Our Recent Visit...

 We were fortunate enough to see the boys this past weekend!  They are growing so fast (8 weeks already) and are adorable (as always!!!).

Quinn was thrilled to hold Judson.... and really didn't want to let him go!

Sullivan wasn't as thrilled to hold the babies, but instead wanted to read to Crew.  Okay, to be honest, she wanted someone to read to her.  But if that wasn't going to happen, then she was content to read books to herself next to Crew!

If you look closely at the picture, you can see a slight smile on Crew's face!  Maybe he liked the books as much as Sullivan did?!?

The Things We Love - Letter X

Quinn - Xcite Family Fun Center

Quinn constantly asks to go to Xcite Family Fun Center. For those of you unfamiliar with this place, it is a giant inflatable play center.  For little ones, I can imagine that it would be a blast.  In the eyes of Quinn, we don't go often enough for her liking.  I guess we may be due for a trip there soon!

Sullivan - Xylophoning

Sullivan loves noise... it really doesn't matter what kind of noise. And her playing the xylophone fits right in with that need for noise!  You can't help but love her sweet noisiness though.

Ryan - XM Radio

When Ryan got his new car, he fell in love with his XM Radio.  He can listen to a wide variety of radio stations and as Ryan brags it up, "they are all commercial free."  It took a little convincing to see what was so "special" about XM Radio, but Ryan has sold me on it.  (He does have me sold on most of it, but he doesn't have me sold on the ESPN talk radio yet - and he probably never will!)

Audra - Xmas

Who doesn't love Christmas?!

Addendum: A New Beginning

I feel it only fair to addend the post I did earlier this week about starting a new chapter in the biking world.  In all fairness to Sullivan, she too is celebrating a new beginning!  She has quickly taken a liking to Quinn's old bike.  Unlike Quinn's first biking experience, Sullivan was enthusiastic about jumping on and she really displayed no fear (imagine that!!!).  Here she is enjoying her "new" bike!!!

She easily got the hang of pedaling the bike and she is now a master!  

(In defense of Quinn, she didn't have anyone to watch ride a bike.  She didn't have anyone to observe and say, "Hey, I want to try that!" or "I want to be just like my big sister and do everything that my big sister is doing!!"  She just got shoved on a bike by two eager parents that were anxious for her to start riding a bike whether she was ready or not! Sorry Quinner!!  I am sure that this won't be the first or the last time you get roped into doing something just because you are the oldest.  I hope your dad and I haven't scarred you for life!)

A Beautiful Day

Today was beautiful - too beautiful NOT to be outside.  The sun was shining and there was very little wind - what more could you ask for?!  Because it was so gorgeous, Quinn, Sullivan and I headed to the park to soak up the sun and have some fun!

Quinn was d-e-t-e-r-m-i-n-e-d to make it across the monkey bars today.  I am not sure how many times she tried it, but one can't say that she lacked perseverance today!  With a little bit of help, she made it!

Sullivan couldn't get enough of the slides.  One spill at the end of the slide that landed her into mud threatened her perseverance to keep on keeping on, but luckily she dusted herself off and continued to slide!  Wheeeee!

Despite the weather, I enjoy days like today.  Nothing much was planned and we were able to relax, play, and enjoy ourselves!

A Tale of Two Sullivans

This evening Sullivan asked if she could go play in her room. I was a little suspicious at first because she typically doesn't play in her room - especially by herself.  But I couldn't find any reason why she couldn't, so I said yes.

She was down in her room for quite some time - she didn't make a peep.  I almost sort of forgot about her (which I shouldn't really admit!).  When I realized I hadn't heard from my monkey in a while, my mind started rolling.  What is she doing down there?  What did she get into in her room?  I envisioned walls with crayon drawings.  

When I checked on her, this is what I found:

Just a little girl who loves to read and wanted to be alone to do so!  When I asked her what she was doing, she said, "I just reading books, mama.  Leave me alone. Let me read."  

I walked upstairs and thought to myself - I can trust my baby to be alone in her room to entertain herself without a disaster. A mountain of books piled to the sky maybe - but not a disaster!!   My baby is growing up... how exciting and how sad all at once!

