Vacation Post #1~Day one and two

Now that we've been home for nearly a week, I've finally gotten things somewhat back to normal around the home and have some time to do some vacation posting.

As we headed towards Ohio from the east, my sister and her family were heading towards Ohio from the Chicago area. We talked periodically throughout the afternoon and as we got closer we realized we were about equal distances from mom and dad's house. We pulled onto their street less than 1 minute before Jodi, but we sat and waited for them so we could pull into the driveway together. Mom had perched herself on the front porch, camera in hand, anticipating our arrivals.

Here are Jodi and I seeing each other for the first time in a year--last time we were both pregnant with these two babies.
We headed to the backyard where Dad had made a sandbox and it was ready to be put to the test by Timothy and Madison.
The next day--spending some time in the backyard. Lindsay orchestrated the making of this makeshift train using the chairs. From left to right--Lindsay, Madison, Timothy, and Carson.
We spent a little time that first morning at the football field for relay for life. Here's a group shot of all the kiddos. Carson, Sarah holding Jason, Allie holding Savannah and Madison, Timothy, and Lindsay.
Madison took immediate interest in Savannah. She was constantly asking to hold her. Here she is reading her a story.
And the boys enjoyed loving on Jason. Carson is slowly learning to be more gentle as he gives him a hug.

More posts coming soon.

Vacation--Here We Come

Today we will be heading west to Ohio for a little vacation. In honor of my father's 70th birthday the family is coming together to celebrate. My sister Jodi and her family are traveling from Wyoming for the festivities and a few aunts and uncles will be there as well. While in Ohio we will be spending one day at Cedar Point--the world's greatest amusement park. I hope to keep the blog updated with lots of pictures while we travel. Until then....

Funny Things They Do And Say

There have been a few cute things that Madison and Carson have done or said that I have to write about as a way for me to remember when they get older. Here are some of the latest:

It has become an almost daily ritual that we take a walk sometime in the morning. Jason and Carson ride in the double stroller and Madison pushes her baby in her baby stroller. She is so used to our walk that she usually leads the way making all the correct turns and stopping at all streets! A while back I came across a house for sale in our neighborhood and noticed that there were some flyers listing the price. I was curious what it was selling for so I stopped, locked the stoller in place as we were on a little hill, walked over to the flyers, took a look (perhaps even talking to myself outloud--"$599,000--wow"), then walked back to the stroller to resume our walk, all the time while Madison was watching me. Now it is her ritual to stop at this particular house on every walk, lock her stroller in place (it doesn't really lock but she steps on the back wheels pretending to secure it), walk up to the sign, babble a little as she looks at the flyers and then walk back to her stroller to resume our walk. It is so funny--it makes me laugh every time and it makes me aware of how she is learing everything by watching what we do!

Now on to Carson. A few days ago Madison said she wanted to go and sit on the potty. I was busy with Jason so Matt took off her diaper and put her over the gate into the bathroom. Within a few moments Carson was over to the basket of books. He picked one up and carried it to the bathroom to give to Madison. She had never asked for one. I guess he, like Madison, pays close attention to my every move because I usually give Madison a few books when she's sitting on the potty to keep her there for a while!

Now back to a quotable quote from Madison. "No bye,bye Mommy?" This is the phrase she uses every time I mention that someone is coming over or that we are going to someone's house. She says it with a look of concern as to make sure that when someone comes over Mommy doesn't leave as it has been the case before, or there have been a number of times when I take her to someone's house so I can run an errand or attend a meeting. Recently I've been talking about our upcoming trip to Grammy and Grandpa's house and everytime she looks at me and says "No bye-bye Mommy?" and I assure her that I am going with her and will not leave her there!

Memorial Day Weekend

God gave us gorgeous weather for Memorial Day Weekend 2008 here in Maryland. With Matt now working every Saturday until 3pm it seems like the weekends go so fast with little opportunity to do much as a family. But since he was off Monday we were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather. Here are a few shots of the kiddos after church on Sunday--Madison and Carson decked out in red, white and blue.

The very happy baby! I've decided that this was the last time he will wear these pants--they look a little like capris on him.
On Monday morning--early before the crowds arrived and before it got too hot--we headed for the nearby Black Hills State Park. They have 2 great playgrounds there which the kids really enjoyed and we also took a walk down to the lake.

Carson looking dumbfounded in the baby swing.

Madison striking a pose.
Madison and Carson at the top of the slide--Madison was ready to go, Carson not so sure.
Jason just enjoying some time on the blanket. A shot of Jason back at home--it's getting to be really difficult to get a picture of him without his fingers in his mouth. He's quite the drooler--taking after his older brother.

Jason--4 Months

Jason had his 4 month checkup today. He weighed 14 pounds, 12 ounces (50th perc.) and his length was 25 in. (56th perc.). He is definitely my big boy in comparison with Madison and Carson. Madison was only 12 lb, 3 oz at 4 months and Carson was 13 pounds, 12 ounces. And he's going to seem so big in a few weeks when we meet up with my sisters' family in Ohio for my dad's 7oth birthday party. My sister's youngest Savannah is exactly 2 months older than Jason but is more than 2 pounds smaller. Of course she started out at 6 lb, 11 oz and Jason started off at 8 lb 13 oz! He is such a great baby. He loves to smile at everyone and will start to talk back and giggle when anyone speaks to him.

These first two pictures are from April 18th--almost a month ago.

This one of Carson and Jason was taken on May 4th--Grammy got these matching outfits and I had to capture a shot while they can still wear them. It's more difficult to get Jason to smile when he's sitting this close to Carson--I think he's a little scared. Carson recently had his 15 month check up and he now weighs almost 24 pounds (not far behind Madison who weighs about 27 pounds).
A more recent picture of Jason--taken May 12th.
And the two boys--also taken May 12th.

We just recently acquired this seat from our friends the Ricchinis--had I known 3 years ago that I would have 3 children back to back I would have purchased one then. It is a great invention. It allows Jason to sit upright (he really doesn't like the bouncy seat anymore) and he can turn his head in all directions. Here's a great video of Madison talking to him and us which makes him laugh.

The Cougars are the Champions

The Covenant Life girls softball team were crowned the champions of their conference yesterday. They beat their opponents 6-0. This is the third year in a row that they have won the championship (this was Sam's first season on varsity). The score was 0-0 until the 6th inning! The game was definitely exciting. Sam played left field for the entire game. Here's a shot of her in ready position.
And a nice picture of the team with their banners after the game. Sam is the third girl in from the left.
While we (Matt and I) tried to watch the game we were also keeping one eye on Madison and Carson. There was a water fountain near us and it didn't take Madison long to figure how to use it.
When she got bored with the water fountain she began playing in the dirt. She would get her hands nice and dirty and then proceed to the water fountain to wash them off!
Look how dirty and happy she is--I don't think she'll have any problem hanging with her brothers some day.

An Evening at the Rio

Last Saturday Matt and I with the 3 little ones had some time in the afternoon to go to the Rio. We walked around the lake, saw the geese and ducks, then went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. Going out to dinner with all three can be chaotic at times and we're never quite sure if they're going to do well....but they were so good! The sights and sounds at Joe's were enough to keep Madison and Carson happy throughout dinner. Carson danced in his high chair throughout the meal and clapped after each song ended. I got a couple of cute shots of Madison as we went around the lake.