Our Split Household

We took Kaylee & Jacob to the IU/Purdue basketball game this past weekend in West Lafayette.  Unfortunately our Boilermakers couldn't make it happen this time. Naturally, Jesse, Kaylee, and I were disappointed by this... and then there was Jacob who talked so much trash during the game and was thrilled with a Hoosier win.  Fortunately for us he fell asleep quickly on the way home so we didn't have to hear him gloat all the way home!

For those of you who either live underneath a rock or are not from Indiana, let me tell you... The rivalry between Purdue and IU is HUGE!  During the 2nd half of every basketball game, regardless of who they're playing, the Purdue fans start chanting, "IU Sucks!  IU Sucks!  IU Sucks!"  There was a Boilermaker fan in front of us who turned around and covered Jacob's ears during this.  She felt so bad.  Then there were a couple of IU fans a few rows in front of us who kept turning around and bumping knuckles with Jacob and even offered him a ride home after the game.  I thought it was funny!

We told him he'd better start saving now for college if he plans to go to IU because he's paying his own way!

The tipoff...

And look who we bumped into while we were there!  Here's a shot of Jacob, Lauren, and Kaylee.

Boiler Up!

Huber Orchard and Winery

We had a beautiful fall Saturday this weekend and decided to visit Huber Orchard and Winery with the kids.  I wish we'd had more time to spend there, but we had a wedding we had to get home for.  I had no idea there was so much to do. 

We started our visit with a wagon ride down to the Apple Orchards to pick some apples.  Jacob loves baked apples and apple crisp, so he was picking all the apples he could find!  20 lbs later, I'm pretty sure he'll get some baked apples and apple crisp out of it.

Kaylee & Jacob also enjoyed the pedal-cart track.  Jacob was loving the Case-IH cart.

We passed on the pumpkin picking.  We grew a few of our own this year, and bought some at the store, so we should be set when it comes to pumpkins. 

We also made our way through the corn maze.  The kids had a good time. 

As we were walking through it, even Anden, would say, "This way?  This way?" 

We even got a family picture taken that might just end up on our Christmas cards this year!

Boiler Up!

Boating with the Family

This past week, my nephew Ben has been visiting.  We LOVE having him here and hope he wants to keep coming down each summer.  This year, we made two trips to Holiday World while he was here and then Mom and & Dad brought their boat down and we spent a day out on Patoka Lake.  Fun fun memories!

Here's some pictures from our day of boating...

Kaylee dancing on back of the boat.

Jacob, Erin, & Anden tubing.

Kaylee & Ben tubing.

Jacob & Anden watching Kaylee & Ben tube.

Jacob & Kaylee

Anden enjoying his own floatie.

Pa & Nana

Jesse, Jacob, & Ben on back of the boat.

Kaylee, Anden, Ben, & Jacob.



Happy Birthday Grandma Mary Lee!

Today is my Mother-in-law's birthday.  We spent yesterday afternoon with her, Denis, and all of Jesse's brothers, sister, and their families.  It was the perfect day to get out and enjoy the sunshine! 

But first, we had to do a little photoshoot of Grandma and her pride and joy...

Oh wait, that's not right, let's try that again...

Much better!!!  :)

Kaylee on Skippy & Emma on Blaze.  Jesse walked with them for a bit and then let them ride alone as he watched from a far.  Good thing I knew nothing of this until they were back, safe and sound!

Jesse & Jacob riding together. 
This was Jacob's first time riding without someone leading the horse. 

He did GrEaT!!  True cowboy!

Anthony, Jacob, Anden, & Isaac playing on the rockpile.

Spring Break Fun

The kids have been off of school this past week for their Spring Break.  We started off the week by rooting our Rangers on at the Semi-State Basketball game.  Unfortunately, their season came to an end.  They'd had an undefeated season up until their Semi-State loss.  Here's the kids pictured with our babysitter's daughter, Lauren.  She's a cheerleader for the Rangers.

