Tee-Ball Update

I am so excited that Ethan is really starting to like t-ball.  The first game he would not even run the bases without me running with him.  We have seen an improvement every game so far.  The coaches are great and he is so proud when they tell him what a good job is doing.  They tell him what a good runner he is and now he tries so hard to go "super fast".  My mom says he looks like Brian Mangol....everything on his body moves really fast but he doesn't really go anywhere.  As long as he is having fun :-)

The team doing their "Green Machine" cheer

Ethan up at bat. 

Ethan's friend Grace

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the entire world! 

Thank you for all you do....for taking me on bike rides and walks at the lake, for letting me come with you to the hardware store even when it would be faster to go yourself, for being patient while I help you fix things with my tools, for giving me baths even though I splash you every time, for reading me stories over and over, for putting my toys together, for fixing them again when I break them, for dancing and playing "on ice" and "rock and roll star" with me even though I know you hate it, for playing running, tee ball and bat ball with me for hours, for letting me wrestle with you, for giving me hugs and kisses, being patient with me, and for teaching me how to be the best boy I can be...Love, Ethan

Thank you for all you do...for letting me sleep on your chest when I am crabby, for feeding me dinner even when I spit it all over you, for taking me for walks and sneaking me little treats, for getting up with me at 5:30 every morning, for keeping me safe as I learn to walk and try to put everything in my mouth, for giving the best hugs and kisses, for not getting mad when I grab your chest hair, and for being the absolute love of my life...Love, Mallory

Our Little Walker

Mallory is walking!  She took her first steps a couple of weeks ago and this past week has started to walk more and more.  Now she is using it as her preferred mode of transportation.  She thinks she is better at it than she is...she likes to try to run, lift heavy objects, and drink her milk while walking.   This has caused some bumps and bruises but nothing to deter her dare-devil attitude.  She is such a big girl and we are so proud of her!

10 Months

Brendan and Cathie's Wedding

Congratulations to Brendan and Cathie!  The wedding was beautiful...the rain held out for both the ceremony and pictures.  Ethan and Mallory did really well and Ethan had a blast dancing and running around until the end of the reception.  Here are a few pictures from the day...

More Phone Pics

Here are the latest pictures off my phone.  My picture obsession is not helped by the fact that I can now take a picture anytime and anywhere...

Her first icee.  I didn't think she would know how to use a straw but she proved me very wrong.





I took the previous picture of Mallory so of course Ethan makes me take a similar one of him.  He has to do everything she does.  And I thought it would be the other way around.

At her cousin's first communion party...she LOVES balloons.  I was thinking it was her fist word, but I am pretty sure now she is really calling them "ball".  So we will go with ball.

Making his Mother's Day gift for Grandma...which just happened to be a Jedi Knight teddy bear.  Too bad the light saber didn't make it to Grandma's with the bear.  I guess we are lucky that at least he gave her the bear.

Do we have grass yet?

He barely fits on this ride

Nice shoes

Indian's Game

We went to the Indian's game with Ethan.  Even though he is starting to get a little more interested in the actual game, the highlight of his night was meeting Ketchup, live and in person.  He was so excited to show the "real" Ketchup his stuffed ketchup that he could barely contain himself. 

Great Wolf Lodge

Joe and I took Ethan to Great Wolf Lodge a couple weeks ago.  He had more fun than I have ever seen him have.  Sorry Mickey...the boy just loves the water.  It was such a perfect night away with just him.  The only bad part was that Mallory was at home with my Mom up crying all night with what turned out to be another ear infection.  That was unfortunate because we had to leave first thing in the morning to get home to her.  Also unfortunate because my Mom will probably never agree to keep her overnight again :-(

I have never been to Great Wolf Lodge before but it was so convenient and perfect for kids his age.  It was nice to be able to take him and not pack more than a duffle bag for the three of us.  He loved all the rides except for the waterslide that I sent him down that turned out to be totally enclosed and dark the entire time.  Especially since I had him lie down on his back with his arms crossed over his chest.  (that's what the sign said to do...I was just following directions)  He came flying out the bottom screaming.  Joe was waiting for him and said you couldn't even see him as he came out the bottom, there was so much water and he was going so fast.  I guess just because he is tall enough doesn't mean he should go down the huge waterslides by himself.  We always say we need a t-shirt for him to wear that says "I'm really only 3" for when he is throwing fits or misbehaving in public.  I think sometimes I need him to wear one so I remember. 

At first, I was just going to take Ethan myself for the night.  So glad we decided against that.  I could never lift 48 pounds above my head for this or hold him for all of the other things he wanted to do.  I get dart arm for goodness sake.

This big bucket rings a big bell before it dumps the water.  Now at home I need to find him really quickly when I hear Ethan saying "ding, ding, ding" because I know a cup of water is spilling somewhere in the house.

Another of Ethan's loves...motorcycles.  He thinks he is getting one for his birthday.  I like him at this age because he could play in the gameroom for hours without spending any money.

Grandpa's Truck

Ethan loves hanging out in Grandpa's truck.  We have been borrowing it a lot lately to get stuff for the yard and the basement.   We are really hoping to be done with that all very soon.  The backyard just needs grass (and a deck, but we won't talk about that for a couple years).  The basement is moving along.  Slowly, but it is moving.  I was hoping to have everything done by Mallory's birthday party, but now I am just hoping to have it at least clean enough to throw some tables in so people can eat.  Especially since we have no grass in the backyard...ugh.  Maybe for Ethan's birthday?

Mark's Baptism

Joe and I were so honored to be asked to be Mark's Godparents.  He is just the sweetest little thing and was such an angel at his Baptism.  He didn't cry once and did amazing when the freezing cold water was poured on his head.  We are so blessed to have him and his family in our lives and can't wait to watch all of the kids grow up together over the years!

Posing for pictures

Of course one of big brother Luke

Love this picture!

Such a beautiful family





Joe got a smile