Water Fun!

A couple weeks ago...before all the rain seem to take over...the boys enjoyed a little bit of summer fun. Again this is all new for Cooper, since he doesn't remember much of last summer, so I really enjoyed sitting back and watching him discover how much fun it is to play in the water. Of course after the first day, he wanted to do that every day after for about a week straight. And Carson is such a good big brother. I love to watch him play with Cooper and listen in to what he has to say to him. He always shares and is patient with Coop.  We can't wait for this summer to begin!!

Florida

Our trip to Florida was a success!  We had so much fun packed into 4 days.  It was definitely a trip of firsts!  First time the big boys have been on an airplane (Technically Camden had been on one before but was 9 mos old to see Great-Papaw).  First trip to visit Great-Papaw and Great-Memaw.  First trip to Sea World to see Shamu and to the Kennedy Space Center where we were lucky enough to meet a real-life astronaut and get his autograph!  And this was the longest we had been away from Cooper.  Cooper stayed back with his Grandparents and we were able to skype with him every night.  I think we all enjoyed that.  All 3 boys loved talking to each other on the computer.  It really made me appreciate how much they enjoy (and need) each other's company.  The weather cooperated beautifully which allowed us to do our normal Florida things like swimming and eating crab legs.  I think the boys appreciated the entire trip from beginning to end.  The only thing we missed out on was the shuttle launch...just wasn't meant to be.  We owe a great big thanks to both grandparents who helped out with Cooper.  I think he had a fantastic time as well!

**Be sure to scroll down to see the other 2 posts besides the slideshow**

Florida Trip '11

Springtime Fun!

Ahhhh Spring! I love spring. I think my favorite season is Summer, but spring is a close second. Everything is so fresh...the air, the new flowers on trees, daffodils and tulips popping up everywhere, birds building nests, kids getting out their bikes and going to playgrounds and enjoying them like it was the first time they've experienced it, and baby bunnies!! Our neighbor brought over about 5 baby bunnies that she found in her backyard in a nest where they didn't want it. Before taking them to a wildlife rescue shelter, she brought them over for the boys to see. They were sooooooo cute and the boys were in heaven.

Carson holding the bunny just before it squirmed out of his hands.

One day at the park and Cooper is hooked. He asks to go to "Big Water" everyday, all day! He loves to ride his bike over to the dam and throw rocks into the lake, and then swing and climb on the playground. This is all new for him again. He hardly remembers being able to ride over to the park.

Carson the climber...oh how he loves to climb and hang and go upside down...it comes so natural for him. He definitely has my love for gymnastics.

Cooper idolizes his big brothers. And thankfully for the most part they are good role models because he mimics everything they do. He did a pretty good job of keeping up with Carson at the park that day.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

I wonder what he is thinking? Love his expression:)

Zoo Day!

Despite not going anywhere, we still managed to stay busy over spring break. We made trips to the Zoo, Children's Museum, and to see Megamind (the free movie showing at the theaters), and had 2 soccer practices. Luckily we picked the right day to go the Zoo. It was a beautiful day and not crowded. Abby, Bennett, and Elly Rose joined us.

Carson and Bennett enjoying the Dolphin Show. As you can see Bennett was at a loss for words (which rarely happens) at seeing the dolphins jump out of the water. I love how he covers his mouth when he laughs. Camden is down sitting in the soak zone waiting to get splashed.

We ate lunch next to the lemurs. This picture is kind of funny. It looks like Carson and Bennett's hair is sticking up...guess I had the wrong angle.

Too busy to eat lunch, Bennett and Cooper ventured over to see the Flamingos.

Cooper sitting in a replica of an Anaconda found in the Amazon. I can't even imagine running into a snake this big.

March Madness!

Well, February was a tough month for us health wise (and therefore not many posts) and we are hopeful March will bring us warmer weather and less sickness.  I think at least someone in our house was sick every week during Feb.  Chris and I were sick at the same time and relied on family to help us out.  Thankfully we all live relatively close to each other.  There were a couple of Feb. highlights:  1. I turned  33 (yes I consider it a highlight as I love celebrating birthdays).  2.  Camden turned 6! (I will make that a separate post).  3. Camden's been playing basketball, which has been fun to watch.  Somehow we managed to make it to all of the games.  I have taken lots of pictures but just haven't had the time to share.  He absolutely loved playing and learned a lot about the sport.  And I think Chris had a good time coaching his team.  I have posted more pics in the web albums.

     Warming up before his game

Getting ready for his big game

Shooting over the "trees" (he is typically one of the shortest on the court...I feel for him, I too was one of the shortest on the court for quite sometime).  So glad I brought my camera but sad I didn't bring the video camera because he had his best game of the season with 8 points (4 for 6), 3 assists, and good aggressive defense.  

