"Hey Elle, lets go for a ride"

Ike and Elle got to try out our friend's motorcycle the other day...I think that Ike was having fun! Don't worry it's most likely not a Decepticon.

Spring is here!

Yea! Spring weather has come to Taiwan! Daytime temps are in the upper 70's, while the nights are still cool. The kids enjoyed some time outside eating popsicles.

Ike loves being outside!

Elle had to put her popsicle down to find something in her new purse. I went to the traditional market the other day and found this purse for VERY cheap! I got it for her because she was always in mine. I've been having fun putting her in the clothes she got for her birthday. This outfit she got from Grandma Kathy and the shoes were from Aunt Ellen and Uncle Kyle. Thanks guys!

The Shark

Thanks to a recommendation on the R's blog, I decided purchase a Shark sweeper for our hardwood floors. I thought I would buy one when we were on home assignment. On the last trip to Costco Ike wanted to go down the vacuum cleaner isle, and low and behold, there was a Shark. Thanks R's!

Ike and Mom

Ike wanted to take pictures the other day. Here's one he took.

Noelle turns 2

This year Elle's birthday fell on Easter (supposedly the only time in her life time). Grandma Barbara sent her the dress and Aunt Kim sent her the shoes. They were adorable!

She had fun opening presents with "help" from Ike (in other words he did a lot of the opening)

Blowing out her candles

Her new doll bed that she seems to think is big enough for her, too!

Elle had a special treat...Grandma and Grandpa Larsen called just in time for birthday cake. This is a picture of them joining us for the party via Skype webcams. Thanks for celebrating with us, sorry you couldn't share the cake!

Thanks to all of Elle's family that sent her the gifts! She loved them!

Happy Easter

We hope that you all had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!

This picture is so adorable because I didn't ask them to hold hands, I just said to smile and then Ike grabbed Elle's hand.

Ike checking out the toy in the middle of his chocolate egg.

Joey's first Easter!

Elle ready for the Easter egg hunt

The only picture of all three together.

Decorating Eggs

This is the first year that we decorated Easter eggs....afterwards I remembered why I hadn't done it. That was a stressful adventure for me.

Joey

Here's a look at Joey's first taste of spaghetti, his bronchitis, and his "dancing".

Thanks Aunt Kim

Elle got the shirt and the shoes from Aunt Kim last fall. It was in the 70's the other day, so Elle finally got to try them out. I think it will take some getting used to the flip flops, but she is trying!

Good-bye pumpkin

On Sunday Andy and I decided it was time for Elle's "pumpkin" (her plug) to go bye-bye. So, we cut it off and she would have nothing to do with it..."It's broken"

Pink-eye round #3

Joey's turn....hopefully this is the end of this junk. Now all three kids have had it. Let's hope that it's not the parent's turn now. Joey also has bronchitis, but he still has a smile for us.

The Best of Buds

Recently the weather has been beautiful here! It's nice to get the kids out in the sun. Joey likes to get in on the action outside, so we brought his walker out. He LOVES it! Not only does he scoot around in it, but Ike gives him FAST rides.

Check out the hair!

Joey woke up from his morning nap with this CRAZY hair!

Of course he doesn't need to worry because he can cover it up with a hat!

I love this box!

Recently we had another battle with colds in this family. All of us had it at one time or another. At one point I wanted to clean out Joey's nose, but couldn't find the "tool" anywhere! I still think Joey somehow hid it from me! Anyways, I went and bought one, and just had to take a picture of the box. Andy and I got a good laugh out of the English!

Photo shoot

In just a matter of weeks, Noelle will turn 2. Time flies by so quickly!! On Sunday I took her outside to try and get some cute 2 year shots. Here's a couple of the cute ones.

I just LOVE her rosy cheeks in these pictures (she had just woken up from a nap)!

This is Noelle's attempt at Uncle Tom's "famous pose"!

Cut me Mick

Ike came home from school on Monday with a bad case of pink eye. We couldn't help but think he somewhat resembled Rocky.

Happy Dr. Seuss Day!

I know everyone will think that we are crazy, but ever since Ike was born, my sister has reminded us when it's close to Dr. Seuss' birthday so that we make sure to read his books. Our kids love Dr. Seuss books thanks to Aunt Kim (she has given Ike LOTS of them)! This year we decided to make a Green Eggs and Ham cake in honor of his birthday. We had lots of fun!

Ike, of course, helped to mix up the cake. His favorite part, as usual, is licking the beaters and scraper!

The finished product. We didn't spend lots of time frosting it, so don't critique it too much. Plus, Elle snuck in the house when I was outside and the cake was still in progress. Unbeknownst to me, she grabbed the scraper and literally dug into the cake with it. I wish I would have grabbed the camera, but I didn't. Her face was covered in green frosting, as were her hands. After I cleaned her up and patched up the cake, even I had to laugh at her sneakiness.

Andy got in on the action by eating the left over frosting.

Can we say "sugar high"?

Happy Dr. Seuss Day! Make sure you read a Dr. Seuss book today!

Hats

Elle decided this week that she NEEDS to wear a hat when she leaves the house. I never thought the day would come (she never wanted anything on her head before), but it has and they are so adorable on her!

Hey Grandpa, do you remember this shirt??

When Ike was a baby, Grandpa K gave him this sweatshirt from Tennessee, but I just put it on him for the first time yesterday. Thanks Grandpa!