New York

I have pictures from about three days of our 12 day trip.  Caleb and I basically lived without our phones and it was pretty awesome.  We got to visit both of my brothers new houses!

I got to start out the trip with my birthday.  I woke up to New York flowers picked by the kids and was spoiled with gifts from Caleb (cannot wait for our at home fondue date night.)  Tyler made a pretty awesome birthday meal for me too!

The kids thoroughly enjoyed his breakfast sandwiches every morning

I didn't have my phone but the kids had a blast the next day playing on the "playground," making smores, and swimming at Uncle Pat's house.

Casen wanted to celebrate his birthday with his cousins Mac and Cam so we threw a party for him a week before his actual birthday.  I, of course, never had my phone.  The 4 cousins are finally all old enough now that they can go off and play together and they loved it.  I think they all cried when it was time to go.  Casen requested a shark party this year.

The day we got back Casen had to start on his gift from the girls.  Digging for gems and making a volcano was right up his alley.  He loved it.

We went to a little wing place and Casen ate so much more then we all thought he would!  It was a big hit.

The day after his party my parents took the kids and we got to have some alone time hanging out with my siblings while they got to have some one on one time with the grandparents.  We did some official adulting!  Late night pool and games with the whole gang!


We had a day of being fancy, trying new wines, cheeses, and meats while making some delicious tortellini

We got to walk the bridge to Vermont and climb to the top of the lighthouse

We checked out a really cool brewery in Vermont.  Go to Otter Creek Brewery if you ever find yourself in the area.  They are super friendly and the beer and food are amazing.

they even had fresh homemade lemonade for the mama to be :)

While we were adulting the kids were kept busy at my parent's house. They got to go strawberry picking, swimming, and lots of icecream creations.

After that we headed to my parent's house.  Caleb and I made a quick pit stop in Lake Placid for the Lake Placid brewery.  If you've never been there, it has to be on your list!

We got to quickly cross paths with Caleb's parent's while we were both in town

We celebrated Casen's actual birthday.  He somehow turned 8 this year.  He requested bacon and french toast for breakfast, Italian Affair pizza for dinner, and he discovered how delicious ice cream floats are for dessert. 

The pool was used in abundance.

Casen discovered his love of a BB gun at Uncle Tyler's house so he asked if he could do some more target practice at Papas.  And the kids had the assistance of the expert kite flyer and loved it.

We're already planning our next trip to the Ticonderoga neck of the woods!  We had a blast and are still talking about all the memories we made.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is offering free tickets to veterans and their families, so we jumped at the chance, let Jo skip a day of school, and headed to Williamsburg. 

Enjoying the view on the gondola

Casen was thrilled to be on the little kid rides

the first ride Casen and Caleb went on was what they thought was a kid's roller coaster.  It ended up being an indoor outdoor very much adult ride.  

We didn't have to wait in a single line for any rides.  It was a pretty great day!

May

We started out the month with a hike around belle isle while Jo was busy in school.  It's one of our favorite places to go.  I'm not sure where else you get a combination of completely being in the city and completely being in the middle of the woods.

We had so much fun I decided that's how I wanted to spend Mother's Day.  I got spoiled with gifts then we headed right there before it got too hot...(excuse the attire, we literally rolled out of bed and went.)  There's places where you climb towers so you're hiking up in the trees, crossing giant bridges over the James, walking down the canal, and walking along the river in the woods on a dirt path.

And Caleb finally was able to get his appointment to start his full sleeve tattoo.  He got one session in last week.  I can't wait to see what it looks like after his appointment next week....and to see it all finished by the end of summer!

And so thankful I get to end our month recap with another pretty bouquet of flowers from the best guy 

Casen is finishing up his state testing this week.   He has 2 weeks left until he's done with school and then we head North to spend a few weeks with family.  These months seems to be flying by....and we have a major surprise planned for the kids very soon!

Thanks for loving me the way you do.

It's pretty perfect :)

April

I don't have many pictures because we got to spend this month outside!  The weather has been perfect.  A few days a week we've been leaving the phones at home, heading to the parks, and getting a good workout in while the kids scooter along side us.  It has been awesome.


Casen finally lost his first tooth.  He's almost 8 and his adult teeth have been coming in crazy behind his baby teeth (hello braces.)  His dentist said do whatever we can to get them out to try and straighten out the adult teeth.  Still only one down, but we're getting there!

 Fried rice night!

 The kids thoroughly enjoyed Coldstone

We ordered another MunchPak.  It's a really fun activity to try with your kids or honestly even just as adults.  If you're up to trying new food, we highly suggest it.

 Enjoying the sun!

Casen got his report card for the marking period.  He got A's in all subjects and his teacher noted that instead of being at the expected second grade reading level of L, Casen is all the way up to reading level P.  We're so proud of him and i'm so thankful he does so well in school.

Miss Arya is all registered for Kindergarten.  It's hard to believe this fall Caleb and I will have an empty house.  She's very anxious and hesitant, but excited as well.  She goes in August for some testing to see which class she'll land in.  September they'll be riding the bus together!