Easter!

Easter weekend we went to a park near our house where they put on a great egg hunt & celebration for the kids. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun with family & friends!

Daddy helps EJ get ready for the egg hunt with some last minute pointers. There were a LOT of kids there so the extra coaching was important.

EJ took it pretty seriously and immediately picked up an egg. We applaud her color choice (Go Jackets!)

This was the *only* egg she got, but she was pretty proud of herself.

She may or may not have been the cutest kid there.

I may or may not be biased.

EJ & daddy spent some time picking daisies.

Pretty girl in her Easter best. =)

This park has a great playground so the kids had a blast playing together on it.

Dominik loves to swing and Mimi & Everett had a great time on the slide!

Papa helped EJ climb up the rock wall. VICTORY!

Unle Erik and Cousins Alina & Mimi had some fun on the balance beam, and everyone enjoyed the swings!

There was also pony rides and a petting zoo. EJ was - of course - a natural.

This kid LOOOOVES animals.

Prepping for her trip to Missouri in June.

Uncle Erik and Aunt Steph get some good baby-practice in. ;)

EJ with her cousins Alina & Mimi. How cute are they?!

The Nadi Clan.

The Wilcox Ladies.

Overall it was a rousing success and we can't wait to do it again next year!

Growing up so fast

It seems like on almost a daily basis either Omar or I mention how fast EJ is growing up. I know, I know.....what a cliche. But seriously, people. Every time we turn around she seems more and more like a little lady and less like our little baby. To the point where Omar gets upset when I dress her like a "person" instead of a "baby". But she was just so cute on this fine spring day in her seersucker dress that I had to make a post about it. =)

Omar has worked really hard on our yard. Basically it looks like Augusta National. Thanks, honey!

Omar really appreciates how helpful EJ is in the yard.

(they are picking weeds here, in case you were unsure)

Also, in the background you can see Beyla guarding our veggie garden. It seems the squirrels are under the impression we have planted an all-you-can-eat buffet just for them. That is NOT the case.

Spring has arrived!

Today we spent an absolutely beautiful spring day up at Omar's parents house with the whole Nadi clan, grilling out, playing games, and generally just enjoying the spectacular weather. Spring is definitely here!

Everett was very busy from the moment she arrived.

She's all business.

Helping the boys play football.

Mimi taught her how to bounce on the trampoline. Mimi is slightly better at it than EJ is.

Then of course they played EJ's favorite game: tag. She's getting really fast!

It was a lovely day spent with family and we can't wait to do it again soon!

Princess Day at the Aquarium

Last Saturday was Princess Day at the Aquarium. Basically, if you were dressed remotely like a princess, you got in for free. So all the girls (plus Omar) went down for the morning to check it out!

Aunt Stephanie, Cousins Alina & Mimi, EJ, and Aunt Najwa check out the stingrays in the touch & feel tank.

Mimi & Alina show EJ all the beautiful fish in the big tank!

EJ and dad chill together in the aquatic theater.

EJ and her Aunt Steph enjoy the beautiful day in Centennial Olympic Park.

Highschool Reunion at the lake: My how times have changed!

This past weekend we went up to Amy's family lakehouse to spend the weekend with my highschool best friends and our (rapidly expanding) families. It's funny to think how much times have changed. We have all known each other for over 15 years and our get-togethers have certainly evolved over the years. Less boy-drama and cheap beer; more kid-chaos and nice wine. :)

Kristen & Pete with Brayden (2.5y) & Peyton (6m); James & Amy with Ethan (3.5y) & Elliott (10m); Joe & Whitney with Baby Novak (in-utero); and of course me & Omar with Everett (16m)

It was so nice to be able to spend time together as families and let our kids get to know each other! You probably can't tell from this picture, but Whitney & Joe were even contributing to the kid count, although Baby Novak is still an inside baby. We can't wait for her to get here in July so she can add to the madness!

On Saturday we took the boat out to Pirate Island. Ethan was a great captain!

The kids all really loved being on the boat even though it was a bit cold.

Everett is looking forward to spending many years on boats in the future, both with her Pop-E in Charleston and up at Amy's lake again!

Everett had absolutely no fear of the water and actually walked right in up to her knees, despite it being cold. Time to start those swim lessons!

A bunch of cuties on the couch. Brayden & EJ are wearing their adventuring hats in case you were wondering (and yes, they put those on themselves).

Sunday was absolutely beautiful so we spent the whole morning outside playing!

Be honest: she looks a bit like her dad in the above picture, doesn't she?

The boys had a great time racing around!

ZOOOOOOOOOOM!

Everett decided to get in on the running.

Double-trouble!

We really wanted to get a picture of all the kids together, and by some miracle they actually cooperated!

The betrothed.

Everett (16m); Peyton (6m); Ethan (3.5y); Elliott (10m)

Brayden (2.5m); Everett (16m); Peyton (6m); Ethan (3.5y); Elliott (10m)

How cute are they? Thanks so much to Amy & James for opening their house to us, Kristen & Pete for making the long drive from Charleston, and Whiney & Joe for being incredibly tolerant and patient with a house full of crazy kids. It was wonderful to see everyone!