Busy weekend, but so much fun!!!

We have had such a wonderful weekend here at home, but seemed to have been busy enough that it, once again, is almost over!! The beautiful weather gives me such major Spring Fever isn't not even funny. We spent SO much time outside enjoying every wonderful moment of weather that we could. I was excited to get my camera out again - I can finally get some good pictures now that we aren't stuck with "home" scenery!!

The kids and I spent most of Saturday outside while we could. The girls and I had a date planned to go and watch Grandpa Kerber at his barbershop show in Algona later in the day. What a wonderful concert it was!!! The feature quartet was unbelievable!! I grew up with my dad singing barbershop music and completely appreciate the harmony and music. It was so fun to share that with my girls - not only because they love music as well, but because it was special time with my girls!! When the concert was done, Mia looked over at me and said "that was the best concert ever" and Ana said to Grandpa, "I loved your singing!"... I think they enjoyed themselves.

While today was a little windy, we once again spent some time outside. We have spent the whole weekend trying to master hitting a ball with a pitch rather than the tee and working on our throwing. I was completely amazed at how they knew to step in to their swing and when to swing - let alone that they swung the whole way through!! We always feel like we've accomplished something if we just make it through a learning experience like that and we don't have a temper thrown because of frustrations!!! And we did it without ONE fit!!!

The new addition

Welcome baby Addisson!!! Chad's sister Nikki had her baby girl March 10th and we were all finally healthy enough to go and visit her for a quick bit. She's beautiful and both her and Mom are doing wonderfully. Kale was ecstatic, to say the least, to go and see her. He's got a soft spot for little babies - it's the one moment you will see him be gentle!!! Congrats again, Nikki and Ryan.

The sweetness...could it stay this way forever??

Every day that I am home with Kale I find more reasons to appreciate why I am here. While he is so different from the girls in many ways, I truly appreciate the way he shows his affection. He was such a cuddly little boy for SO long and then it became less as he became more active. So now, I truly appreciate all of the special moments and his, very few and far between, displays of affection!! His latest thing he says to me is "Mommy, you my best friend". It completely melts my heart. I wish I could keep him this age and this sweet and innocent FOREVER!!

I had to take this picture of Kale while he was napping because it shows EXACTLY what he is like at every moment of every day. Not only are the tractors in a straight row (which is exactly how things have to be), but the fact that tractors are the only thing you ever see him with is what was SO funny to me. I remember the girls lining things up when they were little but Kale is so anal about it that it makes me laugh. Even when he gets on his battery powered gator, he will stop and get off to straighten the wheels by hand if the wheels ever turn!!! Such a funny kid.

Fun at home

The sickness just won't go away!!

I don't like to blog and complain the whole time - but I am EXHAUSTED!! It has been such a long few weeks. It all started with Chad dealing with some pain in his abdomen and literally being confined to the bed for a couple of days because he couldn't hardly move. I finally MADE him go to the doctor and after a whole afternoon of testing he found out he has diverticulitis. We're finally getting over the hump, but during that time of healing he had to finish out things for AgriGold and then start his new job!! Then a few days later Ana got sick with a high fever and nasty cough, then a few days later Kale got sick with a high fever an nasty cough, and now Mia is home sick with me today with yes, a high fever and nasty cough - but her's seems to be a very deep and loose cough and she's lost her voice!! If I get sick after all of this, I will be SOOOO mad!! I'll probably be the one to get sick right before St. Pat's because we have company planning to come!!! Knock on wood that I don't. One thing I DO know - the boys in this house are the worst patients when they're sick.

I have been terrible about taking pictures lately - I think it's mostly because of the winter blues. You don't have all of the fun places to take pictures when you're stuck in the house!! I've added a few new pictures of the kids, and even a picture of sick Mia!!

The girls have finished up swimming lessons once again so that's nice to have finished. You don't realize how much you enjoy having your evenings until you don't have them! During Kale's time being sick, he would take wonderful naps but one day I happened to have a tough time getting him to bed. Normally he will lay in his bed for about 15 minutes playing with his tractors before he would finally fall asleep - but this day it took me almost an hour to even get him to lay down. After getting him to settle down, I walked up stairs and sat down at the computer to check my email. About 15 minutes later, I hear Kale's little footsteps (in shoes, of course, because he HAS to nap with his shoes on for some reason!!) and he says to me "whew, Mom - I had a GOOOOOOOOD nap". I laughed so hard at his serious little man face and said "oh no you didn't - back to bed for you" to which he said "AWWWW, Mom....okay". He cracks me up!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day weekend and a happy, happy spring!!!!