Canoe anyone?

We've been talking about getting a canoe for a long time. Now that the kids are a little older and we've discovered a few lakes with sandy beaches that are 30 min from the house so we figured it was time. 

It's also a early b-day present for Daddy from the kids and I. 

Getting ready to take the canoe out. 

Here we go!

We went to Lake Dexter and canoed across the lake where there was a playground, tables and grills. 

Whee!

Why is it everything is so much more fun when Daddy does it?

Michal can you please go down the slide, not climb up the slide?

So slides don't exactly work when you're in your swimsuit. Shesh!

Hot dogs!!!

Definitely a favorite with Michal.

Big Mama... 7 1/2 months

Good times... really good times. 

Daddy's under attack!

Daddy took charge of the marshmellows. Can you tell? This might fall under my earlier statement: things are just more fun when done with Daddy. 

Highlight of the day: While watching the hot dogs on the grill and looking out over the lake, Mikey turns to us and says, "this is the BEST day of my life"!

I think we'll have a great time making some beautiful memories with our children on our canoe. 

Kiddo update

Naomi

 I still can't believe it but this girl is potty training, and doing great! I know in Europe everyone potty trains really early so to them they are probably thinking, yeah so what. Well I didn't potty train Mikey until just before his 3rd birthday and he potty trained FAST. Naomi has decided she was ready. Naomi is always wanting to be like the rest of us. That isn't a bad thing in most cases. Anyhow, she is doing great while at home but when away is when we seem to have trouble. I'm fine with this as she is doing much better than I ever would have thought a child could do at her age. 

Yeah! Go Naomi!!!

Michal

Michal ran the kids run at the Cheese Chase here in town. 

I was so impressed, it was just 1/4 mile but he ran the entire thing. 

Way to go buddy!

Baby #3 is growing. I'm 28 wks (7months) now. Hello third trimester! I'm feeling every bit of this pregnancy. I say this mostly from having to care for my other two kids, I've never been so exhausted in my life by the time 1 o'clock rolls around. I'm so impressed with women who have more than 3 kids as I just don't think I could physically do it and still give my children proper care and attention. That is just me.... I'm just tired. We are super excited to meet this baby. Michal is always talking to my tummy and trying to hear the heartbeat with Daddy's stethoscope (not so much luck). Naomi is a riot and points to her tummy and says, "Baby" I then reply, "you have a baby in there? "Ya", she says proudly. It's really cute. I think it's been a nice little twist that we don't know the gender of the baby. It's fun to hear what people think... especially my kids. All in all we are doing well here. I just hope daily that this pregnancy continues to go smoothly and we will have a full term baby. 

(A full nights sleep would be appreciated too)

Phew!

We finally did it, we had a new roof put on our house. 

Before:

After:

What a sense of accomplishment. I can only imagine how the crew that actually did the manual labor feels! It is such a big expense and just not a fun way to spend your hard earned dollars. This is still how I feel for the most part but, now I'm almost a little giddy when I look at the house. It feels new... which is always a nice feeling. I think the kids and I are the ones most happy by it's completion as we were the ones that had to endure the incessant banging. Like I said, PHEW! 

Spring

We have become bird watchers this year. We've watched this robin build her nest in such a rapid yet incredibly efficient manor. It's just amazing what these little creatures are capable of. 

I have decided that of the bird eggs I have seen, robin eggs are the most beautiful. 

Where on earth do they get that gorgeous color? 

 Our kids are now the proud owners of a trampoline. 

 They were so excited that they simply couldn't wait for us to get the enclosure on to jump. 

I was a nervous wreck while they jumped an giggled... for all of 10 minutes. Then it was time to get off so we could finish. 

The kids are in heaven. They just love this thing. 

We have also found that after a long day of play there is no better way than to end your day with sitting around the fire with your friends roasting marshmallows. 

We're off to a good start this spring. 

Half way!

Well here we are... 20 weeks

 and with this pregnancy (as I expected) my tummy is pretty big.

(I've held onto this shirt just for this occasion, my 20 wk belly pic) 

My pregnancy with Michal... 

My pregnancy with Naomi...

Anyhow, I'm feeling good which is important as I have two very busy kids that I have to keep up with. I'm really looking forward to this summer. I plan on purchasing the family pool pass to the local pool and pretty much making it a daily thing. Michal is also looking forward to taking tennis and soccer lessons. Naomi I have a feeling is going to love my idea of going to the pool everyday as she is my water baby. As long as the weather cooperates, it will be a great summer with the gift of a new baby to top everything off. How can one complain? Ahhh, even if the weather doesn't cooperate we're going to have a great summer spending time together as a family. 

Happy Easter!

Fun decorating eggs!

I joined the Catholic Church this year. 

Rise and shine! Happy Easter!!!

new jammies and chocolate bunnies... what a combo!

Can I eat it now Mom?

Time for the Easter egg hunt!!!

Sampling the goods... 

look at this one Mom!

The pig stole my eggs!!!

HAPPY EASTER!