Working out in the Yard

We have been working on the yard alot over the past year. Sunday, we decided to get to work on the backyard. Ron has been wanting to extend the pathway to the deck. He got to work, with helpers, of course, burying the gutter drain. The kids had a great time digging in the dirt and helping out. Ron also built a new step up to the deck. It looks GREAT!!! Now on to the landscaping! While we were out back, I decided to get the boys to help clean up all the outside toys and the toybox. They were filthy!! The boys had fun washing the toybox then giving all of the toys a 'carwash'. I think there was more water on them then used on the toys! They kids had a great weekend playing outside. I have never seen more tired eyes!

Trench Digging

New Pathway

Washing Toys

Testing out the New Step

Taking a Break

More Weekend Pictures

Fun in the Sandbox
Three Amigos

Sweet Girl with Flowers

'Dirt? What dirt?? I didn't eat any!'

More Baseball and Soccer

Watching the game

Rounding the bases

Will is still enjoying baseball- and Ben loves soccer. Will had a double header on Saturday morning (that makes for a LONG morning) and Ben had one game. Fortunately, their games were on the fields that butt up to one another so we could see both at the same time. Ben scored a goal the first time he went out to play. He was so excited. I wish I had gotten his face in a picture! It was priceless. Will played great, as well. They are starting to have coach pitch games instead of using the tee and what great hitters they are! I couldn't believe how much they have improved over the last few weeks. More games this weekend- I'll keep you posted!

Charlotte Racefest

So, I ran my first 10K since college on Saturday at the Charlotte Racefest in Southpark. As I posted before, I have been running alot- with the kiddies- and that really got me in great shape for the race. I finished 7th in my age group, 125th overall (out of 870 racers)- not bad!! I ran what I wanted- 49:29. As long as I broke 50 minutes I was going to be happy! The best part about the entire race was when I was coming up the last hill I looked over to the side and there was my little family cheering! Ron was standing there with all three in the jog stroller! It just made my day. Even gave me a reason to kick it up a little! I wasn't sure if they were going to make it or not and, boy, was I excited to see them! So, now I am in search for my next race to keep my momentum up.

Kate

Seriously, How cute is she!!!

Ice Cream Sunday

Yes, Sunday- not Sundae. We capped off Easter with delicious peach ice cream. Kate enjoyed hers the most! I had to take her dress off because she was trying to lick the bowl! Just loved these pictures and wanted to share them!

Ben's New Dresser

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Ben's dresser (mind you, this is the one my friend Angie- from college- had in her apartment and gave me when we graduated) finally hit its limit! About a week or so ago, Ben was trying to get jammies out when two of the drawers came out on him. He wasn't hurt- but we decided it was time to replace his dresser with an new one. We did some looking and decided on an unfinished one that he wanted stained to 'look like a tree'. He was so certain that he could 'trick everyone and they will think it is a tree!' Little boys!!! Anyway, I got it stained this weekend- it turned out pretty good. Hopefull we can move it into his room this weekend!!

Happy Easter!

We had an absolutly beautiful Easter Sunday here. We got up and went to church and when we came home, the Easter Bunny had paid a visit and had hidden eggs in the back yard. Will, Ben and Kate had such a great time finding the eggs. Saturday Night, Will had asked me to write a note to the EB to remind him to hide some eggs in the grass so Kate could find them! So, we all filled up on too much candy and had a great day playing outside! Hope you had a beautiful day, as well!

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

Thursday, Ron and I took the children to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. Will and Ben were really looking forward to this trip! We haven't been to the zoo in a year or two so they were really excited. We headed out around 8:30- it takes about 1.5 hours to get to Asheboro. The drive was not too bad- once you get off the interstate, the countryside is beautiful! Asheboro is kind of in the middle of nowhere between Charlotte and Raleigh. The NC Zoo is on 500 acres of land and is a beautiful zoo worth the visit. Not like the average zoo, the animals are all in HUGE habitats and the walkways wind throughout the woods to make for a very lovely day! We started out in 'Africa' and worked our way to North America. The giraffes and zebras were first up on our hunt for the Rhino- Will's favorite animal!! Then we saw the baboons which Kate LOVED. She kept saying 'bamboom' and laughing. We saw huge elephants, ostrichs, a gorilla and then- the Rhino! We had to walk all the way to the back of the zoo to see the Rhinos- but they were out and amazing! Will was so excited! After lunch, we headed to the North America exhibits where we saw alligators, otters, snakes, seals and sea lions. We also saw bears and grizzly bears. The Grizzlys took a swim while we watched- pretty neat! We also saw the Polar Bear- who also took a swim. We were watching him swim from the underwater observation area. It was incredible! All in all, we had a great day- came home exhausted!! Enjoy the pictures!!

