Visitors this Weekend!

We had no big plans for the long weekend, but were so happy when my mom and dad decided to come up for the day on Sunday. Chris wasn't feeling too well (the flu or something) so we took the kids to the park in the morning while he napped. Andy and Jack had lots of fun showing off their sliding and climbing skills to Grandma and Grandpa :) Emily took a great nap while we were out. Then we picked up some food for lunch and relaxed at home. Other highlights for the weekend included us (finally!) buying a new tv. It was time for an upgade - from a 32 inch "old school" tv that we got about 8 years ago, to a 50 inch plasma. But now do we want to spring for the HD channels? We'll see... We also went to some different parks each day, did some yardwork outside, and played some t-ball.

Here's Jack sliding super fast down the slide. He had on the right type of shorts to be really speedy.

Emily at the park

Jack being silly after sliding down the slide

Andy going super fast down the big slide

Heading down together

Surprising Grandpa out the tunnel slide

Walking on the bridge together

Jack actually posing for a picture

Andy doing a super jump off the rock with Grandpa's help

Sliding across on his own

Andy and Emmie with Grandma

Emily looking at her new monkey with Grandpa (she really likes it - it's in her crib with her right now while she's sleeping)

A Trip to the Zoo

On Friday we went to the NEW Zoo and enjoyed a beautiful day. It started out a little cool, but by mid-day it had warmed up and gotten sunny. There were tons of kids from field trips, but we were able to navigate through them and find the not-busy areas. Emily enjoyed being outside and having lots of things to look at.

A happy Emily after she woke up from her nap (she fell asleep in the car on the way up, then slept about a half an hour into the zoo)

Andy of course wanted to visit his otter friend :)

We ate an early lunch at the zoo restaurant, then by the time were done, most of the school kids were back to the picnic area eating their lunch. The boys loved their chicken fingers, fries, and fruit slushies.

This trip we went on the carousel instead of the train. Andy was super-excited this time and Jack was a little nervous (role reversal for them!) But in the end, they both enjoyed it and wanted to go on it again.

Jack, holding on tight.

Playing at the park at the zoo. Emily was loving the swing - it kept her entertained the entire time the boys were playing on the slides & forts.

One of our favorite animals of the zoo. The tortoises were moving around A LOT. Actually we saw tons of animals being active that usually aren't (snow leapards, red pandas, and lynxes to name a few)

Of course the giraffes were a big hit. Both of the boys were able to pet him and they liked seeing one of them run pretty fast outside.

At the kids' area park this time. By this time it was 70 and sunny. The boys would have stayed here all afternoon to play if they could. But Emily fell asleep and I wanted her to sleep on the way home. Here's Jack on the dinosaur.

Sleeping, so cute.

Andy playing on the pirate ship

Then, today we went to Buboltz Nature Preserve for a short hike. It was a little muddy in the woods, so we stayed in the meadow mostly. Here's a picture of all 3 kids together - Andy holding the map, Jack with his fireman's helmet, and Emily relaxing in the stroller.
A very cheesy smile from Jack
On the trail, both boys leading the way.

Fun Springtime Stuff

School is done and we're enjoying the spring weather, even if it's been pretty rainy. We've gone to the children's museum, flown kites, participated in "Touch a Truck," visited parks, and hiked at the nature preserve. Softball is in full swing for me, and after missing last season I'm happy to be playing again. Andy has lost 2 teeth now. Emily has had 2 teeth come in! She's 9 months (update to come next week after her doctor's appt) and is army crawling all over the house. She's eating some finger foods and continues to be a pretty easy baby.

Emily was awake ALL morning at the nature preserve today. She was sitting up in her stroller, just looking around and checking out the scenery. She didn't nap until 1:00! Something tells me I'm not going to have a problem getting her down to 1 nap per day when she is 1. The boys had so much fun running around the trails with their friends Ethan and Tyler. Jack was asleep by 6:00 tonight, he wore himself out.

Last week, the boys got to climb in quite a few different vehicles at Touch a Truck - a street cleaner, a garbage truck, a fire truck, a bus, a police tank, a boat... they loved it and are already asking when they get to do it again. The boys did great at the dentist yesterday - Jack was especially brave for a 3 year old :) We also saw a huge rainbow yesterday as we were walking home from the park. The boys thought that was cool. Here are some pictures of our week...

Meeting some new family!

