Impromtu Get-Together

Olivia's Aunt Lynn and Uncle Jody are hosting a foreign exchange student for just a couple weeks and we got to meet her last night. Veronica is from Italy and is staying with them, shadowing Kaitlyn with school, soccer, and all the other activities they are involved in.

Things have been really busy but a bunch of us were able to get together at Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner. Veronica is a really nice girl. She speaks English very well and it would be nice if she was here longer and we had more time to get to know her learn more about her country.

But we were glad we at least had the opportunity to meet her. Olivia warmed up to her as if she was just another one of her cousins.

Veronica will be making her "US Family" an authentic Italian spaghetti dinner on Friday and then will be heading back home after this weekend.

Veronica and Kaitlyn seemed to get along like sisters for only being together for these short couple of weeks. I hope they keep in touch with each other after Veronica goes back home.

Great Playgroup Friends

We had a great playgroup at our house on Monday. Although the weather could have been better it was good enough to get the kids outside to play and run off some energy.

Olivia, Mckenna, Emma and Cody got to play in the sandbox, playhouse, ride the bike and eventually were running around playing tag. Cody can almost keep up with the girls.

After posing for some pictures they discovered how steep part of our yard is and learned how to roll down it. It's funny to watch them try to learn something new that seems so simple to us but it was hilarious watching them try to roll down on their sides without rolling into each other or into the neighbors house.

I think we really wore them out this time and look forward to our next play date. Hopefully the weather will be even better!

Happy Easter 2010 !

What a great, but busy, Easter!

We started out our day early, as usual, with an excited 3 year old checking to see if the Easter Bunny came.

It took some time but Olivia (with Jenny's help) found all the eggs and Easter baskets. She was pretty excited when she looked in the entry way closet and found her basket with toys and waaayyy too much candy.

Then it was breakfast and off to church. After church we got home in time to have a little lunch and then it was off to Bob and Cindie's house.
The Pitz side is always fun. We don't see them real often so it is good to get together with everyone and party.

We had an egg hunt outside and took some pictures then went back in for their mid-afternoon dinner.

From there we had to pack everything up and head over to Aunt Lynn's house for more food, egg hunt, wonderful presents for Olivia to open from her Aunts and Grandparents and a great time visiting with everyone on the Manning side.

We ate so much all day it was nice to take a walk and take Olivia to the park nearby where her cousins were tossing a frisbee around for a while.

By 8:30 Olivia couldn't hardly function anymore so she gave everyone their goodbye hugs and kisses and we headed for home.



About 10 minutes from home Olivia fell asleep for the night. As we got home we pulled her out of the car and Steve placed her on the couch while we unloaded the car and brought everything into the house.....Olivia never woke up. Then Steve and I worked on changing her into her P.J.'s......Olivia never woke up. Then Steve and I got all the ponytail stuff out of her hair and he carried her to her bed. Olivia never woke up.

We were all very tired and Olivia was whining and crying through the night from being over-tired but was up at her usual 6:30 am Monday morning, ready to go again. All-in-all we had a great Easter and it was wonderful to get together with our families from both sides even if it was hectic.

This is what happens to a 3 year old after toooo much fun, toooo many presents, toooo much candy and noooo nap.

(We can't belive how fast she is growing and how long she looks on this couch!)

Ready for the Easter Bunny!

The eggs are colored, the food is made and the baskets are ready (except we have to keep Misty away from them so she doesn't eat the grass and then barf it up).

We are ready for the Easter Bunny to come tonight and tomorrow will be busy.

After finding the eggs and baskets it will be time for church and then two family parties to get to.

I hope the "Easter Bunny" can get some sleep tonight!

Happy Easter!

Easter Photo Session (at home)

Spring is finally in the air! We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!!