After the game, we headed further north to Nana and Pa's house.  Unfortunately, I left my camera behind so I have no pictures from our visit with them.  The kids always enjoy their time at Nana & Pa's house.  We even had time for a trip to the park and had dinner with my brother and his family.

On Tuesday I took all 3 kids to the circus.  Here's Jacob (3rd from the left) riding the elephant.  I asked Kaylee a couple of times if she wanted to ride and she was a definite NO!  :)  Anden loved the circus.  I think his favorite part was the lions. 

Kaylee, Jacob, and I spent a day at Big Splash Adventure Park in French Lick. 

They had a blast!  Here are a few pictures from our day there.

Some under water shots...

Jacob shooting hoops in the pool.

Kaylee on the monkey bars.

All of the water park excitement made for a very tired boy. 
Here he is asleep on the couch.

And yes, he still sucks his fingers (fortunately only when he's just falling asleep)... the same two fingers that had callouses on them when he was born from sucking on them prior to his birth.

Spring is Springing!

Well, I almost titled this entry Spring Has Sprung, but given the dreary, wet, nasty, and cold day we are having today, I changed my mind.  This past weekend however, was GORGEOUS! 

We were able to get out and enjoy it yesterday after a busy day on Saturday.

Saturday we cheered our Rangers on to their Regional victories!  Can't wait until Semi-State this weekend.  The kids have really enjoyed following them this year.  So proud to be a part of Ranger Nation!  Jacob talks about a few of the players as if they're his school friends.  He was outside shooting baskets yesterday and told me that he'd made SO MANY 3-pointers.  I asked him how he does that and he said, "I guess I am just really good!"  He's modest too, can you tell?

Took the kids to the State Forest on Sunday... the kids on their bikes and Anden in his stroller. 

We spent Sunday afternoon picking up limbs out of the yard and the field behind the house from the dozer-work we had done late last fall.  The grass is beginning to green up, the spring flowers are peaking out from the soil, and some have even started blooming!  Such a pretty day!

Here's Kaylee & Jacob having a little 4-wheeler fun in the field behind the house.

Jesse & Anden in the tractor.  Anden loves it so much...

Gets to ride in a tractor AND hang out with dad. 

Looking forward to Spring Break next week!

16.  Seeing the first red robin each year.

20.  First Communion dress shopping with Kaylee.

23.  Birthday parties.

Snowbaby

This morning, we ventured out into the fresh fallen snow.  This was Anden's first real experience with snow.  Not that it hasn't snowed where we live, but last year he was only 6 months and this year, we just hadn't gotten him out in it yet.  But this morning, at breakfast, he pointed outside and said, "Snow," for the first time.  He's not a man of many words, so after being asked no less than 5,342 times by the older two hoolagens, "Can we please go outside," we bundled up and headed out.

This is Anden just as he'd stepped out the door.

It took him no time to reach down, grab a handful, and....

eat it.  Nothing better than fresh WHITE snow.  :-)

Wheeee!  Still licking his chops on the way down the hill..  He loved it!



And now he's inside enjoying a nice warm nap in his nice warm bed.

Spring Mill State Park

Today we decided that it was too pretty of a day to spend around the house, so we loaded up and drove to Spring Mill State Park.  The kids all had a blast.  Kaylee loves being told stories and seeing how people (particularly little girls her age) used to live, work, and play.  She took a lot of interest in the clothes pin dolls, baby carriages, spinning wheels, and the schoolhouse at the Pioneer Village.  Jacob's favorite part was the mill and seeing how it grinds the corn.  Anden just enjoyed the freedom of getting to roam around. 

Jacob's self-portrait.  While we were in the Pottery Shop he told me that he needed my camera because he found something pretty he wanted to take a picture of.  He cracks me up!

Playing checkers in the tavern.



Jacob showing Anden how fun leaves can be.

My crazy kid.

My sweet kid.

My mischievious kid.

And finally, my absolute favorite picture of the day.