Aquarium

We are making a "mad dash" to fit in some summer fun before school starts day after tomorrow. Nothing is crowded as most of the school districts in the Cincy area started last week. Here are some highlights.

Cara feeding a lorakeet.

Yes, that sign says Burmeze Python. And no, we did not feed them! One was swimming through the water in their cage. Just for you, grandma!
Shawn and Ryan. Why did we feed them when they just kept pooping on us?

Petting the sharks. Yep, sharks. Shawn was still saying at bedtime, "I can't believe we were petting sharks and sharks kill people!" He knows the difference, but loved saying it none the less.

Hold on!

Oh Yeah!

Ryan's first soccer scrimage!

What a happy boy.

Notice the kids smiles as they chase that ball around the field. Ryan really looked like this the whole time- only redder by the end!

A decade!

Shawn is 10!!!!!
Congratulations, Shawn, We love you.
He really wanted to have a party at the new LEGO store, but they were booked until mid October. So, he took the deal to use the money for the party to buy a bigger present.
He woke up to breakfast burritos and no chores.
He took a friend and Cara and Ryan to see G Force.
His chosen dinner was hamburgers, watermelon, carrots, soda and ...

a doughnut cake.

Then to top it all off, the family headed to the LEGO store to spend his cash. They didn't have the set he really wanted, so they ordered it right there for free shipping straight to our house. It arrived today. It was a fun day to cap off 10 years of adventure!

Gardening with Grandpa

One tradition our kids love is gardening at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

They picked quite a few peas this year and were excited to count how many were in each pod. 11 peas was the record.

MS 150

Every year Mike and usually Amy (she had a baby this year- so it's an off year) ride in the MS Bike tour with my name on their bikes. They actually ride in a team that usually raises thousands of dollars for MS. This was my first time to make it there, since it is always the same time as the Wilkey reunion. It was actually quite an emotional experience for me to see people I don't know cross the finish line with my name on their jersey. They don't know me and they have their own loved ones they ride for, and they love to ride anyway- but here they are- riding 100 miles that day for me. THANKS, Mike and Amy. I am glad you can use your hobby to benefit so many people!

Wilkey Reunion

Camping in the rain. Well, what else do I need to say. It WAS fun. The kids couldn't care less about mud and being wet- until the next night when they were freezign and wanted to go home with Grandma. Shawn stuck it out with Grandpa and Dad. He also participated in the Wipe Out and swam in the freezing lake.

Grandpa and Shawn Geocashing

Shawn's Wipe Out prize

One of our little hikes.

Happy Birthday Cara!

We missed Cara's birthday on the blog because we started moving 2 days after.
This was her year for a family celebration and we went to the movies to see Night at the Museum 2. She also got a date with Dad to shop at Michaels. She looked at the entire store to decide how to spend her gift card from Grandma A. What a dream.

Cara,
We love you and are so proud of how you stay true to the sweet girl you are.
We love to listen to you sing and play the piano. You look so happy when you're doing anything with music. Even when you boogy down with your brothers and can't control your laughter. You are bright and creative. You love your new room and have taken meticulous care of it.
Have a wonderful 8th year!

I'm back...

Well, maybe for a second.

Sorry I haven't blogged in over a month. I have so much to blog about, but so many other little things to do.

We moved out or our townhouse to a house last month. It went really smoothly thanks to dozens of friends we made in 10 months living here. And also thanks to my mom. You're the best, Mom, THANKS!

We then left 4 days later to 2 1/2 weeks of visiting family. It was great and all Nate's family was together for the first time since Ryan was 1!

I'll blog and post pictures tomorrow- but just wanted to record that we moved and are loving our little house and our fun neighborhood.

packing

I have been packing like crazy today for our move. One of Ryan's birthday presents yesterday was two big green LEGO plates. The kids have been setting up a village ever since. Here is a few shots of their work.

I love this one because of a certain 5 year old building under the table!

Shawn's Mideaval Market Village, Fire Station, and pond

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Our baby is 5! Is there a support group for this?

We had a little LEGO party which was super easy and SUPER fun!

Cara and Shawn were the party helpers and I couldn't have pulled it off without them.

Each boy made his own lego racer and then we raced them down a homemade ramp.

Blue Lily Giveaway!

Ken and Kim- our dear friends- had this amazing photo shoot and I want to get one for free. Don't you? Well go to Blue Lily and enter to win one! She really is amazing and I can't wait!

She travels to different places around the country- See if she is coming to your city this year!

night, night

A bitter sweet development has occured at our house. Today marks a week since I have layed down with Ryan at bedtime. Gasp!! For those of you who know Ryan's dependence on my hair for many things, you will not be shocked that he has wanted to hold my hair at bedtime even until last Thursday. I have noticed he has been reaching for may hair a little more in the daytime this week:). I rocked Ryan every night until he was about 2. As my last baby I have just held onto his little as long as possible. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to be able to let him grow up in some neccesary ways, though. I went on an overnight trip with some friends to Time Out For Women on Friday and he has been climbing in bed so tired every night since that he has not asked, "Mom, can you lay with me for a minute?"

Do we really have to let our kids grow up? Is there no other way?

I guess I'll just have to cuddle with Nate at night now;)

Right at Home

One place we miss terribly from CT is Eisenhower Park. We have ventured to different parks over the last month and have found great things about all of the local options.
Today, however we felt like we were right at home with the same rustic adventures we would have at Eisenhower Park.
As we were discovering new territory and fabulous natural surprises I realized this is probably our favorite family activity- hiking!
I love to watch our children try new things, discover new parts of the world, watch Dad do amazing tricks and see mom try and make everyone else look so good! Best of all- we all get along so well.

