Easter

We hit the 9:00 a.m. full house Mass and then headed home to prepare for breakfast and an egg hunt.  

We had our neighbors join us for breakfast. Our neighbor, Karman, brought over stuff for a waffle bar which was my favorite.  We also had egg cups, also made by Karman, and I made biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs and I am still full from the good food. 

 Keenan loves breakfast food.

 Getting ready for the egg hunt

We were happy to finally have some nice weather and the kids could be outside most of the day.

Little Rock - Spring Break

We were so excited that we were able to make the trip to Little Rock, AR, to see Joe's brother James, his wife, Rachel, and their precious seven month old son, James a/k/a JP.  Because they live so far away we haven't been able to spend much time with Rachel but she has been a great addition to our family and we enjoyed our time with all of them this past weekend. 

Baby James is pretty hungry in this picture but Keylee had to take a moment to look at the camera.  All James wanted was for that spoon to make it to his mouth :) 

Aunt Rachel with James and her nieces and nephew at the park. 

We made a stop at the Air Force Base 

James and Kira

Joe with his brother James

James is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and flies the C-130. Although we were able to go out on the flight deck and get in a plane I was not allowed to take any photographs of the enormous planes that James flies. James spends his time as the Director of Operations and he also spends his time instructing, grading, supervising and flying with new pilots. I thought being a Driver's Ed teacher would not be a fun job but I am pretty sure being in an airplane with new pilots might be worse.  James seems to love his job so I guess I am just thankful for people like him because I don't even like to fly with experienced pilots let alone new pilots and especially not with the huge and complicated aircraft I saw on the flight deck.   

James and Rachel have an ideal set-up at their house.  They basically have a lake in their backyard and the kids were able to canoe and fish just steps out of their back door.  

Although the drive was long, and I think even longer coming home, we had a great time and hopefully we will be able to make the trip again sometime.

Time for Spring Soccer

It was a rainy weekend but I was still glad to be out of town and not have to endure the madness that "Fake Patty's Day" brings to Manhattan.  Kira had soccer in Overland Park.  We were able to get in one game before the rain delay which eventually resulted in a cancellation of the second game. So far, with the one win, the girls are undefeated this Spring.  It is hard to believe we are already playing soccer games especially when there is still evidence of snow.  

Since the rain delayed us and we were in Kansas City the kids insisted on The Cheesecake Factory.  I was certainly not going to deny them, or myself,  a piece of cheesecake. 

The girls were on Joe's side of the booth and as soon as I got out the camera Keenan was on his side of the booth too.

 Kira felt bad I wasn't in a picture which was actually fine by me so she took this one of me and Keenan.

Hooray for snow days

Let me start by saying I was more excited for the snow day at home than I was for Christmas break because I knew I would be home too as I had already moved my appointments at work and since even the courthouse was closed I figured, why bother going to work.  I told the kids as much as they may hate it, no play dates and no sleepovers because I was going to be selfish and keep them all to myself.  I woke up and made the kids breakfast, Joe and Keenan started shoveling the driveway and then we were off with the neighbors to sled.  Good times, for sure.  

Men at work . . .

and Keylee too.  She thought she would see if she could catch a few snowflakes on her tongue.

Time for sledding.  So much fun with the neighbors

Kira and Keenan taking it down the hill head-first

Our neighbor, Karman, giving Keenan a little push down the hill.  This was a hill by our house but then we trekked it to Cico Park.  Karman and I elected to stay in the car and watch from a distance but Joe was a tropper and got out to sled with the kiddos.  Below, are the neighbor kids, Sofie and Brady.  

Hot Shot

Keenan won the Hot Shot Basketball competition this past weekend at City Auditorium.  He had a great time and was all smiles.

Honor Choir

A couple months ago Kira auditioned for Honor Choir.  She was fortunate enough to be selected and then had several early morning practices before school and several after school practices.  This past weekend the Honor Choir ended with an event in Junction City. All the students selected from the north central Kansas region came together in Junction City for a day which ended with a concert for parents and families to enjoy.  I was quite impressed with the actual event and the concert.  Kira enjoyed the experience and said that she is sad it was over.  Overall, it was a good experience for her and something I suspect she will try out for again.

Kansas Winter - So Confused

On January 28, 2013, I left work at 4:00 p.m. to pick up the kids and take them to the KSU Dairy Bar at Call Hall and celebrate the 73 degree temps.  We picked up our neighbors to take them along for the celebration.  The following day, January 29, 2013, snow began to fall and we went from sun to snow in the blink of an eye.  Gotta love a Kansas Winter. Right?