This past weekend we said hello to our new nephew (and the kids' cousin) Jude. He is absolutely adorable and perfect. I enjoyed holding him - he seemed so tiny, although he weighed the same as Andy and more then Emily as a newborn!
Andy was very sweet, saying nice things to Jude...
Here's Emily exploring the hospital room - she looked gigantic compared to Jude!
This past weekend, the kids also got to see their Great Aunt Sue and Great Uncle Doug. Andy had met them once when he was Emily's age, but it was pretty much new for all of the kids! We had a great weekend - hanging out at the house, going to parks, sitting outside, having a campfire. It was wonderful seeing everyone!

Fun with Grandma Graham

At the end of last week my mom came up to visit. She watched Emily and Jack while I went on Andy's field trip, and then we had a fun couple of days. It was nice outside on Thursday afternoon (around 80!) so we went to the park, got Dairy Queen slushies, and then played outside at the house. On Friday, we went to Monkey Joes because Andy was really wanting to try it. Both of the boys had so much fun and played so well together. Andy was more of a daredevil than I've ever seen him be. And Jack had so much fun doing whatever Andy was doing. Emily was her usual easy going self :)

A Trip to the Fire Station

Andy's class went to the Neenah fire station last week. My mom came up to watch Jack and Emily so I could go with him. I think there were almost as many parents there as kids :) We rode the bus there, which was a highlight itself.

Andy wanted me to sit next to him, he was very excited for the fieldtrip.

We got a tour of the fire house (kitchen, living room, bedrooms) and then got to the exciting stuff. They showed the kids all of the tools on the fire truck and also got all dressed up in their fire gear.

Andy's class with the fire truck and firemen

After the field trip, I stayed at school with Andy and we had a pizza lunch after playing for a bit.

Andy had a great time, and Jack can't wait to go to the fire station when he is a Bear in 2 years!

Losing Things

We've lost 3 things in the pasts few days....

1. Andy lost his first tooth!!! The tooth was wiggly for awhile and was bothering him sometimes when he ate. It was getting SUPER wiggly this weekend, but we definitely weren't going to yank it. All of a sudden, Andy walked out of the living room to us in the kitchen and said "Hey, my tooth came out." And that was it :) The tooth fairy came last night, although that wasn't too big of a deal to Andy. Here are some "great" photos of him, highlighting his tooth loss...

2. We're losing the baby bath tub! Less clutter in the bathroom will make me happy. And the boys were thrilled to have Emily in there with them. Maybe the lack of space to play will make them less than excited soon. But for now, they were 3 happy campers in there. Emily sat so well and loved playing with toys, getting doted on by here brothers!

The boys liked pouring water down Emmie's back. You can see how long her hair is getting here.
Happy girl.

3. Lastly, I managed to lose a stroller while out at the park. As I was loading up the car, parked on the side of a street, I must have left the stroller on the sidewalk after getting Emily, Andy, and Jack into the car. I went back when I realized it (more than a day later) and of course it was gone. Oh, well, we only needed that one for a few more months anyways, and I can make do with the 4 other strollers we have in the meantime. But talk about absentminded!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to Jack!

Jack turned 3 years old today - I can't believe how big he is now. We had a wonderful day, despite the afternoon thunderstorms. Jack brought a treat into his class both for his birthday and to celebrate his last day in the Bees class. He is officially on summer vacation now :) After school, we had a picnic and then played at a park we haven't been to yet this spring.

Jack running across the bridge

Andy in his secret hideout (gazebo)

Emily enjoyed the almost 70 degree weather. She was snacking on yogurt melts for the first time at the park - she loved them.

The boys both enjoyed climbing this equipment. Andy got really high - Jack would climb up to about where this picture shows him and say "I'm as high as Andy is!" They were both pretty proud of themselves.

This picture shows why the boys refer to this park as the "purple dinosaur park" (Doty)

The minute Chris walked through the door this afternoon, Jack had grabbed a present and unwrapped it (througout the day he kept asking when he got to open his presents and we kept saying when daddy gets home from work)

Jack's favorite gift today was the Playmobil policeman and motorcycle. The policeman has a visor, and that seems to be a key to Jack's favorite toys. He's currently sleeping with him up in bed :)

Emily got Jack a truck, and Andy got him a Lego crane set

More legos! We're going to need to turn our office into a Lego Zone soon :)

Jack got a football helmet too. (it replaced the bucket that he was wearing on his head earlier in the evening)

Jack thought it was hilarious when Bailey rested his head on him.

After Andy got his cookie cake for his birthday, Jack definitely wanted a cookie cake for his. It was a firetruck, which Jack loved.

What a cheesy, fake smile, birthday boy!

Yum! Jack requested the ladder (lots of frosting is his favorite of course)

Playing a little "tackle" football to break in his helmet...