Fun in the sun

  Our kids just love the beach.  They could play in the sand, jump in the waves or walk along the beach for hours.  They always have.  I remember going to the beach when Chase was 9months,  Macie was almost 3.   She ran around and built volcanoes and sand castles to her hearts content.  He crawled all over playing and eating sand.  Owen has been coming to the beach since he was 3 months old.  He is a water bug with boundless energy and excitement for it all.  Luckily, Avery loved it equally as much.  I think she watches them and sees them doing so many things and just jumps right in.  Never even crosses her mind to be timid or afraid.  I'm so thankful for that.   It's so wonderful to just watch your kids live in the moment.  The excitement of each wave, each different shell written on their faces.  I have such fond memories of going to Galveston, TX with all my cousins and grandparents.  I hope our kids have the same happy memories of their trips to the beach too.

Chase's BIG Day!

All kids are excited about their birthdays.  Chase has been doubly excited because we would be in Florida to celebrate.  The boys spent most of the day swimming in Mimi and Pop's pool.  Macie lounged around reading and catching up from the late night before.  Stew took the boys to the park while Avery napped and Macie ran errands with Mimi.  The boys came back and they all just hung out for awhile.  Some of Mimi and Pop's friends came over so we visited for a bit.  Then we had Chase's birthday dinner of pigs in a blanket, corn pudding, baked beans and cole slaw.  We topped it off with a fabulous Oreo ice cream cake and the opening of presents.  Two of his favorites were his new Nintendo Gameboy and his Kentucky watch.  He was quite pleased with his new digital camera too. The boys jumped in for more swimming until they were all ready to collapse.  From the late night, swimming, park and partying, we were all ready to collapse.  And we did.  

It's so hard to believe that he is 7 years old.  I can remember the day he was born and the joy I felt holding my new baby boy.  I still feel that joy every time he laughs or makes a joke.  Every time he smiles at me or asks me to lay with him just a little bit longer.  Every time he says "Mama"  and flashes me those big brown eyes and dimples.  Happy Birthday Chaser Racer!  I love you more than you will ever know.

Florida

Well, we arrived Monday night after many issues with the airlines.   Seating issues, ticket issues and finally luggage issues.  Issues with Avery--no nap.  We ended up at Mimi and Pop's house around 11:30pm Monday, hungry and exhausted.   We were all so pleased to finally join Mimi and Pop in Florida no matter how long of a day it had been.  Our luggage decided to join us too, at 6:45 the next morning.

We're Off!

We're off to Florida in a little over an hour. We are going to visit Mimi and Pop in Bonita Springs. While we are there we will celebrate Chase's 7th(tomorrow) bday and Easter! The kids are chomping at the bit with excitement! I am sure we will look like the Griswold's minus the station wagon but with plenty of luggage! We should arrive tonight around 9:30 barring any unforeseen delays! Wish us luck and stay tuned for more Spring Break madness!!!

Monkeying Around

Finally we have had a few bright spots signaling the end of winter. We have had two beautiful days of weather. Yesterday in the 60's and today, blue skies in the 70's! What a relief to be outside and smell the fresh air. As much as I love living in the Midwest and enjoying the beauty of all the seasons to their fullest, their is just something wonderful about the approaching days of Spring. Today we played baseball in the yard, rode scooters and bikes, went to the park, jumped on the trampoline, played in the tree house, shots hoops out back, washed my car and climbed some trees. We are all going to sleep well tonight!

Praying Mantis

Here are a few pictures of Chase from his first grade musical, "Don't Bug Me I'm Thinking." He was the Praying Mantis. He did a great job. He seems to like getting up in front of people. The thought of getting nervous never even crosses his mind. Oscar, here we come!!

Bumps and Bruises

It was bound to happen. First Avery fell face first into the coffee table on Saturday morning(on Stew's watch!) That left her with a horizontal bruise that gets darker each day. Today she woke up from her nap with a small scratch on her left eye. To top it all off, she fell face first onto our concrete driveway(on my watch!) leaving her with a scraped nose and a bump on her forehead. Luckily for her(and us) she takes it all in stride. She's easy to distract and quick to get over it and move on to the next thing. She's still pretty cute though, even with all the mess on her face!