Gilroy with the fam

When I found out that Grandma was going to have Grandma Chaney visiting over her spring break, I couldn't pass up the chance for a two for one grandma visit. And, lucky us, Auntie Ann and Nolan were in town too. It was just too bad Lane couldn't join us for our midweek day trip. 

I had the timing planned perfectly- to leave just as Easton tired for his morning nap. Well, that didn't work out as planned. Easton napped early for some reason that day and woke up just in time for the drive. We ended up making an emergency Petco trip to break up the drive. Oohing and aahing at the rodents, birds, fish, and kitties and watching some doggies get groomed was just what we needed to recover from being in the car. 

Grandma was happy to be with her boys.

Easton got his Auntie Ann snuggles right away.

And then got busy with playtime!

Just look at this sweet daredevil.

The boys picked lemons for Grandma.

Easton is such a blondie in our family, but  his hair looks brown compared to Nolan's.

Doing some yard work for Grandpa.

Ann, Gabriela, and I left the boys with the    Grandmas so we could do a little shopping at Mango Street Kids. The grandmas were happy to have their special time and we were glad to do some baby-free shopping. Easton looks like he enjoyed his snuggles from Grandma  Chaney.

Later that evening, Uncle Noal and Auntie Elizabeth came over. We, of course, had to stay long enough to visit with Grandpa, and Uncle Ian was in to for work so we got to see him as well!

What a wonderful day trip!  Days like these are exactly why we moved back to California.  We love spending time with our family!

Easter Sunday

Gabriela was so excited for Easter. In fact, we made an Easter countdown banner out of Easter bunny and egg shaped cookie cutters and colored each one. We wrote the date on the back of each one so she could check to see how many days were left.

The Easter Bunny did not disappoint Easton or Gabriela.  

 We decorated eggs this year using natural dyes.  I was so impressed with how they turned out - I wasn't expecting the colors to be as vibrant as they were! We are totally doing this again next year.

 Our egg dyes included 100% cranberry juice with some added raspberries, onion skins and paprika, turmeric, spinach and basil, red cabbage, and beets.

 That army looking green egg was dyed with the spinach and basil. I wasn't too hopeful about this dye, so I mixed some of the yellow and blue dyes together.  The actual dye didn't change to green, but it sure made a beautiful green color on the egg. I still can't get over the fact that the red cabbage makes such a blue color. 

 So, I am pretty sure I had more fun during this process than Gabriela. The trick to getting the colors to be so bright is to refrigerate the eggs in the dyes for at least a day.  The process was a slow going one, but it was cool for Gabriela to watch the water change from clear to the deep colors we got. 

Next year I want to do some drawings with wax crayons before we dye, or imprints of flowers and leaves before we dye.  I can't wait.  I saved my onion skins and glass jars for ages in preparation for the big egg dying festivities.

Oh, and I baked the eggs instead of boiling them! It totally worked. Have to remember that technique ;)

Back to Easter, that sneaky Easter Bunny hid eggs all over our dining and living rooms for the kids to discover.  They had bunny gummies, bunny cookies, yogurt covered raisins, and some chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels.

 Whoa, the Easter Bunny got a little carried away this year.  Gabriela got Hello Kitty gardening gloves, some stationary, lip gloss, new coloring pencils, a fairy coloring book, and a Tiptoes Lightly book about spring and Easter. We are loving the Tiptoes Lightly books. The stories are so cute about the fairy Tiptoes Lightly and her two gnome friends - Pinecone and Pepper Pot. She got some other fun stuff too, like bandaids and a little basil growing kit and some radish seeds.

 Easton got an Odwalla cereal bar, a super bouncy ball, some animal crackers, a board book about spring, and some Eric Carle swag - some flashcards and an opposite book.

After the Easter basket exploration, egg hunting, and treat eating, we got ready for Heather and Serkan to come over for brunch. Heather brought the cutest felt Easter eggs that she sewed by hand and we feasted on gourmet BLTs, a quinoa beet salad, a fruit salad, an herby potato salad. 

