Longwood Gardens April 2014

We had visitors this weekend - Janet & Vinnie came to town to visit for a few days and we wanted to show them Longwood Gardens at tulip time.  Going to Longwood with two little boys under age 4 doesn't necessarily lead to the most relaxing experience, but we had fun and the boys enjoyed running around and burning off a lot of energy.  Here the boys are with Nana:

Another one.  Getting everyone to look good in a picture is nearly impossible:

But Eric & Nana looked great in this one:

Brothers:

Having fun:

Burning off that energy by running everywhere:

Sitting down to look at the water:

Rare family photo:

Shoulder ride:

Nice one of Nana, Papa and the boys:

Probably my favorite shot of the day. The hydrangea and lilies were amazing, as was Eric as the model:

Evan's turn:

Some of the outtakes from the hydrangea shoot.  Couldn't get a good one of the two boys together:

 

Brian with the boys:

Nana & Papa:

My favorite photo of Evan from today - his most natural smile:

Hanging upside down at the tulips:

And one of me with my baby boy:

We had a great weekend and were happy to have the company!

Easter 2014

Easter 2014 was a lot of fun.  Both boys were very exciting and had been talking about the Easter bunny visiting for a few weeks now.  Evan was especially excited as he had really been hoping the Easter bunny would bring him the toy plane he had been talking about for months:

 

And the Easter bunny did not disappoint.  Ripslinger was waiting for Evan in his basket!

Egg hunting time:

Mouth full of candy:

And Evan just couldn't put down the trains:

Evan helping his brother find the eggs:

 Did I mention he loved the planes?

Onto some pictures outside:

Evan loves to give kisses.  Look at how sweet they are holding hands too:

Happy boys . . . only because there was a there was candy at the end of this photo shoot if they cooperated:

Our happy boy:

It feels like it was just yesterday when Evan wore this outfit to Easter (Easter 2012):

Evan actually enjoying himself while getting his picture taken:

There was no one at home to take our picture on Easter morning at my mom's.  So we tried ourselves with the timer.  But I couldn't get the lighting right - no flash and it was too dark or with flash and it was too bright.  Oh well - we tried!

Later on in the day, Evan was into climbing trees:

 

Another attempt at a family shot: 

Tis the season to get outside to take pictures.  I am loving this weather!

Another First - Easter Eggs

This morning we had another Easter first - dying Easter eggs.  They had no idea what to expect, but once we got into it, they loved it.  Here are some shots of the action:

One egg in each color:

Being very careful: 

 And we actually got a smile!

Eric wanted to get his eggs out himself too:

Concentration face:

Finished product.  Not bad for first timers.  We still need to put some stickers on them but they are drying now.  

Both boys are looking forward to Easter tomorrow.  Happy Easter!

First Easter Egg Hunt

It took almost 4 years before we got our boys to an Easter Egg hunt.  But we finally made it to one this year and the boys had a great time.  The little kid egg hunt (ages 2-5) was so overcrowded that we put the boys in the 6-9 age group instead.  It was absolutely the most beautiful day and more appreciated because of the long winter we've just finished up.  

Mr Personality doesn't mind posing for the camera:

Onto the eggs:

Evan was loving it:

As was Eric:

 

Lots of eggs in Evan's basket:

And lots of eggs for Eric too:

Hopefully it won't take another 4 years to get to another egg hunt.

St Patrick's Day 2014

St Patrick's Day 2014 was low-key in the Felt household - some green shirts and that's about it.  And of course, bribery with some M&Ms to get their picture taken:

Eric Turns 2!

Eric turned 2 years old last week!  He doesn't go to his 2 year check up for a few more weeks so I don't know his stats yet . . . though I think we've still got a skinny little man on our hands.  Eric is such a happy little guy and is talking up a storm.  He's mostly speaking in sentences and really can hold a conversation now.  He will tell us what he did in school during the day and who he played with. 

Eric is an easy going little boy who typically has a smile on his face.  He is starting to enter the terrible twos though I have noticed that I am not nearly as strict with discipline as I was with Evan at this age.  So I am going to have to crack down on that if we are going to survive the next 2 years.  Eric can generally get away with much more than his brother could at this age.  Where Evan used to feel bad about doing wrong and being in time-out, Eric just smiles at us.  And at times I can't help but smile back.  

Eric loves all things Thomas the Tank Engine right now.  He will play at the train table every single night before dinner.  Eric can name the names of all of the trains and enjoys watching Thomas on the television whenever we let him.  He also plays on the iPad and it's amazing the things he can do on there - he really likes the matching games and puzzles.  

Eric continues to be a little miniature version of Brian.  It constantly amazes me how much he looks like and acts like his father.  He loves music just like Brian and sings along to the songs Brian has introduced him to when they come on the radio.  He will also sing us songs that he has learned in school.  He is full of life, loves to give us hugs and kisses and just fits so well into our family.  I just can't believe he's 2 years old already!