Birthday Boys

It's true, we have two 4 year olds in our house. It is wild to think that it has already been 4 years since Matt & Will came into the world. But, today Jon and I went to lunch with just them and after listening to much conversation about Hickory Dickory Hot Dog, how much candy they each had from Trick or Treating, and what Stella was doing, we are definitely reminded that they are 2 very active 4 years olds that have lots to say about the world!

Baseball Boys

Charlie is loving baseball. Each week he asks when is it Saturday so he can play. This week his team took 3 pitches without the T. He hit a pretty powerful foul ball, but used the T the rest if the time. His coach said he has some good power behind his swing!

Our Yellow Belt

Charlie, Matt and Will have been taking Martial Arts since last fall. Charlie especially likes it and is quick to show anyone his back side kick. When the Master mentioned that testing for the next level belt was coming up, he was very interested in testing. For someone like me who knows nothing about the process, watching the testing was a whole new experience.

Charlie tested with a while group of people, white belts to 2nd degree black belts. Kids as young as 4 to adult of all ages. Testing began with everyone going through several exercises together and then advanced through each level. It took Charlie a couple of tries to break his board, but after the 3rd try, he broke it in half and succeeded in earning his Yellow Belt.

Let the Games Begin

Charlie, Matt and Will collectively agreed that this fall they wanted to play T-Ball. We are 2 weeks in and after our game today, Charlie is asking when we play again. The games are by far the most entertainment I've had all week! Charlie hits left handed and has been hitting well. Matt is not quite sure what to think and Will enjoys as long as he has the ball to throw.

More action shots of Charlie to come.. Jon and i have to switch sides to catch everyone playing at the same time.

A few more 1st day pics

1st Day of School, 2012-13

Wow. The summer went so fast. I can't believe I've turned into such a bad blogger. But work hit epic craziness between beach trips, river trips, camping and a side trip to Baltimorw with work. However, I couldn't let the 1st day of kindergarten for Charlie or Matt and Will's 1st day of 4 day 4 yr old preschool pass us by... They all have been thoroughly enjoying school and it's really hitting me that my babies are growing up. I have said a few times about the past year that I knew we were in the "Cush" zone between diapers and the reality/responsibility of school. And now it's over and were unit. So far so good though. The boys are ready and so I guess Mom and Dad will be too.

Spring Break

Catching up a little. We had an awesome Spring Break at the Beach. It was so much fun to spend so much time with Stella and take her on walks and really just enjoy having a puppy again while at the beach! We also managed to make it down again for Cinco de Mayo.

Charlie

Stella and I on her 1st trip to the beach

Fish 1! Will, Matt, Jon & Charlie

Charlie with his puffer fish catch

Matt, Charlie, Will

Will

Stella learning the ropes with the Flippy Flop

Chasing the Waves

Matt and Stella. "Whoops! isn't this a chew toy?"

Beach bum #1 Charlie

Let Summer Begin!

I can hardly believe that I am posting the school year end pictures. It really feels like we were just in the auditorium yesterday for last year's show. The school had a program for the kids Tuesday, with a juggler and picnic outside and graduation from Pre-K for Charlie. Wednesday, the kids put on a show for the adults. It was a great year and hard to believe how much everyone has grown since September.

Charlie is starting to look forward to kindergarten. We had orientation a few weeks ago. It was slightly surprising to me to see my gregarious 6 year old, go shy and stand behind me while we were walking in to the cafeteria with all the other kids and parents. However, after we saw a few familiar faces, had a tour of the playground and the school, he started to warm up a little bit. He was sold though once we made it in our small group to Mrs. Bosse's Kindergarten class and learned all about what it is like and were able to explore and see her Tadpoles, chicken eggs and butterfly cage. So happy to come away excited and thinking that we may have a budding biologist that may follow in his uncle's footsteps!

Charlie & Pals

Sally & Stacy Ann who enjoyed the juggler

Matt

Will intently watching!

The Pre-K Graduate and Class of 2025!!!

Will, Charlie & Matt

Charlie

After the program play: Charlie

Will

Will and Stacy

Spring VT Campout

We headed to Blacksburg for the 1st time to attend the spring game this past weekend. This was the 1st year, it didn't really conflict with birthday parties, spring break, etc. We convinced my college roomies and Ken and Linda to make the trip with us, as we also joined another group of die hard tailgaters, friends of the Klinge crew and Debbie's brother and brother-n-law. Luckily we made it up fairly early on Friday afternoon and enjoyed some nice weather Friday and Saturday (early day).
Unfortunately, right as we arrived at Lane Stadium, thunder started to rumble and the game was delayed and ultimately cancelled. We ended up hanging out for a while in the stadium but made our way back to continue camping. I realized when we got home, other than our walk to the stadium, we enjoyed just hanging out in the same spot for almost 2 whole days with our buddies. Lots of fun.

Highlights:
Playing with friends (young and old). Water pong, cornhole, bubbles
Tailgating with good food, thanks for the BBQ Chef Jon
Watching planes
Walks with Stella
Talking to the cows

The whole camping crew, Santiago, Hamm (NC & VA), Nystrom and Kolkhorst Families. As Jen said, my how we've grown! 11 kids here, look closely.

Our campsite was right next to the Virginia Tech airport. A great spot to perch and look for planes taking off. Will, Matt, Charlie.

Right before the scheduled spring game, out front of Lane Stadium: Will, Charlie, Matt

Matt celebrating the multiple birthdays with VT birthday cake.

Will

Charlie

Puppy Love

Jon and I must be crazy or fools in love with dogs. One or the other. Probably both.
We agreed we needed to get through potty training 2 older puppies. After getting through that this fall, Jon made a call to Greta's breeder in NC. He put us in touch with Dee who was breeding one of Greta's family members. We were hooked.
We went to see the puppies at 2 weeks old. Did you know puppies are born with their eyes and ears closed? Friday, we went to pick. We knew we wanted a yellow female, but had 5 to pick from. Not an easy decision!
After learning a little more we landed on Stella. She has been called Sandy and prancy feet so far. She has 4 white feet and a pretty sandy color. We are all in love. Charlie is so sweet with her and follows her everywhere. This kid has grieved over Greta and really wanted another dog. I think he is going to be a great caretaker one day. He helped name her.

Introducing: "Stella" Sandy Fluffy Nystrom