Pigtails

I tried pigtails on Eva for the first time today. I LOVED them. They had a lifespan of about 30 minutes. I was so sad when she pulled them out before church.

A comparison

Same dress

Eva, 3 months

Darby, 2 months
Bigs and Tiny. I love these girls!

McDaniel Family Band

Brendan declared that he needed to "play music for Darby." Eva followed suit. The following is the result, complete with repetitive, slightly incomprehensible, made up song (about robots this time). You can imagine that the sound was anything but musical. However, they were quite entertained for a while.

Easter Egg-stravaganza

The Primary put on an Easter egg hunt today. Jason was going to be at an endodontics convention in SF so I was going to brave it alone. Crazy, I know. But I couldn't let the kids miss out on the fun because Mommy can't handle it. We already stay in too much as it is. Then, on Sunday, my lovely visiting teacher, Candi, asked if I would like an extra set of hands that day. What a blessing that was!
It turned out to be a really fun event and, with another adult to help take Eva egg hunting and one of my sweet Young Women to take Brendan, I got to enjoy the excitement of things. Darby fell asleep in the front pack and I got to talk to actual adults (yay!!) and take pictures of the fun that the kids were having. A lovely morning.





By the way, that bunny hat Eva is sporting in the picture above is one she HAD to have in the store. She is in the middle of saying "Cheese" when I snapped the picture.

Happy Hollow

We were looking for a fun place to go on a day trip during Spring Break. I read about this place in San Jose that had been closed for almost 2 years due to remodeling and had just reopened. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo is just that - an amusement park for kids with animals too. It was kiddie wonderland for the single-digit age set. There were rides for Brendan and Eva, a petting zoo and an awesome play area.




They also allow you to bring in your own food and eat at one of the many picnic areas. Admission was reasonable (though parking was a bit steep in my opinion). We had a fun family day. Even Daddy Jason said he'd go back. :)

Brendan rides an "R.O.U.S."

And follows the giant pavement ants.


Eva had "a ball". These balls have springs and are set at varying heights so kids can leapfrog them.

Spring

I love this time of year in the Bay Area!

Legion of Honor

This place is beautiful!! I think it is the prettiest structure in San Francisco. I am wondering why we waited so long to visit. However, we unknowingly went on the only day the museum isn't open, a Monday. Darn. But at least I could get pictures of the courtyard through the fence.





It was a great day for pictures too. The kids loved the fountain outside.



I thought the columns would be a fun background.

Brendan was upset because the museum was closed.


But when we said he could sit on the lion, he cheered up.

We love Grandmas!

From a mom who loves her child but is tired of holding her all day - thank you!!

In white

Darby Jayne McDaniel, 7 weeks old
So precious!

Blessing Day

Darby was blessed on Sunday. Some of my family got to come up as well (my parents and two of my sisters). It is always great to get family together. In church the kids were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Amanda that they had a hard time being reverent. After sacrament meeting we took everyone to Peacock Gap Park for a picnic lunch.
The food was good.


The company was great.



The weather was gorgeous. A fabulous time was had by all!

Back at home we got some pictures of Sweet Pea and her parents.



We sure love this little one!

Visitors

Jason's brother, Brad, and his mom came into town a day early for Darby's blessing. It was fun to have some time to play with them. Brendan and Eva love their uncle. Brad is a really good sport about all their "in your face" attention seeking.
One of the things we decided to do was take them on the very scenic drive to Point Reyes. Eva liked playing in the sand and gathering sticks and rocks. Brendan would bring Brad things to throw into the water but would never go near it himself. He is still scared of waves. On the way home we ate at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Olema (YUM!)