My 3 Sons + One: April 2011

4.30.2011

Race Day

It's been 17 months since my last race. Earlier this spring I signed up for a 10K as a way to get myself motivated to get back into exercising after having Luke.

Today was the day. The weather was terrible. It was pouring rain on the way there, but fortunately the rain and wind let up for the hour I ran, and as we were driving home, the skies opened up again.

I get very competitive with myself and with those I'm running with. My original goal of completing the race today turned into a goal of beating my personal best 10K time from 2 years ago, which turned into a desire to want to beat my sister. Yes, Holly, I really did want to beat you.

I didn't beat my personal best or Holly, but I did get out there and run. And 6 months after having my 4th baby, I should be proud that I ran 6.2 miles at a 9:17 pace.

As far as beating Holly...there's always next year!

4.28.2011

Royal Fan

I admit it. I'm looking forward to the wedding. I've watched more than enough of TLC's "Royal Wedding Week" specials, and now I've got my TiVo set.

Hurry up and get married, you two. I need to get back to cleaning my house.

4.27.2011

Not To Be Outdone

Ben and Matt aren't the only performers of the family.

Adam is "Dynamite" as well!

4.25.2011

Goatee Rap

Ben gets all the credit for this. I tell ya, you take that boy away from any screen time, he gets desperate enough and all creativity kicks in!

4.22.2011

Whistle While You Work

Over the past few months Adam has perfected the art of whistling. He whistles ALL. THE. TIME! At times it is a true test of my patience because I just want it quiet, but really, what is the harm in whistling? He's got one note he can produce, and he's loud!

I took a personal day from school the other day and enjoyed some time at home with Luke and Adam while the other two were at school. Adam and I spent some time cleaning, and he's always very eager to help me out. Without prompting, he whistled the whole time!

1. Whistling Demo

2. Vacuuming

3. Washing Windows

*I had the cutest video of whistling while mopping the floor, but it accidentally got deleted. : (

4.20.2011

6 Months

Luke. Lukey. Luker. Bubba. Mr. Man.

6 months old...time has flown by!

18 # 13 oz & 27 1/2 inches long

Usually sleeping 9:30-8:00. Last night woke at 11:00 - 2:00 - 5:00 (Boo!)

Won't sleep at daycare unless he has his blankie, but that's against licensing rules...stinker!

Started baby cereal and food, seems to like it all

Poops about every 3 days and then has HUGE BLOWOUTS (the kind you cut the onesie off and throw away all the clothes he was wearing!)

Happy. Content. Easy-going. Smiley. Belly laughs.

Rolls from stomach to back. Can sit for a few seconds on own.

Everything goes in his mouth.

Big brothers all adore him. Mom and dad do, too!

Video Clips:

1. He is obviously starting to know who his mama is! He's busy with his snake until I walked past him and completely took his attention off the snake.

2. He has a plastic rubber snake that he loves. It's very creepy to see him sucking on it.

3. Ticklish

4.16.2011

Furnace is Out

Our vents started putting out a stinky/hot smell this evening. A neighbor who does heating/cooling stuff came to check it out and said the blower is out. He recommended not calling tomorrow (Sunday) thinking we'll be way overcharged for a weekend call.

You would think on April 16th I wouldn't have to be too worried about a cold night. Wrong. We have snow on the ground and the nighttime low is 28.

We've got extra blankets on the boys' beds and space heaters going in all the bedrooms.

Mom and Dad, if it's too miserable and we don't sleep well, we're moving into your house since you're out of town!

Photographer Ben

For as long as I can remember, Ben has had fun playing with the camera. He's not afraid to try interesting subject matter, lighting or angles.

He usually takes pictures when he's bored, and this cold and snowy spring weekend when I refused to take out the clean snow clothes, (yes, I would have had they asked, but nobody asked), was a good opportunity to play with the camera.

His movie-making skills...that's another story. I think an earthquake hits at the beginning of the video, and then it's classic 10 yr. old obnoxious noises.

4.12.2011

The Boy Loves His Blankie

None of our 4 boys have been pacifier babies. 3 of the 4 however (take one guess on who isn't included in this bunch) are blankie boys. It didn't take Luke long to become attached to his "B" as we call them in our house.

Occasionally we'll see him sleeping like this...

But more often than not he's like this...

Yes, we are still light on blogging material here.

4.10.2011

He was jumping...

until I took out the camera.

We've been light on blogging material lately, so this is the best I've got.

4.09.2011

The Thaw

I think winter is finally gone! Was it ever a long, snowy winter. For the most part, I don't mind winter, but the endless amounts of snow got kind of old this year. It's nice to be getting outside to run and walk, bike with the boys, jump on the tramp, and burn off some energy.

The boardwalk that exists in the wetland buffer behind our house normally has tall grasses under it. With the amount of snow this year, it has looked like we live on lake property lately. There isn't any threat of flooding to our house, which we're very thankful for.

Happy Spring!

What it typically looks like under the boardwalk

This year's frozen "lake"

It's been pretty to look at and dream of living on a lake

4.06.2011

Traveling With 6

We attempted our first road trip as a family of 6 to Sioux Falls for a couple of days over break. Everyone did well, slept well at the hotel, adjusted to napping in the car or the stroller, and we had a nice time visiting Grandma and Opa. Matt cracked me up because he kept referring to this as our "big spring break trip!" Yes, it was for us, but in comparison to many of his peers who were heading to tropical locations out of the country, the statement just made me laugh.

A stop at the Jolly Green Giant. The angle of this picture is no coincidence. Very carefully planned by a certain 10 year-old. This also happens to be the G-rated picture. I couldn't bring myself to post the other option.