the middle of January. Thankfully, we had some uncharacteristic nice weather. We went to the park few times and had an all around good time. It was really great to have her out.

 Grandma Cyndi and Catalina.

Posing at the park.

  Everyone minus Mollie; she took the photo this time.

Olive June is the ray of sunshine in this photo.

 Griffin practicing his camera skills.

Griffin aiding Catalina on the slide.

Here I am assisting Catalina with her walking.

All three kids.

Mollie pushing Catalina in her car at the park.

 

Look at those kissy lips.

 After Cyndi left I kept taking some photos around the house. These days Catalina is walking like a champ. She is also talking a lot and makes a cute "meow" or "ow" sound whenever she sees a cat.

Here she is petting her buddy Bean.

Little Red Riding Hood.

"Reading" a book.

 Griffin climbed into Catalina's Crib for play time.

The big kids watching a movie on the Kindle.

Christmas and Illinois

 Yes, it is February and yes, this is a Christmas post. I waited too long and the photo collection became daunting to sort. All the photos through February have been sorted now. The first post will cover Christmas and Aunt Penny's house.

Below is Christmas morning. We got a bunch of a camping equipment for Christmas this year including a large tent. We set the kids big presents in the tent and we had fun opening presents inside the tent too.

 

 

 Griffin on his new bike.

The kids reading a Christmas book together.

 

 Olive June got a photo-book of pictures from when she was a baby.

 Griffin was excited by getting some Adventure Time toys.

 Olive June got a Baby Alive that she loved as her own.

 

 Catalina eating some Christmas yummy breakfast.

On Christmas day we drove to Salem, Illinois, to visit my Aunt Penny. We met my parents and the Younger Scott's (Amye, Marshall, Micah, and Liam) there. The night we arrived it snowed and we had a lot of fun in the snow the rest of the week.

 Here are all the kids posing with a snowman (foreground) we made together.

OK, I pretty much made the whole snowman.

The boys hiding behind a snow-wall, preparing for battle.

 Mollie and Catalina happy in the snow.

 Micah and Liam with their baby cousin.

 Here we are getting ready to go outside for some fun.

Cousin Micah entertaining Catalina for a bit.

Liam and Griffin hanging out with Grandma Kathy.

 Mollie and OJ.

 Olive June got some Princess presents.

 The kids going for a ride on the Ranger with their Aunt Penny.

 

OJ with her Grampy.

 

OJ and Gma Kathy hanging out with Sweety, the dog.

 Auntie Amye and Mama Mollie.

 Finally an entertaining picture of Olive June playing with her make-up.

She had a lot of fun looking in the mirror.

All in all the trip was a lot of fun and we all really enjoyed seeing everyone there.