Easter

What cute kids. I took pictures before church so they would look their best. But after church Travis wanted to take some family photos outside with the spring flowers. Not everyone was cooperating! Tyler was tired,Rachel was being a diva and Justin wouldn't stop touching everyone. This was the best of the best.

New York

In March I went to New York City with my mother-in-law, my sisters-in-law (Lynette, Barbara, & Jill), and niece Dylan. It was the first time that I had ever been to the Big Apple. I was really excited! I'm not sure what I was more excited about, the trip or a week without kids. My mother-in-law got us rooms at the Marriott hotel on Times Square. We were right in all the action.

We did all the major attractions of NYC. China Town, Little Italy, Century 21 (discount shopping store), Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Memorial, Wall Street, Metropolitan Museum, Empire State Building, Central Park, and saw Mary Poppins and Wicked on Broadway. We kept busy during the day and at night we crashed and read books. I know, I know it might have seemed Booorrrriiinnnggg at night, but I enjoyed doing nothing! Isn't that what vacations are for?

I really enjoyed both Mary Poppins and Wicked. Mary Poppins was sooo good. The sceneary and music were supurb. Wicked was good as well. I didn't know a lot about the storyline before I went but it was funny and emotional moving. The music was fantastic as well.

Tyler and just two wheels

Tyler is growing up so fast. Just last summer we had to bribe him to ride his two wheeler (with training wheels of course) instead of his big tricycle. Now he is riding his bike like a pro. Just last week Travis took off his training wheels and already he's got the biking thing down. A couple of times he fell down but he was so funny doing it. It was more like a slow motion laying down of the bike. Watching Tyler on his old bike, we discovered that it is too small for him. He looks like a giant on a mini bike. So guess what he is getting for his birthday!?

Getting into the groove

Rachel's 2nd grade class was putting on a class talent show and she wanted to do something. I asked her what she thought she could do and she said she wanted to dance because she was "really good" at it. I was thinking, "This should be interesting." She picked a song from High School Musical 2, Fabulous (edited shorter). When she started practicing, I thought we could have some girl bonding time coming up with some cool moves but she said to me, "Thanks mom but I don't need your help." Talk about a blow to the mom ego! She did great job with her dance and proud that she wanted to do it all on her own. (Just ignore the background noise!!)

The boys didn't want to be left out so Justin made up his own routine to The Boys are Back (HSM3). He put his all into it and it is quite a workout for him and the best part is the last three seconds!

This past year Justin has made some big changes. He can walk without holding onto anything. He has been getting better and stronger as the year has gone on. He amazes me with his determination! I'm so proud of him.

Our little Spooks

This year for Halloween the kids had a blast deciding what they wanted to dress up as. Rachel decided that she wanted to dress up as Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray. What a riot that turned out to be. More adults knew what she was trying to be than her friends. Justin wanted to be an Army guy but there were so many camouflage colors to choose from so he decided to be Blue. Tyler has been dying to be Super Why, from PBS kids show, because he has the "power to read!" Travis even got into the spirit of things by dressing up for the kids school carnival. Now you know why kids are scared of clowns!

Rachel's Baptism

Rachel has been talking about being baptized for a year now. She has been telling everyone about and inviting one and all to her special day. The day finally arrived Saturday, September 6th. She was all smiles and so excited. Someone asked her if she was scared and she looked at them kind of funny like and said, "About what?"

I can't believe our little girl is growing up. For three years I was an achievement day leader for the 8-10 year old girls. The girls were always at our house and doted on Rachel. Right after her birthday she started going to achievement days and she came home saying that she was like the other "big girls now". It was one of those "reach for your heart and clinch it" moments.