Spring Break 2009

The WEJ with Deepo

Grumpy Jack

Will with the fish

Havin' fun watching Deepo

Fish tacos at the Cheesecake Factory - yum-o!

As a spur of the moment decision, Nana and Mary Jo traveled down to NC to see us and we took off for an overnight adventure in Atlanta. We visited the American Girl Place and the Georgia Aquarium. We had lots of fun and lots of laughs (especially in the hotel room after lights out). Our kids are so lucky to have such active and fun grandmas in their lives! We are so fortunate to have Mary Jo with us after surviving the Titanic. Thank you Nana and Mary Jo for a super-fun trip. 

Easter 2009

Trying to play catch up........

Easter was especially beautiful this year.  I don't know why.  Maybe it was because Will was making his First Communion and we were more "involved" in the preparations. Maybe it was because I was teaching Faith Formation and I was more involved in the the spiritual meaning. Maybe the mass was more meaningful this year.  Whatever the reason, it was just a beautiful day in all aspects of the word. 

Jack participated in an egg hunt at school, we decorated eggs for the bunny to hide and we were up at the crack of dawn thanks to Jack to find everything that the bunny had hid for us.  Jack actually woke up around 5:30 or so to go to the bathroom.  He came downstairs and woke up Allan for assistance.  Allan told him to go right back up to bed.  On his way up, he discovered that the bunny had left jellybeans on the steps leading up to their rooms.  He brought one to Allan and asked him what it was. Allan explained that it was a jellybean left by the bunny.  He instructed him to go back to bed and not to wake up his brother and sister.  Jack said OK and quietly proceeded up the steps.  When he reached the top, we could hear him yell "Will and Emma, the Easter Bunny came!".  It was all over from that point on. Cameras ready! The hunt was on! 

We spent the day eating candy, going to church, eating candy, visiting wonderful friends for an egg hunt and wine, eating more candy and then finally hitting the bed only to lie awake due to a sugar buzz.  It was a beautiful day! 

Spring Fishing

Studly fisherman

Future fisherman

Emma finds joy in holding the minnows - bleck!

Will caught one!

As an elective for Cub Scouts, we spent the day fishing at a friend's cabin.  It was a lovely day and the kids all had a ball. The fish were supposed to be biting because of the timing (early April), but they weren't.  Evidently, there had been too much rain (yes, here in the land of drought!).  Nonetheless, a few fish were caught, minnows were held and lots of snacks were eaten.  We ended the day with a yummy BBQ and promises to do more fishing in the summertime. 

Can you say RBI?

If you look very close (or zoom in) you can see Will, #6 sliding into home plate!

The happy ball player

Will sure can!  He actually got three at his last baseball game!  We were so proud of him.  And of course, I was the lunatic mom who was screaming her head off in excitement.  

Something just clicked at his last game and he did an awesome job at the plate. And believe it or not, he didn't do any disco moves when he got to first base like he did last year.  HA!  Great job, Willster!

Soccer Boy

For what seems like an eternity now, Jack has been begging to play soccer.  Who knows why!  No one else in the family plays soccer for him to watch and yearn to play. Something just snapped and he decided he was going to play soccer - and he wanted to play NOW (this was back in February).  Well, the day finally came when he could play soccer.  He is actually participating in a "clinic" at the local YMCA.  The children are all 3-4 years old and cute as can be!  I have to admit, the first day, all we could do was laugh.  Imagine a 3 year-old with their short little legs, trying to put their foot on a ball and hands on their hips.  Cracks me up! 

The outfit cracks me up too!  The socks are long enough to reach up to his underwear, the shoes are the smallest size I could find and the jersey is sooo long that if I tuck it in his shorts, you can't see the number on his back (which is bigger than his back).  

All is going well so far.  Jack's only complaint is that the other kids don't kick him the ball. Hmm....why would anyone at that age be willing to give the ball up if they are lucky enough to get it in the first place?!  We have to talk through that one. 

Enjoy the shots of Jack in his Kiddie Kicker Blue soccer uniform! 

Twirl Skirt!

The "twirl skirt" is finally done!  It took a little longer than expected, but I made it and Emma loves it. Thank goodness! It turned out really cute and Emma loves spinning around with it on. I would definitely make it again, but would use more contrasting fabric colors.  As always, Amy Butler rocks!

New Rooms!

A kiss of thanks!

The guys

View from family room to garage

The family room

Entryway

Bedroom closet

Bedroom/sewing room

So here are some shots of the basement, with walls and a ceiling, after the guys were done on Saturday. They hung most of the drywall and put a first coat of mud on most of it. Yeah! Since they left, Allan finished the bathroom and hallway.  Still working on two of the closets.  Next comes mudding, and more mudding, and more mudding.......