Twilight

For some reason I can't get my image to come up on this post.  

Well, I went to Target today (my favorite store!).  I was walking down the main aisle and saw the book Twilight on the end cap and decided I would splurge and get it.  I have heard so much about his book.  I can see why though!  I got the book this afternoon and have read every time I have sat down to nurse.  I think this might be one of those addicting books!  We'll see?! :)

Other Highlights

I know I have posted a ton about our trip, but I have to mention some other highlights!  

The kids favorite part was probably jumping on my parents neighbors trampoline.  The kids could have jumped all day long.  They had so much fun.  I must admit that it was super fun!  Ryan and I took turns jumping with them too!

Another highlight was going to Milwaukee Frozen Custard!  They have THE BEST custard!  Mmm Mmm GOOD!

Last but not least it was so fun to watch the American Idol finale with my parents!  My Mom even called in to vote for her favorite David!  It was lots of fun!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun visit!  We love you!

Early Bird Gets The Worm!

On Tuesday Ryan and Dad headed out to D.C. at 6:30 in the morning.  Ryan has always wanted to go to the Bureau of Engraving.  To be able to go on the tour you have to wait in line in the morning to get timed tickets for that day.  It is still free but you have to get a ticket so that they can limit the group size.  They run out of tickets really fast, so you have to be there extra early.  Luckily it was raining so not as many people had lined up so they were able to get tickets.  Then they ran over to the Washington Monument to see if they could get tickets for that as well and were lucky enough to get tickets for that as well.

This is a photo of the plaque above the elevator inside the Washington Monument.  The coolest part of the monument was the elevator.  It had fogged windows in it.  On the way down the monument they stopped the elevator in a couple places and un-fogged the windows so you could see some of the bricks which were donated by different states and sculpted/carved beautifully.

Who knew that three kids could hold up the whole monument?

After we went up the Washington Monument we walked over to the Bureau of Engraving.  We weren't allowed to take photos on the tour.  This was before the tour.  But there really were stacks of uncut money like this coming off the machines.  It was so neat to watch the process!

This is One million dollars in uncut 5 dollar bills.

Where Lincoln died

After the Spy museum we walked over to where President Lincoln died.  it is across the street from Ford's theater where he was shot.  The theater was closed so we weren't able to go inside to see where he was shot.  But we did see the room  where he died.  they had it all decorated like it was back then.  

There is no place like home!

On Sunday we headed down to Virginia to visit with my parents.  It is always so fun to go down there!  I love my parents so much and love to hang out with them.  The added bonus is that they live right next to D.C. so there is always a lot you can do!  On Monday my Mom and I were able to go to one of my favorite quilt stores.  I picked out some turquoise and brown fabrics.  I am in love with these fabrics!  They are so beautiful they just make me want to quilt!  I am going to make a version of a new york beauty quilt.  I can't wait to start!  

We didn't plan this photo at all!  Evie just put it on her mouth!  Maybe she is a spy in training!

That afternoon we were able to go with my parents to the International Spy Museum.  It was a lot of fun to see all the gadgets and things that spies use.  It was a little scary though to see how easy it really is to pick a lock!  Our favorite parts were the car from the James Bond movie and there was an air duct which you could go up in and climb through.  We weren't allowed to take photos inside the museum but here are some from outside.

Father and Sons Camp Out

Ryan and Reuben were able to go on the father and sons camp out last friday.  Reuben (and Ryan)  had been looking forward to going for about two weeks.  They seemed to have a blast!  Here are the photos Ryan took of Reuben there:One thing I have to write is that Ryan wanted to have at least one boy so he could go to the father and son's camp outs with him.  Ryan and Reuben were in heaven!  Maybe Lincoln will join them next year!

Softball

Kaitlyn has started up softball this year.  Her first game was a week ago.  She loves it!  She has a couple of friends from school on her team which makes it even more fun!  

I missed her first game because my quilt guild was meeting that night as well.  Ryan and Evie took this photo below as they were watching Kaitlyn play.  Aren't they cute?!!
When I came home it looked like Ryan and the kids weren't home yet.  Then my neighbor stepped out of the house into the garage and told me that Ryan had taken Kaitlyn to the ER.  I guess the ball hit Kaitlyn's finger when she was up to bat.  The amazing thing was she ran each of the bases through three girls batting.  It wasn't till she finished running the bases and rejoined her team that she broke down from the pain.  It was pretty black and blue at that time so Ryan took her in to be checked out.  I ended up meeting them at the hospital.(Thanks Jackie for watching Reuben and Evie!)  She hadn't broken her finger!  But they did make a hole in her fingernail to let the pressure out from underneath it.  She is doing great!  She is my brave little girl!

