boys...

Can anyone say road rash?

Weekend-O-Fun!

Last Thurs-Saturday we met our Cook friends in the cities. We always look forward to this time together....it seems we go once in the fall and then try again for spring. We met at a hotel that had a kid slide/pool, a huge hotel room (due to our fan not working), and Culvers in the parking lot! Who can beat that? Here are a few pictures from our adventure.

Henry on the slide.

We went to an indoor playground/gym that was amazing. The boys ran and ran. It was a perfect outing thing no a rainy day!

We all braved the zoo on a freezing day, but the crowds weren't bad!! :)

Henry loved the farm part of the zoo.



It was a great weekend, and I can't wait for our next adventure! How about camping? Are we that brave?

Mother's Day!

Every Mother's Day I have to go through my sad moment(s) about how much I miss my mom and how much she still means to me. I just miss her like crazy and would love to be able to pick up the phone and call her and tell her all the funny things that Jack says, or how Henry just melts my heart. I never imagined in a million years that I would be raising my kids without my mom's advice or guidance. She was the best mom ever! I have a lot of work to do to be half the mom to my kids that she was for us. She taught us how to talk to anyone, eat lots of chocolate, be outside, go for lots of walks, downhill ski, how to have fun no matter what you were doing....and most importantly how to love Jesus!


(The only picture I have on my computer of my mom, without going through multiple CDs)

Okay, on to the happier side of the day...

I was given a new camera lens for a gift, which I've had a lot of fun playing with today...given two adorable boys who didn't want to cooperate for a picture (that's what I get for putting them in matching shirts I guess!).
Try #1:

Try #2:

Give up and take pictures of them doing what they both love...


I also got to take a nap, while the boys washed the van inside and out!

I am so blessed.

Spring!

Spring in Iowa is one of my favorite seasons....like today it's going to be 82 and sunny! Who can beat that? Flowers are planted, grass is growing, and the house is slowly getting cleaned for the season. It reminds me of growing up how we had to wash the walls, clean closets, etc. with my mom! Memories...

Here are some fun pictures to show what we've been up to.

We went up to Pine Lake State Park and Steve ended up carrying both boys for a bit...one on the front and one on the back!

Bike rides....Henry's helmet is a bit of a disaster!

Lots of time at playgrounds! It's my secret weapon to wear them out so they get take good naps and go to bed early! Henry is fearless...so that keeps me on my toes at the playground, but he has a blast!



Off to get a few things done while Henry takes his morning nap...and before we head to yet another playground!