Not all that busy

We've been spending every weekend since Christmas in Des Moines, enjoying some quiet time. Although we've had a fair number of visitors - mostly our parents!

We enjoyed attending a conference called, Created and Redeemed. Wow, seriously life changing. It's about the Theology of the Body that Pope John Paul II focused on. Amazing stuff to learn.

We're busy now getting ready for Easter. Getting Easter Eggs stuffed and packing things to go home for next weekend.

Ella has decided within the last week that it's time to wear underwear, instead of diapers. It's going very well with few, if any, accidents at daycare. She's doing great!

We have plans to go to an Iowa Stars game this weekend. Ella is so excited, she's been asking to go to a hockey game since we got home from the last one.

Happy Easter everyone!
Charles, Alyse & Ella

Birthday Party

Ella's friend Kaity celebrated her 5th birthday at Pump it Up in Urbandale. It's an indoor playground full of inflatable rides. Oh what fun she had! Admittedly, Charles & I had a lot of fun too!

Ella in her party hat!

Ella loved this inflatable. A huge obstacle course that she could maneuever through on her own. Wow!

All the birthday kids!

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Ella and I recently raised money for JDRF. Here we are at our walk. It was held in the skywalks in Downtown Des Moines. Ella and I were part of a team from The Principal Financial Group, my employer. The little girl in the picture with Ella is Ellery, my friend Lee's daughter.

Helping

These days, helping me is something Ella is always excited about. We're making chocolate covered strawberries and boy were they good!

Ring around the rosy

Ella really likes to play ring around the rosy. Here she is playing with Grandma and Grandpa Anliker (and Duste).