R's First Field Trip

Today R had her first field trip. Her preschool class went to the zoo and Mommy decided to tag along. Daddy took a vacation day to stay at home with the other two. It was a good bonding time between me and R since lately she has been extremely jealous of the other two with any time with mommy. It was a glimpse of how next year will be with R getting up early and getting ready for school by 8 am. It was a piece of cake today since the kids are still on Ohio time and waking up at 6 am UGH!!! We were at the zoo in the morning and R had her first bus ride. Then for lunch we went to a park and the had pizza hut pizza waiting. What a picnic!! Mommy and R then drove home separately so i could run some errands.

We saw all kinds of animals at the zoo. Here is a wallaby...

R spotted the koi fish in the pond. They were crammed in their like sardines... heehee.

And R was fascinated by the white swan.... it swam right under the bridge we were on.

The giraffes were my favorite and R liked the penguins the best. We even made it to the gift shop where i let R pick out anything for herself and then she picked out small gifts for her brother and sister.... she even picked out a stuffed giraffe for her soon to be little brother/sister.

This drinking fountain was pretty cool... No it really isn't a hippo! It made noises when you pressed the button to get a drink.

We had a good time me and R. .... we don't get alot of just one on one time so this was precious.

Trip to Ohio

We had a very fun long weekend in Ohio last week. We are now recooping from it and getting laundry done and trying to find some resemblance of a house here! It was actually relaxing and we got to spend some good quality time with Papa Bob and Grandma Judy. The kids really enjoyed being out in the country at grandma's. We got to see 4 little geeslings at the back of the pond. They were adorable... except for all the poop they leave behind. YUCK! We looked at them with binoculars so we didn't get to close. We didn't want to get attacked by the momma geese!!

The playhouse was fun too... but next time home daddy is going to have to reinforce the ladder ... it hasn't been used in some time.

My parents were gracious enough for us to stay at their house and wreck it while we were there... I hope we didn't do to much damage! :-)

We talked to Daddy every night on the phone. The kids liked reliving the day with dad and chit chatting with him 9 hours away!

We got to see all the Schulte cousins too!!! Ash and Josh met us at the park in town and slid down the slide I don't know how many times. R was so thrilled that Josh wanted to slide with her and hold her hand!! I have a feeling she will be a pretty good helper when the baby comes along.

The kids and I even helped Grandpa Bob out by going to get large mouth bass and minnows to stock the pond. It barely fit all in my car, we had to move babyseats, put the fish food under Glorianna's feet in the front and suck in when we shut the doors. I guess it is about time to upgrade to the minivan. :-( FYI -- i think the vehicle still kind of smells like fish. My pregnant nose can't get away from the smell yet!!

Grandpa took the kids on a tractor ride after the fish were all placed in their new home in the pond. The kids all named one of the Large mouth basses (not sure the correct spelling of the plural bass??) So in the pond is a fish named Kiki, Raina, and Turk. The next night we fed the fish and saw them really chow down. They must really like their new crib!!

On Saturday, grandma Pam watched the kiddos while me, mom, Beth, and Kathy spent the day together in Columbus. Something we rarely get to do now with living farther away and conflicting schedules. It was a great day!! We started with us girls getting some new summer digs for mom at Talbots. I think we were in the store a hour and 1/2!! We made mom give us a fashion show and she ended up getting some adorable things!! By the way mom that dress will be perfect for baptism!!! :-) We then went shoe shopping (something i really should stay away from especially since that is the only thing that really fits right now!!) Then lunch with the girls.. my sister in law Denise was able to join us too and we had a wonderful late lunch with lots of laughter!!! One of the last places we shopped was a maternity store where i did pick up a few maternity tops. UGH!! I have noticed a little bulge that is hard to hide now. The day was memorable and I hope the other girls enjoyed it as much as I. It makes me miss living closer to family so we can have moments like that more often. sniff** sniff**

We headed home on Monday... and the drive wasn't as easy as driving to Ohio. First the weather was crummy and raining almost the entire time. Secondly.. I was tired. The last 2 - 3 hours were hard to stay awake when the kids were all snoring in the back. makes me glad i made the trip now because i don't think i will be able to do that myself again any time soon.

We got back and resumed our normal routine again. I just had to add this picture of our little girl posing for the "I got milk" ad!! That's all for now...

Our First Mother's Day

So today is my very first mother's day as a mom. I have enjoyed alot of relaxing, breakfast in bed (omelet, yogurt and granola, and toast, and O.j.) cards from the kids and my husband, and a movie with my husband. What could be more perfect? As we watched the kids climb into our bed minutes ago to watch the chipmunks movie before bedtime Nate turned to me and said aren't we so lucky. AND i totally agree. I am the luckiest woman in the world. I have a wonderful husband who is the love of my life since i was 14 years old and my best friend, I have amazing parents (who i only wish i could be have the parents they are!), I have great sisters who I can't wait to share news and talk to on the phone, I have a family who supports us and keeps us grounded, and the closest group of friends who make living 9 hours away from the closest family doable. AND now I am the mother to 3 wonderful children who smiles melt my heart everyday. AND to top it all off I am pregnant.... to have one more boy/girl this October. I don't think I could be any happier than I am right now!!

My mother's day gift this year (besides the beautiful orchid Nate got me!) is my garden that daddy and the kids worked sooooo hard on. The new gator came in handy toting soil and compost back and forth and giving daddy's back a break!

Here are R and G trying to lift the 40# bag of soil... they didn't get very far!

My GARDEN!!!

This past week has been a blur. We have been crazy getting ready for the Race for the Cure on saturday and i have had meetings and getting prepared took up alot of my time. Luckily Pam and Bill came to our aide this weekend. Nate's parents came to Iowa on Wed night and stayed until this morning. They were able to watch the kids while Nate was working and I was getting things set for the race. It worked out wonderfully!! The kids loved it too, being able to spend more time with their grandparents.

Here is R all dressed up in her "komen" gear ... acting like mom. If you ask her what she is going to do when she grows up.. she says she wants to work for Komen!! :-)

The kids got to do alot of things with grandpa and grandma. Like puzzles, cooking, bubbles, and a whole bunch more!!

On Wednesday we had beautiful weather ... we were able to walk to the park and play on the swings and playground.

The kids really LOVE bubbles... there aren't many days that go by that they don't ask to blow bubbles. It keeps them entertained for hours!!

The grandparents and I and the two youngest went to Menards to get a few things and saw this enormous folding chair... made for a king. NEVER mind the Do NOT SIT ON sign that i took off the chair for the picture. (Pam asked an employee if we could put the kids on it for a picture)

And of course yesterday was the race. Nate and I were down on the course at 5:30 am helping set up. The wind was howling and blowing gusts up to 30 MPH... and my tent was in the worst spot. Nate had to reinforce it a couple times and it miraculously held up!! Pam and Bill brought the kids down to the race for the kiddie race at 10.

X came in second in his heat.... even though they were not keeping score... EVERYONE got a ribbon.

There were a lot of good memories this past weekend and more to come... we are only here for two more days before we head back to Ohio to visit with family. Now off to bed.

Good Night and Happy Mother's Day to all you mother's, grandmother's, great grandmother's and "god"mothers out there!!!