Daddy Daughter Dinner April 29, 2009

Nate and I try very hard to make sure that we spend time with all three kids.  And Rachael has been very challenging recently, especially when it came to Nate.  So we had a little talk about it in the car the other day, and Rachael said that she did not feel like they were not getting enough ‘one on one time together’.  So, Rachael and Nate could not wait for this night;  the 1st annual daddy/ daughter dinner at Chick Fil A.  The dinner was very well done.  There was a red carpet for them to walk down and then there was table side service.  There were table clothes, servers, and flowers.  They were off for a great evening. 

Here is the picture that Chick Fil A supplied to us…

They even had a list of questions to help guide some conversation. 

And she will love the manicure that she recieved a gift card for…

And here was the rose that Rachael was so proud to show off.

However, after they left AJ was full of tears.  All he wanted to do was go with Dad.

But the tears were replaced with smiles when we went to dinner with Pam and Johnny… Followed by the 31 cent scoop ice cream at Baskin Robbins.  Oh, and did I mention that Nate and Rachael were leaving when we got there?  So as you can imagine, we all had ice cream together!

All Dressed Up April 27, 2009

I tried to get a picture of the kids all together on Sunday.  But it was beyond challenging.  With Nate’s help, we got a picture of the three kids together…

However, Rachael is always up for a picture with Kaitlyn.  I just cannot believe how big they are getting.

Lightening McQueen April 27, 2009

Nana and Papa came to visit the kids this weekend.  The big hit was the Lighting McQueen motorized car that can go in every direction.  Kaitlyn loves watching it move all around, but only when she is sitting up.  She was very proud of herself when she caught it!

Cars 101 April 27, 2009

If you know anything about AJ’s interests, then you know what a love for cars he has.  So after playing outside the other day, AJ decided to sit down with Kaitlyn and show her some cars.  She was very interested in what he had to say…

Now AJ had to voice his one concern, he did not want Kaitlyn to eat his cars.  And that is exactly what he told her.

However, Kaitlyn is not listening very well.

Some Fun in the Sun April 27, 2009

With the weather nice outside, it has been great to get outdoors!  At the end of last week, it was very comfortable outside.  So we were able to bring out the kites and go up to the open field.  Rachael loved running around with her kite…

Kaitlyn enjoyed watching everything going on…

And AJ has been our ‘puppy’.  If you ask him what he is he says ‘I am not a boy, I am not AJ, I am a puppy!’.  He heels wonderfully (crawls right next to me) and eats doggy teats (aka food).  It was getting a little warm, so the puppy decided to lay down and watch what was going on.

‘Behavior Modification’ Already April 22, 2009

Today Rachael had a dentist appointment.  And well, who thought that it was going to be a big deal.  It was!!  Apparently Rachael has developed some fears as she has gotten older.  After several tries, Rachael refused to open her mouth.  Several tears were shed…  So the tech gave me a referral.  I had to chuckle to myself when  I read it and it stated that she  ’requires behavioral modification techniques’ (apprehension).  Unfortunately, that practice does not accept our insurance but we found a pediatric dentist that does!

Some fun in the Sun April 19, 2009

We traveled to Arlington, VA to visit with Jason, Beth and Sarah this weekend.  The kids loved going to the park and playing outside!  Visiting with cousin Sarah was a highlight for them!  And to add to the outdoor entertainment, Sherry and Grandpa joined the mix!  At the end of the day, we got a picture of the four kids together… at least we tried!

March of Dimes April 17, 2009

Last night, we went to Chick Fil A to help raise money for Molly’s Mission.  Molly is a local baby, who was born 13 weeks early.  The goal of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature deaths, and infant mortality. 

Dinner got interesting when Chick Fil A had their mascot, the cow, walking around.  AJ was beside himself for a while, crying that that cow was ‘going to get’ him.  But AJ was able to put his fears aside when Dad came, and AJ even hugged the cow.  Huge steps in the right direction!

You-Go Yogurt April 17, 2009

As you may know, Kaitlyn has a love/ hate relationship with food.  She seems to like sweet potatoes, applesauce, and oatmeal.  But she does not like peas, pears, etc.  So we were at a friends house and she had yo baby yogurt and offered it to Kaitlyn, so I thought I would try it.  And she loved it!!!

She just wanted more and took it very seriously…

PS… This picture was taken by Rachael!  She is pretty good with the camera!

Family Photos April 16, 2009

Thanks to Heather Owens, we now have some great pictures!!  Kaitlyn is a little off as you can tell, thanks to her 6 month shots!  Hope you enjoy them!

The whole family, minus the dog… (I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!)

AJ by himself…

The three goof balls…

Rachael smiling her smile…

Kaitlyn by herself…  She was not being very cooperative!

I should add that in order to get Rachael and AJ to sit for these pictures, it took a little extra help.  Nate had a bowl for each of them and if they cooperated then they got an M&M and if they did not cooperate, then they lost an M&M.  Amazing how they cooperated!