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.

In like Lion, out like a Lamb...

Well we're not "out" of March yet, but it has come true to form with hopes for spring and bitter cold reminding us winter is still a threat. We've been enjoying those warmer days.
The house hunt continues. Nothing is coming on the market and everything we've been considering is selling!!! So to take my mind off of it, here are our pics of what really matters most!

Cara has been sight reading a ton lately. She figured out several Simplified Hymns. Here she is playing "We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet" for family home evening and Shawn and Ryan and conducting with their swords. I am glad the camera was handy, cause this was a moment!

Cara/Mommy date to see Annie

Lets go fly a Kite

Shawnwalking in the wind.

Dad trying to get the bird to stay straight. It wasn't avery good kite. At least that is what we are telling ourselves is the reason we couldn't make it fly!

Autumn

Baby Autumn made her debut yesterday afternoon. Isn't she adorable! Congrats Amy and Mike! And Jameson, too. She looks just like a girl version of J, so I'm sure she's gonna have just as adorable a personality, too!

Great Weekend

We had a great weekend. Nate pulled through, just like every year, and bought me flowers for Valentines Day. We went on a hike through the woods with the kids and then went on a date to downtown Cincy. I have to say that was a let down. We were not impressed. I guess we just went to the area that is mostly offices, so dead on Saturday. They did have ice skating and a Brazilian Churrascaria, but not as bustling as we expected. As we drove out we saw some amazing old churches. That was my favorite part.
If you know the place to go, let me know!

Nate was playing the piano on Sunday and the boys were being so noisey. I went in to scold them and ask them to appreciate this beautiful music dad was playing and the above is what I found. Shawn was reading a book to Ryan with such sweet animation. So instead I grabbed the camera. I love the gun- that is practically attached to Ryan's hand these days.

My talented hubby!

Cara making her craft at her class Valentine Party.

Inauguration Day

Our Flag Jell-o. This was not made by Nate, as you can see it is falling apart.

Shawn and Cara learning about the Inauguration.
Ryan with President Obama.

We had quite a fun day yesterday with the Inauguration. Actually it started on Inauguration Eve:)

For Family Home Evening we talked about our belief to uphold our leaders and pray for them. Then we got out coloring pages of Obama and all 44 presidents. I had found some great print ables with word searches and quizzes. The kids really got into it. Ryan cut out about half the presidents with scissors while Shawn and Cara did the activities.

Then yesterday we watched the Inauguration with so much excitement. The kids watched it at school. I watched every second Ryan would let me. After our trip there in April, I loved recognizing each place and room they were in. I did not grow up enjoying history, but the last few years, living on the East coast, I have come to love experiencing our nation's history. I have had profound moments of realizing that we belong to a country with a noble beginning. We have conquered so much and can do anything we decide to do together!

GO USA!!!

On my Honor, I will try...

So last Thursday our townhome parking lot looked like this. Where were they going? OUR HOUSE!!

Nate heard a woman's voice around 10 pm from right outside our house saying "Someone help me!" Talk about your blood running cold. He called 911 afraid of what was happening and then once he had someone on the phone, yelled outside if anyone was there. Eventually he found a woman sitting on the ground unable to get up in the 15 degrees below zero weather. She was drunk and had a twisted ankle(4 inch heals on the train tracks will do that) and was in bad shape. He brought her in the house and soon every emergency official in the town was in our little living room! She had frost bite and hypothermia was setting in. If Nate wouldn't have heard her, she would have been a gonner and we would have found something much worse in our backyard the next morning.

The BEST part is Cub Scouts was earlier that evening and Nate had gone there straight from work so had his business casual clothes on under a boy scout shirt while he saved a life!

Cara worded it best when she said, "Daddy, you're a hero!"

Danny

Our Chicago trip would not have been complete without a visit to Danny.
We had such a good time with him!
Danny had his mom, Cuzin Andy make us Sugar cookies to decorate.
He had a talent show in true ALLEN fashion, showed us his balcony view of the city and even shared his hot wheels car!
When we were done at Danny's house, he took us to the Magnificent Mile just a stroll from his place to see the Lego Store, passing his urban grocery store. I was a little nervous someone was going to steal his dad (Cuzin Tom)'s designer coat, but I think he made it home all intact! We felt we had seen the city through Danny's eyes and loved every minute of it!
Thanks Danny! Your parents were fun to see, too. But you know who its all about!!!

Lego Store

2nd cousins

Yummy!!