Zoo and all May 28, 2009

What a perfect way to end a great weekend, a trip to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.  All of the kids were very excited to get up and see what adventures we would have at the zoo.  Even though AJ was not able to see an elephant, there was a ton of fun things he did get to see.  In fact, we were greeted at the entrance by some baby ducks!

And it only took a couple of minutes for Brandon and AJ to find the very cool peacock, strut’in his stuff.

And luckily we were able to catch a quick picture of three of four of the active kids.

When we turned the corner, AJ was thrilled to see that he could ride HORSES!!!  His eyes popped out of his head.  He was thrilled when Nate and I said that they could go on the horse ride.  So AJ picked his pony, Penny.  And the grin could not get any bigger.  As for Rachael, she enjoyed picking out a horse (I forget the name, but I am sure that Rachael and Nate would remember).

After walking around more, we ventured to AJ’s next hot spot, the train ride.  Kaitlyn, Gigi, Grandpa Woolley, and I stayed back while the rest of the crew went for the ride to no where.

And probably one of the kids favorites of the zoo was feeding the geese.  Everyone got into it.  And when the one quarter ran out, all of the kids dug through the bricks to collect more kernels.  It was amazing how much they actually collected.  And even AJ, who tends to be a bit skidish, loved this activity as well!

We had a really good time at the zoo.  I cannot wait to go to the Maryland Zoo!!

Hanging out together May 28, 2009

So here was the whole gang….  And yes, it is a lot of legs.  But it was so nice to have everyone together, even if it was just for  a short period of time.

Here are some of the highlights.  It took several attempts for Aunt Julia and I to get this group shot, but we did end up getting it!!

Cousin Justin was adorable bouncing around on his donkey!  He can really make it bounce…

Rachael no longer naps, under any circumstances.  So she really enjoyed getting to hang out with her aunts and playing some games while all the other kids were napping.  Bingo was the game of choice!

AJ enjoyed his time with Riley, the cat.  He sang to him, chased him, pet him, and all around loved him!!!

I really enjoyed playing a new Cranium game with the kids, while Kaitlyn sat up and enjoyed playing with toys. It was called Balloon Lagoon.  AJ played a little bit and Justin played with what he wanted to, but I would call it a success!

But the highlight of the afternoon for Brandon and Rachael was stuffing their shirts with balloons!  They would stand on either side of the room and run at each other.  Typically they would then fall to the ground.  Kaitlyn just watched…   as she smiled and stared.  Oh, and she shrieked really loud!

Here is a clip of the craziness…  You can see Rachael and Brandon in action.  You can also hear Kaitlyn squealing in the background!  Listen carefully…

We were glad to get a picture of the gang without all of our kids.  We do not take this picture very often.

I think that Aunt Julia and Uncle Kevin really enjoy hanging out with all of the kids.  I just wish my kids would pose so nicely for a picture with Nate and I in it!

Happy 5th Birthday, Brandon May 26, 2009

To celebrate our nephew Brandon’s 5th Birthday, we ventured to Fort Wayne, Indiana for a long weekend.  It was a long ride, but well worth it.  Saturday afternoon, we had a fun birthday celebration.  Aunt Heather made an awesome shark cake, just as Brandon had requested.  It looked awesome!

And we were really glad to get a picture of all of the cousins together…

The party was complete with a cookout (with a fun new dip that I will have to try making), yummy cake, some very cool gifts and a shark pinata.  Everyone really enjoyed themselves!

Already a Character

Proud Aunt and Uncle

I can remember the night that Brandon was born, getting the call on our cell while Nate and I were headed to chaperon the high school prom.  I was so proud to be an Aunt, and even more proud to have a nephew!!  Brandon was such an amazing baby, opening my eyes to a whole new world.  He would curl up so sweet, and just took such a special place in my heart.  I remember traveling to Ohio for  a week to help Heather, and enjoyed every moment bonding with my nephew!!  Brandon, I love you very much!! 

Already a Character

Proud Aunt and Uncle

‘Grandpa Thursdays’ May 26, 2009

Grandpa makes the effort to come and visit every other Thursday.   So the kids were thrilled to see him Thursday afternoon.  In fact, getting to ride his back was one of the most memorable moments for the kids.

Kaitlyn enjoyed playing with Grandpa outside…  it was such a beautiful afternoon!

