Memorial Day weekend recap

Ok, so I'm once again running a little behind with the blog. Memorial day weekend was crazy from start to finish and I have been on the go since then. I photographed Amanda's rehearsal dinner and wedding on Friday night and all day Saturday, then we spent Sunday at the river with my parents. Nick and Zander had a blast. If they were a little older we would seriously contemplate buying a place up there, but for now, we'll stick to just visiting my parents a few times each summer.

We got there just before lunch and my dad, Mike and Kelsie took Nick fishing. He had been talking about it all week (dad let him cast the pole in his backyard a few weeks earlier), but once we got there Nick really didn't want much to do with it. He didn't quite understand that you had to leave the line in the water once it was cast. When that was done he headed to the swimming hole (yes, hole) with Mike, Kelsie, Ryan (Kelsie's boyfriend) and Jamie. I stayed back with my mom, dad and Zander. Dad took Zander out on the 4-wheeler and brought him back asleep. I didn't know what to do with myself for the 30 minutes that Nick was gone and Zander was asleep. It was great!! Later, Mike took Nick out on the 4-wheeler and he fell asleep, too, but that nap didn't last. By the time we were ready to go Nick was nearly asleep standing up (though it still took 45 minutes for him to fall asleep on the way home).

Zander at 1 ... well, kind of

March is not the best time for pictures. It's rainy, cold and just kind of blah. And truthfully, trying to keep a 1-year-old still on a backdrop isn't my idea of a fun Saturday afternoon. So, I waited. And waited. And then I waited a little more. Finally I figured I better get his 1 year pics done before I needed to do something for 18 months (Ok, so he is only 14 months here, but still). The whole fam went out for this shoot which made it extra challenging. Zander only wanted to be where Nick and Mike already were so getting him alone in the frame was nearly impossible. I took him out again while Nick was sleeping to an empty field by our house and those didn't turn out too bad. He had fun walking around barefoot in the grass.

In between the rain

There was very little sun today and only a few more moments of cloud cover without rain. During one of those brief moments I met Little Man D for his outside pictures. We got about 20 minutes in before the rain started. Thankfully, I am pretty sure it was enough to get some good shots. Here are just a few of the good ones -- though my absolute favorites are some of the slightly out of focus outtakes!

Just for you Mom

I spent much of Sunday morning cleaning the house --- or more specifically Nick and Zander's bedrooms. Zander's wasn't so bad but Nick's was a mess. He likes to get everything out of his toy box and all his books out of his closet and put them into bed with him. When he falls asleep, we take them out of his bed and put them on the floor so as not to wake him. Rinse and repeat --- every night --- for weeks. Everytime my mom comes over she tells Nick he needs to pick up his bedroom. Then we scrapbook and it never gets done. Until this morning. I had had enough. Last night Mike found crayons, pens and pencil lead in bed with Nick. I'm pretty sure it was a new addition to the pile o' crap in his bed, but it wasn't one I wanted to stick around. So I rolled up my sleeves and started cleaning --- with two toddlers nipping at my ankles. It wasn't fun. And for awhile, it wasn't pretty. But, for the first time in weeks I can see Nick's carpet --- and now I remember why I always let his room get so messy. The carpet needs to go and everytime I see it I am reminded of this little fact!

But mom, I am posting this pictures just for you. As proof that at one time, my kids' rooms were clean. I am sure they will be a disaster again before you make it back over here.

A man and his grill

Mike has been begging for a new grill forever (OK, mostly since last summer, but it seems like forever). This summer I finally gave in. We've only had our grill about 5 years but the ignitor has been busted for a few years and the piece that protects a person from the flames is darn near disenigrated. So, Mike went out this morning and bought a new one. And then spent all afternoon putting it together. Thankfully, the nasty weather held out just long enough for him to grill some steaks and asparagus. I had already told him I would force him out there in a torrential downpour if he bought the thing this morning. He was happy to see a few clear minutes!

Gettin' crazy with the sidewalk chalk

I hate sidewalk chalk. It has to be the single most annoying outside toy ever designed. It's messy and no matter how hard you try it ends up getting everywhere. Unfortunately, Nick loves it. And we have a boatload of it. And now Zander loves it, too. It's going to be a long, bath-filled summer if every day looks like this one.

I am pretty sure the chalk isn't supposed to be on his face. And the sad part is, that isn't even the half of it.

I probably shouldn't have let him rub his eyes with the chalk all over his hands but it was just so darn cute. I know --- I'm probably not going to win Mother of the Year, but I can live with that.

Zander wouldn't let Nick in the wagon, so he had to pull it. He didn't seem to mind. The inside of the wagon was (OK, still is) a chalky mess.

Can you see the chalk EVERYWHERE???

Spring, glorious spring

For the first time in weeks it was finally nice enough to play outside. Mother Nature was kind enough to tease us with a few 70 degree days a few weeks ago, before sending the temperatures plummeting back into the 40s with wind gusts that would knock over poor Zander. The kids were getting antsy. I was getting antsy. And we were all getting crabby. Today's sunny weather couldn't have come at a better time. Let's just hope it sticks around this time!

We make Nick wear his helmet whenever he gets on his bike, unfortunately, he tends to forget to take it off when he is done riding. So, instead, it looks like we are worried about him getting beaned in the head with a plastic baseball. Then again, if I'm the one pitching that is a very distinct possibility!

Zander is going to be a problem child this summer. He has been walking for a few months now, but is still not super steady on his feet, especially with big clunky tennis shoes on. But, he refuses any help walking or getting on and off his toys. I am just waiting for him to crack his head on the cement. It won't be pretty, but I am not sure I can stop it. Maybe we should get him a helmet, too.