A Project for Henry

The kids finally got their big birthday present put together. Henry spent a few days working on it and they are so excited that it is finally put together.

This doesn't look like any fun at all.

Waiting, not so patiently.

Here she is! Zoe even likes to go up the steps and hang out on top.

Lara's giant hopscotch.

Easter Weekend/Lara's Birthday Party

Our Easter was a little different this year. Lara decided she didn't want a "friend" party this year for her birthday, and instead wanted to go to a waterpark with just family. She had the day after Easter off of school so we decided to celebrate then. My parents came down on Sunday and we had a little egg hunt, more Easter baskets, Lara opened gifts, then we all took off to Waterpark of America. We had a great time! Lara even braved one of the bigger tube slides, and loved it. She also tried the surfing/body boarding. She got a little hurt on that one but I was proud that she did it, because there is no way I would have. Not with a bunch of people watching, anyway. We went to dinner at Outback then the kids hit the water again. The following day we headed over to Ikea for a bit, then to Mall of America to get Lara's American Girl doll. My mom and I had to convince her to change her mind a couple times on her choice. They didn't have one that looked exactly like her, but we found one that was close. She just has green eyes instead of blue, but it's not that noticeable. Hopefully they make some more combinations before Ayla gets one, otherwise they might end up with the exact same doll. Yesterday, the 16th, was Lara's actual 7th birthday. We went to dinner and had Dairy Queen cake.

We went the tie dye route this year for eggs.

Ayla with her basket.

Lara and her basket.

Opening some presents.

Now they each have their own toothfairy pillow.

My mom made this for her American Girl doll.

Here's Annie!

Ayla's Birthday!

Ayla turned 4 yesterday! We had a party for her at the house. It was mostly family, and a few friends. The weather was beautiful so we ate and opened gifts out on the deck. The kids then played with the new toys and also did a little four wheeling (so did the big kids). It was a perfect day! Aside from slamming my finger in the door. My fingernail is a real pretty shade of red right now. Here is a little bit of our day!

My cousin's daughter Norah

She had a rainbow theme

Joe playing with the kids

DQ cake. Mmmm

Nobu, one of Henry's sushi chefs put this together. : )

I ordered the kids a swingset for their big birthday present (Lara's birthday is in 3 weeks) so we look forward to the arrival of that. Not so much looking forward to putting it together, but hopefully that happens soon after we get it. We might also do a little shopping trip to MOA since I didn't have a chance to get Ayla anything yet without bringing her with me. Now that her party has passed I don't mind letting her pick something out for herself. Her Build a Bear is in need of a new outfit. She's been wearing the same dress for a year now. In 2 weeks we are celebrating Lara's birthday at Waterpark of America. We haven't been there yet, so we're really looking forward to it! Thank you everybody who came yesterday!

Doggies

This little ball will keep them busy for hours.

These nails grow WAY too fast.

A lucky boy.

Valentine's Day

This year the girls and I went on a date to Shanghai Bistro in Stillwater with my friend Jenny. After we were seated, these flowers were brought to our table for the kids and me from Henry. He's so sweet!

Who doesn't love a dog in heat?

Zoe went into heat while we were in Florida, so I came home to Diaper Dog. It's been a whole lot of fun! This is what we wake up to EVERY morning...

This actually doesn't look too bad, but this wasn't the only spot she chose to chew away.

She's so cute. I can't be mad at her. I don't blame her for hating the diaper. Love you Zoe!

Florida 2012

We took off to Florida again a couple weeks ago to meet up with my mom and dad. They drove down south to visit a few places and met up with us in the Fort Myers/Naples area. We spent time on some beaches, the kids spent a TON of time in the pools (Lara even learned how to swim!!!), and we did some sight-seeing as well. The Everglades was on our list of things to see, so we took an airboat tour. It was really pretty, but we only saw one gator. So a couple days later we went to another part of the park and saw lots of gators! We drove down to Key West, where we had a little more beach time, checked out Mallory Square, Duval Street, I went fishing with the guys, and Lara and I went parasailing! Henry left a few days before the girls and I flew back, and after he was gone we drove to Tampa, where my brother met up with us, and we also went to Busch Gardens. My mom and I went on all the big roller coasters in the morning while my dad took the kids around to the kiddie stuff, then we met up with them around lunch time. We had perfect weather (not too much sun, but nice temps) and I am sad to be back home. But this winter has been nice, so I can't complain too much!

This little guy was kind of cute. 

I love Ayla in this one.

Waiting or our airboat tour. Ayla didn't want to be in the picture, and was very quiet and looked crabby/scared during the whole ride, but as soon as we got off the boat she says "That was so fun!"

Ayla hard at work on the beach.

She was a little nervous!

I'm so proud of her for going!