Party Time

Today we celebrated Kate's birthday with family. It was a wonderful time had by all...especially the birthday girl! We started off with the same game we did last year (as requested by Kate): musical number.

Last year, Andrew lay quietly in the middle of the circle watching the action. This year he helped himself to the prize candy. More than once. Or twice.

Next up was an egg race...the competition was fierce!

Ok, not that fierce.

Also requested: another scavenger hunt to find her presents.

Andrew continued to help himself to the candy.

Kate got some great presents, including "big girl" legos, a butterfly kit, and Light Bright.

Last up was singing & enjoying the delicious flower cupcakes made by Aunt Alisha.

Wait...there's MORE treats?!

Thank you so much to all of our family who made this day so special. The love that surrounds this little girl is the best gift she could ever ask for.

Four Years!

Our little girl turned 4 today, and she had a fabulous day to celebrate! She woke up to her bedroom filled with colorful balloons that Jason had blown up the night before, and came down to a breakfast of cinnamon rolls with 4 candles in them & a serenade of "Happy Birthday". She got to take monkey cupcakes to the babysitter's & then we went to a restaurant downtown for dinner. Finally, she got to open presents at home afterwards!

Andrew did a great job assisting without trying to take over!

The first present was from Andrew: a stuffed monkey that she saw at a store months ago & has been wishing for ever since (as if she needs another stuffed monkey).

Gift #2 from mom...

A Dorothy costume just like her friend at daycare has. Apparently her friend told her that only 4 year olds can wear them, so she was so excited to have her own...she LOVES the Wizard of Oz right now!

And daddy's gift: he told her that he had just heard a twister upstairs and that she better check. There she found ruby slippers under her dollhouse. ;)

After getting her stuffed dog Toto, she had to check out the whole thing in the mirror.

Kate, you make everyone around you smile at your kindness & sense of humor. We are so proud of you & cannot wait to see what the next year brings for you!

Arizona Anomaly

Weather report from our 4 day vacation: 3 times caught in hail, 1 snowstorm, and 30 mph winds. Why would we choose North Dakota for vacation, you ask?! Nope, this was Tuscon...you know, that town 63 miles from Mexico! Despite the uncharacteristic weather, we had a wonderful time!

Our first day was definitely the best weather-wise. We spent the day in the amazing Sabino Canyon where we hiked for miles through the desert.

The view for as far as the eye could see.

A quiet and cool place to rest for a bit.

Enter: the snow. Not ones to be stuck inside on vacation, we braved the weather and headed for some more hiking, this time in Madera Canyon. The scenery was breathtaking, and as long as I pretended I was in Colorado, it was fine!

Ok, not great...but fine.

For our last day, we rented mountain bikes and tried our skill on Fantasy Island, right outside of town. Again the weather tried to get the best of us, sending rain & hail, but it was an awesome experience!

So our trip, much like life, didn't go as planned. But it also showed that despite the storms, there is always fun to be had...especially when you have someone to enjoy the ride with.

Downtown Date

The day before we left for Arizona, I picked Kate up early from the babysitter's so we could go on a special girls' date. She requested someplace downtown, so we headed to Panera's. It was a gorgeous day & we were lucky enough to find a table outside. It was fun watching all of the people coming & going.

We then headed to the sculpture garden to walk around.

Goofy girl.

Posing by her favorite letter!

We always have so much fun together during "girl time".

Rookie Playing Hookie

On Tuesday night Andrew had a 101* temp, so I wrote sub plans and gladly stayed home with him on the last student-day before spring break. Turns out he was completely fine, not a trace of fever and just a runny nose. We took the opportunity to begin his baseball career, thanks to a t-ball set that Uncle Tom gave him for his birthday. Batter's up!

Spring!

We spent a glorious day at a park this afternoon. Look who thinks he's big on the swing...

...and on a very wobbly bridge.

Kate & a leaf the size of her head.

Only to be matched by this stick she found.

Water sticks have returned & they are bigger than ever!

A new generation is joining in this year.

Andrew sat forever watching the kids at the skateboard park; he couldn't take his eyes off them.

So excited that spring is here!!