Sandbox and outside fun!

The boys LOVE playing in the sand.  When we go to parks, it is a must that we bring our sand toys and they spend the majority of the time playing in the sand instead of on the equipment (fine by me, this pregnant mama can hoist herself on some piece of equipment and watch!).  We decided to build the boys a large sandbox for our back yard.  Knowing this would be quite the project that would be better done without dad's little helpers, I took the boys to Austin to spend some time with my parents and see my gramma's new digs!

 This is a partial view of the new sandbox . . . still isn't officially in the ground yet.  The sand is getting dropped off tomorrow so hopefully over the weekend we can finish up the project!

 Love this shot of the boys- it's so typical.  Henry with his helmet on throwing a frisbee, while Charlie lugs around a bat and ball.  LOVE IT!

The chase is on!

(fast forward a couple of weeks . . .)

 Henry and dad were very hard workers this Saturday morning (while mom and Charlie ran some errands to make the work go a bit more quickly!) and dug the whole for the sandbox!

Thanks, dad and Henry, for all your hard work!

Train Trip!

For the second year in a row, Henry was invited to go on my Aunt Mary's preschool class' train trip.  We left Red Wing on a train, hopped on a school bus in Winona, then headed to Lark Toys (amazing toy store- I could have spent hours there!), before taking the bus back to Red Wing.  Henry loved every part of the trip- especially the bus ride and ice cream cone.  I loved having some one-on-one time with my little buddy! :)

 The train trips always become a mini family reunion! :)  Henry's cousins, Aubrey and Cara, as well as some second cousins were on the trip too.

 Mom and her buddy!

 Henry enjoyed the scenery out the window of the train.  He also loved walking from train car to train car and using the bathroom on the train.  Oh the joy!

 We ate our lunch on the train as well!

 Part of the "package" was a ride on the carousel at the toy store.  Henry was quite nervous to ride on an actual moving creature so chose to sit on the bench as it went around.  After it started and he saw all the other kids having fun going up and down . . .

 . . . he decided he better go again and decided to sit on a deer.  I love his grasp on the antlers! :)

 Mmmm, ice cream!

 Henry and Cara in front of the school bus.

And Henry snoozing with the new ambulance he picked out at the toy store for Charlie (his other hand is grasping the monster truck he choose for himself).  Thanks, Aunt Mary, for another great trip! :)  And thanks to my mom and Aunt Tonja for taking care of Charlie while we were enjoying the train trip together.

Happy (belated!) Mother's Day!

Mom's day is a favorite of mine!  Tom told me he had a few things planned for Sunday and he did not disappoint! :)

He started the day off with delicious omelets before we headed out for a hike (he planned a Northfield hike, but the boys slept in until 8:30 as we were up way too late the night before.  We just didn't have time to squeeze that in before we needed to be back for naps as we have swim lessons on Sunday afternoons that require well-rested kids . . . we've had some issues with a certain 3 1/2 year old and not having a long enough nap before lessons.  Not pretty!).  Anyway, after a long (hour and 45 minutes with Henry walking the entire way!) hike, a stop at the park, and a quick lunch, the boys went down for their naps.  I chatted on the phone all afternoon with my two favorite moms- my mom and sister.  After swim lessons, Tom grilled burgers and then we headed out for an evening walk.  It was a perfect Sunday with my family! :)

I hope all the moms, moms-to-be, and moms at heart had a great day as well!

Garden!

 Charlie gazing out the window at yet another snow fall a week or two ago.  Meanwhile, our plants are waiting patiently to go in the ground.

FINALLY, we were able to get out and plant last weekend!  (When I say "we," I really mean Tom and Henry!).  Thanks to Henry's great help (doesn't he look SO OLD in this picture?  Pulls at my heart strings a bit!), our garden is pretty much planted.  I am so looking forward to fresh veggies and herbs this summer! :)

Out for a run

I haven't officially said anything about the change Tom and our family has gone through the past several months, BUT, Tom officially has a new job!  He started his job search last November and officially resigned from McKenzie on February 1st.  He was given several weeks of search time that brought him right up to the date of his first day at US Bank, which was April 29th.  So between November and late April we had LOTS of Tom time!  It was good for all of us but it's also been nice to get back into our regular roles and into a routine again.  So far, the job has been a really great balance for our family- let's hope it continues! :)  Because of his time off, Tom has been able to get back into running, get more sleep, eat healthy home-cooked meals, and has generally been feeling great! :)  The boys are really into "running" and are quick to point out when someone is "out for a run" while looking out the window of our house or car. 

Here they are stretching with Tom pre-run!

Hiking!

We've gone on a least a dozen "hikes" this spring already . . . with our little family and with friends.  Both boys love traipsing through the woods and, luckily, we live very close to a great park.  I use the word "hike" loosely as we don't move faster than a snail's pace but, hey, the boys get good exercise and lots of fresh air! :)

 Stud Muffin Charlie on his way to the trail, hand in pocket!

 Henry is our little nature lover and is very curious about everything he sees and hears in the woods!

 Handsome guy

 My three favorite guys!

C-man eventually gives in to walking and gets a pretty nice ride on dad's back!

I'm looking forward to many more hikes this spring/summer (as long as this body can handle it- and when it can't, I'll look forward to some quiet time in the house when Tom takes the boys on a hike!!!).



First Bike Ride of the Season!

This photo was taken a few weeks ago . . . it's been awhile since I've updated the blog!  Both boys really enjoy being pulled in the bike trailer.  Tom says they're quite the load!  I'm bummed that bike riding is off my list of things to do this summer . . . for good reason, though! :)

 Smiley guys! :)

Wheee!!

(Tom is unable to find his bike helmet and has been wearing mine . . . Henry would flip if Tom rode without one.  Anytime he sees a motorcyclist or biker without a helmet, he insists the biker is on his/her way home to get it because he/she forgot!)