Show 2 & Cousins

Another show for Brooke. This time Aunt Jackie, Uncle Tim, Gavin & Lia came. We went out to eat at OIB after.

Ice Show

Successful Performance!

Brooke with Lily Timberlake and Riley Sullivan.

I can't believe he didn't knock himself out

Skate Show Technical Rehearsal

Last chance to get ready for the big shows this weekend!

Brooke Gets A New Bike: Recap

Bikes!

Luke was practicing the balance bike. I'm not sure he will get the hang of it, but he's definitely insistent on trying.

Ryan is really getting around without training wheels. Today is the first day he went on a real ride! All previous practices have been in a parking lot in either MI or at Audubon.

She keeps growing! Time for a bigger bike!

We also picked up a 24" mountain bike for Brooke. She was cruising on it right away, despite the fact it seems 2x bigger than her old one!

1st Spring Soccer Game

Ryan's team, the Hornets, won 4-2. They were looking good! Luke slept though the whole thing ... and later in the day insisted that we had to go to Ryan's soccer because he was positive we never even went.

Kid Quotes

Luke: "I need to brush my teeth. My teeth are all wrinkly"

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Luke: "Look! A squirrel!"
(Points at squirrel, addresses squirrel)

"I'm gonna kill you squirrel!"

Baseball Practice

Ryan's 2nd practice this season. He worked in catching, throwing, batting & sliding.


His brother and sister worked on digging.

Kid Quotes

Brooke fell on Luke's newly uncasted leg. While he was crying she apologized. He told her "thats ok". After a short pause he muttered under his breath "tomorrow I'm going to punch you in the face."

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Me: I don't even know what's for dinner.

Ryan: tacos!

Me: I don't have the stuff for tacos. They don't just grow on trees.

Ryan (wistfully): I wish they did.

Luke's Birthday Trip Recap (via Brooke)

Cast Removal

7 weeks later little man finally is cast free! Limited action for a few weeks and then a follow up X-ray in 6 months (because his break was so close to his growth plate).

Doctor said he will limp for a few weeks due to muscle loss, and we need to keep an eye on him during that period. No crazy activities, no intense jumping ... yeah, that will be easy ;)

Happy Easter!

The traditions are the same whether we're in Chicago or Michigan!

First the hunt. We need to find 1) all the jelly beans 2) all the dyed eggs and 3) baskets!

Ryan & Luke both found theirs

Brooke found hers

Then we gotta dig through the baskets. Mostly looking for candy.

   

Twas The Night Before Easter

Brooke got to play Dominoes with Jillian & Great Aunt Pat

The kids seem to be a bit worried this year as they decided to write nice letters to E.B.

     

Brooke Birthday Note To Luke

Luke's 3rd Birthday

We decided to surprise Luke by taking him to the Albanese Candy Factory in Merrillville Indiana. We didn't quite take into account how close to Easter we are. It was NUTS. Everyone was there getting candy, and to top it off there was a crazy long line to see the Easter Bunny. The kids didn't seem to mind or notice though. 

Part of Luke's birthday present was that he got to pick out candy. There was SO MUCH, it was a pretty hard choice.

 After an eternally long decision process (and we grown-ups wanted to get out of there so bad,

 you can see how crowded it was) Luke picked a Thor Hammer filled with candy. 

We got a few other treats too.

Star Wars themed cake from a local Michigan City Bakery. This was our first time doing a bakery cake in Michigan.

We opened presents, had some yummy cake and ice cream, and had a great birthday celebration.

Super Psyched

On our way to Luke's special birthday surprise. The boys are so excited they can barely contain themselves.

Riding a Bike

Ryan was riding around in MI on a bike ... Pedaling and cruising and working on breaking. First time (doing all that) without training wheels.

He's been out 2x before beginning to practice, but today he got it!

Last time I see my 2 year old

Egg Decorating

Decorated our Easter Eggs in Michigan this year!