Ma and Pa Geese with 21 goslings!!!!
3 little adventurers

beautiful discovery

Christmas Card 09 candidate!

Shawn

In celebration of Mothers Day I thought I would highlight the reasons I love Mothers day, our children.
We'll start with Shawn.
I was a little stressed to have baseball in full swing this month. The rain has washed my stress away as all Shawn's games and practices have been cancelled for the last 2 weeks at least. We do want to play a little, though and hope the rain cooperates at least a few times this season!
Shawn spends most of his free time that mom doesn't let him play on the computer at the pond in our back yard. We are going to miss it, but not the mud! Shawn is determined to catch a frog as they have escaped him thus far. At least he is no longer going for the groundhogs!

Chilling at the river
Pumpkin Boogie at the Talent Show- he memorized this in one week!!!

Father Son cookout

Fuzzy the caterpiller- I love the helmet!!!

Cara

Cara is living up to her status as our princess sandwiched between 2 princes (or frogs, depending on the moment!) Last night as we were going to bed Ryan asked Dad, "Who is your favorite kid?" He told who his favorite youngest boy, oldest boy and oldest and youngest girl was. Cara followed, "The middle is the best place to be, its not too old, or too young, and since I'm a girl that makes it perfect!" I agree!

The perfect outfit for a Sunday stroll through the park, don't you think?

Boogie March Duet at Talent Show. BRAVO!!

The highlight of the Disctrict Art Show.

The kids often ask to do chores so they can earn Reward Bucks.

Cara asked if she could take the trash out on Friday and I thought nothing of it. When I noticed it was Pouring rain, I went to check on her and her true motivation became apparent- an excuse to wear her rain coat IN THE RAIN! She was in heaven.

Ryan

Ryan is enjoying Gymnastics and preschool. He mostly wants to stay home with mom and his dream day would involve lots of treats and a playdate of some sort.
Last week he came with me to a planning meeting for Cara's class party. When he heard where we were headed this was our conversation:
Ryan "Can I help? I have good ideas. "
Mom-"Oh, what is one of your ideas, Ry?
Ryan-"You could have popcycles and put the boys in a box over here, then the girls popcycles in a box over there."
Mom-"That's a good idea, thanks."
Ryan-"Make sure you tell the moms that idea."
Mom- "okay"

With Dad hopping across the river rocks

Brothers


"Fuzzy" the caterpillar

Late nights

We love that it is just getting dark at 9:00! So when Dad walked in the door early tonight and said, "Let's go to the park!" We hurried and grilled our burgers, and went on a family outing. We have wanted to try this park out for months and it was better than all the anticipation!! They have an amazing baseball facility with at least 4 fields. 2 football fields a playground, a river (complete with a mother duck and 5 ducklings!), and the drawing factor for us... a disc golf coarse!! We had so much fun even if we didn't get home until 8:45.

As Promised

Cara's Eye a couple days later.

Cara's Magazine Pose


Den Leader Dad giving Shawn his Bear badge. He had just fallen in the mud near the pond and proceeded to put the pin on me with his STINKY muddy hands.
Way to go, Shawn! You worked hard for this!

Mom of the year award goes to...

Someone else!

This was the week of injuries at our house.
Patient #1
Cara started it off by having a BIG crash off her bike with no helmet. As I heard the recognizable cry of real pain enter the house, my heart stopped. Her face didn't make it any better (good thing for adrenaline!). She already had a HUGE bruise and goose egg right next to her right eye. We iced, cleaned, checked pupils and stressed what to do. She was really sad and I am pretty sure she will always wear her helmet. I am just so thankful that nothing worse happened as I wasn't paying close enough attention to her.
Patient#2
Shawn woke up on Tuesday with a sore neck and it took him most of the week to get over it. He lived in luxury this whole week. It was state testing at school, so he got hot breakfasts, no homework, massages, hot water bottles at bed and just lots of love! Sorry life is back to the grind tomorrow.
Patient#3
Ryan "stepped" on his pinky finger while wrestling with some of his buddies. It was really swollen and black and blue. I ended up taking him to the doctor yesterday just to make sure and she thinks its fine. Then last night right before we were heading out the door to church in came that same cry from Ryan this time. As he came around the bend, blood was dripping down his leg. It was a pretty minor (very bloody) scrape but as I reached for a cloth to clean his wound I thought, "This just fits right in with the rest of the week. Good thing its Saturday!"

So, when I find our camera in the midst of my messy house, I'll post some pictures and try to be a better mom once again.

Spring Break

Grandma and Grandpa came for Spring Break. We love to travel with them and this week did not dissapoint!

Our Hotel:

Playing in the pool

The Cleveland Science Museum
Cara working a train

Ryan loved the sound of his own voice!

Shawn made Goo- they had great hands on activities


Kirtland, Ohio

We visited the Kirtland historic sites of the early settlement of the Latter-Day Saints. It was inspiring to see and hear of their sacrifices to gather and worship how they believed. Some of our own ancestors lived there and were forced to leave and move on to more persecution and struggles elsewhere until they found peace and happiness in the Salt Lake Valley. I am so thankful to peacefully live where and how I do now among people of all faiths and beliefs.