Spring break 2011

As a make up for last years boring spring break, Bruce and I took the family down to Chicago for a couple of days of fun. Bruce had a convention to go to, and there was NO way I was going to stay home with 4 kids over spring break, so we all tagged along. We were able to get a nice hotel near O'hare for a good price and just drove into downtown each morning. I realized that I have really lost my edge when driving in rush hour traffic. There is no such thing here in Sheboygan, WI.

Our first full day in Chicago, we dropped daddy off at his convention and the kids and I headed over to the Schedds Aquarium. What a fun place. So many aquariums to see you don't even know where to start. We saw the dolphin show, made a stop at the Beluga whale exhibit, and walked in the Reefs. Even had our typical baby drama that seems to follow us where ever we go. While having lunch, Max decided to have a blowout. Needless to say, after getting cleaned up, he no longer had to wear pants. ;o)

Our last day in Chicago, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. That place was AMAZING. Could not believe how my children took to the science experiments and how much fun they all had. We explored the circus area, watched "Tornado Alley" on the Omnitheater screen (Storm Chasers on the "big screen"), spent the biggest part of our day in the Weather wing, and saw the "parts of me" exhibit. We could have spent a good 2 to 3 days just exploring all the exhibits. My favorite though was the WWII Submarine exhibit. We will definitely be heading back to the museum REAL soon.

Hopefully this trip made up for last year where we did not do anything but welcome 2 additions to our family.

Spring is here!!!

It is the first day of spring. Yahoo!!! Even though there is still snow on the ground, and we still have some time left in March, I am hoping things only get better from here.

This has been a LONG year of nonstop illness for our family. We have had nonstop colds, ear infections with the Twins, and 2 bouts of stomach flu that has hit everyone in our family.

I am really looking forward to opening up my house and letting in those spring breezes to kill all the winter germs that has made this season the longest ever. Only fresh air from here...

Twins turn 1

Well, we made it. We made it a full year with 2 babies. Much of it is a blurr and it went amazingly fast, but we survived.

For their birthday, we had a party with family. Both babies were fighting colds, so they were not their happy, go lucky selves, but they had fun with the cousins. The got some fun gifts from everyone, enjoyed a cupcake and went on with life after. We can only hope life continues to get easier from here.

Pinewood Derby

Was so proud of Nick today. He and Bruce worked very hard on designing his pinewood derby car for the races today. They have to keep the the car at a certain weight, design it to look cool, and then race it against 32 other boy scouts. I was not able to go and watch this race last year because I was on bedrest with the twins, but I was able to go this year. (It still amazes me the cayous that men can create when they plan and run something. [Boyscouts] When women run stuff it just seems so much organized and calm.) Anyways, Nick had 4 heats with his car and placed 1st in each of those heats. Overall with speed, he came in 6th, head of 32 other scouts and their cars. Pictured here are Nick and his friends Sam and Luke. Sam took 2nd place and Luke took 5. (Just .001 seconds ahead of Nick. Overall, it was a fun day for all.

Annual New Years tradition

We just returned from our annual get together at the Thorpe cabin in Door County. New Years would not be the same without this tradition. Like always, the kiddos had a blast. The guys built an awesome slide on the deck for the kids to sled down. Even the big boys had their turn. Had our traditional movie night with the projector screen. LOVE those nights. Finally the guys participated on their annual Polar Bear Plunge in Lake Michigan. Coldest to date. I participated once in this crazy activity, NEVER again. It was painful.