Spring Break 2011

We started off the Spring Break weekend by watching General Conference with Nikki and Darrin. We love having them in Ohio so we can see them often! Of course, the kids love it when they come....especially Darrin. Who doesn't love a cousin who tickles you, jumps on the trampoline, tosses and twirls you around, reads books to you, plays games with you....over and over again?? Darrin is a good sport and we had a great time with them. We also drove to Lexington on Sunday to see great friends there and watch Conference with them too. (Thanks Millars and Jones's....so happy to meet those sweet babies you have!!)


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Ellie and Isaac being twirled and tossed by Darrin = pure joy!


We headed to the Louisville Zoo with the Thiess family one day. The kids just love having friends there to run around with and enjoy a beautiful day outside! That zoo pass we have is so great...worth every penny!



It was a week of zoo trips...we drove to Cincinnati one day to meet Nicole at the Zoo. I had forgotten what a beautiful zoo they have in Cincinnati. There were flowers and tulips blooming everywhere. We saw just about all there was to see at the zoo that day. The kids loved seeing the manatees that they have there. They have a train that you can take a ride on, and Isaac was so excited about it. He held his little ticket in his hand and couldn't wait to get on. We had to wait in line for our turn, and the train came and left one time without us because we couldn't get on that round. Isaac's little heart just broke when that train pulled away without him! He just cried! Oh what joy he had though when it came back and he got to climb on and take a ride. He loved every second of the five minute train ride we took on the "choo choo."

Pretty soon we will have 5 monkeys in our family pictures just like this one!

Isaac holding his train ticket waiting to get on and Ellie and Nicole having fun together on the train!

Thanks for spending a fun day with us Nik....we love you!

To end the week, we went camping with the Larsen and Strong families to Deam Lake in Indiana. The kids were SO excited to go camping, so I'm so glad the weather cooperated and we were able to go for just one night. There is something about sleeping in a tent, having a campfire, looking for sticks, and exploring the trails that is just heaven for kids, and we did have a great time. It took everyone (especially Isaac) a long time to go to sleep and it was a COLD night, but we made it through. The grown ups stayed up late playing games which was so fun. The next morning Blaine and the kids made an attempt to go fishing. Cameron has been wanting to go fishing for so long, so we finally got a pole and gave it shot. It was not very successful, but we got the supplies ready, and got the line in the water at least! The next trip will be better! Cameron thought it was great which is all that counts. While we were fishing, a huge thunderstorm came rolling in, and we had to pack up our camp really quick and barely missed being drenched in a major storm. An exciting conclusion to a fun camping trip!


Kelsey setting up her spot in the tent.

Cameron and Ellie enjoying their smores...one of the best parts of camping of course!
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Isaac chillin' in the kid sized camping chair.

Perfectly toasted marshmellow by Blaine

Cameron and Kelsey trying out the new fishing pole....you have to wear the fishing hat if you have the pole....Dad's rule.

Jaimee and my great friend Summer Larsen.

All in all a fun week off of school and time spent together! Sure love Kentucky in the Spring!

Spring is here....

I love Spring! Seeing these flowers is so refreshing after such a long, cold winter! They just make things seem happier! Ellie has been faithfully watering these daffodils every day...she's just as excited about them as I am. The tulips are almost ready to bloom too....we've worn shorts a few days....going to buy flip flops for the summer this week.... opening the windows for some fresh air...its great!

Isaac is 2!

Our Budso turned two on March 11th! Has it really been two years!? Isaac is such a fun boy. He is talking so much now, and he is just friendly to everyone and loves to be doing what the big kids are doing. He's very polite and always tells us "Thank you Mommy" (or Daddy) and just is always very concerned about us all in our family. He always asks, "You ok Mommy?" and just is always giving hugs and kisses to us all. He LOVES cars,trucks,busses, and trains....he's such a boy and I love that. He loves climbing up on the kitchen counters a hundred times a day, getting in the shower fully clothed and turning on the water, escaping from the house at any chance to be found walking up the street by himself or on the trampoline, and going for drives with Blaine in his car. He definitely keeps me on my toes and I get nervous if I don't know where he is after a few minutes. What a special part he is to our family! Happy Birthday Budso!

He got these cars for his bday....I knew he'd LOVE them. He was so serious about playing with them I couldn't get him to eat his bday cake or even look at me!

He was very nervous about the fire on his bday candle...he kept saying "Blow, Blow out!!"

Opening presents!! He was happy we were letting him tear up paper for fun!!

He loves seeing Cameron and Kelsey's school bus every day...so we thought a bus cake would be perfect!

Is this the face of trouble or what??

Cheese!!

Meeting Ryan Jr....

It was our great pleasure to meet this little guy...Ryan James Jr. this month (finally!!).

He is our cutest little nephew...son of Brooktynn and Ryan (our fabulous bro and sis-in-law) that came to visit us from Arizona for the weekend! How fun! It makes me want to live by them just so we could hang out with them all the time. Thank you guys for coming to see us...can't wait to see you again.

Kelsey at Ballet...

I got to go watch Kelsey at ballet a few weeks ago....here are some pictures from her cute class. The place she takes ballet reminds me a lot of the place I took growing up....sweet teachers, fun imaginative activities, and just teaching a love of dance in a very good atmosphere. She has a good time.

More cute pics...

Kelsey lost one of her front teeth!

Happy Birthday to Jaimee

It was my 33rd birthday in March....and I got a great new camera that I've been trying to learn how to use by snapping lots of cute pictures of the kids. It was a good bday!