Great form in the beginning but we need to work on the follow through.  He was so happy when the game was over.  He knew he played well.  He said, "Mom, I made 4 baskets and that is 2,4,6,8...8 points and I almost made 2 more."  And he usually has a pretty good idea of what the score is.  Not bad for a Kindergartner and being in a league where they don't keep score yet. 

 Needless to say, we are ready for March Madness even if our beloved Hoosiers will be MIA once again.

Ice Storm '11

Well it has been years (at least 20) since I remember having an ice storm like the one we've just had. All of central Indiana has been shut down for 3 days! The first day out of school was great...everyone is happy to have a day off, the second day...not too bad, got a little stir crazy by the afternoon but don't think I want to be stuck inside for a 3rd straight day with 3 energy packed boys, BUT the third day does come and I decided that if we don't get out of the house we might not all come out of this ice storm alive. So we decide to venture out down to Abby's house for a little while. That was a life-saving visit for everyone involved. Then in the afternoon the boys went and played at a friend's house. Thank goodness! It is nice to be able to spend time together but there is a reason why the boys go to school, and Chris goes to work.

Cooper only goes outside with sunglasses on.  He has always had light-sensitive eyes.  I don't blame him though it is really bright when the sun reflects off the ice/snow.

The boys got out to play on the ice 2 of the 3 days off. Big chunks of ice for everyone! I feel like Antartica came to us. If I had to imagine what it looked like all I had to do was look out my backyard....little bit of snow and lots of ice. It was really pretty when the sun reflected off the trees and fields.

Cooper going down the slide.
The coolest thing I think the boys experienced with the ice was sliding down their slide onto the ice. They would slide an additional 8 feet or so beyond the slide. I reminded them that is how penguins get around on the ice. I didn't go down but it looked like lots of fun.

Camden taking a turn.

Cooper going down again.

 Our visit at Abby's included baking Oatmeal cookies...yummm!!  Thank you Abby for a fun visit.

We survived the Ice Storm:)

Always A Winter Wonderland

That seems to be the theme this winter. The boys have gotten out in the snow a little (I think though for the most part they are over the snow and are ready for spring to arrive). We didn't get our driveway shoveled the last big snow and after a couple of days of driving over it, it became a little icy. The boys had fun sledding down it.

They had fun pushing each other down the little hill.

Our driveway is perfect for Cooper because it isn't to daunting to get back up the driveway after going down (as opposed to the hills at the park).

One and done...

We did get together at my parents house for the Colts' playoff game. It was such a late game that we decided to make it a sleepover. We had a great time and it would have been even better if our beloved Colts could have hung on and won. We were joined in our sleepover by Abby's family, Andrew (who might not be asked back to a Colts playoff party since they lost and he isn't a Colts fan), and dear friends of the family Greg and Jill.  It was one giant sleepover!

Expending our pregame jitters/energy with some tackling. We needed a few defensive Colt's players in the pile-up. I think the representation amongst us were all offensive players.

Zach and Daddy couldn't resist the wrestling party...it is a total boy thing. Sometimes my boys are in much better moods when they do a little wrestling with each other.

Getting all settled in to watch the game...well almost. Bennett went to bed, Camden and Carson went upstairs to watch a movie, and I think Cooper was the only one who stayed around to watch the game with us on and off.

Cooper loves his little cousin Elly Rose. He is so gentle with her and loves to go up and hug her and touch her hands.

 Morning brought us donuts and a wonderful egg and sausage casserole thanks to my mom.

New Year's Bowling

We continued our New Year's bowling tradition again this year. As always it was lots of fun and competitive. I have made the teams up for the last 2 years and for the second straight year I have been on the losing team. How can that be? You can bet next year I will stack the team that I am on...Bowling Team A for 2012 will be Chris, Abby, Dad, and Me. Sorry Zach your poor performance in the first game puts you on Team B (and the Captain for Team B should buy you a beer before the first game if they want to have a chance). Cooper and Bennett who played as one person were even on the winning team. All in all it was a fun time and the boys remembered that we went last year so they were looking forward to it.

Everyone getting set and finding their perfect ball. Chris, you might need to mark yours with your name next year so no one puts it back.

Entertaining in between turns. The wedgits have been a big hit with all of the boys. I highly recommend them.

Bowling at the same time. The boys definitely improved from last year. They use the bumpers. There were a couple of time for each of them where their ball didn't hit the bumpers. Carson even got a legitimate spare!

Even putting the right fingers in the holes.

Cooper really enjoyed the bowling.  Abby and I loved the little bowling shoes they had in the little boys' size.

 Papaw helping Cooper bowl.  Each time Cooper bowled he had to go give Papaw a high-five.

Elly Rose didn't sleep her whole first bowling experience away.  Her time is coming.

My team is on Monitor 8...I will get on a winning team.  Even if it means I have to join a bowling league myself (in addition to stacking the team of course).