A new season....

Well, we are back to it once again.  Soccer season has begun here, so we are back to practices and games. Porter and Carlee both had their first games this past Saturday. It was such a horribly cold day and Andy was working so I had to drag the little girls along. Marin did okay for about 30 minutes, but then she started crying because she was so cold, so I had to go back to the van and watch Carlee's game from there. Porter was a hoot during Carlee's game, he was totally analyzing the girls, saying that they have "no ball control". It is so funny when you compare girls to boys, the girls just don't go after it as much. Carlee was also cracking me up when she would kick it. As soon as she kicked it, she would look over at me and smile to make sure I saw, completely forgetting about the game.

Carlee playing in her coat because it was so cold.


I love that this girl is always smiling.


Going for the ball.

After Carlee's game we went home and got the dog because we were having a showing and then we went to Wendy's and then headed back to the fields for Porter's game. Not that I don't love to watch Carlee's games, but Porter's are so much more intense. They are so fun to watch.

Porter's team is called Big Red.

Porter heading toward the goal.

About to pass to a team mate.

Carlee's team lost.
Porter's team won.

As much of a hassle is was to drive around all day with the kids, be freezing cold while watching the games, I love it. My kids love it. I would do it all over again any day. Here's to a fun season and hopefully better weather.

Sunday Evenings can be the Best....

I love Sunday afternoons and evenings when the weather is warm, Andy is home, and we have nothing to do but be together. This evening we had just gotten home with having dinner with friends and it was so nice outside. Porter and Andy were playing catch, the girls were riding bikes and doing sidewalk chalk, and I was just enjoying the view.

 

My Porter man who told me he is a "sports guy"

 

Marin loves balls.

 

Carlee loves her dad so much.

 

Having a moment.

 

Marin loves her blanket from Grandma KayLee. This was such a funny moment because one minute she was outside playing with us and then she went back in the house. I just assumed she was done, but then I looked up and saw her dragging her blanket outside.

 

I think it was time to go in and get ready for bed.

Andy is one Tough Mudder......

Andy is amazing in so many ways.  He has so many strengths about him and he has a mental toughness that I cannot comprehend.  Months ago, after we had done the Warrior Dash together, he decided he wanted to do a race that was actually challenging being that he basically laughed the while way through the Mudder.  In searching he came across the Tough Mudder.  I said no way, but again, he laughed and signed himself up.  He had the best intentions to use the 5 months until the mudder to train, but with his busy schedule, it just didn't happen.  I think he went on maybe ten runs total, but that was all.  Like I said, he is amazing.  The day of the race came and Andy left early in the morning.  I was not planning on going, but Hillary talked me into going and said she would watch the little girls, and I would just take P and C with me to watch.  The weather this day was cold and rainy.  The kids and I were in warm clothes, boots, and had a huge umbrella, it was the perfect weather though for the Mudder.  There was so much traffic I did not make it in time to see Andy start or do much of the race for that fact.  The kids and I spent most of our time running back and forth between the shockers and the ramp wall. We happened to catch Andy running right after the ramp and approaching the schokers at the end. I was trying to get him to slow down so that I could get a picture of him in action, but validly he just wanted to finish. He did just run 12 miles and do some insane obstacles.

Porter and Carlee being silly on the bus ride to the event.

The people at the ramp wall, they are all just standing there thinking how are they going to get up the wall. Can you spot Andy.....no, me either.

Love how this guys leg is flying in the air.


This girl was awesome, but needed a faster running start. Look at how long her legs are.

Most people were doing this, sliding down. The ramp was covered in mud and was wet.


This guys ended up hanging upside down.
*****Andy made it up the wall all by himself, with no one helping him up!!!!!!!! Like I said, he is amazing.

 
Spotting P and C.

LOVE this picture of him telling Porter about the obstacles.


