Zia & Kalea

Our friends invited us over for dinner.  Their oldest daughter is a little older than Brody but their youngest daughter is only one month older than Colt.  It is always nice to find playmates the same age as Colt.  The boys had a great time.  We even had a chance to go outside and play (although it was a little cold).

Zia & Kalea showed the boys their fishing game.  

They also pulled out some boy toys (Legos) to play with.

More walking help

Brody and Colt have really enjoyed helping Ollie walk.  I especially love watching Colt take on the big brother role.  And of course, Ollie just loves it!

Another first date

April 19th.   Another first date anniversary.  We went back to Duke's Restaurant near Green Lake.  It's always fun to reminisce about the turtleneck I wore and the food I tried to steal from Brad.  I'm still with him.  :)   After our dinner we went to see The Adjustment Bureau.  There wasn't really anything we wanted to see in the theaters but we felt like we had to relive the dinner and a movie theme that we have done (almost) every year.  (We did dinner, but not a movie, when Brody was only a few weeks old).

 Brad's Beer

My wine

 We think our tradition is pretty fun so we always tell our waitress/waiter.  We told her this time and she brought us this dessert to help us celebrate. 



He's WALKING!

We thought Ollie would be our earliest walker since he was our earliest (and most efficient) crawler.  But he seems he has been content with crawling so he is now our latest walker.  

I just love watching babies as they learn this new skill.

(be careful Jenny....this will make you get on the next flight to Seattle)

This video is a little shaky because I was backing up while taking the video.

Brody & Colt love it when Ollie walks to them.  He walkes to Colt in this one.

Ollie walks to Brody.  I love how excited they all get.  Colt gets so excited he tries to jump in on Brody's turn helping Ollie.  Thankfully he backed away quickly (otherwise you might have heard some of my firm mommy words)

Ollie getting some help from Colt.

 What a cute walker! 

Sheep Wrangling

Our friend Jeannine (from our soccer team) has created an annual tradition to invite all of us on the soccer team up to her mom's house.  Her mom has a little farm of sheep.  They are simply her pets. 

This was the first year that we were able to enjoy this fun tradition.  (We have had two years of infants and a track conflict the other years)  Actually, Brad did have a track conflict in Pasco so it was just me and the boys.  Fortunately, I had a lot of help with them.

At first Colt was scared of the sheep, especially when we were in the barn. But after awhile he just wanted to chase them in the field.  It was cold and muddy and approaching lunch time so Brody was ready to go in.

Nicole was the mom to this little lamb which was a perfect one for all the kids to pet.

After the sheep wrangling we all went inside to enjoy a great spread of snacks and pizza.  

Brody playing foosball with Mike.

We are looking forward to going again next year and are so thankful for great friends!  Thanks Jeannine and Carolyn (her mom).

Fort Building

I was pleasantly surprised when Uncle Eugene (Brad's friend) was able to come over and watch the boys so I could join Brad at our soccer game. 

The boys love Eugene because he helps them build cool things like this fort. 

I think the boys stayed up a little later than normal but I know they had a very fun time.

Reading with Sean

Sean came over again and took some time to read to the boys.  Brody & Colt always love it when Sean reads to them.

Sean's Krispy Kreme

Brody had been asking for over a week when Sean was going to be here.  He was always disappointed when we said "not for another week."  Sean finally made it from Alabama.  He was here for his spring break.  Sean & Jason stopped by our house so we made a special trip to Krispy Kreme.

Yes, Sean did cut his hair (a little).

Gunner & Brody started dancing to the music that was playing.  I tried to get a video but they had slowed down.  It's still cute watching them.

Austin Playdate

One of my friends from my teaching days came over with her son, Austin, and 5 month old daughter Emily.  Austin loved the John Deere Gator and had a lot of fun riding it.

We are looking forward to playing with them again soon. 

Farmer Ollie

We had to take Ollie's onesie off and just kept his overalls on him.  He looked like a little farmer so I took a few pictures.  What a cutie!

Pirate Bunch

I am anxious to get the boys in bed by 8:00.  I am not a slave to their schedules but I am usually so tired by this time that I need to get them to bed.  Many nights it is about this time that Brad decides to get them all wired up with chasing, wrestling, tickling wars, you name it.   Tonight it was all about the pirates.   They were talking like pirates, walking like pirates, singing like pirates and finally dressing like pirates (even if it was using a pair of pants as a head dress). 

Here is my Pirate Bunch. 

(this picture is taken in the office because when Brad starts to get them wired up I retreat here and wait for them to tell me that it's time for prayers). 

The Pirate Bunch talking in their pirate voices. 

It really is so cute when the boys are so excited about playing with their daddy even if I am very tired.

Farm Project

One of the reasons I love preschool.  They do cute projects like this and I don't have to clean up the mess.

This is their barn with all their animals on it.

It has been a little loved since it arrived at our house. 

Red Robin

We went to Red Robin the other night.  Brody saw Red Robin and wanted to get a picture, give him a high five, get a hug, dance with him, sing to him, give him knuckles, be his best friend.

Colt wanted to hide and was very terrified.

I did get a few pictures of Brody. 

Brad's TV Hosting Debut

Welcome to Historic Hayward Field!

Last weekend we had the chance to spend the weekend in Eugene, Oregon.  This is track town USA (for those of you who are not faithful followers of track.)   A few weeks prior to this visit Brad was asked to be a TV commentator for one of the college track meets.  After a brief discussion and a look at our (very) busy schedule we thought it sounded like it would work and it would be a fun opportunity for Brad.  I viewed it as a weekend away for Brad and I. 

Brody went to visit Grammy & Fafa for the weekend.  My sister amazingly agreed to watch Colt & Ollie. (when I say amazingly it's not because I didn't think she would it's because she already has two of her own so watching both boys would double her work load)  They did spend some time at Papa Bob & Grandma Shari's but Jessi still had to manage them for most of the weekend.

We drove to Portland Thursday night and stayed with the Welke's (minus Karl).  Then we drove the final 2 hours to Eugene.  Brad had a pre-meet TV meeting on Friday.  We went out to a yummy Italian restaurant with some other broadcasters and then back to our friend's house where we stayed for the weekend.

Brad getting ready for his introductory talk.

Brad is being asked a few questions by the main commentator.

I took this picture after Brad was done but it was what he had on during the whole track meet.

Brian (the guy who asked Brad to do this) and Brad.

Even though it was a "business" trip it was a nice weekend away for Brad and I.  The whole time I was thankful that I didn't have to worry about my boys because I was able to enjoy every part of watching Brad experience this new adventure.  

Overall, Brad felt very good about all of it.  He had a few little mess ups but nothing too bad.  He would love to do something like this again but of course it would have to be on a weekend where we don't have anything going on.  

Uncle Butch

My Uncle Butch came to visit us the other day.  (If you have not met him I sure hope you get a chance to someday.  He is such a special person.  He loves life and always reminds me what is important in this world.) 

He loved playing with the boys and was very good at helping Brody build a train track. 

After some intense train track building we had some lunch. 

Thanks for visiting Uncle Butch.  We hope you can come again soon. 

Walking Help

Brody is such a great big brother and has recently really enjoyed walking Ollie around the house.  They both absolutely love it.  (Unfortunately I have only had a chance to get one picture.  Hopefully I can get a few more soon.)

Skateboarding

Brody was so excited about his new skateboard!

We had to take it out for a test run.  We are thankful Grammy also included some protective gear for Brody.  He was so excited to put on his kneepads, wrist guards and elbow pads.

Abi wanted to try too.

We brought Brad's longboard out so Colt could take a ride.

Brody riding on the longboard.