Swing Time

Wes and Reagan made this swing in the front yard this fall. It's a long rope swing with 2 bucket lids for a seat. The second Wes gets home from school the kids are asking him to swing them on the swing. Jack's been on with a little help but Rea and Dyl LOVE it! Fun Stuff :-)

Dylan is 7

Happy Birthday Bubba! 7 years old and it's gone way to fast for me!

We had a family party this year so with no family close that makes it small and simple. We always have birthday balloons in the morning and their favorite cereal to open for breakfast, so that's always fun. Then Dylan wanted to go out to eat at the Hibachi restaurant for dinner, he loves noodles, rice, chicken and chopsticks, so that's what we did. It was a lot of fun! After that we went home and he opened presents and we sang and ate some chocolate cake (Dylan's favorite!)

Dylan is such a good kid, and we are SO lucky to have him in our family!

Dylan loves: School, Jumping on the Trampoline, Playing Super Heros, Tumbling, Reading Books and Comics, Playing the Wii, (or any video games) Swimming, Being Silly, Wrestling with Dad and Playing with his Brother, Sister and Friends!

One more Swim Pleeeeease

Wes took the boys to the beach to throw rocks and run around in the sand. It starts getting cold here around mid September so really not swimming weather anymore. Life guards have been gone for weeks and not many people want to get in the water especially with the cold air and wind around them. But that didn't stop Dylan and Jack! When Wes told them they were going to the beach Jack put on his swim suite and was ready to go, no reasoning with him, no changing his mind. Off they went and they came home wet and cold, but very happy. Wes thought they'd figure out how cold it was and quit, but he had to talk them into getting out of the water and going home. It was the last swim of the season, glad it wasn't me looks cold!

Waldameer

We hit waldameer on the last day of the season this year for the first and last time! This seemed like such a busy summer, as they all are! The kids had a blast with our friends on the rides! I think the favorite ride for the kids was the log ride ....... mostly because I screamed like crazy on that drop and tend to freak out a bit on rides and of course they thought that was hilarious! I got a shot of the little ones on the frog hopper and Wes and the kids on a small coaster everything else was a little blurry. I was so very impressed that Reagan rode the ravine flyer, it's a pretty fast and very intense old wooden creaky roller coaster and she was one of the youngest on it! When she got off she was a little shell shocked ...... don't know if she is going to trust her Daddy again when he says "come on Rea it'll be fun!" The kids can't wait until it opens again!

Mystical Powers affecting Lake Erie

We thought we'd go out and maybe do some fishing at this spot Wes new about by the lake. The wind and the massive waves had a different idea that evening.

Instead we got to throw rocks in the water and run from waves ...... these were the HUGE waves and Dylan was convinced that he was controlling them with his "powers." I'm not sure if he was using his Jedi powers or his Magical powers but whatever it was he spent quite a while pushing and pulling these waves up and back from the shore, and making some great sound effects at the same time. Once in a while a good wave would sneak up on the kids and they'd have to run or get some wet feet! We staying until sunset what a fun evening!

First Day of School

The kids were Super Excited to start school this year! Reagan is in 4th grade, Dylan is in 1st and Jack started preschool this year. They all LOVE their teachers and their schools!

Kick Ball and Sprinklers

Dylan got to play kickball this last summer. Our good friend Justin was the coach of his sons team and had extra room for Dylan. I will say it wasn't his favorite but he could kick the ball pretty good and got around the bases a few times during the season. It was good for him to get out and try a field sport. Thanks Justin for being a fantastic coach and Max for teaching Dylan the "ready to field the ball" stance :-)

We don't have a fantastic backyard here but we do have some grass and a tree with a rope tied to it. The following video is long and will probably only be appreciated by Grandparents but I thought why not post some summer sprinkler fun! Ignore the Mom'izums please ;-)

We really should have brought our Suits

So every other time Grandma Ewing has been out here it's been frozen, snowy, windy, icy and down right cold! So the kids and I were SUPER excited to take her to our beach, and our walking trails and show her why we love Lake Erie. I thought we were just going to have a picnic and throw rocks the first day out but ....... you can imagine how wrong I was with 3 kids a lake, a sandy beach and a BIG hole to fill up with water. I mean this stuff is important, no sacrifice to great to get that hold filled fast!

