Spring Days

We've felt pretty darn lucky around Massachusetts lately.  Spring weather seems to have arrived earlier than normal and we have been enjoying spending time outside again.  Never in my life has 50 degrees felt so nice but when you live through MA winters, 50 and sunny seems heavenly and is definitely a reason to be outside.  Ryan just loves being able to play in the yard again and it definitely is good for my soul too.  We've been going on walks, playing on the swing set, blowing bubbles, and listening to tunes.  On top of that, Josh has had some rare Saturdays off of work and so he's been able to play outside with us, which is always exciting and fun.

I'm so excited to have lunches outside, dress the girls in rompers and sandals and just enjoy the sunshine!  What are you excited for?!?!

Easter 2015

Holidays change a lot when you have kids.  They also change a lot when you have a husband who is a resident.  And they change a lot when you live in a new state far far away from all of your family and normal traditions.  That's not to say that Easter or holidays can't be enjoyable, but they definitely take on a new "look" then they used to.  And I'll be the first to admit that I have a difficult time dealing with the new look sometimes.

So, it's necessary to forge new traditions and become at peace with a new "normal."  The things that I do now will be Ryan's and her new sister's "norm" and I'm sure they will eventually be mine too.

On Good Friday, Ryan had her second dentist appointment.  Gasp, not necessarily a good Friday right?!?!  And before you start to worry, I'm not planning to make dentist appointments an annual Good Friday tradition.  Haha!  But we made it through the appointment with only tears and no passing out episodes!  Thank the Lord!  It was a warm 60+ degrees and though the sun wasn't out, I am definitely welcoming the cloudy weather if it means I can leave the house without gloves, a down jacket, and winter boots on.  Ryan rocked some adorable bunny ears and I actually think she really likes them because I have randomly found her playing at the house the last few days while wearing them.

Josh has been on nights for the majority of the past three weeks which is always rough on everyone.  We are surviving, but it means that he could only be minimally present in today's Easter festivities.  We started out the morning with a bottle in Mom and Dad's bed followed by an exciting Easter basket surprise in the family room.  Ryan went straight for the M&M's in one of the eggs and proceeded to stuff her cheeks full of them before I decided she'd had enough candy before breakfast. :)  A girl after Dad's own heart.

Step away from my candy Mom!

I filled her basket full of some candy, jelly sandals, egg chalk, some new hair clips, a book, and my favorite, a stuffed animal unicorn that I'm sure I'm more obsessed with than she is.  But she had a really fun time taking all of the goodies out of her basket and of course, eating her candy.

I stole an idea from Pinterest and made us some festive pancakes for breakfast which were a hit with everyone.

And then we headed off to church as a family of three four.  It's always nice when that can happen because it is rare these days due to Josh's hectic schedule.

Josh slept the rest of the day in preparation for working this evening and Ryan and I spent the rest of the day like we normally do, playing, watching cartoons, and making entirely too many messes that I have yet to clean up.   There wasn't a big Easter dinner and we were out of our Easter clothes by noon, but we still had a nice day and ultimately the day is about Jesus anyway and his death and resurrection on the cross.

I hope our family and friends near and far had an enjoyable holiday as well.  Happy Easter everyone!

Spring has arrived and so have the Douglas Men.

Well, it's official.  Spring has arrived. And. It. Is. Beautiful.  Being a Bakersfield, California girl, I am really only used to two different seasons, winter and summer.  We might get a few weeks some years where there is a hint of spring.  But it is nothing like what Josh and I are getting to experience here in Newcastle upon Tyne.  In the last couple of weeks, the sun has shown more than the clouds, the flowers are blooming bright yellows, purples, and reds, the bare naked branches of trees have sprouted leprechaun green leaves, the insects are buzzing from bush to bush, and the birds can be heard chirping their merry little tunes all day long.  I am in love with Spring.  I have always said that summer is my most favorite time of the year, but if I could have Springs like this in Bakersfield, I think I might change my mind.

These trees had NOTHING on them until about two weeks ago.

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

-William Shakespeare

Just last week, after coming home from the gym, I decided to take my lunch outside to our tiny front lawn for a picnic and some reading in the sunshine.  Oh happy day!

Josh sneakily took this photo from his "Man Cave" window.

And what perfect timing for Spring to arrive right when we are going to have more visitors!  Scott and Andrew arrived at Newcastle International Airport on Thursday evening and we were so glad to see them.  The most challenging part about living here (minus the whole medical school thing) is having our family so far away from us.  Luckily, we have had quite a few family members visit in the past 8 months.

Scott headed up to St. Andrew's golf course in Scotland yesterday (and he got to golf!) and so Josh and I took Andrew to Jesmond Dene for some football throwing.  Jesmond Dene is gorgeous all the time, but right now, when the breeze picks up and the sun is out, you see the little flower petals from the trees falling, and it is breathtaking.

Josh and his little bro Andrew.

Today, Mother Nature again provided us with another beautiful day and some fabulous sunshine.  I even went running for the first time outside post knee surgery!  Three miles baby!  Scott and Andrew traveled to the coast for the afternoon and when they got back, the four of us headed back to Jesmond Dene for more football.

Andrew, Scott, and Joshua

We are so happy to have them here and you can all look forward to more blog posts about their time spent here.  They are staying until Saturday. 

I know Spring can't last forever, so I am going to soak up as much of it as I can while it does last.  Especially since I have no idea when I will ever live in another place where I truly get to experience it.