Then minutes after I am reflecting on how she is growing up and is so mature, she comes barreling up the steps yelling, "Mama, take my picture! Take my picture!"  I turned to look and this is what I saw:

Maybe she will remain my monkey for a little while longer after all!

A New Beginning

As the weather has warmed up around here and spring has shown its wonderful self (!!!!), Quinn has been itching to get back on her bike.  Ryan has been itching too, but in a different kind of way.  He is itching to get Quinn's training wheels off her bike.  So....Off went the training wheels today!!! 

First we had to gear up... helmet and knee pads, long pants and close-toed shoes.  Check.

Quinn was pretty apprehensive to even get on the bike, but with some coaxing she did!  And boy did she look good on it!

I took her up and down the sidewalk first.  I am not sure who got the better workout - me or her.  My legs sure were sore afterward.  Ryan took her out next and was so patient with her.

Riding a bike without training wheels is a big task - one that is going to take patience and dedication.  Quinn is learning the fine art of balancing without tipping, sitting up nice and tall, steering appropriately, and keeping her feet on the pedals.

Day One - success!  Quinn didn't tip or fall over or even give up on herself!  Here is hoping that day two yields the same (or better) results!  Go, Quinn, go!

It's All Rainbows and Sunshine

Quinn's school had a Family Fun Night this past Friday night.  It was a carnival themed event where the kids could play games, get their faces painted, eat cotton candy, and much, much more!

Quinn was looking forward to the event for days in advance.  She had plans for what she wanted to do first, what Sullivan could do, what we were going to eat....!  Needless to say, face painting was HIGH on the list and something we had to do as soon as we got there.

Sadly, these are the only pictures I took of the night.  But we had a great time as a family and enjoyed seeing some of Quinn's friends and classmates.  Quinn even one a school sweatshirt and gift certificate in the raffle!  Lucky girl!

The Things We Love - Letter W

Quinn - Water (Swimming)

Quinn loves to go swimming.  She most enjoys going to the swimming pool in the summer - and I must admit, I prefer the warmer weather that goes along with that too!  With a sneak peek of 60s and 70s temperatures these past few days, it makes us want to bust out the swimsuits and jump in the pool!  Can't wait!!

Sullivan - Waffles

For awhile there, I was pretty sure Sullivan was going to turn into a waffle.  She truly ate that many waffles.  She has slowed down quite a bit lately, but she would have eaten them morning, noon and night if we would have let her.  As she would say, "I want a flaffle in a bowl, please!"

Ryan - Washing Car

Words can not describe how obsessed Ryan is with washing cars.  He most certainly has a routine about whose car gets washed when.  In the summer he can be seen outside almost like clockwork on Saturday afternoons. Washing time starts about 1:30.  In the winter, the routine is not quite so predictable.  The cars still get washed often, but not with as much certainty as they do during the warmer months! As you can see, we are all looking forward to the warm weather ahead!

Audra - Watching my Girls Grow

Nothing makes my heart swell more than my girls.  They are incredibly sweet, good girls both individually and together.  The love they have for each other is unconditional and amazing!  Don't get me wrong, they fight.  They fight like cats and dogs at times.  But they care for each other and look out for each other and go crazy when the other one is gone! I love my girls... I love every.single.thing.about.them!!!!

A Love of Books

Quinn loves to read - that is no surprise to anyone who knows her! She always has - ever since she was little bitty.  And ever since she was little bitty, she has always slept with books in bed with her.  She used to get 15 minutes to look at books with the hallway light on before we called, "lights out!"  If we didn't do that, she would be up forever.

Since then, she has regulated it on her own and will fall asleep when she is tired.  I went down in her room before I went to bed last night to give her a kiss and this is what I found:

I know.  It's hard to find her in the picture with all the different prints going on.  But she totally fell asleep reading a book last night.  You know you are tired when you can't even put the book aside when you get tired!

Dr. Seuss

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday this past Friday, I gathered some incredible Dr. Seuss quotes that are truly inspirational....

Dr. Seuss was a wise and incredibly talented man - what an imagination he had!!!  Happy belated 108th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!