Today

Today was a beautiful spring day. We had a grand time homeschooling (M is Pre-K this year, and she likes to refer to our homeschool as "Smarty Party" or "Cute School." That's our girl.), meeting A on his lunch break, and painting among lots of other little tidbits of fun. This was one of those days that makes my heart overflow with gratitude to be in this place in life, doing this particular thing, surrounded by these beautiful people.

Rockin' the alphabet

So proud

Dear heavens, she's lovely.

Our girls

Joie de vivre

Love the raised hand at the end. Roller-coaster girl in the making.

After almost five years, I sometimes still can't believe this is our daily backdrop.

Artsy afternoon

Sweet concentration

Party People

Our Easter celebration has been so special today. We've just returned home from two gatherings with dear friends, and now we're resting before church tonight. Here are some pics A took after our lunch with small group buddies. I think the girls look lovely, even if the telltale signs of a yummy meal remain on their faces.

Easter 2010

Thanks, Mama Z. and Pops, for the cutie Easter shirts!

Two little people who look a lot alike

He Is Risen!

We had a wonderful celebration of our risen King with friends this morning. M in particular was so excited for today. She's beginning to grasp the beautiful truths that define our life in Christ. I'm watching and worshiping with her. He is risen indeed!

The Fam

While we're catching up, here are some more recent snapshots of family life.




H (looking freakishly similar to M when she was H's age, as the photograph shows)







So this is what happens when I'm not around. Nice. Really nice.

Winter Camping Catch-Up

My snow-loving, adventure-seeking husband took his annual winter camping trip in February and put together this little video afterward. The three-day trip in the snow was all the guys dreamed it would be...

We're Still Here!

Pardon my absence, please. I can't believe over four months have passed since I last updated!

Before any more time flies by and the girls are graduating from high school, I wanted to post some recent family snapshots.

Miss H (9 months) and me

 A and his girls

M (4.5 years) and E (2.5 years) after their first Home Depot Kids' Workshop project. Too cute.

Rockin' the Snow

This morning, while I worked on an editing deadline and H slept, A took the older girls to the sledding hill. The sledding hill did not disappoint!

Love Those In-Laws

Mama Z. and Pops, you are precious.

Jazzercise

The other day, I found M and E doing this in the living room. Very creative, ladies. And quite the inspiration to your mom. My favorite is M's directive at the very end. Oh, and I'm not quite sure why E is shirtless.

Wheeeeeeee

Fun times were had by the fam at a recent local festival. I'm sure stories will be told by the four- and two-year-old about this five-minute experience for ages to come.



Fearless

Fearless, Jr.

Learning Curve

Recently E was given her first piece of chewing gum by (ahem) one of her parents. Her relationship with the gum was short and sweet as it is so very difficult for a two-year-old to grasp the concept of chewing but not swallowing, let alone chewing but not swallowing while walking. Bless her little heart.

Three Months Old

Miss H is already over three months old. Wasn't I just pregnant a few days ago...with our oldest child? I hope I get around to posting some photos of H and her two older sisters before they all graduate from high school. In the meantime, here's a recent favorite of the littlest Z babe.

These People Make Me Smile

I love this man.

I love these little people.

So glad this one joined the party recently. (Thanks, UB & AP, for the great bathrobe!)

Longs Peak

The ever-adventurous A had an opportunity recently to climb Longs Peak, which is a "fourteener" (a 14,000-foot mountain). It was a challenging summit, but he had a great time with his buddies. From the wife's perspective, I am SO glad I did not know how intense (read terrifying and life-threatening) this trip was until after A got home and showed me these photos and videos. What an incredible journey these guys experienced!

One of my new favorite photos of my husband

Featured climber: our brother-in-law, Dan

Dave and A on the "narrows"

Just the Five of Us

Life's been moving along pretty smoothly since Little H joined us about six weeks ago. Here are some recent shots.

Hi, new baby.

M's hair before...



...during...

...and after the new cut!

E is so big!

Happy Little H

Hiker girl

Cute.

Playing at the children's museum

We love you, Garret & Aubrey! (I think E's hair says it best.)