Backyard fun.

The cousins spent a lot of time playing in the backyard. We had great weather and it eventually warmed up enough for the sprinkler.

 The kids put together a lemonade stand.

 Oliver had quite a collection of caterpillars.

north carolina zoo

We ventured out to the North Carolina Zoo with the Vermont crew. The kids had fun but the zoo is so big and it was a warm day so everyone wore down pretty quickly. It can be exhausting to get from one exhibit to the next. Poor Oliver had overdosed on gummy vitamins that morning (ate half of a giant container and then promptly threw them up). He seemed fine after that so we went forward with our zoo plans. But by the time we got there, he wasn't feeling so well anymore. So he spent most of his time miserable in the stroller. Which makes two sick zoo visits in a row for him. Sad.

Easter with cousins.

We were so excited to have my brother Dan and his family visit us over Easter. They made the long drive from Vermont and we were so happy they did! The kids loved having nearly a week of cousin time. Easter weekend was spent coloring eggs, eating lots of food, going to church, and having an egg hunt.

Easter brunch. I used a loaf of Brioche from La Farm to make this amazingly delicious salted caramel baked french toast (recipe from Smitten Kitchen). I need to make this again. Soon.

 Easter dinner. Hot buttery rolls are my weakness.

The malted chocolate toasted marshmallow cake is always a favorite. (We've made this too many times since we first tried it for Elsa's camping birthday party. The two different frostings are SO dangerously delicious.)