HE DID IT!

I'm proud to say that my hubby ran in the Madison half marathon yesterday! He has been training hard for the past few months and was able to finish somewhere between 1:50-1:55! Here is a shot of him on the stretch to the finish...

The night before the race we were invited over to Matt and Gretchen's house for a pasta dinner to load up our boys with carbs before the race. Matt is our friend from Sunday school class that has done 6-7 full marathons in the past 7 months. Our friends Bud and Jessica were also at the pasta party, Bud ran the 1/2 marathon with Matt. Gretchen did an awesome job, the pasta was great! The kids had a blast playing together...



I'm so glad that our friends talked me into going to the race...I wouldn't have wanted to miss this. I was a bit nervous about bringing the boys that early in the morning, but they were great. Gretchen and I packed up our kids in the minivan at 7am and headed off to see their daddies race.

After the race we were able to enjoy brat fest and horse races. Here are some shots from the fun!

Matt and Tim (co-worker friend) shortly after the race.

Matt, Matt and Bud...way to go guys!

Their proud wives (Joy, Jess, and Gretchen)

Here is Caleb jamming at brat fest! Casey was off enjoying the slides with daddy.

jumping for joy

Caleb is soooo close to moving. In fact he sort of is. He scoots his hands forward and falls forward, rolls around a bit, runs (literally) in his exersaucer, and my favorite...he jumps like a maniac in his johnny jumper. Check this out!

Go Brewers!

Wednesday night Matt and I went to our first Brewer's game of the season. For Christmas Matt's parents gave us a Brewer's gift certificate. After some research for special promotions I was able to get us tickets to 5 games (as well as state fair tickets and free food).


We had seats in the bleachers which was really fun. I had never seen a game from that angle. The crowd around us was rather lively and we had a nice view of the batters, and the fielders behinds! But who could concentrate on a game when they have this hottie sitting next to them...

I mean really...what a catch!

Usually my favorite part of going to the ball game is watching the racing sausages (can you see them behind me?)


This game I will remember our walk back to the car in the pouring ran...
all cuddled up under an umbrella. It was kinda romantic.

spaghetti face

As we were eating our spaghetti for dinner this evening...



I was reminded of the first time we gave Casey spaghetti (shortly after he turned one)...





Some things never change!

Mother's Day Weekend

Friday was a gorgeous day so I decided to take the boys to one of my favorite parks in Waukesha, Frame Park. It has an awesome play ground as well as a nice walking track around the river. We played at the park before taking a nice long walk around the river. My hope was that Caleb would take a nap in the stroller. Of course he didn't fall asleep until the very end of the ride (probably due to his mommy's bathroom stops...don't ask!). When we got back to the playground Hannah, Hailey, Riley and Lucy were there waiting to play with us (their parents were their too). The big kids had a blast playing while the babies slept. Leah and I enjoyed snacking on fruit loops while Nick chased around the big kids....thanks Nick!

Friday afternoon Matt worked from home and I enjoyed a nap!!! There is nothing like taking a nice nap on a beautiful day!

Friday night I was blessed to have a girls night out with some of my favorite girls. I am part of a Bible study that meets one Friday night a month. This was the last meeting of the year. We spent the evening talking, laughing and eating our yummy Mexican dishes. It was so nice to have that break to relax and have fun with friends. I think we should do that every year on Mother's Day weekend.

Saturday morning I did an 8 mile walk at the YMCA by myself...very boring. But, when I got home my little prince Casey was ready for our date. First we went to Bluemound Gardens for brunch. Casey enjoyed french toast and chocolate milk. He looked like such a big boy in that booth! After eating it was off to the ZOO for our first zoo class. Our class was all about sea lions and seals. We did art projects, learned all about the differences between the two, had a snack, and ended with a close up look at the Seals. The Zoo keeper came out and did some tricks with Ringo their oldest seal (31 years). We ended our time at the Zoo with the train ride, of course!

Sunday we went to my sister's church for Lucy's baby dedication. We then spent the afternoon at her place playing and eating the day away. I love mother's day!

Handy Matty

A few weeks ago I had this great idea that I would find a kitchen table for my mom. Last week she moved into a nice apartment and needed one. Since she helps us out with the boys on a weekly basis I thought it would be nice to do something like this for her.

So...I searched Craigs list to find a deal. I found a great deal...a table and chairs for $25! Well let's just say, you get what you pay for! We got a scratched up table and four chairs that were two different colors. When we went to pick it up it didn't look as nice as the picture on Craigs List (go figure). I looked at my husband and asked if he could fix it up. Well what do you think he said??? Sure honey!

