Just Keep Running

At least once a week this is the scene while I am making dinner (or lunch).  Natalie is a crazy lady, and I could watch Ben "run" all day long.  I love how he doesn't even notice he's not going as fast as Nat.  After watching this, are you not floored that these two still don't always sleep all night?

I'm thinking of putting them on a training schedule, incorporating tempo runs and speed drills into their regular endurance endeavors.  While some people start their kids skating or playing soccer at 3, we are training future marathoners around here...or that's my plan, anyway!

Then and Now

We just love riding around in the wagon...taking turns pushing and pulling, and then both kids riding, and now most of the time with Ty trotting along beside.  And, almost exactly one year apart, here is the "then and now" version of our summer wagon riding:

2013

2014

Moments like this make me wish these two little faces would stay this way always...having such fun.

Easter Sunday

We had a very nice Easter...started the day off bright and early at 6:30.  Put the kids off an hour until 7:30 before they searched for their baskets from the Easter Bunny, but only daddy got to "sleep in" until then.  Then we did a nice family breakfast, and booked it through showers and getting ready to head to 11:00 mass at church.  You'd think that something that started at 11:00 25 minutes away would not be a big deal, but we always seem to be cutting it close.

After church, we had Easter lunch at Mimi and Pa's house, along with Uncle Ronnie & Aunt Jess, Uncle Adam & Aunt Beth, Jack and Anna.  The kids searched for more baskets and had an Easter egg hunt outside in the beautiful sunshine.

Then we had some R & R at home as a family.  It was pretty near a perfect Sunday...

the egg hunt is on!

Ben, always the reserved one, looked for permission to pick up almost every egg he found

and while sitting quietly by himself, he accidentally discovered the eggs opened...

and held treats!

his face was priceless!

all the cousins

"Powell" girls

such a tomboy...climbing fences in her Sunday best

look how big Anna is getting!

Uncle Ronnie knows the way to kids' hearts isn't really through candy...it's through buggy rides!

Springtime Selfie

how wonderful to lay in the grass in the sun...

April Snow Showers

We thought it was spring.  Guess we were wrong?  This morning we woke up to a yard full of snow!  The kids begged to go out and play.  And it was cold.  So, on April 15th, we are back in winter coats, hats, and boots, and playing in the snow...

At least the sun is out...right?  And the wind finally settled down.  Always trying to find the positives.

Princess Natalie & the Special Bath

Last week Natalie had a mishap while walking Ty.  She had his leash, I tossed a rock, he took off after it, and Natalie didn't let go.  I could not believe how fast Ty took off after a rock.  I didn't even consider that he'd do that when I tossed it, although I should have considering how he goes after his ball.  And I have covered letting go of his leash if he pulls, but this happened way too fast.  And, oh, she fell so hard...

and ended up with a skinned knee, two skinned elbows, a cut hand, and a lip that was busted on the inside and out.  No joke, that was a tough fall.  

And once we got the boo-boos bandaged and the tears stopped, it was dinner time, then bath time.  The prospect of her road-rashed knee and elbows in the tub was too much, but it had been a day of outside play, and a bath was necessary.  The opportunity for a bath in the big tub, with bubbles, and jets did the trick to convince her...

Naturally, she has asked for a "special bath" in the big tub every day since then...

Air-pane!

We have a long (and growing) list of places to visit and things to do this year.  Some inside, some outside, some at a specific time and some whenever.  High up on our list was to go watch the planes take off at the airport for our little "air-pane" obsessed Ben.  The suddenly beautiful weather inspired us to take off, leaving all our chores behind for the day, to the airport last week.  We watched the airplanes and helicopters for awhile, walked around the little airport, and then ate a picnic lunch in the back of the car with a good view of the sky.  Then we hopped on bikes for some serious riding (I bet we went almost 2 miles, which is a very long way for little legs), all still with a brilliant view of the runways.

Both kids were in heaven, but especially Ben.  I have never really cared for Cincinnati much, but I would like our kids to feel a little more connected to the place where they grew up, and so many of our activities involve getting to know our closest city a little bit better.  The airport visit made me really appreciate that this little gem still exists, and was a totally cost-free day (a bonus!).

Ben never took his eyes off the planes

Braving the Elements

Finally.  Warmer weather.  And rain.  And wind.  But you know, after months of freezing cold, a little spring weather can't contain us.  Nat, Ben, and Ty all have bad cabin fever, and so a small downpour didn't deter us from going outside and stomping in some puddles.

It actually wasn't even raining that hard here, but Natalie insisted that she needed her umbrella.

this seems dangerous

And then yesterday...a beautiful day!  It started out a little cool in the morning, so we had a special treat and watched Frozen with our favorite cousins before having lunch, knocking out some chores, and heading outside. 

Ben is so funny outside.  He is at the trying to run stage, and for him it's just not as easy as it was for Natalie.  He has a lot more weight to move around on those little legs, but he does try and is so proud of himself for it!  

sidewalk chalk artwork

getting some use out of her roller skates

We have a pretty busy few days ahead, but plan for some fun outside activities as long as the weather stays nice.  And next week Natalie starts swimming lessons.  She is very excited about it.  I hope they learn some actual swimming skills, because I do think she can do it.

Play Ball!

Last weekend we ushered in the official start of spring by going to Opening Day!  The weather was so nice!  We had a wonderful tail gate before the game, got to meet two Olympians, and saw the Brewers win.  Sounds pretty great, right?

Nat & Ben waiting on cheeseburgers

Ben liked sneaking through to the set up next to us, 

because he got a few handouts of cheese.

the perfect bench seat

dad & Ben swapped hats

Ben was so excited to see all the airplanes and helicopters flying over.  He pointed them out every time.

love this one

these two got to see two games in the opening series!

Aunt Emily and Aunt Jenny know lots of hockey players, and it just so happened that two of their friends from the US Women's silver medal team from Sochi were throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day.  We got to talk with them for a few minutes at our tail gate.  Their medals were so beautiful, and it was awesome of them to take a few pictures with the kids.

Natalie with Brianna Decker

(Brianna is a forward on the US team)

Ben with Jessie Vetter

(Jessie is the goalie)

Both of these talented ladies played at Wisconsin with Aunt Emily, so we've been watching them play for a long time.

three generations of Brewer fans

Ben loved all the clapping he got to do!

After the game, Eric and I headed home and Nat and Ben got to stay in Wisconsin for a few days for a "sleepover" with Nana and Papa.  They came home exhausted and with so many stories about all the fun they had!  Natalie is already asking when she can go back, but did say "it is a long car ride to Nana's house."