3rd Year Here We Come!

Ryan finished his finals today!  He is officially a third year now!  Yea!  Now he has a ten day break from school!  It will be so nice to have him home for the next little while.  Lincoln is already loving it!

Ryan and Evie were getting Lincoln to smile it was so cute.  Lincoln has started to laugh a lot more and is pretty ticklish now.  

To celebrate Ryan being done with finals we went on a little date out to lunch.  Our neighbor was so awesome and watched Evie for us so we only had Lincoln.  We went to a Chinese restaurant called Stir Crazy.  It was really yummy!  Then for dinner our neighbors came over and we ate. After the kids went down we played games.  It was lots of fun!  That was our day in a nutshell.  It was fun to celebrate Ryan being done with his second year! 

Yesterday I didn't get to write a post but I have to write about our eventful day!  We went to play group at a park with some friends from church.  The park had a really cool tire swing there which Reuben loved!  Finally after being there awhile Reuben asked if I could come and push him on the tire swing.  So, I went and started to spin him and his friends.  They wanted to go faster so I did.  I guess I went a little to fast because Reuben finally asked if I would stop.  He ended up throwing up!  I felt so bad!  He ended up staying home from school just to let his stomach settle down.  So, I learned my lesson that Reuben gets dizzy pretty easy!  

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to post a shout out to my Mom!  This year has been pretty crazy for our family.  In January I was hospitalized with pneumonia, which Ryan was awesome and took care of the kids.  But as soon as my Mom found out she came out to help!  So that he could get back to school.  She stayed for a couple of weeks while I recovered.  Then she came out in February when I had Lincoln.  She stayed for two weeks then.  She came out two weeks later when she found out that I was having a hard time.  She is truly the best Mom!  I love her so much!  She is my Mom but is even more my friend.  I feel so blessed to have her as a Mom!  My kids love when grandma comes to visit.  So much that one time I told the kids that she was coming in a day or two while we were driving home from somewhere. When we arrived at home Evie wouldn't get out of the car because she wanted to go get her grandma.

Mom, I love you and am so thankful for all you do!

Visiting Ryan

Today we were able to go and visit Ryan at school and eat lunch with him.  He is in the middle of finals so he has been at school a lot.  The kids thought it was a blast!

Kaitlyn studying with the guys.

The Boys Represent

Just a few pictures cause the boys needs some face time on the blog too.

Daddy Daughter Day

Ryan and the girls hung out today.  Kaitlyn has walking pneumonia (which sounds worse than it is).  She is not coughing as much and her fever seems to have gone away.  I think she is on the mend. :)  So Ryan and the girls hung out while I took Reuben and Lincoln to the primary activity at church and there was a ward activity following.  Here are some pictures of the fun crafts that Ryan did with the girls.  (Kaitlyn was really bummed that she couldn't come to the activity so Ryan was awesome and came to the rescue with a craft!) 

Last Night

I am figuring out the adding pictures part... We took these last night.  Evie and Lincoln were having a hard time going to bed.

I LOVE DISHWASHERS!!!

I love dishwashers!  After three weeks without one, our landlord was successful fixing it today!  Dishwashers are one luxury which I LOVE!

Today was a beautiful day in Cleveland!  The weather was gorgeous!  Even though the kids stayed home sick from school we went to the park this afternoon.  Kaitlyn wasn't quite herself but I think we all enjoyed the fresh air!

This morning I kept on procrastinating taking my shower.  I was waiting for Lincoln to fall asleep so that I would have a longer window to get ready.  So, I was able to get him to sleep around eleven and I put him in his crib.  I thought it would be quiet there and the kids would hopefully not wake him there.  Well, when I turned off the water I heard Lincoln screaming at the top of his lungs.  I threw on the towel and went to go check on him and found Evie in the crib with Lincoln.  She kept on saying "Baby's crying".  She had climbed on a chair, onto the changing table, into Lincoln's crib.  I did notice that she had put a teddy bear right next to him.  She loves her brother soooo much!  I think I will be taking showers before she wakes up from now on! :)