They were so proud of Andy. I really think anyone could do the Tough Mudder if you really train. There were some people who were there to have fun and you could tell they did not take it seriously. It is all about mental and physical toughness combined and letting go of fears (like Andy's fear of heights). With that being said, I will never do a Tough Mudder.  Great job Andy Bush!!

Spring Break....

This year I was determined to do something fun every day for Spring Break. Mainly because we were not going anywhere and because Andy was working every day and I didn't want the kids to be missing him even more than they all ready do. We started off by going to Malley's, our home away from home, which was a great way to start the weekend. On Monday's here in the Cleve it is free zoo admission, so we headed to the zoo and met some friends there. It was perfect weather to walk around and see some animals. The new exhibit at the zoo is the elephants which the kids were super excited about.


The kids and I by the elephants.


They really are amazing animals, they look so friendly and sweet. It was so fun to see them eat they hay with their trunks and walk around.


Sara and the boys.


My stylin' Carlee girl. She insisted on wearing my sunglasses all day, too cute.


I think this was my favorite animal for the day, the koala. He was so cute just sitting there on the tree in and out of sleep. I would have taken him home, but then I realized I already have 4 kids and a dog. Shoot. After the zoo, we went home had some down time, then Sara came over and we made homemade Raspberry ice cream, yum yum!

Other fun things we did this week...I took the kids swimming, play dates, Porter had basketball camp, and we went to Tower City in Cleveland. Tower City is not a big deal, it's actually quite dirty, and I found out it was a mall, I didn't know what I was expecting really. But it is more about riding the train downtown, eating McDonald's, and buying junk at the dollar store.

Hillary and Grant

 Best friends JP and Porter.

Tessa and her mommy.

 .

Sisters.  I don't think they have ever been this happy to take a picture together before.

Sara and Truman.

 

Wes and Carlee.

Grant and Marin were such a crack up. They showed no emotion and were just looking at each other. I think the train was a little scary to them.

 

A view from the train. After we ate, we walked around for a bit. The kids were loving the fountain and were trying to take the money that other people ad already thrown in it.

 

The crew of kids, which we have a lot of them between us.

Grant and Marin looking at each other again.

 

The kids and I. Love my crew.

Sara, myself, and Hillary, not bad for a picture taken by Porter and I think it is funny we all have sunglasses on our heads.

The Easter Bunny has landed....

Easter this year was super fun. It started out a little crazy because Andy has been working so many nights, but we are always a good team and manage to pull it together. I ended up taking the kiddos to church by myself being that Andy had just gotten off the night shift, but it was still a wonderful sabbath day. I sung with our ward choir and I think it sounded great. I also had the opportunity to teach the lesson for Relief Society. Basically it was a great start to such a meaningful day. After church I called Andy to make sure that he was awake and that the Easter bunny had landed.....we received an all clear. The kids and I pulled up to a front yard full of eggs and fun stuff. The kids were freaking out running around like crazy, it's funny to me the level of excitement for some plastic eggs filled with jelly beans. Our Easter bunny this year was creative and organized and put eggs and baskets in the front yard for Marin and Tessa, and then put eggs and baskets in the back yard for Porter and Carlee.


The girls looking at their goods. Side note-thanks to my friend Sarah Groesbeck my girls all had matching
dresses, thanks for letting us borrow them Sarah!


My Tessa May, such a happy egg hunter.


Marin had just woken up from a nap, so Andy had to help her at first, but it didn't take long for the peanut to figure it out.

Forcing the kids to take a picture together. I love Marin's smile in this one, so funny, and I love how Porter was sneaky and took off his nice clothes.


P-man finding his goods, we had a little basket confusion this year......I will make sure that doesn't happen next year. 


Tessa playing with her stuff and rocking her new sunglasses.


I love Marin's new shoes and her painted toe nails, too cute.


Me and the girls, again, not really into taking a picture....

Later on in the day we went to a friends for Easter dinner and celebrated with a few other families, it was perfect. The kids played outside, had an Easter egg hunt, and Andy lost his iPhone, a day we will never forget.