good times

The other day we took the kids to Chicago for a little family trip. We got a little lost at first...thanks to our possessed GPS...we really should not depend on that thing so much. Anyway, during the confusion Andrew so helpfully asked why we ALWAYS do this...get lost...that is. Imagine our surprise. US...GET LOST?!! Yes we tend to do that whenever we attempt to visit a big city. We did eventually make it to the Museum of Science and Industry, our intended destination. It was a lot of fun...not quite as fun as when I was a kid...things never are. The kids probably liked the submarine the most...here they are in front of it.

Andrew also really enjoyed the weather exhibit...which included a tornado like thing. When he was called up by the museum worker to make some observations...he looked a little panicked and tried to ask what an observation was while being pulled front and center. We knew he'd be ok.

One of these things is not like the other....one is a Holly.

After we got home I started going through the pictures we had taken that day and found these oldies but goodies from when we lived in Durham, NC. Hard to believe Andrew and Ashley were ever that young and innocent.

Hawaii and Back

Hawaii is the cure for what ails you. It certainly cured me of wanting to travel that far away pretty much ever again. Don't get me wrong...it was great...and it was beautiful...but there's always a price you pay and for Hawaii, I will not pay that price again. Jamaica...is another story...:D
Here is the first thing we saw on our way to Hawaii. American Airlines....has done us wrong for the last time. Unless, they make us an offer we can't refuse of course. ;)

On our flight out, we got to see the grand canyon out our window. I've never been so it was quite breathtaking. Thank you American airlines pilot for pointing it out..still not enough to make up for the wrongs. :)

Last year in Hawaii we had an ocean view room...this year it was mountain view. Both were awesome...as I love both the mountains and the ocean...I could wake up to this everyday..shocking I know.


We spent a lot of time at Waikiki beach. I always expect it to be more crowded...but it wasn't bad...there was always a spot for us along the beach.


I could rest on a palm tree daily....could you?

Here we are on Waikiki together.

And yet another

We spent most of our time at beach if you couldn't tell. We went to cheesecake factory almost every night for dinner....Oh how I love that place. We went body boarding...that was fun...but not for jokers. The ocean will show you no mercy..and the waves will keep coming. We went snorkeling twice. Snorkeling is my favorite. It doesn't take much to be "good" except maybe willingness. Overall it was a lovely trip. I could have done without the salt water up my nose...and subsequent sinus/ear pain nightmare...I could have done without the sun poisoning...and the cancelled flights. But I'm glad I went. I'm grateful for the troopers(my family) who took care of my 5 crazy kids so I could relax for a few days. That's no small task. I'm so glad to be home. I missed my kids like crazy...and it made me more grateful for them and my life here at home.

We can go outside

Good news...it's been warm enough for the past few days that I think it's safe to say playing outside is an option. So we've been digging some holes and planting some plants. We always seem to have a helper with us whether we want one or not. I was just saying to Daniel that I can't believe Henry and Max haven't tried to destroy our plants yet. Then 2 seconds later they started ripping leaves off of our barberry plants. Those are supposed to have prickers. The lady said if you have kids you won't want these...well even the prickers on those aren't enough to keep Henry and Max away...oh well. We also have plenty of knockout rose bushes...which also have prickers...good luck with those boys. ;) Here's one of our little helpers.

Another fun family outing is when we all go to Menard's...the local hardware store. There's something for everyone. They have a big play area with all of their outside playsets in their greenhouse seasonal building. All the kids love it and Henry and Maxwell expecially seem to have endless amounts of energy as they climb up the ladder on the big playset and go down the big twisty yellow tube slide. They are so brave...I'm sure I would have hesitated at their age. The kids also love to jump on the trampoline....Ash can do a flip(glorified sommersault)...which is pretty cool. The twins like to get on there too....just to give me a heartattack while they run towards the edge. Henry especially loves the trampoline.

Also, can I just say that on October 28, 2009 two soccer stars were born. These boys love to kick the ball and run...if they really do have any athletic talent...they didn't get it from me and word on the street is Daniel used to pick flowers at his soccer games. So, it's a mystery.

Last week Andrew's class had a spring music concert. They all sang lots of songs about frogs, bugs, monkeys, and other spring things. He didn't want to wear what I suggested but he did anyway...what a trooper. Doesn't he look handsome?

