He was just huge. 

One More Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Andy has been on leave, so we thought we would go tulip-finding one more time. It's later in the season, so the tulips are ready for cutting, and just brilliant. Tulip-festival time provides marvelously cheap dates--You find a field, pay $2 to park, and walk as long as you want. This field had bright reds, deep purples, delicate pinks, and my favorite--a very subtle yellowy white.

Carolyn had lots of fun getting a view from Dad's backpack. I think she felt important. Her Mama skipping around singing, "Tulips, Tulips, Look at the beautiful tulips!" entertained her quite well too.

Tulips, Tulips everywhere! 

A yellow one snuck in with the pinks 

Me and tulipness 

Andy and Carolyn tried out our new backpack. They both liked it. 

Tulips as far as the eye could see! 

A Daffodil Daring to be Different (and a little alliteration, too!) 

Another family tulip pose 

Easter!

As you can see below, we had a lovely Easter. Carolyn woke up to find her Easter Basket--complete with the Veggie Tales video, Lord of the Beans, a lady bug counting book, and, of course, a singing duck!

Carolyn got all dolled up in her Easter Dress and sweater from Gramma K, and we were off to church.

When we got home Carolyn had an Easter Egg hunt, and played all day in her Easter clothes... just because she was so cute I couldn't bear to change her into anything else.

It's Easter Morning! 

Reading a book in the rocking chair 

Easter-day Horsy Ride 

I put 'em in here? 

Easter Egg Hunt! 

She likes table legs--just like her Mama. 

Easter Dress (and silly face) 

Officially Back

Yes, internet world, we are back.

As an update--the road trip was long and full of mountains. We took a new route to avoid one mountain pass that we were concerned was snowy. So... instead we drove in some very mountainy mountains for four days instead of just 1.5. Not as bad as I thought it would be. I am officially not a flatland driver. Oh, if Mr. Sandborg (isn't that our old Driver's Ed teachers name first-homers?) could see me now.

The house is great. Dad and I unpacked the important things in record time. For an AARP member and the mother of a toddler I think we're pretty darned impressive. We had four days before Andy got home and nearly everything that makes a house housish was moved in before he got here.

And then, Andy got home. He requested a welcome home meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup and macaroni and cheese. The boat actually beat his want of steak out of him. Poor guy. He got his wish, and we got Daddy back. Carolyn and he picked up right away. Now Carolyn can't get enough of Daddy. And oh by the way--she says, "Daddy" every single stinkin day. I've still yet to get a "Mama" out of her. Well, maybe once. But it's debatable.

In the meantime, we've been tiptoeing through tulips, getting lost in state parks (that deserves it's very own blog entry with pictures and narration), Andy has been working way too many hours, and Carolyn has been walking and dancing and growing and having fun being a one-year old.

So here we are. Andy is on leave for a few days, and we have big plans... to stay put.

And thus ends the official we're back update.

We took a Tiptoe through the tulips 

Cool gnarly Tree 

On the Move! 

A Family Pose 

Learning to color 

Look what I drew! 

Pure cuteness 

Now Featuring a Toothy Grin.  

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches--The Welcome Home Meal of Champions! 

Carolyn and Daddy getting Re-acquainted