Sherwood Ohio

Two weeks ago, the kids and I set out by ourselves to visit Uncle Eric, Aunt Katie, Clay, and Alethea in their new home in the great metropolis of Sherwood Ohio.  By metropolis, I mean that they live next to their church and a family that owns a llama!  The biggest excitement on our 3 day stay was when some tractors and farm equipment drove by and when we went to the McDonald's playplace (we had to drive about 12 miles to get there, but it was well worth the trip.)

Sherwood Ohio might not make the top 10 list of most popular destinations, but it does in my book.  My kids and I had a great time.  4 kids ages 3 and under make for lots of fun :)  The best part?  My children slept.  Yes.  All night.  My children are notorious for sleeping downright terrible when we are away from home.  But not this time.  The farm-fresh air lulled them right to sleep.

I consider Sherwood Ohio the ultimate vacation destination!  We are going to have to go back sometime soon.  The next time Aunt Katie and I are going to take the 4 kids with us to the Bar.  That's right.  Sherwood Ohio is proud owner of the Dairy Bar :)

Could they get any cuter!?

A Summer Stroll

I'm convinced that I'm not biased.  She is adorable.  She spent the afternoon chasing Daddy and Benny around while they mowed the grass :)

https://youtu.be/D2ON3xGJ24w

Go Little Lady!

This past week, Claire loves to push this cart around.  She laps our kitchen/dining room/living room area over and over again.  Someone just needs to teach her how to steer :)

http://youtu.be/zqmz5S0xFnA

Easter 2015

I love music on Easter Sunday.  Terrific brass, organ, and choir music to celebrate the triumph of Jesus over death!  (Although, its probably the only Sunday a year that I feel stressed about church.)  Nevertheless, what a privilege I have to play music to praise our great God!  We had a wonderful family time too.  Here are pics to remember the fun :)

A chilly but sunny day for the community Easter egg hunt.

Chillin' with the Bunny

He's a big kid now.

Brooke wore this dress to our wedding nearly 10 years ago!  

Happy 85th Birthday Nana!

Here is our 3rd annual Happy Birthday Nana photo!  Here is just an abbreviated list of the reasons we love Nana:

1) She makes awesome pancakes and sausage---even made into the shape of Franklin!
2) She always has cookies!
3) Most of the time she has a bowl of chocolate candies in her kitchen.
4) Benny is really good at saying 'please.'  Thus, Nana is more than happy to give Benny above mentioned cookies and candy :)
5) At age 85, she still gets down on the floor to play with Benny and Claire.  (I hope I can do that when I'm 85...)

The list could go on and on...  Really, what's not to love about our sweet Nana!  Just yesterday, Benny got all of our sprinkles out.  I asked him what he was planning to do with all those sprinkles.  His reply?  "I'm going to go bake cookies with Nana."  Obviously.

This year features Benny spreading Birthday cheer!

http://youtu.be/CNA37y3RZK4

Mama's Little Cupcake

Today Claire Capri turned 1 year old!  She is certainly sweeter than sugar.  We had a 'cupcake' party for her to celebrate the big day!

My cupcake creation.  When I made this, I felt like I was on an episode of DC Cupcake!

Claire shares a birthday with this lovely girl.  Today Callie turned 9.  It was a combo cupcake/mermaid party.

Let me see here...

Not too bad...

Why does my mommy make me eat raisins, bananas, and green beans when we could be eating cupcakes instead?

My brother assisted with opening gifts...

Benny also assisted with toy operations...

Stevie and Lindy made it!

I'm only slightly biased, but this little lady is wonderful!  I'm blessed to be her mommy!

Fun Claire facts on her first birthday:

1) She still only has 2 teeth.

2) Crawling all over the place.  She will pull herself up, but gets scared and quickly cries for someone to come save her.

3) She talks!  I've caught her saying a variety of words including all done, hi, banana, and water.

4) She is getting more opinionated.  If Benny has something she wants, she'll put up a fight for it!  Likewise, he goes out of his way to keep Claire away from his things.  Sibling quarrels have begun!

Christmas 2014

The month of December never fails to be quite busy!  But, we managed to have a pretty grand time celebrating Jesus' birthday :)

Kevin's work has a breakfast with Santa each year.  Thankfully, both kids liked him.  No tears from these two!

Benny's big request from Santa for this year was a new Mickey shirt.  Benny wore it for 3 days straight.  I'm not kidding.  He wouldn't take it off.  He was thrilled :)

Christmas morning snuggles with Mommy.

Christmas morning snuggles with Daddy.

Trying out the new hat and tasting a candy cane :)

Claire got a new doll.

Benny got a new BMW.

Christmas day was at Nana and Papa's house.  Marian and John's family came with Buddy.  Benny and Claire adore this doggie!