Spring Break, Part 2

Ahhh.... another reason to love spring break?  Later bedtimes, relaxed mornings, and more chances for snuggles :)  I love when they want to crawl up in my bed in the morning to snuggle before the day begins!

The MN Zoo with the Greisens was so fun!  We hadn't been there in months, and it was fun to have friends along to explore with.

The black bear was pacing back and forth in front of Carson.  He was jacked!

And spring break ended with a weekend up North with the Biermaiers.  We explored the Duluth area, shared a ton of laughs, had good food, good drinks, and enjoyed some time not chasing kids, cleaning up messes, and just having some adult fun.

Wasn't it nice of Jeremy and Jeremy to let Sarah and me come along on their weekend trip?

Although it wasn't the beach some people experienced on their spring break, this is one of our favorite beaches!!  We are excited to bring the kids back up in June to do some more exploring.

Spring break makes me SO, SO excited for summer.  I love the laid back days, not having set plans, LOW stress, and so much more fun than the go-go-go of the school year.  We thoroughly enjoyed spring break 2017... bring on summer!!

Spring Break, Part 1

We started Spring Break week with an ECFE event meeting some reptiles.  Cooper volunteered to hold this boa.  Eww.  But he was in heaven!!  He talked about this snake for weeks...

Our first weekend was spent in Grand Rapids celebrating Rhett's 1st birthday!  It was so much fun seeing the cousins together... we missed Drake (they sadly stayed home because Missy was sick) but still made the best of it.

Rhett loved his cake.  Dana got plenty of jabs for making him a banana cake with sugar free frosting :)

On the way home, we stopped at Cabela's.  The kids think this place is a destination... I guess in the eyes of a kid, it is!  This time, we even enjoyed some slushies.

Artist Izzy is getting ready for Easter.  She really is quite a little artist.  She pays attention to detail, she has crazy painting and drawing skills for being just 4 years old, and she LOVES anything to do with painting, drawing, or crafting.

Chris took the kids to build wood duck houses, and she had them over to find the perfect spot in the woods to hang them up.  Here, we hiked to see the spots.  The kids are looking forward to checking for eggs soon!

The Henkes are great neighbors--and Izzy is becoming fast friends with Jayce!

Edinborough Park was AWESOME!  I had never taken the kids to this cool indoor park, and it was so fun!!!  The climbing structure was giant, but very doable for all the kids, and even me :)

The Great Hall was also pretty fun when we needed a break from climbing.  The kids could ride bikes, trikes, and other cool little contraptions, as well as shoot hoops and jump in a bounce house!

"He shoots, he scores!!"  Carson had to repeat these words with every shot!!

One day, when they think they hate each other, I will remind them of the sweet little moments like these.  Cooper is SUCH a good helper with Carson, and he can often get Carson to cooperate at times when he isn't listening to me.

Haircuts were long overdue, and we got to go see Missy at her new salon!

Carson still isn't in love with getting his hair cut, but it gets SLIGHTLY easier every time.  I just wish it didn't grow so fast so we didn't need to get it cut every two months!

Izzy didn't need a cut, but she got a chance to sit in Missy's chair and be treated to a cute hairdo.

Thanks, Auntie Missy!

My lunch dates :)

We also had some down time hanging out around home during spring break week.  They still love Legos!

At the end of the week, we were able to bring home the NEW CAMPER!!  The kids loved checking it out, and can't wait to go camping this summer!!!

Eleven Years and Counting...

We celebrated our 11 year anniversary this February!  I surprised Jeremy with some MN Wild tickets.  We had a blast at the game and really had fun having a night to ourselves.

Whew--11 years.  We have officially spent half our lives together!  We have been together for 17 years... I can honestly say there is not another person on the planet that knows me better.  We may not have it all, but together, I really think we have it all :)  Happy Anniversary, Jeremy.  Life just keeps getting better and better!

Fun times around home

Izzy and Carson are becoming closer and closer.  Izzy has so much more patience for him, and it is so clear that Carson looks up to her.  It's pretty common for one of the big kids to hop in Carson's crib with him, and he usually loves it.  I wonder how much longer he'll have the crib?!?

Carson walked around the house with this on his head for nearly an hour.  He went about his business like it was completely normal...

Those Goofy teeth.  I just LOVE his toothy grin :)

The kids wanted to build a leprechaun trap, so out came the supplies and the creativity.  Carson kept thinking we were catching scary pirates.  Don't ask me why.  But he kept pretending he was a pirate, saying, "I a scary pi-wate.  Argh!!!"  Complete with the fist and all :)

Here's what they came up with.  He was supposed to be attracted to the jewels and then slide down the tube slide and into the box.  Sadly, he got out... but he left a note for the kids!

For Izzy's birthday, Jackie gave her a decorate-your-own cardboard house, and we finally got it put up.  The kids have continued coloring on it here and there for weeks!

Carson, of course, loves to help!!

Wacky Day in Kindergarten.  Cooper sported a mohawk, backwards double shirts, a tie, shorts over pants, and mismatched socks.  Every part of this getup was his idea!

God Bless Eli Ray

We celebrated Eli's baptism! He was a trooper, and didn't make a peep the whole time :)

Gosh, I think we could handle four!!!!  

Cousin love

Carson loves to pat Eli's tummy, say, "Hi Ee-wi," and "he's so cute!"