Family Fun Days

Family picture on the way to the farm.

At the park after our bike ride. Boaz is already bugging sister, pulling her hair.

 On Palm Sunday we enjoyed a family bike ride. We weren't sure how Cassia was going to do on her new bike from her birthday, so we decided to do short ride over to our neighborhood park. I rode my bike just behind Davey and Dave rode just behind Cassia with Boaz and Abigail in the trailer. I was so impressed with Davey and how good he is on the bike now. I got quite a workout just trying to keep up with him. Cassia did great too and I am so proud of her determination. With training wheels her bike can be a little tippy and when she pedals she leans to the left. Well, when she goes around a turn too sharp or too fast she does a superman over the handle bars. She did this not once, but 3 times. Each time she cried a little, but was always ready to get back on and ride some more without having to talk her into it. Boaz and Abby enjoyed the ride in the trailer. However, Bo is still a little small for the straps and only enjoyed it when he was moving.

Big Kiddos on their Bikes!

Little kiddos in the trailer.

Poor Boaz isn't so sure about it all. The towel was around  his head keeping the straps and his head in place, but he had too much fun chewing on the towel that it came out.

Sweet Abby!

 We had a 3 day weekend over Easter filled with good family time. On Friday we went strawberry picking at a nearby farm. We didn't even make it all the way down one isle of strawberries and had to call it quits as we were getting more strawberries than we needed. Davey was determined to find the biggest brightest red strawberries, and Abigail was picking any and every strawberry squishing them in the process. After picking there was a bounce pad for the kids to jump on. Davey and Cassia had a blast, but poor Abby couldn't get on top of the pad because she kept getting bounced off.

Picking Strawberries!!

Each showing their favorite strawberry.

Who knew jumping could be so much fun.

 On Saturday our church put on an Easter Egg hunt at a local school. There were bounce houses, tattoos, snow cones, and an egg hunt. Lots of fun and lots of sugar for all the kids. Later that day I made strawberry pie with the strawberries we picked and we got to enjoy it that night.

Abigail always seizes the opportunity to dog pile!

More fun jumping!

 On Easter Sunday we went to the park to launch rockets, thanks Nana! All the kids had a blast. It was the perfect toy that all the kids could do, even Dave. The squeals from Abigail were just precious. We finished the day off with going out to dinner. 

Getting ready to launch the rockets.

Blast Off!

Sweet smiling Boaz.

His new favorite spot to sit and watch everyone.

Birthdays!

Breakfast time!
All the kids like to sit on the counter while I make breakfast,  or anytime I am cooking. It is fun, but Davey sure is getting heavy to lift up there.

So much has happened in the last few weeks since I wrote last. Be warned, this is a long post.
  We have enjoyed 3 different birthday celebrations. We finally made it to the zoo to celebrate Abigail's birthday. She had a blast seeing all the different animals and loved playing on the playground in the zoo.

Peeking out of the Tepee exhibit by the 

Buffaloes

Those are rhinos behind us. Just reminded me of Aunt Danielle, Little Rhino.

My 3 monkeys sitting on a monkey.

Sorry the pic is blurry. Abigail love these squares. They are chimes that ring when you jump on them. We had lots of tears when we had to move on.

Next up was Cassia's birthday, which ended up being celebrated over a few days. We made a princess cake to share with our home Bible study group on Wednesday.

Our princess cake we named Princess Cassia

Then on Thursday, her actual birthday, we had breakfast with Daddy and went out to Chick-Fil-A for dinner and dessert. Unfortunately, we weren't able to open presents since our power went out and oddly she said she wanted to wait until the next day for presents because she was tired and it was past her bedtime. Not sure where that came from, but I am all for encouraging bedtime! The next evening she enjoyed opening her presents and playing with them. Abigail is still struggling with thinking every present is for her and had a few quarrels over opening the gifts. Saturday, Cassia and I went out to breakfast just the two of us and bought a dress for her to wear to tea that afternoon. We drove out to a quaint little town about 30 min north and had lunch at a tea house. We all dressed up and the girls put on every piece of play jewelry they could. Davey was all excited to get hot chocolate and before we could stop him he had a mouthfull of burning hot Cocoa, but all was made better with a cup full of marshmallows.

Princess Cassia at the tea house

Princess Abigail with the menu

The family out for tea

With birthdays come Dr.s appointments, all with good reports. Abigail, for the first time ever is on the growth chart!! She is in the 10th percentile for weight, at 23 pounds. Cassia weighed in at 30lbs in the 20th percentile. Boaz also had his 4 month appointment weighing in at 14lbs 12oz in the 50th percentile. However, he is in the 90th percentile for his head size, which I am sure is a direct correlation to how smart he is.

Not sure if Boaz is teething, but he really enjoys playing with his tongue.

The big news for Davey is that we registered him for Kindergarten! Luckily a friend of mine told me about Kindergarten registration about a week before it happened since I wasn't expecting it until closer to summer. I dropped the girls and Boaz off at the YMCA so Davey and I could go just the two of us. We got him signed up and then they gave us a tour of the school. Davey was so excited to see the school and we even saw two friends from church there as well. Needless to say Davey can't wait for the school year to start, but my stomach is still in knots just thinking about Davey being away from me for the full school day. It is a big change that I don't think I can fully prepare my heart for, but is exciting to start this next stage in Davey's life.

Davey climbed the tree all by himself. He is getting so big and loves to climb everything.

This past weekend we celebrated Dave's 30th birthday by going camping and 4 wheeling. It was beautiful weather and a great time 4wheeling. Unfortunately the Jimmy broke on the 1st ride, but we still enjoyed wheeling in a friend's Wagoneer that Dave and him just spend countless hours lifting. All worth it for the day of wheeling fun. We are looking forward to getting the Jimmy running again soon so we can go on another camping trip before the weather gets too hot.

