she's WALKING

Wednesday night our little Addi Joy started walking all over the place. She is starting to walk more and more and before we know it she'll be taking off. Right now she will pull herself up on the couch and then turn around and walk but she doesn't get up if she falls, she will crawl her way back to the closest object and then pull herself back up again. I wanted to share a short video for my mom who is so anxious to see her walking. Enjoy!

We just got home from Hagar Park, the girls loved it. Kylynn did not want to leave and started to cry. We told her we could come back tomorrow or maybe go to another park and that seemed to satisfy her. I think this summer is going to be a blast with our girls. Bike rides, the beach, the park, just playing all of the time, with Kylynn getting so much more into everything this is just going to be an enjoyable summer. I'm really looking forward to May 29, my last day of school, at this point it can't come fast enough. Here's our trip to the park.

back to the grind...

Kylynn and I both did not want to get up this morning. We survived though. Now I am updating with Easter photos before I begin working on my presentation on my Action Research for class Wednesday night. But the good news is I will be done with classes until September. I have to finish the paper yet but I'll be done with classes:)

We had a wonderful Easter with our girls. Kylynn was so much fun and she really did get it, that is what makes it fun. She sat in big church with us and only spoke up once, she did great. Now we're just waiting for some warm weather so we can be outside more. Kylynn can't wait to play in her sprinkler.Kylynn coloring her eggs.

Kylynn, Mommy, and Addi, coloring Easter EggsKylynn Joy in her new Crocs and Ariel sunglasses.

Sisters:)

Our family on Easter, it was a little windy

Kylynn Joy says and does the darndest things...

Okay, so here are a few of the conversations and things she has done over the last few days that have just cracked me up.

"Daddy, I went poopy."

Jason, "did you make a mess in my toilet?"

"Yup, all over."

Jason, "well you better go clean it up."

"No, Colleen will do that." (Colleen cleans our house)

Pretty sad when your 2 1/2 year old tells you the cleaning lady will take care of that.

Today Hannah and Jessica were talking to Kylynn about their piercings and tattoos. She said she didn't want one and the next thing you know she goes to her room comes out with a brown crayon and hands it to Hannah. We were like, what is she doing. She starts taking off her sock. Mind you, the girls have tattoos on their feet. She wanted Hannah to draw her a Jesus fish on her foot. We just died laughing.

One of her new words is 'actually'. Like, "actually, I think maybe Addi doesn't like that Mom." She is quite the little mother to Addisyn, I just smile and shake my head. I guess it would be pretty boring without her, it was when she was visiting Grandma, now Grandma misses her cause she is such a little chatter box.

We love you Kylynn Joy, I sure don't know what I would do without you.

Spring Break...

Well, it may be spring break but the weather is not like spring at all. Bummer! I would love to be outside with the girls this week but it's only 40 degrees. Hopefully by the end of the week it will warm up.

Kari and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Chicago this past weekend. We left Friday morning and shopped the Michigan City outlets, great deals! Especially for the girls. After shopping for 4-5 hours we headed to Shaumberg to IKEA. It has been a few years since I've been there but Kari had never been. It was funny to watch her, she was pretty overwhelmed. I got some good deals and enjoyed looking at all of the IKEA furniture. We then made a pit stop on the way to our hotel at Target, Kari got her Wii Fit, she was so excited. We finally made it to the hotel and were ready to head up to the room to relax, a no go. Our key would not work in the door so we trucked our luggage through the parking log, off roading a little and through the front door to have the guy tell us it wasn't our key it was the machine. We laughed pretty hard, I can honestly say it was almost the first time I peed my pants, I didn't but came very close.

We got up the next morning and headed for the city. We did some walking, some more walking, and yet some more walking. We found Kari her sweatshirt she wanted at Forever 21, saw the Bean, ate at the Cheesecake factory, walked some more, and hit Trader Joes. After leaving the City we headed to Woodfield Mall, where I found my sweatshirt from Forever 21 and some other good deals. We finally made it back to the hotel and Kari wanted to condense her bags, she ended up with 2, I had a whole lot more than that, did some condensing but let's just say I was pretty successful this shopping trip.