Finally, here's Ashley who insisted on getting a picture by the flowers. Love her.

yet again

Scene: Ashley and I on the way home from a friends house. Ashley sees me unbuckle my seatbelt right when we turn into our subdivision.

Ashley: "If you are going to do that(unbuckle my seatbelt early) then I'm going to do that. And, if you don't want me to do that then you'd better not do that. As long as you're going to get unbuckled early then so am I. If you want me to stay buckled then you better."

Maybe I should start a blog just about Ashley. She has a good point about me living the way I want my kids to live....but really?...who is the parent here?! She really gets her point across with all that repitition too.

Where did THAT come from?

Scene: Daniel in the car with our 5 children going to get frostys from Wendy's

Ashley: "GOOOO DADDY!!"
Daniel: "I can't...the light isn't green."
Ashley: "Oh so you have to wait till it's green?"
Daniel: "Yep...then we can go."
Ashley: "Would it be really mean if when the light turned green we waited to go until the last possible second so only you get to go through the green light?"
Daniel: "Yes...yes that would be mean."

I'm not sure where Ash gets these road ragey ideas...could it be from her Grandpa Darrell...or from her less than "go with the flow" mother(I don't think of myself as having road rage...until someone else is in the car usually just staring in horror as I yell left and right at other cars)....we may never know. All I have to say is....if she's coming up with ideas like that at the age of 5...watch out world!

Easter fun

Every morning...this is where you will find these 3 boys...huddled around a plastic cup full o fruit/spinach/oatmeal smoothie. One great way to trick your kids into eating spinach. Today...Daniel wasn't able to be here to make it for them...they made me aware of how upset they were....they did NOT want any of my toast or cereal.

Easter is tomorrow so today we had an Easter Egg hunt at my dad's house. Holly loved hunting for eggs.

How does an 18 month old know instinctively to pick up random plastic eggs and put them into a bucket that was handed to him?

Max had so much fun...he just laughed and smiled the whole day.

The work for Henry really never stopped. He kept dropping eggs out of his bucket which needed to be picked up and then after that he needed to move his eggs from one bucket to the other and back again. He was ready for a nap by the end of his hard day.


Andrew had no trouble filling his bucket immediately.

Ashley was happy to get lots of candy and informed me she wouldn't mind sharing with me...like she has a choice :)

The kids also got some silly string to use for whatever they wanted. What they wanted of course was to attack their grandpa.

and their Daddy

The whole day was a success. Our kids are so lucky to have so many grandparents that love them. We need all the help we can get! :)

On a final note. Max has been attacking Henry out of the blue lately. He'll just come up to him and push him down and then hop on his back like he expects him to play horsie with him. Henry does NOT like this and Daniel thinks I'm heartless for taking a picture instead of saving him right away...I'm sorry I just think...How will I EVER remember this is if I don't. On the up side Henry has been so kind to Max lately. When Max is crying, Henry will bring him his blankie and sometimes even give him the binkie right out of his mouth....touching...and gross.

This past week

I love when my boys are all dressed up..it makes them look like grownups in little bodies. Max added the binkie and blankie to show you he's still a kid at heart.


I've mentioned this before but Max and Henry have all of the sudden gotten really into watching movies. This is both good and bad. We all need a break sometimes...I do...and so this is a good break for me. We also all need our brains to develop....and so that is how this is potentially bad...I don't think much develops in their brain while they watch Tangled...though I think it's a delightful movie.
Not much development going on here for Henry.

Max looks a little more alive.

We went to the zoo yesterday in St. Louis. It was REALLY warm...almost 90 but we've been waiting for the warmth so it was appreciated. To start off Ashley picked me some flowers and weeds. Every day I get several dandelions from Andrew, Ashley, and Holly(from my yard..grrr) to put in a vase.

Andrew really wanted to see the Rhino. This trip was for his birthday so of course we granted his wish.

A nice lady at the zoo gave up a bunch of free tickets to ride the carousel...thank you nice lady. So Henry, Andrew, Holly, Ashley, and Daniel got to ride. Max was busy eating a lemon icee with me. Daniel rode only to help Henry who would NOT be helped if he had anything to say about it.