Wheeling puts Boaz right to sleep.

Our little troublemaker has a little mischievous glean in her eye.

My Favorite picture ever of Dave and Boaz!

 Just today Boaz is finally starting to roll over. A couple of weeks ago he actually rolled over from his back to his tummy. He ended up getting his pacifier smashed into his eye at the end of the roll. It was very traumatic for him and he hasn't been able to roll over since. This week he has been really trying, but not able to get over his shoulder. Today during tummy time he just flopped right over from his tummy to his back. He has now done it a few times all from his tummy to his back.

Getting ready...

Almost there...

Rolled Over, YEAH!!

Look Who's 2

Big kids enjoying the play mat with Boaz

Lunch Time!

Abigail still likes to climb in bed with sister

Just last week Abigail celebrated her 2nd birthday! We tried to make a big deal about it and how she is now 2. We had breakfast with Daddy on her birthday where we practiced over and over how to say two. Later that morning the kids and I went to MOPS. When the kids told people it was Abigail's birthday they asked Abby how old she was and she says "four" holding up all fingers on one hand. Even this week at the Dr. she told him she was four. Oh well, she really does want to be older like her big brother and sister.

Birthday girl at Steak n Shake for her birthday dinner.

Birthday Dessert!

 We were planing on going to the zoo to celebrate Abby's birthday, but it was pouring rain all day. We ended up just having a giant birthday cookie that she helped make and opening presents on her birthday. We are still planning on going to the zoo this weekend. All the kids enjoyed opening presents and have enjoyed playing with Abigail's presents. Every present Abby opened she insisted on wearing, shoes, jewelry, helmet, princess wand . . . She didn't even want to take the time to eat her birthday cookie. She was having too much fun riding her new scooter (she calls it her bike) around the house. Abby was so excited that she could ride it all by herself with no help.

Too busy to eat her birthday cookie and ice cream.

Have to wear everything at once!

 The next day the rain had cleared up so the kids got to ride their bikes and scooter outside. Then we all went and enjoyed a nice walk by the river. It was a very fun weekend and it is still hard to believe my little girl is already 2!

Family walk

Sweet Boaz!

Playing dress up. They both love these heeled shoes! Abby likes the way they click on the hardwood floor.

Not sure what happened to her pants, but you have to check out the shirt "I love Long hugs". I have to say the Long side of the family gives good hugs :)

Mommy and Boaz matching in camo

Starting to try and roll over. Wont be too much longer.

Enjoying Life

Helping Daddy do our taxes.

 We have had a good two weeks since I wrote last. Not a whole lot has been going on, we have just been enjoying life as a family of 6. Last weekend Dave put Cassia's bed together and also secured the wood planks on Davey's bed. The kids had a great time riding their bikes while Dave worked and then they helped him bring the beds into the house. 

Cassia bringing in the wood for her bed.

Putting Davey's bed together.

Cassia's turn. Putting her bed together.

What a big strong helper.

Finally finished. 

Dog Pile!!

 Boaz has still been dealing with congestion from the cold we all had earlier. Thankfully I think he is, for the most part, all better. So, this weekend we got his bed all put together and he is going to be sleeping in his crib, in the boys room, for the first time tonight. I will let you know how that goes. I have also been trying to be better about tummy time. He is starting to really enjoy playing on the ground and being close to the other kiddos, but the minute I put him on his tummy he is not happy.

Sweet Boaz enjoying his bed.

Both pictures were so cute I couldn't pick just one.

Tummy Time!! 

Mommy finally flipped him back over.

 Abigail is such a pretty princess. She loves wearing dresses and putting her jewelry on. She also loves shoes! Well, the other morning the kids were doing their chores and I was cleaning the kitchen. I realized it had been awhile since I heard Abigail. I asked Cassia if she knew what Abby was up to she said she was in my room. I went back there and saw Abigail holding my makeup bag with lipstick all over her mouth. I asked her what she was doing and she said "Mommy, pity". She is just so adorable I couldn't get mad at her so we put it away, cleaned her up and talked about Mommy's things are not for Abby. 

Pretty Abigail

 Abby still loves going in Cassia's bed at nap time. The other day I went in to make sure they were asleep for nap and I couldn't find Abby. She wasn't in her bed or playing. Then Cassia lifted her covers and Abby was laying in Cassia's bed completely covered by the blanket.

 Cassia loves her new bed. Once we got it all set up we also reorganized her room so everything could fit. Ever since then she has been doing really well with keeping her room clean and making her bed, which used to always be such a fight with her to clean. She even likes making Abigail's bed for her. Cassia also likes to be a pretty princess. Abigail got some dress up jewelry for Christmas that Cassia loves wearing. One of her favorite things to do lately has been to work on puzzles. She and Davey both got some for Christmas and I have been impressed with how well they are able to do the puzzles.

The girls room all organized.

Pretty Cassia

 Davey is still loving our school time. The other day we started working on writing as well as reading. I worked with him on how to hold a pencil. Since he is a lefty it took a little bit of thinking on my part to figure out how to show him how to hold the pencil. Davey is in a phase where he loves to play puppy. He goes about his chores in the morning on all fours and woofing. Cassia and Abigail play the good mommies and takes care of the puppy.

My Boys!

Boaz was starting to get fussy so Davey put teddy on Bo to help him feel better.

This is for you Grandpa!
 He only got to wear it once because he is getting too big. We couldn't even button the cuffs because his wrists are too chubby!