A Carnival to Remember May 21, 2009

The Odenton Volunteer Fire Department yearly Carnival is in town this week!! With Nate off Wednesday, it was a great night to take the kids (the weather was perfect at 70 degrees).  We got the kids wrist bands so they could ride unlimited on all of the rides.  The first up, the train.  The kids loved it!!  From their they moved around to the four wheelers (AJ’s “motorcycles”), which AJ loved.  I cannot even count how many times AJ went on this ride, sometimes by himself and sometimes with Rachael.

The kids did the Crazy Bus with Nate, which you could tell AJ did not really care for, but recovered and came off smiling.  So they ran to the dragon ride which they went on together.  Once again, AJ was not so sure about this ride but he came off asking to go on again.  So they did!!

Nate and I enjoyed riding some of the rides with the kids as well.  The Spinning Monkey was a huge hit with Rachael who loved spinning.  So AJ went on once with each of us, but then Nate and Rachael went for one spinning ride.  The Surf City ride was another favorite.  Nate and I rode with the kids indivually in sports cars that went fast around in a circle.  The kids could not stop talking about it.

And Kaitlyn, our sweetheart, hung in there like a champ.  She even got to go on her first ride on a bumble bee with Rachael and I.  She loved going up and down and took it like a champ!

And like a trooper, Kaitlyn hung in there until we got home at 8:45 pm.  Kaitlyn did put her head down at one point, but picked it up quickly so she would not miss anything!

The kids cannot wait till next year to do it again!!!

An interesting morning May 20, 2009

Today we had Verizon Fios installed and there was a lady in and out of the house all morning.  So the kids started getting creative with the things in the house.  Rachael decided that she found a way to stop talking… And this is what she came up with.  We think that she is on to something.

And apparently the bears were acting up so Rachael and AJ put their bears in ‘time-out’.  The bears were there a long time.  I am still wondering what exactly they did.

And everyone enjoyed just spending some quality time together.

Noah had better watch out… Kaitlyn is now pushing herself backwards which means that forward is not too far away!!

Here doggy, doggy… May 20, 2009

AJ has been saying that he is a puppy.  In turn, Rachael has been saying that she is a kitty.  So when I gave them some Rice Krispies, this is what the picture I got.

How Big? May 20, 2009

Rachael is very into arts n’ crafts.  The other day, Nate and I came downstairs to see Rachael drawing her foot.

Nate and I were really impressed at what a good job she did.  So when she asked if she could trace ours, we said of course.  This is what she came up with for Nate’s foot…

and mine…

I thought my toe was particularly interesting!!!

First Year Down… May 15, 2009

Arundel High School runs a preschool program where the high school students teach to preschoolers.  Mrs. Stewas is the lead teacher of the program and works very hard at being a high school and preschool teacher, both at the same time.  She showed wonderful patience for the children and we really appreciated it!!  So, Rachael went to preschool 4 days a week for  2 1/2 hours a day.  It was challenging at the beginning, but Rachael has had a wonderful year.  She built some very special friendships with some of the high school students as well as some preschoolers.  Today they had a ‘graduation’ ceremony for all of the students, even if they were returning next year.  The program was very well done, with graduation hats, programs, slide shows, songs, awards, etc.  We had a great time!! 

Here is Rachael walking on the stage…

And here are all of the preschoolers.  Rachael is in the top right of the risers.

Rachael received the ‘Most Helpful’ award (Yeah!!).  They then danced to the Hoe Down Throw Down, by Hannah Montana.  In the picture, you can see Rachael.  The high school students had it down way better than the preschoolers, but it was a ton of fun to watch . Rachael had been talking about it a TON.

Rachael and AJ together, or should  I say the inseparable pair after the graduation ceremony.  Some of the high school students were taking their picture, so they would not look at us!

And Rachael was making sure that AJ was close by the rest of the day.

Here is Rachael with her teacher, Mrs. Stawas.

Here are a few other friends Rachael has made this year…

Lauren, Rachael and Tia

Rachael and Abby N (not to be confussed with Abby C)

And Kaitlyn took the morning like a trooper, passing out in my arms around 9:45 am.  She smiled at everyone, but wanted to held by no one.

Awana Cubbies Ends for the Year… May 12, 2009

Rachael has worked very hard in her Awana program this year.  The group meets every Tuesday night for an hour and a half.  Rachael jumped into the program with two feet,  learninga new Bible verse every week.  To end the year, the the 3’s and 4’s (age group) sang their Awana song as well as one other song they learned this year.  Each child then got a reward for completing their first book!!  Because Rachael is tall, she was put in the back so I could not get very many pictures.  But at least I got one of her walking in.