The next day Jack and I took her back to Presque Isle again to do some walking, see the bay and enjoy all the green trees. We brought Wally along and were surprised that he didn't scare off the family of geese we could practically reach out and touch! The flagship Niagara was out too so that was fun to see. Glad you could come enjoy a warm season this year Grandma!

Gymnastics and Friends :-)

As you can see below the kids did a Gymnastics class this spring. The older 2 had classes one right after the other, so I was there for at least 2 hours on the hard gym floor ..... ouch! Sometimes 3 hours if the coach invited Reagan to stay for the last class to work on her back handspring! I am so glad Micah was there with her girls for at least an hour of that, sometimes longer if we got to chatting :-)

The kids LOVED these classes and Dylan was more then thrilled to have Tayla in class with him! They are such great friends, never fight always have fun together and are sad to go home! Good friends are priceless!

Reagan had a great time learning new things and getting really close to doing a back handspring! We are going to find another one in the fall so watch out she may be bouncing by soon enough. The question is will Jack just watch this fall or do I need to find a class for him too? These kids are going to wear me out! Good thing they are worth it :-)

I am into these collage things lately. Click on them if you want to enlarge them.

Mothers Day

I love that my kids are older and acutely get the Mothers Day concept a little better meaning Mom does as little housework as possible on Mothers Day :-) It was such a nice relaxing day for me and as I say to my kids all the time .... "I am SO lucky to be their Mommy!" They made me gifts and pictures that I love and will hold onto forever! They are each so different and unique and I really am blessed to have great kids! Happy Mothers Day!
We went to go throw rocks on the beach that evening and I had to include the cute pictures of my cute kids :-)

Baby Abe and Ithaca

Grandma Ewing came out in March to meet new Baby Abe! Yes another flight east for her, she had time to wash her clothes and pack up again! We were all really excited to go to Ithaca and see the new little Chunky Spud and of course the B&B, I&A Ewing family! Eli was super proud of his new "little" brother 9lbs 3ozs! He was such a cute baby and is growing like a weed! The picture of Dylan by the TV shows his mario kart 1st place win, it's what he was doing while we were cooing over the baby :-)

I love Ithaca, probably not as much as Brady and Brooke do but it is a very unique and beautiful place that we've enjoyed visiting. Thanks for letting us invade you guys once in a while.

A Dog Day ..... Birthday that is :-)

Ever wonder "What kind of people put a party hat on a dog?" ...... US!

It was Wally's Birthday on February 26th and we had a little puppy party. Ok we just stuck a hat on him, sang, and Rea and Dyl helped him open his presents. But Wes said "I better not see any of those pictures on the blog" so just for Wes ....... here's a picture of the older 2 kids and Wally on his 1st birthday. 7 in dog years and such a good dog!

(glad we don't go by dog years, I don't want to think about how old I'd be)

More Snow

I know, I know we have TONS of snow pictures up on the blog, what do you expect we live in a place where winter lasts an eternity and we are doing our best to make the most of it! Really I can't wait for spring. The spring here is truly a rebirth and so beautiful, I have never loved spring more than I have since living here. So much blooming and sprouting, and filled with tons of green leaves and blossoms and colors, plus the added bonus of some sunshine ..... how I miss you sunshine, you have no idea! So this is yet another snow picture but one too cute for me not to post .... Here's hoping we have a quick thaw and get to see wonderful, beautiful ........

Spring Soon!

ok one more

Happy Heart Day

Hope you all had a fun Valentines Day we Sure Did .... I LOVED the Heart Day weekend with the Kids, and of course Wes too! Cookie decorating with friends was full of sugar and fun. Jack's first cookie decoration was quite the masterpiece, he was making it for his Daddy. Me and the kids made some Valentine cards for each other, and we all swapped a few little gifts as a family. We didn't get anything mailed out to the cousins or grandparents this year, sorry.

