Spring has Sprung!

This is the cherry blossom tree (of some type?) in our front yard. The boys LOVE climbing in it, but I LOVE how beautiful it is every spring!!! We've had a wonderful day so far - enjoyed a picnic lunch outside, Callie got to wear her sun hat for the first time (kept it on until she decided to throw a fit later...), and some good tree climbing. After naps, we get to go look at Callie's one-year pictures that we had taken last week so that should be fun. I think tomorrow it's supposed to be 80 degrees and sunny - we might have to head to the beach!!! David's birthday is on Sunday, so we're looking forward to some special surprises for him (stay tuned...).

Fish Update!

Our fish, Nemo and Marlin, are happily established in their new home (and no, that's not the toilet!) They are STILL alive - MUCH to my surprise. At my sister's insistence, I finally gave in and bought them an actual fish bowl with rocks and a plant (Kristen read me the riot act about not having them "housed properly" and assured me that a fish bowl was NOT expensive! Lucky for the fish, they had a bowl complete with net, gravel and plant for less than $8.). So they are still going - go figure! They survived the transfer and seem to be very happy in there!

The Mayor's Cup

Josiah and Jacob running the bases before the game officially started.
Jacob did this for probably 20 minutes - climbed up to the top of the bleachers and then jumped off and laughed like crazy!
The team with Riptide!!!
The girls!
Josiah was playing third base...but keeping an eye on Riptide!!!
Callie, by the way, was TERRIFIED of RipTide!!! Chuck E. Cheese didn't phase her at all, but this guy put her over the edge!
They were all SO cute sitting on the bench!!!

They had a really cute inflatable that blew air to keep balls in the air (creating like a tee) so the kids could hit it. Jacob tore it up - he was great!
Good game, good game!

Callie wearing Daddy's hat...so precious.
This was at the end of the last game...waiting for the other teams to finish up so we could get their medals. Jacob climbed up on the bench next to his brother, and who KNOWS what they were talking about. I am SO thankful that they are TRULY best friends!

Saturday morning was one of those "good mommy" kinds of days. You know - when you hear about something that you think might be fun for your kids and decide to go ahead and try it! Well, I had seen "The Mayor's Cup" T-ball game advertised at our library every week for the last month or two. I decided that it seemed like a fun thing that Josiah might enjoy since he's getting ready to play t-ball in May. It is put on by our city and is for 5-7 year olds to come out and play. Totally free too (the BEST!). So I signed him up and off we went! We were blessed with a beautiful morning (it was in the 70s and just perfect!), and the kids were so excited and happy just to be outside! It turns out that they've done this for the last 4 years and they did such a great job! Like I said, our city sponsored it, and the kids all got a tshirt, goody bag, certificate, and a medal. They had some raffle prizes at the end too (gave away a bunch of tball stuff, 2 bikes, and even a computer!), but as Josiah said, "our tickets didn't work for any of it". They had snacks and drinks (Krispy Kreme donuts - hello!) and their corporate sponsors had such fun things in the goody bags too. It was done much better than I anticipated!!!

Josiah LOVED playing - he's so excited for his "real" team to start now. It was a great way to "kick-off" the season for him. He caught on very quickly and loved batting and running the bases the best. There were some very entertaining moments - one kid hit the ball off the tee, and when it didn't go very far, picked it up and threw it farther out before starting to run!! So cute - they are all so little. We had a few kids fall over while swinging, and one boy that consistently ran the wrong way! But it was such fun. Jacob and Callie just loved playing on the bleachers and in the grass with me. It was a WONDERFUL Saturday morning!

I LOVE my legs!!!

We have SO been enjoying the sunshine yesterday and today - it's been almost 80 degrees both days, and it has been so nice to play outside again!!! Callie is wearing shorts today for about the first time, and has been grabbing her legs over and over - it's like she's so enthralled by seeing her knees for the first time!! She's been having a great time playing outside and being able to WALK around the backyard!! She's finally mastered standing up from sitting on her own, so she's all over the place out there!!

Did Simon get saved???

Anyone notice the amazing turn that American Idol has taken the last two weeks? Last week, the American Idol results show featured the Clark Brothers (winners of the Next Great American Band) played "This Little Light of Mine". Dolly Parton also sang a song about "Jesus and Gravity" something or other - about one keeping her grounded, etc, etc. (forgive me for not knowing more specifics, I sort of tuned her out...can only handle GOOD country, not the twangy kind!). Then this week, the results show began last night with the remaining finalists singing "Shout to the LORD". Seriously! Started off with "My Jesus, My Savior" - the whole bit! I was shocked!!! That's not even one of those "generic" Christian songs that everybody sings, whether they know Jesus or not - sort of like "Amazing Grace" or something - everyone knows that. "Shout to the Lord" - there's nothing "discreet" about it!! I LOVED it!!!!

Welcome Morgan Grace!

