Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

We had a fun and busy day.

First we hit the parade!

Then we hit Falls Park (along with several other people)

Took the elevator to the top of the tower at Falls Park.

Enjoyed some free ice cream....

before we ate lunch....you can do that sometimes!

Climbed the rocks.

Went to a friends house for a BBQ.

And watched the daddies blow off some fireworks.

Then went to a field where we watched a bunch of fireworks.

And stayed up way too late (it was midnightwhen they went to bed)but had a blast doing it anyway!

Happy Easter!

We spent Easter with my folks this year. It was a gorgeous day....if you don't count the 40 mph winds that were in our face on the way home. But we're pretty much used to that by now. Church was fabulous and how can it not be? Jesus is Alive!!

After church we tried to get a picture of the boys. This is how it always starts. Silly faces but not aimed towards the camera. So we ask them to look at mommy which turns into.....

one child pouting and the other so not interested. We are such mean parents. But we continue on...

and find that one child will make cute faces while looking at the camera (sort of).

We try to convince that child to cheer up the other child. And he made a good attempt which turned into...

A half smile but still one is not looking at the camera.

It's a work in progress.

And I could show you the outtakes of our family picture but I think you get the idea.

But seeing what the easter Bunny left is sure fun.

And so is hunting for eggs.

April snow brings......snowmen and Easter Eggs

Snow in April is cruel, just cruel. Especially when we haven't had snow in over a month. On Friday the kids were out in sweatshirts and Crocs. By Saturday it was raining, snowing, sleeting, blowing and just plain cold. I'm hoping we broke out the snow pants and snow boots for the last time. But the boys did have a blast building not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 snowmen! Who are all slowly fading.

And while it was so cold and icky out we decided to pass the time dying Easter Eggs.

We're still scrubbing the dye off.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A Leprechaun came and turned our milk green.

Back to the Grind

It's back to the grind today after 2 weeks of Christmas and New Year's celebration. We've enjoyed the last 5 days with daddy home from work. The boys were a little confused this morning when they woke up and daddy was already gone. So today we are back on a routine, one that involves not skipping naps and being in bed before 9:30. I guess routine would also mean I should clean the house, make my bed, do some laundry and feed the kids. Hmmm, I think I like the vacation routine MUCH better.

Here is some of what we did with our little vacation.

Made pancakes for breakfast, played Legos on the kitchen floor while mommy cooked, painted with finger paint, slept in till after 8 2 of 4 mornings, went to a hockey game, went shopping sans kids, ate at the Original Pancake House, went to Target, fixed the Neon, played trumpets in the bathtub, painted 2.5 walls, went to Menard 17 times, played Mario Kart, fixed the attic entry, watched some hockey, made creme brulee, took down a crib, moved Carson to the top bunk so Declan could sleep on the bottom, assembled a toy shelf, switched car seats, played hockey, went to dinner at Fudruckers, hugged a mascot, looked at some Christmas lights, cleaned out a closet, played some golf bowling and boxing on the Wii, ate at McDonalds, bought some good ice cream, cleaned out the garage, took down the Christmas tree, fixed a wall, put in some new outlets, fixed the front door, went to Best Buy, played Gone Fishing, read some books, skipped a nap, cried, changed some diapers, went to church, watched some football, drank lots of Coke since today is Day 1 of "less Coke," and last but not least relaxed and enjoyed some time as a family.

And pictures to prove that at least some of the above is true......Happy 2009!

And a little video of our tub band we are creating. Watch out! We could be the next Rock Band.

It's going to be an exciting new year.

Me: Carson what are your New Year's Resolutions?

Carson: I don't know.

Me: Well, what do you want to do in the new year?

Carson: I don't know

Me: What should we do today?

Carson: Um, play.

Me: What should we do for the rest of 2009?

Carson: I don't know. I want to play a game.

Me: Well tell me what your resolutions are first?

Carson: Um, to play in the snow.

You are so your father's son.



Me: Declan what are your New Year's Resolutions?

Declan: "No I talkin to brudder."

Me: Well what do we want to do in 2009?

Declan: "Pick up da boxes and take those cause we got awot of dem. What are we doin tonight brudder?

Me: Huh?

One thing is for sure......they have been practicing their photo taking skills since Christmas.

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009.

What a blessing 2008 has been for us. Time with family and friends, vacations, good health, good jobs and two little boys who are the light of our world.

Happy New Year!
May God Bless you and yours in 2009

It was a good Christmas

We're home! The house is trashed, the bags aren't unpacked, there are toys in every direction, one car is in the shop, one car doesn't have breaks, one kid has bronchitis, one mom needs to go to Target (to get antibiotics for said child) and Sam's but won't have time since one dad needs the rental car box tonight (It's a Chevy Aveo). But enough of that mess I've got pictures and doing this seems more exciting then dealing with the Christmas tornado that has landed in my house.

Christmas was a blast. The boys had a great time and came home with some pretty good loot. Carson was convinced that Santa had also stopped at our house while we were gone, seeing as he made a stop at BOTH grandma's. I don't think we have room for any more toys. A new toy shelf or box is in the works since having them all over the floor doesn't seem like a viable option. Here is our Christmas in pictures. Enjoy!

Grandma Lee had lots of snow (both grandma's did) and so we took advantage and spent alot of time outside. Carson was in seventh heaven.

And so was daddy.



Carson going down Grandma's driveway.

Grandma even convinced Declan to get outside. Which is a major feat in itself.

After some time outside we got ready for church.

All decked out for church.

Carson checked out the tree.

The boys got a plate of cookies ready for Santa. And no we did not give Santa beer (although he may have liked that). Carson insisted that Santa would want a glass of apple juice instead of milk.

We read Twas the Night Before Christmas.

And then before we knew it Christmas morning had arrived, Jesus' Birthday! And the unwrapping began.

We got some new Legos.

We got a new toothbrush (Every boy's dream I'm sure)

We got new light sabers.

Carson got a new guitar.

Carson got Buzz Light Year (and Declan got Woody)

Then it was back outside. Carson was thrilled.

Even Declan came out and from the looks of it he may have had some fun.

Daddy and Carson snowmobiled.

And so did Daddy and Declan.

And look.....so did Mommy and Declan.

Nobody wanted to go inside.

The next day (Friday) it was off to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family.

Declan got his favorite book.

He also got new clothes which he was oddly thrilled about.

We got a new golf set.

The boys got a new camera.

And they have been practicing their photography skills ever since.

We got new remote control cars.

Declan got a new bear that may be bigger then him.

Well at least the head is.

We got a new fishing game.

On Saturday my dad took Trevor and I out for some cross country skiing. Something neither of us had tried. It was fun but alot of work and it was a gorgeous day out.



We were definitely blessed this Christmas.

Now we are ready to be home for awhile. 2 months of traveling non-stop have left us exhausted. Daddy has most of this week off so we will get to enjoy some time together and hopefully tackle a to do list that is a mile long!