Hope ya all know we love you!

January ... The Fun Stuff!

New Years Party!!

We had a little New Years Eve party here at our place. It was fun! The kids of course had a blast running around, dressing up, playing games and staying up way to late. We ate (obviously) and laughed and played a few games with our friends. Wes was talked in to games to begin with, but was excused when he started drifting off at the table with cards in his hands. The kids ran outside and yelled Happy New Year for a while and then came in and started wrestling Andy, guess who won that fight?

January Snow Days !!

I don't know if you are aware but Reagan and Jack LOVE the snow! Dylan likes to sled and make footprints in his snow boots, but in most cases would rather be playing the Wii. Wes had a little time over the holidays and took the kids sledding. Then while my Mom was here helping out she got to re-live her Canada childhood in the snow! Reagan really had a great time with her building snow people and a little throne for she and Wally. Jack just really likes to wear his mittens and eat snow, yuck, stay away from the yellow!

Grandma Bev Came !!

As I mentioned earlier we were so lucky to have help from our Mom's while I was recovering! Couldn't have done it without them that's for sure!
While my Mom was here Wes decided to get me out of the house and take us to breakfast. We went to this locally owned place called Dominic's, it was really yummy. They had a frog statue and a fish statue inside so the kids had to have a picture. (there are a lot of these frogs around town but most are outside) They also had a painted mural of Erie on the wall, we love these old places in town. It was dang cold during her visit, Grandma Bev hadn't been here in the winter before. (and may never come again!) We had to stop by the frozen bay to show my Mom the ice fishing huts, I think she thought it was kinda cool. And Wes and the older 2 kids took her to an old Church in town that has some really beautiful windows and features. We also had hot dogs and smo'res in the fireplace downstairs for F.H.E. with Grandma, the kids Loved that and can't wait to do it again. Hopefully she had a little fun and it wasn't just work, work, work while taking care of us. It was great having her here! Thanks Grandma Bev!

Grandma Ewing Came !!

The day my Mom left Wes's Mom came to help, we really are blessed. It was great to have her here with us. Unfortunately for her this was her second winter visit to Erie, we need to try for a spring or summer visit so she isn't to bias, and frozen! She and Wes got to go see Avatar one night, and the next week she watched the kids so me and Wes could go on a date. (to see Avatar, apparently Wes liked it) Wes also took Susan and Reagan to a Greek festival where Reagan ate some little hamburger and rice wrapped in a grape leaf thingy, I was impressed that she tried it. They also took a swing by the old Church with the cool windows in town, I really need to see inside this Church. And Grandma also bought the kids a fun new Wii game called Out Door Challenge. It's a really cool game where you have to jump, run, lean, slide, stomp etc. to win fun games. The kids LOVE it, and I love seeing them play, they even do the team setting once in a while and work together! WOW! It was great to have her here taking care of us, I hope it wasn't to exhausting, next time in the summer ..... hitting the beach! Thanks Grandma Ewing!

While Susan was here the kids had their first basket ball games, it was SO fun to see them play. Wes snapped a few shots, and I am now wishing I had the camera and video camera at ever practice and game since then. Last practice Dylan made a basket (you should have heard the cheers!) and during his last game he dribbled the ball all the way down the court twice. Reagan was on FIRE her last game, she got 3 rebounds and made 4 of the 8 points to help her team win the game! The only girl to score all game! The love playing basket ball :-) January was a great month that's for sure.

This Box ROCKS

The kids wanted me to post pictures of this fun gift they got in the mail from their Mona cousins! There was a TON of jumping and screaming when this box showed up just after Christmas, I heard things like ..... "look at that it's so cool ...... it has my name on it, and yours and yours and yours and Daddy's ..... how are we going to open it? ..... who's it from ..... I can't take it, what's inside" You get the idea, Christmas all over again :-) Thanks Stacy and kids for sending us such a fun box with cute monogrammed blankets for the kids inside!