I got to go visit the newly expanded Wiedmaier Family at the hospital yesterday!!! Sandi and John David welcomed their third child yesterday morning. Morgan Grace Wiedmaier was born at 7:57 AM and was 6 lbs. 15 oz. and 19 3/4 inches long. She is beautiful and has DARK hair like her mommy! I was shocked at this - Samuel and Meredith both have always had such light blonde hair that the thought of a dark-haired Wiedmaier never entered my mind! I had a wonderful time getting to hold this sweet little girl that I've been praying for and waiting to meet for the last 9 months! Congratulations Sandi and John David - we love you so much and love this sweet little girl already!!!

Meet Marlin and Nemo

We celebrated Alexander's birthday today with his pirate party...no pictures from the party because were too busy trying to stay warm and dry...The kids had a ball with the treasure hunt and pinata and getting to be pirates for the afternoon. AND each of the kids got to take home a goldfish as their "loot" I suppose!!! So meet our newest family members...who are still alive at the time of this typing....Unlike Natalie, I did NOT rush out and buy them nice goldfish bowls and rocks and all this stuff...I guess I'm a pessimist...we'll see how long they last first.....(my sister Kristen is going to be SO mad when she reads this...) The boys are SO excited though!

Saturday with Tutu

4 of my absolute favorite people in the world!!!!

Josiah and Jacob playing the new game with Tutu

Look at this ADORABLE shirt that Callie got from Delaney...it says "little sister" on it - sooo cute!
Mom got Callie this baby doll and a little stroller too. The doll makes "kissing" sounds and says "I love you" - Callie was fascinated!

The always helpful big brothers helping Callie open presents...
Pushing her new stroller around
I know I've shown you this face before, but it cracks me up!!!! She's got quite a personality!
Doesn't she look so big sitting on her knees like this?

My mom came down for Callie's party and stayed to play with us on Saturday too, before having to head back home. She brought a very cool new game called "Walk the Dog" that the boys just LOVED! We had fun opening Callie's presents (she was asleep Friday night before getting to do presents!) and seeing all her fun, new GIRL stuff!!!

Callie's Party

Would you believe this is the only picture I got of the 3 of us? Me, David, and Callie? Cute anways...
The butterfly cake that I made for Callie - it turned out really cute! Thanks Sandi, for letting me use your pan!
This is where the fun was REALLY happening! (and no, they aren't supposed to be standing on the top bunk...)
Callie and Delaney (who turns 1 at the end of April) looking longingly at the backyard...Would you believe that this is the ONLY picture I have of Callie in her cute pink party dress? Did anyone else get a better one? I'm so annoyed!!!
Hamilton, Jacob, and Parker

I had not intended to post about Callie's party until tomorrow. After all, it was 10 pm, and I was ready to go to bed. I decided I'd better just check the blogs really quick since I hadn't been on this last week (remember it was NUTS!) Well, here I am, almost 2 hours later. Finally all caught up with you guys, and guilted into going ahead and posting it now so I don't get behind again!!! I'm hoping to start the week off all caught up with things!!!

So, Callie's party was Friday night and was so much fun! We had a house FULL of friends, but I was so very thankful to be blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors that love us and love our children and want to celebrate them with us!! We are truly blessed. Callie had a great time seeing everyone and showing off her new walking skills!! The other kids seemed to have a great time too - there was quite a pillow fight back on the boys' bunk beds, and the rest of us adults enjoyed catching up too. Callie enjoyed her cake - ate it quite daintily, I would say. She was in bed asleep before the guests even left (the perils of doing a Fridy night party), but very much enjoyed herself!!!

Happy 1st Birthday, Callie Elizabeth!

I thought it would be a great idea to post the picture of me on my way to the hospital to deliver. Holy cow - I had forgotten how VERY big and pregnant I was...so Sue, Courtney, and Beth, my dear pregnant friends - you guys all look great!! I looked like a beached whale!!!!

Would you believe that as we were driving up to Coldstone Josiah said "Mom, did you bring a candle and matches?" I swear I didn't tell him!! He remembered from when we did it for his birthday! I LOVE that he loves these traditions like me!!! (Is everyone signed up for the coldstone birthday club by the way? FREE ice cream on your birthday!!!)





I can't believe that my baby girl is one today!!! I'll keep this short, because I have a kitchen full of dishes, things still to put away, and I don't want to get emotional!!! But what a joy, my Callie Elizabeth is. She is SUCH a blessing - all of my children are - and I am SO very grateful for the priviledge of being their mom. The boys and I had so much fun singing Happy Birthday to Callie all day today (the strategy is to avoid any traumatic "Happy Birthday" song moments like Josiah had), and she would just clap and clap every time we'd sing. Of course she's pretty oblivious, and the boys even opened her presents for the most part, but she just loves them and smiles at us. She VERY much enjoyed her first real Coldstone experience, and finished most of her vanilla ice cream (Josiah wanted to know why she didn't get to choose any mix-ins this time). We let her open a few presents that my family had sent and she got some very cute clothes - and some adorable bathing suits!!! Pool season is coming!!! Anyways, I love this little girl. What a year it has been with her. I love you Callie girl. My heart is full.