Camping at Tyler State Park

On Saturday we packed up our gear and headed to Tyler State park, about an hour drive east of us.First rule of business was to set up camp. Check! I think we did pretty good for first timers a a family. The park was really nice. I guess I was expecting dirt everywhere. And while there was plenty of that they had lots fot the kids to do. Since we went over Easter weekend they even had an Easter egg hunt.the East bunny couldn't have been more dirty redneck if you ask me, but the kids didn't seem to mind. After a long day we settled in at camp. I was exhausted! This is a terrible picture of me but it clearly gets my point across. Thank heavens we were only doing one night! Oh and after all that blowing up mattresses that I did; both boys wanted the air let out of them.

Punta Cana

Brandon and I took a trip this year to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We went with our dear friends, Jack and Kristi and Bryan and Libby. We always have such a great time!

April Showers bring TORNADOS

The start of April has been a busy one. Last Tuesday while at work a spring time storm turned into sever weather. The school was evacuated into the hallway and warned of the sever weather headed our way. A tornado had already spotted in a near by town and should it continue on its path we had a good chance of being hit. Brandon was at home and was my eyes and ears messaging me with the latest updates of tornados that were confirmed to have touched down and where they were. I am thankful that the boys and I were never in the direct path of any of those that touched down that day. Sadly a neighboring town wasn't as luck as a EF-3 tornado ripped through.

Back to Bloggin

I have gotten seriously behind. So, rather than trying to make a post for those that I've missed I figured I'd give you a brief run down of what we've been doing.

Since my last blog, Parker's birthday, we kicked off a day of love with the boys. They got some sweet treats and we had a date night together as a family.

At Ryder's 2 1/2 yr check up we got an unexpected diagnosis of Mono. His doctor and I were both shocked! We were there after all for a well child check up but while doing his exam he noticed his spleen was unusually large. Long story short a blood test showed positive for Mono. He had no symptoms other than the enlarged spleen. We also discussed the possibility of visiting a cardiologist to check on his heart murmur. Its something he has always had and his pediatrician doesn't thinks a cause for concern. So,for now we are keeping an eye on it.

Carter started baseball. He is on the Cubs. This picture was taken at their first game. It was actually a preseason tournament and they didn't have their uniforms in yet. He still looks cute if you ask me. 

He hasn't played baseball before but he seems to have really taken to it. Which is good because it seems to consume our weekly schedule with games and practice. 

Spring break has come and gone. Brandon was out of town that weeks which left the boys and I to entertain ourselves. Sadly we weren't that entertaining. We got doctor appointments taken care of and played around the house. Boring I know, but with B gone that week (and he was gone the week before) I was pooped and laying low was just fine with me. 

March has come and gone. Brandon's crazy travel schedule has come to an end. And before we know it summer is going to be here.

Parkers Birthday

Parker celebrated his birthday last week. It is hard to believe he is 7!
Since his birthday fell on a school day we were a little rushed for time but I made sure he got a present that morning at breakfast.

For his actual birthday Brandon was out of town. We had a yummy italian dinner at Luigi's with Mimi and Poppy and afterward we celebrated with our annual groundhog cupcakes.

For his birthday Parker wanted to get together with our neighborhood friends and go to Shenanigenz. So, after a dinner at Snuffers, Brandon (back in town, thank goodness) took all the boys for laser tag and arcade fun. After they had all they could handle (mostly B) all the boys came home for a sleepover. Happy Birthday my little groundhog!

Hide and Seek

Ryder wanted to play a spur of the moment game of hide and seek. Can you find him? He thought he was so clever hiding in the window. If you look close in the second picture you can see him grinning from ear to ear with delight.

I love this kid!

Rollerblade'n

Carter and Parker got rollerblades from their cousins for Christmas . It was so funny to watch them attempt to stay up on them. They gave it a good try. I think they quickly realized how much of a workout it was.

After about 30 min into it their was more skating going on that falling. I think they have found a new outside joy especially once the weather warms up.