Been MIA

Hellooo ... we have been busy ... it is tax season and all so I have had very little free time at home. And then when the girls go to bed it's catch up time here and of course there is this inconsistent Internet service crap we've been dealing with too!
So, yes I've been MIA from the blog. But a few big happenings:
Julia took her first solo steps this week!!! She is very content crawling and "knee hopping/walking" across the floor but with some coaxing by Rob and I she has taken a few unassisted steps to us. Soon she may be on her own for good ... definitely a girl who does things on her time.
We had a great weekend at home and Saturday wonderful day visit from Auntie April. Emma was so excited all day to see her Auntie. It was very sweet. We went up to the park and savored the beautiful weather. It was so great because the Sumners were also there and Rob got to meet us too. It was one of those pleasant unexpected surprises kind of day. And topped off with RaRa's ice cream -- yum!!! Julia enjoyed her first ice cream treat -- vanilla soft serve and she loved every bite!
Today we drove to Madison to visit our dear friend Sarah. She lives in Montana but her family is from Madison and she's here for a visit. It is always so refreshing to see her. We can easily catch up and share parenthood stories and both Emma and Jack played so well together. Her parents home is like taking a page out of "Little House on the Prairie" though I am sure my timedating is off to the period of their home it certainly is the oldest most true to nature homes I've ever been to. It's so serene and calm. The kids got to enjoy nature and handpick freshly laid eggs from the chicken coop. We went for a leisurely stroll down the road and indulged in Sarah's homemade chocolate chip cookies. We also got to oooh and ahhhh over little miss Eve. She is just 3 months old and the sweetest little baby. She slept the day away, only waking up to eat and then snuggling back in for some sweet zzzz's. She's absolutely breathtaking. (Pictures to follow shortly).
The girls travelled well back and forth and we came home to Daddy having a healthy and yummy dinner ready for us to enjoy! He rocks!!!!