family time

I know it's been a while since we've put up a post on the ol' blog. So hopefully today we can make up for some of that. Over the past several weeks we have been blessed to have family and friends come visit us. It's pretty necessary for them to come to us, because during busy tax season, we really don't go anywhere too far away. [For those of you keeping track, there are less than 3 weeks left of tax season, also meaning you have less than 3 weeks to file your taxes!]

Several weeks ago, we were visited by Abbey and Dave and their little baby-yet-to-be-named. He is also a little-baby-yet-to-be-born, so it's all right that he doesn't have a name yet, I guess.

Coinciding with their visit, Michaela was going through a little stage of not wanting to eat any solid food. After mama took a shot at feeding Michaela, Aunt Abbey and Uncle Dave gathered 'round to try their hand. In spite of all the tricks in the book, Michaela would not be fooled into eating her peas... or anything else for that matter.

I mean, really, look at that face - nothing's going to get by her!

During this spring break week, my cousin Chari came to visit from the east coast, and a variety of female cousins and aunts got together for a fun afternoon and evening. One of the highlights of the day was watching Nadine and Chari herd sheep. The dog Chari was using to assist in herding I swear had to weigh as much as she did. (Below: Nadine, Chari, Michaela, Brook, Elise, Janae, Karen)

What you won't see from the pictures is that they live on a kind of farm, complete with a flock of sheep and newly born lambs. I am a little embarrassed to admit I had never (in recent memory, at least) held or petted an actual lamb. With Chari's help corralling the poor defenseless creatures, I got to do both. They are really adorable, if a little bit smelly. A little tangent about the mama sheep - it seemed at least 3/4 of the sheep had no mothering instincts at all! Those little lambs we corralled and held? No mama came looking for them, or baaahed for them. In fact, when we got several all stuck in a corner of the fence, the ewes jumped over their young to get away from us scary people, and left the babies to fend for themselves. The social worker in me really wanted to have a sit down conversation with these mothers and develop a plan for better parenting!

When we weren't with family, Michaela and I also hung out with friends. Michaela is checking out her friend Lily's cool blanket. At this age I think she appreciates it much more than Lily does. Thanks for sharing, Lily!

And lastly, what is our favorite family activity on a nice spring day?

Going for a walk wearing a cute sun hat, of course! We took this photo to document for Grammy, who purchased the hat for Michaela quite some time ago.