Easter at the Broges 0.5/ Jason's Birthday

This post has been slightly delayed due to busy schedules. But Jason's birthday was March 30th and I think he had a pretty good birthday... Here are pictures of the day.

Parker demonstrating how you don't need hands to drink out of your cup

Parker is always willing to share her food

Emma Jane isn't so eager to share sometimes

1. 

The sleepy but happy birthday boy

The girls can hold up one finger when you ask them how old they are but for this particular picture Parker is five, Jason is one, and Emma Jane chose not to participate

Easter at the Broges Part .75

What would Easter be without an egg hunt?

Just like every other easter I've ever had.

But this one was different

because

we had an egg hunt

or rather our church had its annual Easter "Eggstravaganza" the day before Easter, and this was the first year we had little ones who could participate. And as you can see, participate they did.

Where am I supposed to put it?

No, bring it to me

Okay....I've got some, now what am I supposed to do with it?

this one really doesn't need a caption

Easter at the Broges Part I

Happy Easter everyone!

Time for us to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Time for us to celebrate with friends from across the country. Time for....Easter at the Broges. This year marks the fifth year in a row that we have gathered together a ridiculous number of people in a small space after church to eat, laugh, and play together. Much fun was had by all. This is going to take a few posts to cover so keep coming back this week because there will be a few posts. For starters we just want to highlight the cuteness which was the little beautifuls in their Easter dresses.

We begin with a rare glimpse of the family as a whole (something we were unable to get last Easter)

Emma Jane: Is this for me?

Parker: Here you can have this piece

= adorable

Scott and Heather Sexton came down from Chicago once again to celebrate Easter with us. As always, it was wonderful to get a chance to see them.

A quick hello

A quick hello from the Broge girls! They are over their month of sickness and we have all been enjoying some time outside. They have discovered dirt and sticks and acorns and mulch and rocks and of course playgrounds. Life is good. Now if they could only gain some more weight... really need to gain some weight.
They may be small but I think they are pretty flippin cute.

February

February was a busy month at the Broge house. First we had lots of wonderful visitors. Emily and Paul came, my mom came, and then the four of us went to Michigan. The Luikarts are a huge blessing in our lives and nothing is better than a visit from Nana! The trip to Michigan was such an awesome time too. Getting there and getting back was... an experience- being on a full plane with two squirmy toddlers... but the time with the Machados was so fun.

Unfortunately February has also brought with it sickness. The girls have been sick most of the month... and I am not exaggerating at all. The girls have had a cold, their first and second ear infections, and their first sinus infections. We are currently on the second round of antibiotics and PRAYING they work. I am not gonna lie- the little people have been less than pleasant to be around. This has also made the extra visitors nice to have around.

Even being sick the girls are doing well walking, talking, developing their own little personalities.

Snuggling with Nana

Ready for church!

Another first for the month was Parker's first haircut. I debated and debated whether to cut the poor girl some bangs. Her hair was just covering her face and she will not keep anything in it. So I did it... and Jason thinks I made her look like a boy. But she can see!

Before...

After.... (I don't think she looks like a boy... PS She isn't feeling too well in this picture)

Not to be left out here is Emma Jane... aka cranky... also sick and whiny

Parker and Aaron watching Baby Einstein

Can we say future couples?????

Oh and I have no idea why half of the text is underlined... not my fault.

Sometimes they are calm...

...sometimes

"It's only going to get harder..." Or is it?

When the girls first came home a strange thing happened, a surprisingly large number of people told me that things would only get worse. This never failed to shock me. I spent the first couple of months getting 4 hours or less sleep a day and people seemed positive things would only get harder. I never understood this. I usually would make some comment about how while I knew every stage of childhood has its own unique challenges, I felt quite certain that it would all be easier once we started getting sleep. At this point there were a number of people who suggested that even this wouldn't get any better. I'm not sure why.

I am writing this e-mail to say....in our case...you were wrong.

Please don't take this as me being snarky. I don't mean it that way! Quite the contrary, I'm really excited. Things are SOOOOOOO much easier then they were a year ago. And they are so incredibly fun. Oh sure, the girls can be a bit of a pill at times. I mean....look at this picture of Parker:

I mean, you can just tell she's a sneaky monkey from that look. (and she is!) And don't let the little angelic smiles from Emma Jane fool you. In some ways she is even sneakier. Parker looks at you and gives you that smile before she does something she's not supposed to, Emma Jane? She looks for you before doing it. To make sure she's in the clear (stinker). But...well...that's kids. That's why we're parents. We get to teach them through all that, and will be doing it for quite a long time.

But come on, look at that picture...don't you want to just pick them up and love them to pieces?

How can you not love:

this?!?

Sure it's work, but it is easier then when they first got home, and they are just so much fun to be around. Mary Jane worked yesterday and I got to spend the whole day with them. It was great. We do all sorts of stuff. We had a little pretend tea party (they have a little table and chairs and they sit in the chairs and bang the table...this is pretty much what a tea party is right now...and frankly that is my kind of tea party). Parker climbs up me and grabs my eyes and says "eyes." Emma Jane says "hi" to me every time I leave the room, and then walks after me. They are both doing a little walking right now, and they are so proud of themselves. When they do good at it they start patting their tummies and get all excited...which usually makes them trip and fall, to which we all clap.

We stacked boxes, we played chase, we ate solid food, took naps, and even watched a baby einstein video (that stuff is like crack for babies...wow...Parker could watch it all day). Life is good and we are thankful for it. The girls are the second best thing that has ever happened to me...the first, quite obviously, is Mary Jane. God has been merciful, and we give Him thanks.

This has turned into a long stream of conscious ramble. Sorry. I should wrap up and get back to homework. So let me summarize:

- God is good

- Life is easier then it was a year ago

- I love my babies

- I love my wife

- I love my God

amen

okay....that's it....oh...one more thing

...oh how far we've come