After hours and hours of stripping and sanding he got the the table and chairs to look pretty nice.


Then he put on the stain and finish...WOW! Is my hubby talented or what! I bet he gets son in-law of the year for this gift:) It fits perfectly in my mom's new place. Way to go honey!

We have been very busy having fun around here. We have had the typical WI spring weather...rainy a few days then nice a few days. I have been trying to plan fun adventures around the weather.

Last week we spent a rainy day at Stonefire Pizza. It was a reward for Casey going number two on the potty (which he hasn't done since!) We picked up his favorite person, Hannah, and spent the morning....

splashing with the whales

playing with trains (of course)

and painting our faces (my sister loves me when I let her daughter do these things)

I have also used the rainy days to do some spring organizing and cleaning. Casey is a big help when it comes to sweeping. Did you know the broom can also be called a bulldozer??? Who knew! Besides cleaning, we also have had fun just hanging out playing in the basement being goofy.


This weekend we were blessed with some very nice weather. On Sunday we spent the majority of the afternoon outside. Matt was working on refinishing a table for my mom. We also pulled down our patio furniture and Casey's fun outdoor toys. Our little buddy Isaac came over to play with us for a little while so his parents could go on a date! The boys love having him over (so do I).

Girl time

My sister Leah had a scheduled C-section on Friday morning. Her and Nick are the proud parents of yet another daughter...Lucy Nichole! She came out measuring 18 inches long and weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces. She is a real cutie pie!

On Friday afternoon I began my adventure with the girls. Matt and the boys spent a couple of hours with us before heading home for bed. We put up the famous stork outside so all of the neighbors would know that they had another girl. This stork has been passed back and forth between our homes since Hannah was born. Matt and I aren't quite sure we want it back...ever!
The kids got a real kick out of having a big bird in the front yard. Hannah was worried about it getting wet in the rain.

Friday night the girls slept well and so did I. Good thing too because those girls took a lot of my energy on Saturday! We spent the first couple hours of the day getting ready to go meet Lucy! I gave them manicures and pedicures...well sort of. Then I did each one's hair and got them into a pretty dress. I spent the most time on Hannah because she would sit still a lot better than the twins. When I was finished she looked in the mirror and said, "I look like I'm going to a wedding! Mommy is going to think I look so beautiful". That is a true princess for ya! Saturday night the twins spent time with grandma and I brought Hannah home to have a sleep over with Casey. We put a mattress on the floor next to Casey's bed and they had a blast. I worked that night so I missed most of the fun:( Matt said he went in their about 9pm and made them go to bed. The next morning it was fun to wake up to them giggling and talking. They really are the best of buds.

After church on Sunday we went to lunch and then dropped Hannah off at home before heading to the hospital. Casey was very excited about meeting his new little cousin. He has had lots of practice being gentle with his own little brother so he did very well. We were so proud of what a good boy he was at the hospital. Look how grown up he looks! My dad commented that he looks like he should be going to kindergarten in the fall...2 years to go!

Casey, Casey, Casey

I really can say that I love the three year old stage. Sure there is whining, back talk and some crazy energy...but for the most part it is a lot of fun. Here are a couple of Casey stories that are sure to make you laugh.

As a lot of you know, it has been a real struggle to get Casey to do number 2 on the potty. My new tactic is letting him suck on a lolly pop while sitting on the potty. The deal is that he has to at least try to push. So yesterday he was pushing and a lot of gas was coming out. He jumped off the potty and looked into the toilet with excitement and exclaimed, "where did all of my farts go?!" I had to explain that you can only hear and smell farts.

My new favorite thing that Casey has started is saying "mommy, mommy ...." with such excitement when he wants to tell me something. It can be about what animal cracker he is eating, what toy he is playing with, or something Caleb has done. He is so full of life these days.

Last but not least, we have entered the bug phase. Last week Casey was mushing ants and collecting them in his hand. Each one had a name, Hannah was of course the first one. Then when it rained a couple of days ago we were really into playing with the worms, dead or alive. I don't know if I am ready for this phase...yuck!

The joys of being a mom of 2 boys!

Happy Easter!

We made it home just in time to celebrate Easter with my family. Easter morning we visited my sister's church, Riverglen. Then we went back to her house for some fun and food. The boys had a great time as usual playing withe their cousins.

Caleb is only going to be the baby of the bunch for one more week, Leah will be having a C-section next Friday! I can't wait to find out if they are having a boy or girl:0

Here is Caleb getting cuddles from my mom. He loves his grandma!