Spring Update

Dad surprised me with a basketball hoop a couple weeks ago and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  We've been outside every minute possible and can't wait for the real spring weather to kick in.

When the weather hasn't been as cooperative, we've been having fun indoors too!

I am getting really good at using my spoon!

Easter

I put my artistic talents to work for our Easter egg decorating!

We also made Resurrection buns.  They're biscuits brushed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon with a marshmallow in the middle.  Then you fold the biscuit around the marshmallow and brush it with more of the butter and spices and bake it.  It's delicious and a great reminder of what Easter is about...the white marshmallow represents Jesus because He was holy and without sin.  The biscuit represents the tomb that they laid Jesus in after He was crucified and the sugar and cinnamon represent the spices they anointed His body with when they laid Him in the tomb.  After the biscuits are baked, you bite into them to discover the marshmallow has disappeared - representing the empty tomb.  Jesus has risen, halleluiah!

Easter morning before church - let the hunt begin...

Found it!!!!

My friends Caroline and Charlie and their parents came for Easter dinner - we had an Easter egg hunt in the basement and lamb for dinner.  It was a great day!

Happy Easter!

Meeting Cousin Isabelle

We went to visit our new cousin Isabelle, Auntie Nina, and Uncle Rich in March.  Grandma Lisa was visiting from China too!  We all had so much fun meeting our new cousin - as I said, "she is sooooo cute!!"

Easter egg hunt with Grandma Lisa - what a fun surprise!  Thanks Grandma Lisa!

We spent the night at the Richardsons' house and their granddaughters were there too - we have become good friends playing together in the summer at the cottage so we had a fun night :-)

Those silly adults were trying to get me to smile for a picture by giving me a canteloupe...it was interesting, but not worthy of a smile!

Koen's 18-mo stats

I also had a visit with the doc last week and here are my stats:
Weight: 23lbs (10-25%)

Height: 33 in (75-90%)

Head: 19.25in (75%)
 I have finally decided that walking is fun and now I choose to do it without being encouraged :-)  I love to carry things around with me as a tour the house - but throwing, rolling, and dropping balls is still my favorite activity.

 I'm getting along well with my big bro and I'm always trying to get into whatever he's doing with him and his friends - I like to be with the big kids!

I'm also developing quite a stubborn streak and am letting my opinions be known - I don't really have any words yet so this is a common face right now when I'm unhappy...

I am obsessed with stairs and love crawling up and down them - but throwing/pushing/rolling things down them is just as fun!

Noah's 4 yr old stats

I went to the doctor last week for my 4 yr checkup and all is well - I've grown a lot over the past year!
Height: 41.25 inches (75%)

Weight: 36.5 lbs (50%)

Here are a few recent pictures of me and my little bro.  I've enjoyed playing with him a lot more lately now that he's getting older.  He gets a kick out of me and my friends and wants to be with the big boys.

I am loving my first year of preschool and have made some great friends.  I take gymnastics, soccer, and basketball once per week with my two best friends from school and am having tons of fun!  I also go to Awana (Christian kids club) at our church on Wednesday nights and my regular class on Sunday mornings.  As you can see, I've become a lot more social over the past year :-)

Here's a list of my current favorite things:
FOODS: Pancakes, yogurt & granola, bread & butter, hot dogs, american cheese
MOVIES/TV SHOWS: Mater's Tall Tales, How to Train Your Dragon, Dora the Explorer & Go Diego Go
BOOKS: Anything!

GAMES: Husker Du, Busytown, Candyland

I also love doing mazes, any kind of art project, and rough-housing with Dad.  Mom and Dad say I'm a thoughtful, sweet, energetic boy and continue to come up with new things to say that make them laugh every day!

Man Time

Koen and Grandpa Bob fixed the fireplace...

 ...and Daddy and Grandpa Bob took me to the Auto Show!