Richmond Fun

Over the weekend, Al and his long-time college friend, Mike, went dirt-biking in West Virginia. Thankfully, Mike's wife, Karen, is a good friend of mine, and her daughter, Hannah, is Addie's latest obsession! While the guys were dirt-biking all over the hills of WV, Karen, the kids and I, were having fun in Richmond. We visited Short Pump Shopping Center and rode the train there, we played at Huguenot Park with old friends, went to our old-wonderful church- Spring Run Pres, got pictures taken of the girls together, and of course, spent lots of time playing with Baby Hannah's toys (Thanks, Hannah for sharing so sweetly!). While the kids slept, Karen and I whipped out several cute dresses/shirts for the girls. Lots of fun was had by all as you can see in the pictures.

Our trip was actually extended as Al's truck broke it's serpentine belt, and then his dirt bike broke as well. But that is a totally riveting story that will have it's own post- once Al makes his way back to Richmond to retrieve his family.... Stay tuned for that!

Alden loved Hannah's car

Working together

Riding the train together- Why is it that the youngest is the only one looking at the camera?

Karen sewing up a storm! She learned in no time and took to it like duck to water!

Our masterpieces! Hannah's are on the left- a pheasant top, pillowcase dress, dress; Addie's pile is on the right- pillowcase dress and pheasant top.

Colin and Addie try to keep hydrated at the park. I'm not sure they remembered each other but they did enjoy playing together!

Amy giving Daniel and Addie pushes on the swings- wheeeeeee!

The Jack-In-Box was a favorite!

Alden's new laugh- covering his mouth- so cute!

Bathing beauties!

Climbing on the inside playground at Short Pump

Yes, Hannah is giving Alden a ride! While I taught this morning, Karen and Hannah played with my kids.

Who needs a playground when you have carseats to play in?

A taste of Al's future post....

Addie's Special Time with MarMar & PopPop

On Sunday, Alden, Al and I left NY, leaving Addie with her MarMar and PopPop. We had talked about this for weeks and she was PUMPED about it! She didn't even give us a backwards glance as we left. She's no dummy- she knows how much fun MarMar and PopPop are!

She had a very busy 3 days with her MarMar and PopPop. The visited the Natural History Museum in Manhattan as well as a special burger joint. Tuesday was filled with a trip to the Bronx Zoo where she was enamored with all the animals. Wednesday was laid back with pancakes in the morning and then the trip home.

Alden didn't act like he missed her, but when she walked in the door, he squealed her name, ran to her and hugged her- so sweet!

Here are some pictures from her special trip.

Enjoying a chocolate milkshake- yummmm!

Checking out the dinosaur bones- she even called me to tell me about what she was seeing!

Posing next to the animals

Who's having more fun here? She loved the Bug Carousel so much she rode it 3 times!

Cutest butterfly!!

Checking each other out!

Wiped out

Weekend in NY

This weekend, our whole family went to NY. Al helped his Dad rebuild their front steps and walkway. While the men worked, the kids, MarMar, Jen, Nate and I went to the NY Aquarium. It was perfect weather for the Aquarium and the kids enjoyed themselves as did the adults!

Ready to help!

Addie putting in her 2 cents worth

Addie LOVED the penguins

Checking out the stingray and shark exhibit

Touching a dead starfish

Waiting for the Sea Lion show to start

A rare picture of me and my boy! He wanted to run around and couldn't....

Watching the show

Addie was totally into the show


Once the show stared, Alden was intrigued, too!

Addie, relaxing after we returned home

Momma Duck

Addie was pretending to be a Momma Duck sitting on her eggs (trains). She sat patiently for a bit (at least 5 min) and then started "quacking" loudly,"They're cracking! They're cracking! My babies are coming! My babies are coming!" I guess all our stories and talking about spring and new baby animals are sinking in...

Easter

Easter morning was lots of fun this year- both kids are old enough to understand that it is a special day and it's not just because of all the chocolate.

Me: Addie, why do we have Easter?

Addie: Jesus rode down the road on a donkey and rose from the dead!

Not bad- I'll take it!

Here are some pictures from this morning. Al had to work all day, so it was nice to have the morning with him.

Alden checking out his basket

Addie happy with her basket's contents

Showing me her almost ear-less bunny. Yes, she got to have this for breakfast- she was offered eggs, strawberries and cinnamon rolls later....

Alden breaking the trend- he started with the legs....

Silly face!


He was a happy camper after breakfast!

So was Addie!


Standing so cute!

Not in the mood for any more pictures-but he is ready to comb someone's hair...


Sweet siblings

Waiting with Grayson for the super yummy meal "Miss" April made for us!

Finding eggs at Grayson's house


Showing off their "loot"

Sharing her candy with Daddy who had to go back to work after lunch.

Addie's New Friend

Addie has a new "friend"- The Giant Pickle. She is not to be confused with the Giant Pickle in the Veggie Tale's version of David and Goliath- this Giant Pickle is a girl and she likes to wear pink dresses. About a week ago, Addie started talking about her friend, Giant Pickle, waving to her as she was playing outside while Addie watched her from her seat whie eating breakfast. We often pass places where Giant Pickle is working- at a school she is a teacher, at Dunkin Donuts, she is having donuts, at a chicken coop (there are a LOT of them around here), she is cleaning chicken poop, at a random house, she's either babysitting or folding laundry. The list goes on and on- clearly Giant Pickle is VERY talented. Often she also is sitting in the space between Addie and Alden's carseats- she was actually "helping" Addie and Alden share a snack the other day. Today, she and Avery wore matching Easter dresses and she even helped Addie find eggs during the Easter Egg Hunt. Giant Pickle is a big part of our lives now- and I think it's pretty cute!

Addie and Giant Pickle

A Week in Review

We have had a fun-filled week! I'll tell it with the pictures....


Alden is really into building train tracks on the floor- and he's pretty good at it, too!


Addie gave herself her first haircut- it was an accident and I take full responsibility. I left out on the bathroom counter a pair of baby nail clipper (like scissors)- she picked them up while we were brushing teeth one night, and opened and closed them- just a tad too close to her hair but her cowlick was a bubble and just close enough to her scissors that she ended up cutting it.... This in uncharted territory for me since she was born with hair longer then this!!


She dyed eggs in preschool and made this cool hat- notice she gave all the animals eyes and smiles, she even gave them a side profile- 1 eye and 1/2 a smile! She's a smart cookies my girl!


Going on an Egg Hunt at The River- it was cold and rainy on Saturday, we joined a church we have been visiting- their youth group was hosting an indoor Egg Hunt and Lunch!


Addie was VERY proud of her found eggs- they we all FILLLLLLLLLED with candy so I'm glad she didn't get that many...


This is the 1 piece I want to eat!


That's my boy- he wants chocolate!!


Our good friends the Troyer's came to visit and Alden conned Jeanette out of some chocolate cake.


Tav read Addie her bedtime story- SO sweet!