Dog Sitting

Our friends were leaving for Germany for a week and we jumped on the chance to watch their three year old lab, Lola. Lola couldn't be more chill if she tried and is AMAZING with the children.  As you know Claire HATES animals...not Lola.  Claire now wakes up yelling, "Pup-Pup" vs. Ma Ma!  As soon as the dog loys down she runs to her room to try and cover Lola up or lines her babies next to Lola.  Next week will be a sad day to see Lola go:(

"Napping" with Lola

Claire trying yet again to cover the doggy and pit him night-night!

As soon as the kiddos head out the door Lola is right behind them.  The kid's opend bottom door to the play set and Lola goes right in a lays down!

This is how they could both spend their entire day!

Easter

This year we spent Easter in Virginia Beach with my brother Brian as we were trying to catch a flight back to Spain.  It was so great though to be with Brian and the kiddos had a blast.  Seriouly holidays only become more and more fun as each year they become older!  (I guess until they become bossy and demand certain items at Christmas)!! 

The Easter bunny came in the morning, we then hit the trails at the state park, and finished with a Tides game in the afternoon.

Above is Drew singing to Claire with his hair brush guitar!

I had to make an emergency Easter bunny run to Target as I wasn't planning on being in the states for Easter.  It all worked out though:)

The kiddos were thrilled!  It was really cute, Drew yelled "Mom, the Easter bunny AND Santa came together"!!!!  They each had two small baskets and ten eggs to find.

Claire was amazed how each egg she opened there was candy!!

The Tides game was great (minus the 90' sun). 

Hunt Club Farm

What do I love besides seeing family when I'm back in Virginia.. is the great friends we had while stationed there.  One weekend we met up with our good friend Aya and her two cute litlte kiddos.  Kai and Drew met each other when they were just a year old (check old blog posts) and we had playdates with the boys at least twice a week during our tour in Virgnia.  Then we both ended up having girls about a month  apart.  When the boys get together they act as if we had never moved and jump in and played! 

We had a great time at the Hunt Club Farm Easter PaRtY!

It didn't take Drew and Kai less then two minues and they were back to holding hands like they did when they were only a year!

The farm had little chicks that you could hold. 

Claire also hates all characters that are dressed up!

And nothing has changed with Claire and he fear of animals! 

Brian was able to relax his arms Claire was hanging on so tight!

Claire watching Drew close to see how one fill's their bag full of candy...

Claire finally got the hang of this whole candy in the egg thing and loved it!  Until she saw the bunny sitting on a chair watching the kid's find eggs....

Drew didn't even want to stop for photos, on a mission!

Papa's Birthday In Virginia!

The other week the kiddos and I jumped on a C-5 and headed to Virginia Beach!  We had this arranged for months to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday.  My mom bought airline tickets and didn't tell him where they  were going until they were at the airport and then the bonus surprise when they landed was that we were here to join in with the festivities!  

The kiddos with uNcLe BrIan who they worship!

The weather couldn't have been better during my parents stay.  We went to one of my favorite places the Botanical Gardens where the kiddos had a blast in the fountains.

It was pretty neat to see a bald eagle had made a nest in the park!

So I'm not sure who wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese more... Brian or Drew????  Drew giving his "pimp" look!

Claire and Mimi checking out the dancing characters

I wish I had taken video of this SOOOO bad.  This was a truck that went side to side, front to back, and then would shake.  It had a steering wheel, gas peddle, and a brake.  So the truck started and I started to tell Drew " Go left.. left Drew...no right...hit the brake... Drew"  Drew's eyes couldn't have been any larger and was yelling "Get me out of here".  I'm lol as I write this thinking back on it!  Yes, I'm a mean mom!

Brian and Drew counting all of their tickets!

Papa and Claire

No More Training Wheels!

The past few weeks Drew has taken off and then put back on his training wheels and they are now officially off!!!  Now if WE can just keep up!!  GREAT JOB DREW!!!!!

SWING SET!!!!

In January Andy and I ordered a swing set for the kiddos and it just arrived.  We went with a Stetp Two and couldn't be happier!  With the help of great friends we had the swing set up in no time!  And I really don't know who was more excited the kid's or mom!

Ok, so maybe a few pieces to start..

Drew was glad to help, wearing his working gloves of course!

Claire was in shock!!

Ireland

Last week we returned home from a RELAXING week in Ireland.  When I met Andy in Iceland we tried to make it to Ireland from Iceland and it just never worked out.  It didn't work out for a reason as we went a few years later with our kiddos!!  We flew into Dublin and then drove three hours to the west side of Ireland and stayed in Killarney.  We spent five days there and our last two in Dublin.

Killarney had Ireland largets national park.  It was just gorgeous and we couldn't even cover it all!

Andy and I talked so much about how Ireland really reminded us of Iceland, just beautiful.

There were so many castles!

Us acting like teenagers having a photo shoot!

This is the house we rented in Killarney.  It was great three bedrooms, fire place, and a HUGE fenced in yard for the kiddos to run in after our daily road trips.