The girls slept in for me yesterday, it was great. We got up at 9:30, got ready and headed to Target and Meijer. Today the girls went to Auntie's, I worked at school for about 3 hours and ran some errands to get the girls' Easter baskets ready.

Tonight I finally made it back to SNAP, a little break. I hadn't been there since last Wednesday, it showed. I was struggling. I am making myself go again tomorrow night, Thursday night and for sure Sat and Sunday. I'm looking forward to scrapbooking on Friday night with Julie. Maybe I'll get started tomorrow night so I can get organized. I'm pretty far behind. Almost a year behind in my family book, a few months behind in Addi's book and about 8 months behind in Kylynn's book. Time to get crackin. I'll leave you with a few pics from the last few weeks.

Addisyn was walking for us last week. Her big sister took a little mini vacation in TC with Grandma and Grandpa Vandyke. I think that Addi was comfortable with Kylynn gone and didn't feel like she would be knocked down. She hasn't been walking much since Kylynn has been back. We're trying not to push her but we know she can do it.Kylynn and Addi in their cherry bathing suits. We're stocking up for the summer.The girls were having fun in the laundry basket. Kylynn said "Addi, you get in and I'll push you." Well, they both ended up in there, a little cramped but they had fun.

Kari and I by the BEAN, I have now seen the BEAN.Shopping in Chicago, Starbucks in hand!

Spring is here...

The girls have enjoyed their bike rides with their daddy this week. I have been so busy lately thankfully the girls have been able to spend some good quality time with their dad. It seems as though M-W I'm not around. Between WW, class, school stuff, and just other random things I'm not around till Thursday nights. This week I have conferences, unfortunately I will be gone Tues, Wed, and Thursday nights this week. I'm so looking forward to sping break, 2 more weeks. Too bad we're not going anywhere, it seems everyone is heading to Florida this year. We were supposed to but J slacked and it was too late. I guess he is taking me to Vegas this summer. Right now I'd rather be getting ready for Florida, he doesn't get that I don't think. As a teacher Spring Break is a really good time to get away, a much needed get away at that point in the year.Anyway, we enjoyed some outside time today. Kylynn rode her bike and scooter. She is kinda getting the hang of the bike. After working at it she will get it I'm sure, it'll take some time.

Yesterday we had Addisyn's 1 year check up, she has another ear infection, that is number 5! I'm going to be pushing for tubes really quickly here. The poor thing, everytime she gets a new tooth she has an ear infection. She was 22.6 (75th percentile) and 31 1/4 inches (97th percentile). Hopefully she has her daddies jeans, tall and thin.

Here's a few shots from the past week. Hope everyone is enjoying the sun and spring weather.Addisyn and Kylynn, cute little flowers they areKylynn Joy, here "cute" pose

Addisyn Joy, enjoying some pasta pick ups for lunch today!

Butterflies are blooming

We headed out to the Meijer Gardens today to take the girls to see the butterflies, j's idea. Kylynn was pretty excited. It was fun watching her see them. Addisyn even got excited. One landed on her but flew away too quickly for me to take a picture. We had a great day!

Our Beautiful Butterflies!Addisyn JoyKylynn Joy

Daddy and his girls looking at the butterflies
The girls, in our bright colors to attract the butterflies

Happy Birthday Addi, We miss you Steph!

Today is a happy day in the fact that we celebrate Addisyn's 1st Birthday, but I can't help but be sad today as well knowing my cousin Stephanie is not here to celebrate with us. 10 years ago today I recieved a terrible phone call telling me she was killed. I can not believe that was 10 years ago already. How sad is it that my closest cousin and friend was taken from me and has not been able to share in my life. She wasn't there for my wedding, the birth of my children, and all of the fun times our family has had. I know that she is watching over us and I can't wait to see her again some day.

Addisyn Joy, you have been nothing but a joy to our lives. I am so proud of all you are and who you are. We love you and can't wait to watch you grow. Happy Birthday baby!