Java Gym

 For the past, I would say week or so, Kirsten has been fighting a cold and giving us limited sleep. It has been taking it's toll on me and my energy level with the other kids. So today after we picked up Cohen from school and dropped off his friend off at his mom's work, I decided we were going to our favorite little spot. It's a spot we found about a year ago and the kids love it. It's called Java gym. It's like a large maze of tunnels, ropes and slides. But it is so nice because I can sit and watch them and there is only 1 entrance or exit so I am not constantly having to follow them all around. Plus they have a nice place to purchase food and drinks. Cohen was sooo excited when we pulled into the parking lot because he remembered how much fun he had last time. And he was such a good big brother helping Kendall climb up in areas that were a little more tough for her. He also introduced her to all of his new friends as "my favorite sister Kendall." I love to observe them playing nicely and working together and to see the love they have for each other. Kendall ADORES her big brother and would follow him ANYWHERE. And I am soo glad that she has him in her life!!

So much fun!!

Love them!!

Helping his sister= heart melting

They also have an area for babies!!

Kendall had fun with Kirsten too

with love from the zoo

Banana bread

Growing up one of my favorite things my mom made was banana bread. I loved the way the house smelled while it was baking and the taste fresh out of the oven. So I have been making it for my family. But I make it with a little twist. When Cohen was really young I found it was so much easier for him to handle or for me to grab when I made them muffin size. This has become one of my kids favorites now- esp Cohen! I think he could eat about 10 of them a day :) So this past week I enlisted their help. I realize it really isn't help when you ask a 5 year old and 2 year old to make banana bread but they had fun and feel like they are helping. So searching for broken egg shells or brushing off the extra flour that didn't make it into the bowl was all apart of the fun!!

Baking helpers

Looking good

Kendall's favorite part

Finished product!!

with love from the zoo

Igloo fun

So the other day we were on our way home from church and small group and Cohen asked Keith if he would play outside with him. I knew Keith had had a long week and was really looking to rest a bit, but being the good daddy that he is he agreed to go outside with Cohen. I thought for sure they would be in after about 30 min or so. So I took the girls inside and laid them down for naps. After about an hour I peeked outside to see Keith, Cohen and one of our neighbors in the corner of our street with every shovel we own digging into the snow that the snow plow had pilled up. After almost 2 hours I decided to peek outside and see what they were up to. And boy was I impressed!!! Today I took the kids out to play in their new igloo and we had so much fun!!

Anyone home?

Peekaboo!!! 

Made it thru the tunnel

Cheese!

Mommy and Kendall

Man on the hill!

My loves!!!

Miss Kirsten also got some time with mommy!

with love from the zoo

The Big 3-0

Well I knew it was coming and I was dreading it.... the big 3-0. For some reason this birthday was especially hard. I don't really know why. Maybe it is the thought that I am no longer in my 20's or that I feel like now I have to dress and "act" my age. I keep telling myself that I do have 3 kids so I should act like it. But deep down I still feel like I just left high school :) But I have an amazing husband who took my anxiety and turned my focus on something else. He would only tell me that Cohen and Kendall were spending the night with my parents and that we needed to be on the road at 9. He had left me a few clues and I had come up with a trip to Traverse City. I was wrong. He surprised me with a trip to ....... Chicago- my favorite city!! And another surprise was it was with some of our dear friends! The whole weekend was all about good food, shopping and spending time together.

Chicago!!!

Our hotel

Love of my life!

A must stop...Sprinkles Cupcakes

Skyline all made out of Legos

Ready to go out on the town

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory 

Daddy trying to keep Kirsten warm

Well Chicago we had fun

So bring it on 30

I have some pretty amazing people I am going to spend it with

Here's to making it a great year!!

With love from the zoo