April

We started April by celebrating Easter with my side of the family.

The obligatory "squint with the sun in your eyes" photo before the egg hunt began!

Hot pursuit.

Egg hunts are great but having the ability to trade your finds with a lot of cousins?  Priceless!

Lucy and I spent 25 minutes in deep negotiations when I told her that she couldn't wear her tutu/cowgirl vest combination to the Science Center one weekend.  Her determination will serve her well some day.

We saw an Imax show about the national park system and Charlie and I have big plans for future family vacations - RVs...here we come!

We spent a weekend in Minneapolis for a quick family getaway - the bunk beds and water park at our hotel were big hits!

We visited the Mall of America for a few hours and I told the kids that they could pick out one thing from a store of their choosing.  Lucy's choice at The American Girl store?  A $12 headband.  I'm guessing it might go down as our cheapest visit to The American Girl store ever.

Rest assured, we made up for it at The Lego store, which is good because I think our collection of what seems to be a million pieces was surely lacking something.

Lucy wanted to ride as many rides as possible - the taller, the better.  The scarier, the better.  Her short stature kept her off of many rides, and she was only mildly frustrated that her daily multi-vitamins haven't made her bigger yet, but we enjoyed as many rides as possible.

This picture is a little distant but e the complete joy in their faces as they twirled around and around pretty much summed up our weekend away.

Charlie started baseball and soccer in late April so we're all anxious for warmer temps as we spend more and more time outside.

May looks to be a fun month with some end-of-school year (what?!) activities and the unofficial beginning of summer!

March

March was pretty low-key and we tried to make the most out of some spring-like days.

I confirmed Lucy's status as a hoarder when I opened her jewelry box to find it full of items (many that she wasn't supposed to have in her room - I'm looking at you marker and glue stick).  Finding BJ's high school football picture button still makes me smile.  We don't know where or how she got it but she loves it.

Soccer and a super hero birthday party in the same day?  I'm still exhausted about remembering that particular day.

Lucy caught a quick stomach flu bug but it's pretty amazing how fast little kids can start feeling better.  She was lying on the couch watching a show and the next hour she came down the steps with her doctor's coat on, Joanie Joanie in the stroller, declaring "Doctor Mommy Lucy is feeling better and ready for the day."

The Easter Bunny found our house and brought the kids some candy, stickers and a little toy.  The Easter Bunny also found herself in a moment of weakness and, bought a Kindle Fire for the kids. The kids get 45 minutes of electronics each day during their summer program so I think that the Easter Bunny was wise, but we'll see.  So far they think that it only works when we're on a long car ride and I'm 100% OK with that.  

We delayed celebrating Easter with my side of the family until early April but we went back to Cascade over Easter weekend and enjoyed our time with that side of the family.

Coloring eggs with Nana and Papa.

A picture of some over-excited, sweaty kids before the indoor Easter egg hunt.

The best  photo we could get of the kids with Nana and Papa - the sugar was in full effect at this point.

Charlie and Lucy love their little cousin "Baby Deliliah" and whether she likes it or not, they want equal time holding her.  I'm fairly certain that Lucy was trying to convince Nana that she didn't need help as she slowly fell to the side.

My boys on Easter morning after church.

The "best" family photo from that morning - BJ and I didn't plan our checkered shirts, we're just that in tune with one another :).

My two crazies

A final Easter photo with Nana and Papa.  It was a quick trip back to Cascade but always fun to have some cousin and grandparent time!

February

February started with our first (and hopefully) last snow day.  It was the perfect snow to make a snowman but Lucy's still a little devastated that the snowman's final resting place is our yard.

Charlie asked to take neighbor friend to a movie one weekend and Lucy happily played the role of annoying little sister.   Oh man, it might be time to implement a "everyone or no one brings a friend" rule.

When dad's away, the kids will con mom into falling asleep in our bed.  Because the days of me being able to carry Charlie to his bed are o-v-e-r, I end up having a little slumber party in our room.

It's a special weekend to start the day off with 3 chocolate donuts!  Clearly February was the month of easy parenting choices (sleep in my bed?  Sure!  chocolate donuts for breakfast?  Sure!)

They can fuss and fight like the best of siblings but they really are great buddies.

Nana, Papa and Miles came to visit in February and a lot of fun ensued - from swimming at the hotel to hanging out at the house before Lucy's soccer game.

These three were too busy cracking each other up to take a decent photo.

Charlie and Miles were having so much fun on the sidelines of Lucy's soccer game that she was tempted more than once to abandon her team and join them!

 The kids were pretty excited to pass out their Valentine's cards to their friends!

The Valentine's Day party in Charlie's class coincided with the 100th day of school - it was almost too much fun to bear!  We decided that a 100-year-old Charlie is pretty darn cute but reminds us of Mr. Peabody.

The best part of February?  Emma, Claire and Hannah got to stay with us for a few days.  My poor nieces - I don't think that Charlie or Lucy left them alone for more than 10 minutes over the weekend.

A Valentine's Day brunch with cousins.  Of course, chocolate donuts were on the menu!

We also tried out bowling - it was fun but Grandpa Heinie's bowling skills certainly skipped a few generations!

It was time to get together with all of the Gehl cousins for some fun at Molly's house while Grandma Kathy was back from Arizona.

We also took the opportunity to have an early birthday celebration for Julia...

and Lauren.  Two very sweet and smart nieces!

Here's to March - more sun and warmer temps!

January

January brought back some routine to our house, which was much-appreciated.

You know that your family loves you when they spend more to mail Lambie home than she probably cost - Lucy was very happy to have her back!

Lucy started "soccer ball" in early January and so far, she usually loves it.    Especially the stamp that she receives at the end.

I've described Lucy as a hoarder and I felt compelled to provide proof.  The top of her bed - complete with some books, a cowboy boot, a princess shoe, a bucket of Legos, Simba, a tutu and Charlie's TMNT weapon.  Actually - based on her inventory, she might have just what she needs to conquer the world.

We met Nana and Papa at Carver to watch the Hawkeyes beat Michigan.  Lucy was Party Lucy right before the game, but snuggled on Papa's lap right before tip-off.

Initially Charlie was worried that the Hawkeyes might lose but his worries were quickly re-directed to whether or not he was going to get ice cream.  Priorities.

Lucy fell asleep within minutes of opening tip-off and stayed asleep until there were a few minutes left to the game.  We were close to the band and in a sold-out crowd but she was out.  If we were at home, she would have woken up at the sound of me blinking my eyes.

The picture is dark but we experienced our first hockey game as a family in January.  The night at the Iowa Wild game was fun - particularly dancing to the sweet tunes that were played during breaks.

The kids also had some much-needed Delilah time.

And with that, we've already headed into February and we're dreaming about spring.