Love you guys!

Snow, Snow, Snow ...... Ho, Ho, Ho !!

We got some good snow last weekend and we hit the hills! The first sled trip of the year was Fantastic! Everyone had a great time sledding down the hills. Last year the only child who really enjoyed it was Reagan, so this year it is really fun to see the boys loving the snow, sledding, rolling down the hills and getting back up from a face plant or two!

That night we had our Ward Christmas Party! The Primary kids sang a number so we got to see Reagan doing some sign language. (Dylan stayed "backstage") Santa came for a visit and the older 2 kids were able to sit on his lap, and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Reagan's list went from an ipod to a rubik's cube, and Dylan asked for a new Wii game. Jack wasn't at all interested in talking to Santa, maybe next year when he figures it out more. It was a great party, we have a fantastic Ward! This was a really, really good day!

Right NOW!

A couple of weeks ago Dylan was playing Wii bowling and caught Jack in the nose on his back swing .... ouch! This resulted in Jack getting a pretty fast running bloody nose. From there we have the following dialog in our home:
Dylan: "Mom, Mom oh no Mom my brother I'm sorry it was an accident my brother is bleeding I died my brother, oh no my brother is died!"
Me: "No Dylan he's ok Dad has tissues on his nose he is going to be ok, he will stop bleeding soon and he is NOT going to die." Dylan then runs into his room crying ....
Dylan: "oh no Mom oh no, Jack is bleeding and I hurt my elbow at school and it was bleeding ..... (more tears and panic) Mom we need Jesus RIGHT NOW Mom Right Now!" what can I say after this .......
Me: "Yes we do Dylan, yes we do"
Jack was fine shortly thereafter and Dylan was playing the Wii again within the hour.

Palmyra ..... 1 Flat Tire, 3 Tired Kids, and Lots of Grinding Gears

So we braved a trip to Palmyra on this past snowy Saturday. I was our Ward Temple trip and we decided we needed to make sure we got there this time! (the last couple of times we have had a sick kid or been out of town) After waking up early and loading up the car we thought we were set to go we were going to pick up a Sister in the Ward and hit the road. Wes walked in the house and announced that he'd discovered a flat tire on the van, and not a slow leak a nail in punctured flat tire. So we had to switch to Wes's car, much squishier and no room for the extra gal we were supposed to bring. After a few phone calls and rearranging all our "stuff" (kid paraphernalia) we were gassing up and on the road with our kids pack in the back seat like little sardines. 3 hours later we arrived at the Inn to help watch the kids of those doing the first session. Wes and I did a session later while other ward members watched our rambunctious kids. So very nice of them, we had some of the oldest and craziest kids there! We had a great time in the Temple, it was so nice to go together! I can't wait to go back in the Spring with the family and see more sites around town, when it's warm.

Me and the kids at the Sacred Grove & The kids in front of the Palmyra Temple

They had The Life of Christ bronze sculptures up in the visitors center. We were so glad we stopped by. We got see these these Kirtland this past spring and now again, they are so beautiful and worth the drive to see again! Dylan wanted his picture near the statue of Joseph Smith, he thought that was cool. He also loved all the buttons he could push and learn about the "warrior guys with painted faces" Helaman's army from the Book of Mormon. Reagan is between a sculpture depicting the Savior in his ministry, and another display of our living Prophet President Tomas S. Monson. She thought it was cool learning more about the translation of the Book of Mormon and seeing the first one ever printed on display.

On the way home we had some really snowy weather, and some 4wheel drive issues, hence the grinding gears title. We were on the shoulder with flashers going for almost an hour on the freeway going about 35mph. After some tears from the kids, and at least a dozen prayers we were blessed to find the car running perfectly just as we hit our exit. We didn't get home until midnight, who knows when the kids got to sleep, they were too excited for the snow! .... still a great day and very worth all the effort! I am grateful for the blessings of the Temple, and the opportunity we have to attend and feel The Spirit, while we are serving there!