They left for a little while, but then came back and we spent the evening together also since they were getting ready to move out of town. We needed one last hoorah before they left town.

Easter Saturday

We were having friends over on Easter Sunday and I considered staying home to clean and get ready on Saturday.  Instead, we all enjoyed a day packed full of fun. 

First, we woke up super early to participate in the Trader Joe's Easter Egg Hunt. The kids had a blast. Easton was a pro, having just had another egg hunt the weekend before. He gathered all his own eggs, and he found one of the special prize eggs. Unfortunately, his prize was a whole bag of purple peeps.  Just what a one year old needs. We graciously declined the prize - but come on! I thought Trader Joe's would have more  - I don't know, Trader Joesie kind of prizes. 

After the egg hunt, we went out for breakfast and the kids enjoyed opening and sampling their Easter candy. 

Then we got crazy and decided to spend the afternoon at Fairyland.

Gabriela slid down their new grass hill, and of course she brought our pet Hippo named Marina.

Even though she was a little scared, Marina managed to slide down the hill, with some coaching and encouragement from Gabriela.

Easton and I took a go at it standing up.  He really thought it was cool.

Gabriela's favorite - the Dragon Slide!

My little Glinda

The kids both had fun at the pirate ship. Gabriela climbs all around like a monkey while Easton jumps off of every surface he can find, thankfully, into Daddy's arms.

This Saturday, there were baby chicks, bunnies, and guinea pigs for the kids to pet.  Gabriela freaked out about the baby chickies.  The kids weren't supposed to pick up the birds, but after laying on some of her charm and professing her love for baby chicks, they let her hold one. 

I think she's in love.  Easton was pretty excited about them too.

Daddy showing off his mad catching food from the sky skillz.

Mama and the kiddos

Easton quickly learned the sign for train that day. And have you ever seen anything sweeter than these two??  (maybe I'm a little biased, but they sure melt my heart)

By the time we left Fairyland, we had already had a full day. The kids were sure to fall asleep, except it was way too late for any naps, especially since the Easter Bunny still had some preparations to make.  So, we decided to keep them going and checked out the Oakland Community Gardens that are right across from Fairyland. 

They are pretty amazing.  We visited a pond area, an impressive bonsai garden, a sensory garden with awesome herbs to smell and taste, a vegetable garden, and even a toddler garden. 

Gabriela had a turn with the camera and snapped these shots:

The weather was beautiful and we really enjoyed our long adventurous day together as a family.  The kiddos went right to sleep nice and early that night too. 

Uncle Tim and Family

The next day we headed up to Hollister to visit my baby bro Tim and his family.  

It's so sweet seeing these little loves together, especially since they are only four months apart. 

That's right, people.  Easton and Weston.  For real.

How cute is this princess?  Caetlin is so full of love, I can't stand it.  She just comes up to me and grabs my hand, or gives me a gigantic hug, saying, "I wuv you, Auntie Ewehna!"

And then she does a fancy trick.

Wes did some yard work on the cement patio.

And big girl Mina admired the flowers in their front yard.  How did she grow so quickly?!?!  And why can't I stop my babies from doing the same???

The daddies with the baby boys.  

We had such a nice afternoon with the barbeque fired up the whole time. 

All I can say is yum.

Daddy helped Easton on the big kid scooter.  And when he wasn't looking,

 Easton hopped on by himself.

After working so hard all this time to make a basket, Easton finally found a solution...

with a little help from Daddy.

Auntie Kristie brought the neighbor's dogs over for a little visit. Easton was mesmerized.  He loves dogs so much! Just look at the delight in his sweet his face.

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We stayed and visited with Tim and his family, their neighbors, and some of their friends until bedtime for the kids.  They slept soundly the whole drive back up after a weekend packed full of family fun.