Monday, April 22, 2013

Carry That Weight

We have been really busy the past couple of weeks and our blogging schedules have been thrown off by our home renovation project as we have had more dinners out and some later than anticipated nights.  Also, after 8+ years we are getting a bit lazy with the camera and the kids are not as cute as they used to be - kidding!

Things should be back to normal in a couple of weeks and maybe this blogcation will re-inspire us for more consistent future postings.  That being said, I can see the schedule cutting back to once every other week rather than weekly.  We will have to see.  Maybe we will just transition over to a Lily and Jack Twitter feed as blogging is so passe' now.

Anyway, things have been busy around here with soccer & tennis (for both kids), lacrosse (Lily), tee-ball (Jack), Brownies (Lily) and a host of birthday parties and play dates.  These kids have full days and sleep well at night!

Jack had his kindergarten orientation last week (which he really enjoyed).  He can't wait until school starts next year.  Lily is just finishing up her first long range project - she had three weeks to build a caterpillar from scratch.  She has done a great job and has really managed her time well along the way - there has been only minimal parental involvement (cutting toothpicks in half).

The house project (which started in mid-February) is almost through which is a good thing since we (all of us) are done with it!  It has been an intense slog but it has come together really well.  Once the floors are dry on Thursday we will have a brand new kitchen and eating area, a new powder room and a sun room that has been converted into a pantry, mud room area and kid's study.  The kids have a room of their own to study in with two desks and space for a computer.  They are both excited to have a work space off the kitchen and Marcy and I are excited to have a place to put all their stuff!

Since our last posting, Jack has adopted a new pet - a hamster named Henry.  Henry even went to school today!  Henry is very busy and seems to have adapted to his new home ... he is nocturnal though so he gets very busy after Jack goes to bed and often has to be moved out at night.

Lastly, before the limited pictures we have, we would all like to wish Uncle Stephen a very happy birthday.  He is celebrating today so these are very timely birthday wishes.


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Jack loves tee ball.  Here he is playing first base.  He made a great play in the field this weekend.

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Getting ready to hit.

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Running the bases.

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On base.

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Lunch after soccer and tee ball.

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Lily drew the unicorn on the right free hand yesterday.

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Our friends Julie and Paul stopped by - they used to be our neighbors but decamped to Vermont - and this is a shot of Lily and Jack with Bea and Charlotte.

Monday, April 08, 2013

Begin West Movement

Many weeks since our last post.  During the void we had a great trip to Colorado for Spring Break and have been busy around here.  I was a bit under the weather last week and then the days just started getting away from me.

Colorado was lots of fun and the kids had a great time visiting with their cousins and friends Brooke and Anderson.  We had a nice time with Tracy, Stan, Case and Garrett.  We had the bonus of Aunt Kelly and Bodie being in Colorado as well.  To top it off, our friends Mark and Kristen (along with Brooke and Anderson) are in Colorado for two years so we were able to spend some quality time with them as well.

We were able to ski at Keystone (twice), Breckenridge and Vail.  We also had a chance to go sledding and tubing.  We had lots to eat (thank to Tracy, Marcy and Kristen) and lots of fresh air.

We came back to warming temperatures and an almost complete home reno project.  It was back to school for Jack on Tuesday and Lily on Wednesday.  In between our return and school they had dentist appointments, visits with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom.  Lily is full into lacrosse and soccer and Jack started up tee ball.

Here are some pictures and videos from the last few weeks ...  There are a lot more pics and videos so we may have a part two at some point.

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Clowning around.

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All smiles.

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The three cousins.

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Serving time ... Jack is really into flashing the peace signs.  It his is Nixon phase.


Skiing.

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Lily, Brooke, Anderson & Jack.

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A very studious group.


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Working on a trap for big foot.

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Tubing.


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Easter eggs.

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Lil loved spending time with Garrett.

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Eggs with your cinnamon roll?

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Easter goodies.

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Lily at her lacrosse game.

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Action shot.