Our Favorite Activity

One of our favorite things to do in the afternoon is to take a walk or wagon ride before daddy gets home. We pick flowers and visit with neighbors. I love that he enjoys being outside as much as John and I do. Here are a few pictures from our afternoon adventures.

Easter Time

I'm terribly behind on posting Easter pictures, so please forgive me. My parents came in town for the weekend. It was really special to host our first Easter celebration here in Atlanta. John Parker hunted for eggs with a little help from Lolly and Pops. Unfortunately, our photo ops were limited due to some teething pains. I guess it was a good reminder for me personally that Easter is not all about photo ops, bunnies, and cadbury eggs. It's about Jesus' death and resurrection. He is risen!

Son, trust me you are going to love this stuff in a year or so?




My two Johns



Hunting with Lolly and Mom


I love that furrowed brow and those lashes!


Our little bunny getting some more teeth!

Spring Break

The Garrison's came down to Atlanta for their spring break. We can always plan on lots of playtime when they're in town. We played football, basketball, and board games. The weather was perfect, so we were able to take advantage of mom and dad's basketball courts and enjoy their beautiful wooded backyard. It was neat to see how much more interactive John Parker was with Christina and Stephen during this visit. He's really into balls right now, so he's looking forward to playing basketball with his daddy, Stephen and George in a few years. Here are some pictures from their visit.

Could you teach me how to throw a curve ball?


Easter Egg Hunt with G'ma and G'pa


Chowing down on my first piece of bread (Don't worry, I broke it up for him! :))


Stephen being his funny self


Aunt Susan and Uncle George


Enjoying G'pa and G'ma's backyard


Not to sure about this whole Easter bunny thing!

Teethy Grin

JP has had his two bottom teeth since he was 8 1/2 months. However, I've had a tough time capturing that teethy grin. One night, John and I tag teamed and made him giggle and snapped some really cute shots. It just so happened to be his 10 month birthday that day too!

Uncle AJ's Visit

We've been quite busy the last few weeks with lots of visits from family. We absolutely love having visitors. Here are some pictures of our weekend with my brother AJ and his girlfriend Morgan. We took advantage of the warm weather and enjoyed a picnic at Piedmont Park. On Saturday night, we headed to the Atlanta Thrashers game to watch them dominate the Philly Flyers. Fun times.

A day at the park



A coveted family photo op



Trying to get John Parker to crack a smile :)



Thrashers game with my hubby



Hanging out with my Uncle A

Amateur Photographer

I'm sure many of you can relate to this post. I can't seem to get enough pictures of my sweet little boy. I seriously take ten pictures of John Parker doing the same thing in the same position, but I can't bring myself to delete even one of them. Perhaps, he smiles or wrinkles his nose a certain way or his hand looks so tiny against his stuffed animal. I'm hoping that I can capture these moments on film since I know they are fleeting. I am a amateur photographer at best, but I have never enjoyed my subject so much.

6 Month Old Video Highlights

A Trip to the Beach

At the beginning of March, we headed to Seascape beach to spend a long weekend with some of my closest girlfriends and their families. It's been great to do life with these ladies since they have been my friends since we were 12. We've walked through many life changes together-boyfriends, college, marriage, and now kids. We rented out a beach home, took the kids/babies for bike rides, walked around Seaside, and ate at the famous Red Bar. Here are a few pictures of the weekend. I had hoped to have more group shots, but that's not as easy now with kids! :)

Beautiful Sunset at Grayton Beach



Telling me all about his first experience at the ocean



Enjoying the center of Rosemary Beach with John



All the little ones (Hudson, Caroline, John Harris, and John Parker)



Walking around Seaside



Coffee Break with Daddy in Eufala, AL (Blue Moon Coffee is a quaint little stop)

Dance Party

Sometimes in the late afternoon, we get a little wild in the Ritsema home. We like to turn up the music and dance. Here are a few priceless pictures of our star dancer.

Warming up...


DJ Skill Spins trying to decide on the next song


Breaking it down


Did you see that?

Sunny Days

A few weekends ago, the temperatures reached into the high 50's. It was a heat wave of sorts which provided much needed relief from the extremely cold winter that we've had. I know, I know, we really have no reason to complain seeing as the Northeast and Midwest are covered with inches upon inches of snow every other day. It's just that I've grown accustomed to moderate winters and this one has been downright cold.

During the weekend, we enjoyed our first picnic of 2010, checked out a new local playground, and walked along the Chattahochee river. I was reminded of how much I love nature; I felt such joy and peace as we relished in God's creation. It was definitely hard to get back into the groove of real life after such a wonderful weekend.

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.--Ralph Waldo Emerson