Happy Easter!

We are a little behind I know and I posted the last week all at once. We got together with my side of the family on Sunday. It was nice to see everyone and Selah even got an Easter basket from Aunt K and Uncle Adam - thanks!! Even though it was a busy weekend with arriving home we wanted to take time to fully soak in the meaning of Easter. The hope of the resurrection of our King! It is because of His resurrection that we can have peace in knowing we will see Laynie in heaven someday!

Selah loves our kisses - can't you tell?

Selah and her Easter bunny!

Picture time

Now is the time for all the family pictures...

On Thursday the Otts came to visit, Tadd's aunt and uncle and cousins along with Selah's new little cousin China Estelle.

Brooks playing with Selah

Well, the next day Friday we were supposed to say goodbye and our flight was at 6:30 pm. First our flight was delayed followed by taxing on the runway, proceeded by being told that the Atlanta airport was delayed and each airplane was given a number when they could land - ours was 2 hrs. and 15 minutes later, so we were told we were going to have to exit the airplane and wait to board at a later time. We knew we were in trouble at that time. We were told we may arrive in Illinois around 3 am or later. Well, I am prepared, but I wasn't that prepared. We of course did not have enough formula to last that long in my carryon and needed to get it out of our suitcase, which was still underneath the plane. A serviceman went to look for our bags. Then we heard someone at the gate tell us to look out the window...and this is how it went from there....

there a man was holding up a tiny pink bag..."this it?"...uh no?! "it's the biggest pink bag possible!", "yes! that is it!"

Then another passenger saw what happened and asked if she could get her bags too. The lady then announced in a loud annoyed voice over the speaker "no one is allowed to get there bags we only let THESE people do it because they needed formula for their baby and we don't sell it at the airport!"

Yes, it was a little embarrasing, but we survived. Our flight later got completely cancelled due to the airport shutting down in Atlanta because of hail and tornados. Luckily Tadd's mom and sister came and picked us up and his family let us stay with them for the night and brought us back in the morning. It was quite the experience, Selah did very well considering the cirumstances. We were blessed with a flight the next morning to Chicago Midway and after getting a rental car we were finally heading home.

It was a great vacation, one filled with many memories. Some sad, some happy. We stayed at the same house as last year, the one that was first meant for Laynie. And seeing Selah enjoy the beach and pool this year made me miss my other baby. The one that wasn't able to enjoy all the little joys of life, whose life was taken sooner than we would have liked. Her birthday is coming up, she would have been 2 this year...April 30th. Hopefully we can have a "birthday party" for her this year and cherish the fact that she is in heaven swimming with angels and soaking in the light of the Savior. She has no need for this earthly sun because our Savior is shining so brightly. I imagine her with her sunglasses, laughing and loving each moment waiting for Selah and us to join her! But until then we continue to soak in all of God's blessings for us with Selah. To whom much is given, much is required...

Beach days

Selah's first day at the beach

She didn't seem to mind the ocean. She wasn't for sure what to think of the water I think...
We will put the video up later :)

Then of course it was time to take a nap...

Tadd and Brooks brave the waves

Addy and Brooks

In the afternoon after going to the beach we came home and let Addy and Brooks swim in the pool at our place. They even caught two lizards which we had to find a container for :)

Florida continued...

Selah loved the sunny weather in Florida. Mostly our days were filled with laying in the sun while Selah took her naps, swimming in the pool while she was awake and then back out to sleep in the sun while she slept. She was amazing. Then when she got up we would go out and shop for the night and catch a bite to eat. Selah continues to have new firsts. She is so much more active and reaching for anything in sight.



mommy's big girl!


eating at Yabba's...Selah discovered she LOVES straws!



we also took her jumper so she had something to play with


We got Selah's pictures taken by Kelle (a daughter of the rentors of our house) in Naples on Wed. night at a really neat hotel and then the beach...pictures to come soon! and since Olive Garden was really close we ate there. Of course, we have to break Selah in early and she enjoyed a breadstick :)

Our first two days in Florida...

We arrived in Florida around 1 pm our time on Wed. Selah did AMAZING for her first plane trip and things went pretty smoothly. Here she is wondering why she is awake and in her carseat at 4 am in the morning :) Our flight left at 6 am from Bloomington so it was an early morning to say the least. Selah's aunt Tiff was with us on the way down and is staying with us until Sat. so she was a big help to say the least! Hopefully we can fare as well on our way back without the extra arms.

We had a connecting flight to Georgia and Selah slept about 20 minutes during the first flight. Then she was up giggling and making faces at people around us...too bad mommy couldn't seem to fall asleep when Selah did :)

Then Selah fell asleep right before we boarded the next flight so she pretty much was awake up until we arrived in Florida. Here she is finally in the car zonked...I don't think she even realized we were in the sunny state!

Thursday was Selah's first time in a pool. Here she is getting ready in her swimsuit...

Daddy takes her in for her first "dip", not for sure what to think

I think I could get used to this....

Aaahhh yes, this is the good life....
she leans all the way back in her floatie and it is the funniest thing...totally relaxed I guess.

Mommy gets a turn with Selah too - my little baby is getting sooo big!

Selah loves playing with Tadd and I love watching - she sure has him wrapped around her finger, but I love watching them interact together! No one can make her laugh faster than her funny daddy!


It was Selah's 1/2 birthday on Thursday :) and when we ate at Red Robin she got to meet the bird in person and get a balloon - we passed on the singing, that might have been a little much!

My thoughts for this picture...Awwwww Selah, gross! Don't suck on his finger! (Good thing we aren't germ freaks :) because she had a hold of it before we could stop her)


And lastly, Selah's first tooth broke through on Wed. and now another one is on its way. The two bottom teeth - you have to look hard to see them in this pic though :)