Our Newly Acquired Art

Just wanted to show off our new artwork we acquired this week. They are originals painted by the sweetest little boys I have ever met. And only cost $9 for the two! We picked up a couple of canvas' on Monday and I had the boys paint using the paint colors that are in the house. They had so much fun. And, suprisingly, it was not too messy! I am planning on hanging them up in the living or dining room!

Ben's Masterpiece

Will's Masterpiece

Our Suburban Life

The Braves

Ben in Action

So, it is true- we are finally, completly and totally suburbanites. I really thought it was the minivan and carpool that put us over the top, but really, it was the sports! Our Saturdays are just crazy now. We had soccer and baseball pictures and games last Saturday and had to drive two cars and go at seperate times just to fit everything in! The boys are loving their sports! And, for the most part, their teams are great! Ben has a little boy on his team that is, if only I could put this politely, unfortunately, I can't- He is a total brat. I would love to go up to his parents and say 'Please, for the love of all that is good in this world- take the kid home. He doesn't want to play!!' Of course, I don't say that. Neither does anyone else. We just all roll our eyes when he cries when someone else scores! Okay, enough about that. Just wanted to share a couple of pictures and to let you know that the games are going well and we are having a blast!!

Spring Break- Day 2

On our quest to have fun this week, we headed uptown to Discovery Place this morning. They have a new Circus traveling exhibit right now and it was so much fun to see. We were able to see a juggler, some high wire action and we learned all kinds of neat facts about the circus. It was so much fun. There was another traveling exhibit of small wood building blocks. There we several things that were built including the Eiffel Tower. We also spent some time on the main level where they keep the permenant exhibits. There we saw eels, snakes, fish, sharks, and one big, hairy tarantulas. All in all, we had a really fun day. Even had a special lunch out at McDonalds! (If I never eat McDs again, I will die happy!!)

Spring Break- Day 1

So, I decided we would have fun stuff to do each day of Spring Break. Wasn't sure how I would manage all three, all day for a week. But, our first day was fun. We got up in the morning and headed to Michaels to get art supplies. I let the boys each pick out a project. Ben wanted to paint a sailboat and Will picked a treasure box. They had so much fun painting. I will take some pictures of the finished projects later. In the afternoon, we went out and the boys played soccer. All in all it was a pretty good day. For the rest of the week we have a playdate planned, a trip to the NC Zoo with daddy and a trip to Discovery Place. I think I may need a vacation after this week!!

Kate and her Papa

Just a sweet picture I had to post!

Visit From Grandma and Papa

Grandma and Papa came to vist this last weekend. Boy did we have fun! It rained on Friday so Will's baseball game was cancelled. Ben, however, was still able to show off his soccer skills! With rain on Saturday afternoon, we stayed in and played all afternoon. Sunday, we got up and went to Freedom Park. It is a great park in the center of town. It has a beautiful lake, a great playground and a nature museum. The Cherry Blossom trees were blooming and, if not for the wind, we had almost a perfect day! After lunch, we took the kids to the museum and had a great time looking at all the snakes, birds, and butterflies. There are also a lot of turtles and a skunk! There is also a nature walk that we went on. It was a great time and we all had a blast! Wish we lived closer for more fun with the grandparents!

Crazy Kate

Just a couple pictures of Kate. The first is of her sitting on the screened porch reading to her babies and the second is just a cute shot of her in a new spring dress! She is quite a little girl now! Keeps us on our toes!

Run Mommy, Run!

So, Ben and Kate and I have been having a lot of fun lately. I have started running again and am training for a 10K race in mid April. So, the only time I can run is during the day- Ron is trying to run in the morning before work. Now, around 10am we get the double jog stroller and head out. Sometimes on the greenway. It has really been fun- as fun as it can be running while pushing 60 lbs! The kids seem to enjoy it, as long as they have enough snacks and it is not too cold! Just thought I'd let you know what we were up to!

Soccer Games- Ben

Ben is playing soccer this spring. He has had two games so far. Really, it is just a soccer clinic but they have uniforms and a scrimmage against another team of 4 year olds the last 20 minutes of practice. It is too cute! Ben just loves it and really pays attention to the coach. He has already learned to dribble the ball and LOVES to wear his little soccer cleats and his uniform. Enjoy the pictures!

Will's First Baseball Game

Will had his first baseball game on April 12. Well, he actually had 2 games 9am and 10:15. It wasn't too bad, Ben had his first soccer game at 9am. Unfortunately for all of us, we were experiencing a very COLD Saturday! It was such fun watching him play. He caught several grounders and hit the ball pretty well. His first time at bat, he hit the ball (off the tee) then after much direction, ran to first. Not before he threw off his batting helmet! It was too funny. I guess we never told him he had to keep it on! Will is really enjoying baseball. Our poor weather has cancelled 2 of his games but he has one this Saturday. I will keep you up to date on his stats!!