IT'S A GIRL!!!

It's official, and we're completely thrilled!

Day Out With Thomas

Once a year, an old train out in Grapevine (a nearby suburb) dresses itself up as Thomas the Tank Engine.

So, we bought tickets & headed out yesterday to take the kids on their first train ride.

Savannah was very excited to ride the "Real Thomas". (However, she couldn't quite get over the fact that he didn't talk...so tough to impress kids these days!)

All aboard with our friends, the O'Banions:

Showing off our Thomas Tats (Nice guns, Rod!)

Playing trains with the Big Boys:

2 Bugs in a Rug!

Visit with the Evans Family

Savannah & I were lucky enough to spend a couple of our California afternoons visiting one of my very best friends, Liz Evans, & her 4 fabulous children.

Liz & I grew up together. (Our moms are life-long best friends.) I am 2 years older than Liz, and I always considered her the little sister I never had! I love & respect her so much & always enjoy time spent with her.

It's fascinating to watch Liz with her children. The oldest is 7, the youngest is almost 3, and they just have the best time together. Somehow, she manages to give her children a lot of freedom without losing control of it all. She's an amazing mother--relaxed, happy, spontaneous, and attentive.

Her family gives me a vision of my hopeful future--I would be thrilled to have a family as content, adorable, and fun as hers!

Jen & Liz:

Savannah fits in age between Liz's 3rd & 4th children. As you can see, she had the BEST time playing with the Evans kids.

Here they are, dining on Liz's delicious homemade soup & cookies:

Petting Uncle Ben's turtle:

We trecked out for a fantastic adventure at Fairy Tale Town.

Chillin' on the Cheese:

A Happy Team:

5 Little Crazies:

Sliding down the Old Woman's Shoe:

Driving Cinderella's Coach:

Prancing on the Yellow Brick Road:

One Last Hunt

After a big family Easter dinner at my parents' house, we all headed out for one last egg hunt.





HAPPY EASTER!

Easter Morning

Easter Morning arrived with some true Hinze Family Enthusiasm!

Finding the hidden Easter Baskets:


Digging through the loot:

Enjoying the most popular Easter Basket item...The Goldfish. They were both SO excited to get Goldfish in their baskets (even though they eat them almost daily. Go figure...)

All dressed for church:


Happy Hinze Family:

Easter Eve Breakfast & Egg Hunt

On Saturday, we all went to a fantastic Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by my parents' ward.

Enjoying the Feast:

Working on her project:

Out on The Hunt:


Satisfied Seekers:

Happy Family Meals

We've had some great family meals here in California!

Fun at the Olive Garden:

Prepping Pork Burritos:

Easter Eve dinner with the extended family:

Will, feasting at the "Big Table":

First Movie

Rod, my mom, and I took the kids to see "Horton Hears a Who".

As it was Will's first movie, I had to officially document the event.
Will was busy the entire time, but he was happy.

Shout Hosanna!

Rod came to California to join us for Easter! We were SO thrilled to pick up Daddy from the airport, especially since we hadn't seen him in 5 days.

While I was driving with the kids, I said to Savannah,
"Daddy is going to be so excited! What do you think he will say when he sees you?"

She replied,
"I think he will shout Hosanna!"

I just cracked up laughing. What a funny kid...

Uncle Aaron Strikes Again

At the risk of embarrassing my brother Aaron, I am going to officially post that he is an absolutely amazing, fun, fantastic, all-around super-cool guy. The kids & I have had SUCH a great time with him during our California visit! He is ALWAYS up for an adventure, he is such a helper, and he is just relaxing & easy to be with.

He has established a tradition with my family of canoing at Lake Natoma. Every time we come, he sets up plans for a perfect boating evening. The best part is, Aaron does it ALL. He rents the canoe, carries it out to the dock, loads it up, and does ALL the paddling. Savannah & I just get to ride, enjoy the view, feed the ducks, and be spoiled. I LOVE it.

The Happy Captain:

With His First Mate:

The Ravenous Ducks:

Escaping from The Birds (they seriously got out of control):

Finding Treasures on Shore:

Watching the Sunset:

Grandma Dorothy & Savannah Dorothy

Savannah has become quite the little "Grandma's Girl" on this trip!
She is enjoying ALL the attention that goes along with being #1!!

Here they are enjoying gelato:

27 (Easter) Dresses

Today was a special day...

Grandma, Mommy & Savannah joined forces to find the perfect Easter dress.

It was a fun (but long) shopping trip & we were so proud of Savannah for being such a great super-model!












Stay tuned for future Easter posts, to find out which dress was the winner!!