Memorial Day 2014

We took a few days off of work and started our Memorial weekend early.  We stopped in Des Moines at a hotel that had a little water park inside of it.  Maggie has been obsessed with water parks ever since the trip to the Dells so we thought this would be a good way to break up the 10 hour drive to Missouri.  Maggie loved the water park, although it was pretty dinky compared to the Dells.  Thursday morning we got up and drove the rest of the way to the Lake of the Ozarks and stayed at Grandma Morawitz’s house.  It was lovely weather and the kids got to swim, ride jet skis, play with cousins, etc.. We enjoyed great company and a relaxing weekend.  It was so nice to see all of our family in Missouri.  

Tommy loved the small water slide at the hotel.  He was mastered doing slides all by himself

Both kids did really well in the car.  On the way home we drove straight through--10 hours with a couple bathroom/gas stops.  

They played "blanket head" a lot.  They are so silly together.

Maggie relaxing on Grandmas newly redone deck

Tommy enjoying a bottle and a view from the dock

Maggie was the first one in the lake

Tommy and I accidentally coordinated our outfits..

The cousins cracking open some crystals

Maggie had her turn

Katie and Tommy

Tommy ready for action

Maggie enjoying her lunch on the dock

The best I could get of them together

Tommy loves anything with an engine.  We went on lots of rides.

Don't worry, Susie rode with Maggie :)

So big!

My little fish

Maggie and cousin Reagan 

Gigi was nice enough to braid Maggie's hair.  She loves braids!

Outside Projects

We have been busy trying to get the outside of our house in shape and both kids have been great helpers.  When you build a house that gets finished in December, when the snow melts in the spring you are left with all sorts of surprises.  We have been busy picking up the yard, staining the front porch and playset, unpacking and organizing the garage, etc.  We have a long lists of projects to get done before baby number 3 comes in 8 weeks.  It may feel like we are getting a lot done but we are still waiting for it to stop raining and dry out so we can get the final grade done..which will be the gateway to even bigger projects: invisible fence, grass seed, paving driveway, etc. 

This was garage organizing round 1

This is how Tommy felt about waking up the next morning

Maggie and Joey posing for a photo.  Maggie loves Joey.

Maggie had to decorate a flower for school.  It was supposed to be "All about me" theme. 

How Tommy feels about his sister's 45 minute dance class

He usually terrorizes the dance studio for the first 30 minutes then crashes for the last 15

Maggie's Helmer Dance photo 2014

Tommy loves going for bikes rides, especially when he can squeeze in a nap

Tommy all wrapped up in his sister's sticker roll

Maggie fell asleep during dinner after a long days work in the yard

Tommy fell asleep at lunch time the morning we stained the front porch

Tommy thinks taking Joey for walks is a blast

Front porch post-stain

Susie busted playing playing with chalk

Maggie and I went to Ella's dance recital

Tommy getting his "handsome on"

Maggie and the neighbor girl had some sort of tractor accident

Tommy hanging out at the Nelson's

Serious Tom

Tommy received a new/used tractor from Grace and Lucy.  Now we have two so no more fighting over them.

                                                       2013                                    2014

            Flashback to last summer.  The same hat still fits and the chubby cheeks are still present

 

 

Zoo Round 2

Now that we are members of the zoo it is pretty easy to justify going there for a couple hours.  The ironic thing is the kids’ favorite part is the farm area.  It is by far where we spend the most time.  It is ironic because we are at a real farm with most of the same animals almost weekly at Grandma and Grandpa McNamara’s house.   Maggie has always loved the goats and it looks like Tommy is following suit.  Tommy was also amazed by the pigs.  Now that the weather is getting nicer it is getting harder for me to remember to take pictures.  There have been lots of bike rides, park trips, etc.  We also have been outside a ton with the neighbors.  Maggie loves all of her neighborhood friends and Tommy tries to keep up the best he can.  Hopefully this week I can be more diligent about taking pictures and we will have a better update next week…. :)

Tommy loved the pigs.  I had to carry him out of here..

He liked the fake ones a lot too! 

Tommy loves all of his sister's accessories.

He is really into his 4-wheeler these days. 

 

 



Easter 2014

The kids must have been good this year because the Easter Bunny delivered some nice baskets to our house.  Maggie was really excited for Easter this year and since about February there has only been one thing on her list: a new BIG GIRL BIKE.  If Tommy could articulate his thoughts to us he would have asked for all the candy in the world.  He loves candy, chocolate, fruit snacks, etc.  He is usually signing "more" before he finishes the stuff in his mouth or the handful he is holding onto.  We had Easter dinner at Aunt Kelly’s with the Krumm side of the family.  It was great to get together with all the cousins and I bet there were 200+ eggs for the kids to hunt for.    

 

They were excited, I promise.  Just not amused we made them wait at the top of stairs for pictures

Maggie was super excited for Frozen.  We have watched it just about every other night. 

Tommy loving his new Elmo book

This might be the best video ever

 

I was worried the bigger tires would intimidate her...nope..off she went

Easter morning was beautiful.  Susie and Maggie biked to the end of the street at least 3-4 times.  It is nice now that she is on a bigger bike and can actually keep up with mommies.

 

We had a mini-indoor egg hunt at our house.  Both kids were really into it.

All 11 cousins

Pretty cute

Tommy got a new John Deere toolbox full of goodies from Grandpa and Grandma McNamara.  He looks like such a little man carrying it around.

Maggie received gardening gloves and tools from Grandma and grandpa McNamara.  She was so excited about them she wore them home and fell asleep with them on.

We all needed naps.  It was a long day.