Happy Valentine's day

For Valentine's day this year, we decided not to do a gift exchange. I like it better that way, no pressure and just fun. I did get Ricky some cute little candy bars with sayings for 14 days. He enjoyed getting something everyday. I got the kids a little candy to celebrate the holiday, too. They enjoyed that. We had some pink pancakes in the shape of hearts for breakfast, thanks to my wonderful hubby! Dylan had a Valentine's day party at school, so I got to be there with him. It was really fun. One of his classmates, gave him a valentine, and he had no clue! She only got one to give out (apart from the class ones) and she chose Dylan! So cute! Lauren and Ethan got to hang out with grandma for the morning. They had some friends over on Friday for a little Valentine's playgroup at our house. We made some peanut butter cookies with chocolate hearts for our treats. They were a big hit! For dinner, we thought about going to Scotty's Brewhouse since kids eat free on Tuesdays, but there was over an hour wait. We settled for Moe's instead and the kids loved it. It was nice to go to dinner with the family. Ricky and I got to enjoy dinner on Friday night for date night, instead of Valentine's day! Hope everyone had a great day!

Fire trucks and trains

Friday, we had a fun-filled day. It started off by visiting the Fire station with some old friends. Ethan and Lauren had a blast seeing the firetruck up close. They got to try on the Fire Fighter's hat, it was really heavy!

 And they got to climb on the back of the truck and walk thru the back seat of the truck. They loved it!

 Of course, they wanted a picture with the dalmatian out front!

 After we picked Dylan up from school, we headed over to Purdue to ride the Boilermaker Express Train. They were having free rides around campus that day, and it was beautiful weather. We picked up Dylan's friend, Riley, to go with us and they had a blast! We even ran into Riley's dad on the way back to the car! What are the chances?

 Dylan wanted me to take this picture. I think this summer we'll have to walk around Purdue so the kids can see all the fun sculptures and statues. They loved them!

Ethan had crashed by the time we got home and took a great nap. That night, Ricky and I got to go to dinner for date night! I love date night! We went to Texas Roadhouse, thanks to Christmas gifts, for dinner and then to Kohl's to get our pan set! Yeah! I love them! 

Ethan has had some sort of virus this week, so we have been laying low around here. He didn't get sick, just a fever and cough. You know your baby is sick when all they want to do is be held or watch tv. I'm so glad he is feeling better! Just in time for the weekend!

Baby Colin

A couple of weeks ago, I took Lauren to the store after dance class. Apparently she was a little to tired for the store that day, because she fell asleep sitting up in the cart! I couldn't believe it! I guess some days she really needs her beauty sleep!

I've had a busy week around here. My sister-in-law, Joanna, and best friend, Jaime, both had their babies on Sunday. Jaime had to move to South Carolina, so I haven't gotten to see her baby yet. Joanna is just in Indy, so I headed there right after church. He was about 7 hours old when I got to hold him, so precious! I also got the privilege of changing his first poopy diaper. Luck me! It wasn't that bad! I'd much rather change his diaper than Ethan's! Colin joined their family on Sunday around noon and is very loved! Alex, Joanna's boy who is 4 1/2, came up here to spend some time with us while she was in the hospital. Lauren and Dylan loved having him around and it was really fun to see them interacting with each other. He was great the whole time! Thanks for letting us have him!

 Wednesday night, we took Alex home and took advantage of holding baby Colin again. Lauren LOVED holding him. She told me to get my camera to take a picture of her. When I asked her if she was done, she gave me the death glare and stated NO! She was so good with him. (And in case you are wandering, being around him does NOT make me want another one yet! I already have 2 kids that need too much attention!)

Congratulations Kris and Joanna! You made a keeper!

Winter fun

 Last week, we had some friends over to play and it decided to snow. Fun times for the kids. Dylan and Rhyli had a blast in the snow. They played outside for a good half an hour! They were so cute eating the snow, throwing it, and jumping on the trampoline. It's always fun to have good friends over to hang out with! 

 Lauren and Arianna decided that the older kids were having too much fun and wanted to join them. They only lasted about 10 minutes, but they had fun! Luckily, the little boys were sleeping.

We've only had snow a few times this winter, and it seems like every time it snows, the snow only stays for a couple of days. The kids find ways of entertaining themselves around the house! One night, they all climbed on Ricky's back for a horsie ride. Ethan wasn't too impressed, but it was cute!

 Last Friday night,  Lauren and I got to go on a date! My sister got some free tickets to see Tangled on Ice downtown Indy and invited us to go! When we got there, we found out that the tickets were for a suite! It was awesome! Lauren slept the whole way down there, so I didn't get dinner until we got there. She was so mesmerized that she wouldn't eat until the intermission. Needless to say, she LOVED it! Thanks, sis!

 Maximus the horse was 2 skaters! It was pretty cool!

 Flynn and Rapunzel held on to these ropes and did tricks in the air!

 At the end of the show, all of the Disney Princesses came out to "dance" together. It was a great show, and I hope to go back soon!

It's going to be different around our house the next couple of months. I won't have Jack as his mom is having her baby and staying home with them. It will be nice to spend some time with just my kids again, but I will miss him! On a totally random note, Ricky and I are going on a cruise in March! I am so excited and can't wait! I've always wanted to go on a cruise, and it is finally going to happen! Yeah! It will be different not being around any kids for 8 days! I'll let you know how I do! 

I have been addicted (I mean using) Pinterest a ton lately! There are so many great ideas on there. Thursday for dinner I used 3 new recipes and they were all great! I've also gotten some great storage ideas and organizational ideas. The kids even got some cool afternoon activities from there.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe that it is already 2012! Boy does time keep on flying by so fast! We have enjoyed the holidays by spending lots of time with family. That is one of the best parts of the holiday season. We spent Friday in Illinois with my extended family for Christmas and played lots of games! We stayed up late and enjoyed the great company. Saturday we headed home to have a little new years celebration with my parents and my best friend's 2 boys! Dylan was really excited to see his best friend, Cameron, and I'll take any time I can get with Jaime! (They moved to South Carolina last year and are greatly missed!) New years day we met them for lunch before they headed home. It was a great weekend! 

Now we are trying to get back into the swing of things. Dylan goes back to school on Tuesday, and Lauren starts dance class tomorrow. We got all of the Christmas stuff put away, we just have a huge pile of toys everywhere! I hope everyone has a wonderful 2012!